Effect of atractylenolide Ⅲ on zearalenone-induced Snail1-mediated epithelial–mesenchymal transition in porcine intestinal epithelium

Background The intestinal epithelium performs essential physiological functions,such as nutrient absorption,and acts as a barrier to prevent the entry of harmful substances.Mycotoxins are prevalent contaminants found in ani-mal feed that exert harmful effects on the health of livestock.Zearalenone(ZEA)is produced by the Fusarium genus and induces gastrointestinal dysfunction and disrupts the health and immune system of animals.Here,we evaluated the molecular mechanisms that regulate the effects of ZEA on the porcine intestinal epithelium.Results Treatment of IPEC-J2 cells with ZEA decreased the expression of E-cadherin and increased the expression of Snai1 and Vimentin,which induced Snail1-mediated epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition(EMT).In addition,ZEA induces Snail-mediated EMT through the activation of TGF-βsignaling.The treatment of IPEC-J2 cells with atractyle-nolideⅢ,which were exposed to ZEA,alleviated EMT.Conclusions Our findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of ZEA toxicity in porcine intestinal epi-thelial cells and ways to mitigate it.

Analysis of Differential Gene Expression and Core Canonical Pathways Involved in the Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition of Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis

Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is a malignant form of cancer with very high mortality and morbidity. Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) is the most common pathophysiological change observed in cancer cells of epithelial origin that promotes metastasis, drug resistance and cancer stem cell formation. Since the information regarding differential gene expression in TNBC cells and cell signaling events leading to EMT is limited, this investigation was done by comparing transcriptomic data generated by RNA isolation and sequencing of a EMT model TNBC cell line in comparison to regular TNBC cells. RNA sequencing and Ingenuity Pathway Software Analysis (IPA) of the transcriptomic data revealed several upregulated and downregulated gene expressions along with novel core canonical pathways including Sirtuin signaling, Oxidative Phosphorylation and Mitochondrial dysfunction events involved in EMT changes of the TNBC cells.

沉默PHLDA2通过PI3K/AKT/mTOR信号通路抑制胰腺癌细胞EMT和自噬

目的:探讨沉默人普列克底物蛋白同源域家族A成员2(PHLDA2)基因通过磷脂酰肌醇激酶(PI3K)/丝-苏氨酸蛋白激酶(AKT)/雷帕霉素靶蛋白(mTOR)信号通路,进而抑制胰腺癌细胞上皮间质转化(EMT)和自噬的相关分子机制。方法:首先采用qRT-PCR检测人胰腺癌细胞PANC-1、SW1990和正常胰腺导管上皮细胞HPDE6-C7中PHLDA2 mRNA表达水平。然后选择PANC-1细胞分组为对照组、PHLDA2沉默组和阴性组,培养48 h后采用MTT法检测细胞增殖,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡,Western blot检测EMT标志物包括波形蛋白(Vimentin)、N-钙黏蛋白(N-cadherin)和E-钙黏蛋白(E-cadherin),自噬标志物包括Beclin1和微管相关蛋白轻链3(LC3)以及p-PI3K、p-AKT和p-mTOR蛋白。结果:与HPDE6-C7相比,PANC-1和SW1990中PHLDA2 mRNA表达水平显著升高,且PANC-1高于SW1990(P<0.05)。与对照组相比,PHLDA2沉默组PHLDA2 mRNA表达水平显著降低(P<0.05)。与对照组相比,沉默组细胞增殖率明显下降,凋亡率升高,E-cadherin增加,Vimentin、N-cadherin、Beclin1、LC3、p-PI3K、p-AKT和p-mTOR降低(P<0.05)。结论:PHLDA2基因上调可能参与了胰腺癌的发生,通过激活PI3K/AKT/mTOR信号通路参与肿瘤EMT和自噬的发生,PHLDA2可作为胰腺癌靶向干预的新位点。

Human lens epithelial cell apoptosis and epithelial to mesenchymal transition in femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery

AIM： To evaluate human lens epithelium cell apoptosis and epithelial to mesenchymal transition （EMT） induced by femtosecond laser in femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery （FLACS）. METHODS： Sixty cataract patients with N2 to N3 stage according to the LOCS III were enrolled in this study and divided into three groups randomly： FLACSl group （cataract surgery by FLACS with LenSx）, FLACS2 group （cataract surgery by FLACS with LensAR） and manual group （cataract surgery by phacoemulsification）. Patients in two FLACS groups performed anterior capsulotomy by LenSx or LensAR laser system. Patients in the manual group were performed continuous curvilinear capsulorrhexis （CCC） manually. The anterior capsules were fixed right after moved out of eye. Hematoxylin-eosine staining, immunofluorescence staining and real-time PCR were performed in order to observe human lens epithelium cells changes after cataract surgery. RESULTS： The capsule cutting edge was shown irregularity and roughness in two FLACS groups and smooth edge in manual capsulotomy by pathologic staining. Irregularities of the cell configuration with partly swollen and destroyed nuclei were observed in two FLACS groups. Femtosecond laser could induce a significantly higher cell apoptosis in human lens epithelium cell than manually performed CCC （P〈0.05）. Lens epithelium cells apoptosis were correlated with femtosecond laser duration according to Pearson correlation analysis. Decreased N-cadherin expression, alpha-SMA and FSP-1 level in two FLACS groups showed the inhibition of cell EMT. CONCLUSION： Femtosecond laser may affect the apoptosis and EMT of lens epithelium cells which are under the peeled central lens capsule.

Eriocitrin inhibits proliferation and migration of lung adenocarcinoma cells by regulating epithelial mesenchymal transition

Objective:To investigate the effects of Eriocitrin on the proliferation and migration of Lung adenocarcinoma(LUAD)cells A549 and H1299,and the mechanism of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition(EMT).Methods:The effects of different Eriocitrin on the proliferation of LUAD cells A549 and H1299 were examined by CCK8 method.EMT-associated epithelial calmodulin(E-cadherin and N-cadherin),vimentin,ferroptosis-associated protein SLC7A11,GPX4,FTH were detected by Western Blot and expression of mRNA of EMT marker molecules E-cadherin,N-cadherin,Snail were detected by qRT-PCR.Effects of saccharomyces cerevisiae suberin on ferroptosis in LUAD cells as observed by lipid reactive oxygen species(ROS)assay.Results:Eriocitrin could significantly inhibit the proliferative behavior of LUAD cells A549 and H1299 and showed a certain dose-and time-dependence.Compared with the control group,different concentrations of Eriocitrin could significantly reduce the scratch healing rate after 24 and 48 h of action,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.01).The expression of ROS is increased,EMT-related protein E-cadherin was increased in LUAD cells A549 and H1299 compared with the control group after the intervention with Eriocitrin.N-cadherin and Vimentin expression was decreased.E-cadherin mRNA expression was increased,and N-cadherin,Snail mRNA expression was decreased,expression of ferroptosis-associated protein SLC7A11,GPX4,FTH was decreased,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:Eriocitrin may inhibit the proliferation and migration of LUAD cells by regulating the EMT pathway and has potential application in LUAD prevention and adjuvant chemotherapy.

Hepatic regeneration and the epithelial to mesenchymal transition

Liver injuries are repaired by fibrosis and regeneration. The core stage is the repair response and fibrosis formation as a scar. The cause of overly-responsive scar formation and diminished regeneration, especially in liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, is still unknown. The epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), a previously discovered mechanism, plays an important role in liver fibrosis and tumor metastasis. Recently, EMT has been found to be associated with liver and bile duct cell fibrosis. Analyzing the established models and chronic disease processes, we propose that EMT liver cells may also lose their regenerative capability due to phenotype changes and that the remaining liver cells may quickly lose their regenerative capability in liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. Recognizing these phenotype changes or transition cells may play an important role in targeting therapy to reverse fibrosis not only by disrupting the transition that is necessary to produce the extracellular matrix but also by restoring the regenerative capacity of EMT-like cells.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition transcription factors and mi RNAs: “Plastic surgeons” of breast cancer

Growing evidence suggests that breast cancer cell plasticity arises due to a partial reactivation of epithelialmesenchymal transition(EMT) programs in order to give cells pluripotency, leading to a stemness-like phenotype. A complete EMT would be a dead end program that would render cells unable to fully metastasize to distant organs. Evoking the EMT-mesenchymal-toepithelial transition(MET) cascade promotes successful colonization of distal target tissues. It is unlikely that direct reprogramming or trans-differentiation without passing through a pluripotent stage would be thepreferred mechanism during tumor progression. This review focuses on key EMT transcriptional regulators, EMT-transcription factors involved in EMT(TFs) and the mi RNA pathway, which are deregulated in breast cancer, and discusses their implications in cancer cell plasticity. Cross-regulation between EMT-TFs and mi RNAs, where mi RNAs act as co-repressors or co-activators, appears to be a pivotal mechanism for breast cancer cells to acquire a stem cell-like state, which is implicated both in breast metastases and tumor recurrence. As a master regulator of mi RNA biogenesis, the ribonuclease type Ⅲ endonuclease Dicer plays a central role in EMTTFs/mi RNAs regulating networks. All these EMT-MET key regulators represent valuable new prognostic and predictive markers for breast cancer as well as promising new targets for drug-resistant breast cancers.

MiR-200c suppresses the migration of retinoblastoma cells by reversing epithelial mesenchymal transition

AIM： To analyze the relationship between clinical features and epithelial mesenchymal transition （EMT） in retinoblastoma （RB）, further to investigate whether miR-200c regulates the EMT and migration of RB cells. METHODS： Expression of EMT-related markers and tumor- related factors were detected by immuno-histochemistry analysis in RB tissue from 29 cases. Correlations between their expression and clinical characteristics were analyzed. The regulation effects of miR-200c on EMT-related markers, tumor-related factors were observed in mRNA level and protein level by real-time polymerase chain reaction （PCR） and Western blot, respectively, in Y79 and Weri-rbl cells. Its effects on migration force of these RB cell lines were also detected with Transwell test. RESULTS： Lower expression of E-cadherin was present in the cases with malignant prognosis. MiR-200c promoted the expression of E-cadherin and decreased the expression of Vimentin and N-cadherin in Y79 and Weri-rbl cells. Migration force of RB cells could be inhibited by miR-200c. CONCLUSION： EMT might be associated with bad prognosis in RB. MiR-200c suppresses the migration of retinoblastomatous cells by reverse EMT.

Evaluation of epithelial-mesenchymal transitioned circulating tumor cells in patients with resectable gastric cancer: Relevance to therapy response

AIM: To evaluate the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition(EMT) of circulating tumor cells(CTCs) in gastric cancer patients.METHODS: We detected tumor cells for expression of four epithelial(E^+) transcripts(keratins 8, 18, and 19 and epithelial cell adhesion molecule) and two mesenchymal(M^+) transcripts(Vimentin and Twist) by a quantifiable, dual-colorimetric RNA-in situ hybridization assay. Between July 2014 and October 2014, 44 patients with gastric cancer were recruited for CTC evaluation. Blood samples were obtained from selected patients during the treatment course [before surgery, after surgery and at the 6^(th) cycle of XELOX based chemotherapy(about 6 mo postoperatively)].RESULTS: We found the EMT phenomenon in which there were a few biphenotypic E^+/M^+ cells in primary human gastric cancer specimens. Of the 44 patients, the presence of CTCs was reported in 35(79.5%) patients at baseline. Five types of cells including from exclusively E^+ CTCs to intermediate CTCs and exclusively M^+ CTCs were identified(4 patients with M^+ CTCs and 10 patients with M^+ or M^+ > E^+ CTCs). Further, a chemotherapy patient having progressive disease showed a proportional increase of mesenchymal CTCs in the post-treatment blood specimens. We used NCI-N87 cells to analyze the linearity and sensitivity of Can Patrol^(TM) system and the correlation coefficient(R^2) was 0.999.CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that the EMT phenomenon was both in a few cells of primary tumors and abundantly in CTCs from the blood of gastric cancer patients, which might be used to monitor therapy response.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition- activating transcription factors- multifunctional regulators in cancer

The process of epithelial to mesenchymal transition(EMT), first noted during embryogenesis, has also been reported in tumor formation and leads to the development of metastatic growth. It is a naturally occurring process that drives the transformation of adhesive,non-mobile epithelial like cells into mobile cells with a mesenchymal phenotype that have ability to migrate to distant anatomical sites. Activating complex network of embryonic signaling pathways, including Wnt, Notch,hedgehog and transforming growth factor-β pathways,lead to the upregulation of EMT activating transcription factors, crucial for normal tissue development and maintenance. However, deregulation of tightly regulated pathways affecting the process of EMT has been recently investigated in various human cancers. Given the critical role of EMT in metastatic tumor formation,better understanding of the mechanistic regulation provides new opportunities for the development of potential therapeutic targets of clinical importance.

Cullin 4A is associated with epithelial to mesenchymal transition and poor prognosis in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma

AIM To explore the functional role of cullin 4A(CUL4A), a core subunit of E3 ubiquitin ligase, in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma(PHCC).METHODS The expression of CUL4 A in PHCC cell lines was evaluated by Western blot and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemistry(IHC) was adopted to investigate the relationship between CUL4 A expression and clinicopathological characteristics of PHCC. Univariate analysis and multivariate regression analysis were performed to analyze the risk factors related to overall survival(OS) and progression-free survival(PFS) of PHCC patients. Wound healing, Transwell and Matrigel assays were utilized to explore the function of CUL4 A in PHCC metastasis. Furthermore, expression of epithelial to mesenchymal transition(EMT) markers was verified in cells with CUL4 A knockdown or overexpression. The relationship between CUL4 A expression and E-cadherin expression was also analyzed by IHC assay. Finally, the role of ZEB1 in regulating CUL4 A mediated PHCC was detected by IHC, Western blot, Transwell and Matrigel assays.RESULTS CUL4 A overexpression was detected in PHCC cell lines and clinical specimens. Clinicopathological analysis revealed a close correlation between CUL4 A overexpression and tumour differentiation, T, N and TNM stages in PHCC. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that high CUL4 A expression was correlated with poor OS and PFS of PHCC patients. Univariate analysis identified the following four parameters as risk factors related to OS rate of PHCC: T, N, TNM stages and high CUL4 A expression; as well as three related to PFS: N stage, TNM stage and high CUL4 A expression. Further multivariate logistic regression analysis identified high CUL4 A expression as the only independent prognostic factor for PHCC. Moreover, CUL4 A silencing in PHCC cell lines dramatically inhibited metastasis and the EMT. Conversely, CUL4 A overexpression promoted these processes. Mechanistically, ZEB1 was discovered to regulate the function of CUL4 A in promoting the EMT and metastasis.CONCLUSION CUL4 A is an independent prognostic factor for PHCC, and it can promote the EMT by regulating ZEB1 expression. CUL4 A may be a potential therapeutic target for PHCC.

Targeting tight junctions during epithelial to mesenchymal transition in human pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer continues to be a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide and there is an urgent need to develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to reduce the mortality of patients with this disease. In pancreatic cancer, some tight junction proteins, including claudins, are abnormally regulated and therefore are promising molecular targets for diagnosis, prognosis and therapy. Claudin-4 and-18 are overexpressed in human pancreatic cancer and its precursor lesions. Claudin-4 is a high affinity receptor of Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin(CPE). The cytotoxic effects of CPE and monoclonal antibodies against claudin-4 are useful as novel therapeutic tools for pancreatic cancer. Claudin-18 could be a putative marker and therapeutic target with prognostic implications for patients with pancreatic cancer. Claudin-1,-7, tricellulin and marvelD3 are involved in epithelial to mesenchymal transition(EMT) of pancreatic cancer cells and thus might be useful as biomarkers during disease. Protein kinase C is closely related to EMT of pancreatic cancer and regulates tight junctions of normal human pancreatic duct epithelial cells and the cancer cells. This review focuses on the regulation of tight junctions via protein kinase C during EMT in human pancreatic cancer for the purpose of developing new diagnostic and therapeutic modalities for pancreatic cancer.

Inflammatory microenvironment contributes to epithelial-mesenchymal transition in gastric cancer

Gastric cancer(GC) is the fifth most common malignancy in the world. The major cause of GC is chronic infection with Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori). Infection with H. pylori leads to an active inflammatory microenvironment that is maintained by immune cells such as T cells, macrophages, natural killer cells, among other cells. Immune cell dysfunction allows the initiation and accumulation of mutations in GC cells, inducing aberrant proliferation and protection from apoptosis. Meanwhile, immune cells can secrete certain signals, including cytokines, and chemokines, to alter intracellular signaling pathways in GC cells. Thus, GC cells obtain the ability to metastasize to lymph nodes by undergoing the epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT), whereby epithelial cells lose their epithelial attributes and acquire a mesenchymal cell phenotype. Metastasis is a leading cause of death for GC patients, and the involved mechanisms are still under investigation. In this review, we summarize the current research on how the inflammatory environment affects GC initiation and metastasis via EMT.

Proteinase-activated receptor 2 promotes tumor cell proliferation and metastasis by inducing epithelialmesenchymal transition and predicts poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM To clarify the role of proteinase-activated receptor 2(PAR2) in hepatocellular carcinoma, especially in the process of metastasis.METHODS PAR2 expression levels were assessed by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry(IHC) in patient tissues and in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines SMMC-7721 and Hep G2. Cell proliferation and metastasis were assessed both in vitro and in vitro. Immunoblotting was carried out to monitor the levels of mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers.RESULTS The prognosis was significantly poorer in patients with high PAR2 levels than in those with low PAR2 levels. Patients with high PAR2 levels had advanced tumor stage(P = 0.001, chi-square test), larger tumor size(P = 0.032, chi-square test), and high microvascular invasion rate(P = 0.037, chi-square test). The proliferation and metastasis ability of SMMC-7721 and Hep G2 cells was increased after PAR2 overexpression, while knockdown of PAR2 decreased the proliferation and metastasis ability of SMMC-7721 and Hep G2 cells. Knockdown of PAR2 also inhibited hepatocellular carcinoma tumor cell growth and liver metastasis in nude mice. Mechanistically, PAR2 increased the proliferation ability of SMMC-7721 and Hep G2 cells via ERK activation. Activated ERK further promoted the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of these cells, which endowed them with enhanced migration and invasion ability. CONCLUSION These data suggest that PAR2 plays an important role in the proliferation and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, targeting PAR2 may present a favorable target for treatment of this malignancy.

Integrin-linked kinase overexpression promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition via nuclear factor-κB signaling in colorectal cancer cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of integrin-linked kinase (ILK) on proliferation, metastasis, and invasion of the colorectal cancer cell line SW480.METHODS: In this study, the colorectal cancer cell line SW480 was stably transfected with ILK plasmids, and small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used to knockdown expression of nuclear factor (NF)-&#x003ba;B/p65. Methylthiazole tetrazolium (MTT) assay was performed to measure proliferation, and the wound healing migration assay and matrigel invasion assay were used to test the metastasis and invasion ability of SW480 cells. To explore the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, embryonic development, and the invasion and metastasis of tumors, the protein level of E-cadherin, vimentin, snail, and slug was detected by western blot. Immunofluorescence was also used to detect E-cadherin expression. Western blot was used to determine the level of phosphorylated-inhibitor of kappa B (I&#x003ba;B)a, inhibitor of gamma B (I&#x003b3;B)a, and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-&#x003ba;B) expressions and to explore the ILK signaling pathway.RESULTS: Western blot results revealed that ILK expression significantly increased when ILK was overexpressed in SW480 cells (P &#x0003c; 0.05). Proliferation, metastasis, and invasion ability were improved in the vector-ILK group compared to the vector group (P &#x0003c; 0.05). Immunofluorescence results revealed that E-cadherin fluorescence intensity decreased after ILK was overexpressed (P &#x0003c; 0.05). Western blot results revealed that the protein expression of E-cadherin was reduced, while vimentin, snail, and slug were upregulated when ILK was overexpressed in SW480 cells (P &#x0003c; 0.05). In order to determine the role of the NF-&#x003ba;B signaling pathway in ILK overexpression promoted EMT occurrence, we overexpressed ILK in SW480 cells and found that levels of NF-&#x003ba;B/p65 and cytoplasmic phosphorylated-I&#x003ba;Ba were increased and that cytoplasmic I&#x0043a;Ba levels were decreased compared to the control group (P &#x0003c; 0.05). Furthermore, NF-&#x003ba;B/p65 knockout revealed that E-cadherin was increased in the overexpressed ILK group.CONCLUSION: ILK overexpression improved the proliferation, metastasis, and invasion ability of SW480 cells, and this effect may be mediated by the NF-&#x003ba;B signaling pathway.

Transcriptional Factor Snail Mediates Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells Induced by Silica

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT） plays an important role in fibrotic diseases. We have previously showed that silica induces EMT in human bronchial epithelial cells （BECs）; however, the underlying mechanism of silica-induced EMT is poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated the role of Snail in silica-induced EMT in human BECs in vitro. Human BECs were treated with silica at various concentrations and incubation times. Then MTr assay, western blot, electrophoretic mobility shift assay （EMSA）, and small interfering RNA （siRNA） transfection were performed. We found that silica increased the expression and DNA binding activity of Snail in human BECs. SNAI silica-induced expression siRNA upregulated the siRNA inhibited the of Snail. Moreover, SNAI expression of epithelial marker E-cadherin, but attenuated the expression of mesenchymal marker a-smooth muscle actin and vimentin in silica-stimulated cells. These results suggest that Snail mediates the silica-induced EMT in human BECs.

Low Trichorhinophalangeal Syndrome 1 Gene Transcript Levels in Basal-like Breast Cancer Associate with Mesenchymal-to-epithelial Transition

Objective To investigate trichorhinophalangeal syndrome 1 gene （TRPS-1） expression patterns in different subtypes of breast cancer and its correlations with other genes and survival using microarray data sets. Methods The transcripts of TRPS-1 and its role in survival in breast cancer were analyzed using published microarray data sets-Netherlands Cancer Institute （NKI） cohort and Wang cohort.

IL-37b suppresses epithelial mesenchymal transition in hepatocellular carcinoma by inhibiting IL-6/STAT3 signaling

Background: Interleukin-37 b(IL-37 b), a vital negative regulator of the innate immune system, has been reported to be a tumor inhibitor in different type of cancers. However, little is known about the relationship between IL-37 b and hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). The present study aimed to investigate the potential roles of IL-37 b in HCC progression. Methods: Subjects( n = 237) were recruited, and serum IL-37 b was measured using ELISA. The tumorsuppressive capacity and underlying mechanisms of IL-37 b in HCC were investigated in vitro and in vivo. Results: Compared to healthy controls, serum IL-37 b levels were elevated in chronic hepatitis B(CHB) patients but decreased significantly in HBV-HCC patients, especially for those with portal venous tumor thrombus. Low level serum IL-37 b in HBV-HCC patients correlated with high HCC stage and poor overall survival and disease-free survival. In vitro and in vivo, recombinant human IL-37 b inhibited proliferation and metastasis in HCC cells. Furthermore, IL-37 b inhibited epithelial mesenchymal transition in HCC cells in vitro by downregulating IL-6, pSTAT3(Y705), N-cadherin, and vimentin expression and by upregulating E-cadherin expression. These effects were partially reversed by transfection of adenovirus encoding human IL-6. Conclusions: IL-37 b inhibits HCC growth, metastasis and epithelial mesenchymal transition by regulating IL-6/STAT3 signaling. Serum IL-37 b may be a biomarker for HBV-HCC and its staging.

Total flavone of Abelmoschus manihot suppresses epithelial-mesenchymal transition via interfering transforming growth factor-β1 signaling in Crohn's disease intestinal fibrosis

AIM To explore the role and mechanism of total flavone of Abelmoschus manihot(TFA) on epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) progress of Crohn's disease(CD) intestinal fibrosis.METHODS First,CCK-8 assay was performed to assess TFA on the viability of intestinal epithelial(IEC-6) cells and select the optimal concentrations of TFA for our further studies.Then cell morphology,wound healing and transwell assays were performed to examine the effect of TFA on morphology,migration and invasion of IEC-6 cells treated with TGF-β1.In addition,immunofluorescence,real-time PCR analysis(q RT-PCR) and western blotting assays were carried out to detect the impact of TFA on EMT progress.Moreover,western blotting assay was performed to evaluate the function of TFA on the Smad and MAPK signaling pathways.Further,the role of co-treatment of TFA and si-Smad or MAPK inhibitors has been examined by q RTPCR,western blotting,morphology,wound healing andtranswell assays.RESULTS In this study,TFA promoted transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)-induced(IEC-6) morphological change,migration and invasion,and increased the expression of epithelial markers and reduced the levels of mesenchymal markers,along with the inactivation of Smad and MAPK signaling pathways.Moreover,we revealed that si-Smad and MAPK inhibitors effectively attenuated TGF-β1-induced EMT in IEC-6 cells.Importantly,co-treatment of TFA and si-Smad or MAPK inhibitors had better inhibitory effects on TGF-β1-induced EMT in IEC-6 cells than either one of them.CONCLUSION These findings could provide new insight into the molecular mechanisms of TFA on TGF-β1-induced EMT in IEC-6 cells and TFA is expected to advance as a new therapy to treat CD intestinal fibrosis.

Interference of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition in MHCC97H cells

AIM:To investigate the role of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) silencing in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) involved in a human hepatocellular carcinoma MHCC97H cell line.METHODS:MHCC97H cells were transiently transfected with SOCS3 small-interfering RNA (siRNA).Morphological changes of the transfected cells were observed under microscope.Expressions of E-cadherin,Vimentinand α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were identified with immunofluorescence.Furthermore,protein expressions and mRNA levels of characteristic markers of EMT (E-cadherin,Vimentin,α-SMA and Snail) were detected by Western blotting,quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) levels in the supernatant were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.RESULTS:The transfected cells with SOCS3 siRNA showed a morphological alteration from a typical cobblestone morphology to mesenchymal spindle-shaped and fusiform features.SOCS3 siRNA lessened immunofluorescent expression of E-cadherin,but elicited immunofluorescent expressions of Vimentin and α-SMA in MHCC97H cells.More importantly,compared with the negative control,depletion of SOCS3 resulted in the decrease of the epithelial marker E-cadherin (P < 0.05),and the increase of the mesenchymal markers Vimentin and α-SMA and the transcription factor Snail in MHCC97H cells (P < 0.05).Moreover,compared with the negative control,SOCS3 siRNA evidently enhanced TGF-β1 secretion in MHCC97H cells (200.20 ± 29.02 pg/mL vs 490.20 ± 92.43 pg/mL,P < 0.05).CONCLUSION:SOCS3 silencing is able to promote EMT in MHCC97H cells via changing the phenotypic characteristics and modulating the characteristic markers.