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Dong R, Meng X, Chang H, Lei Y, Hu Y, Yan Y, Song G. Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles Induce Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis through Inhibiting PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway in Spermatogonia. Biol Trace Elem Res 2024; 202:4065-4077. [PMID: 38079059 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-023-03984-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) can result in the reduction of sperm numbers, but the mechanisms have not been well elucidated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of TiO2 NPs on cell cycle and apoptosis in spermatogonia and to explore the role of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in this process. The mouse spermatogonia cell line (GC-1) was treated with TiO2 NPs at different concentrations (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 μg/mL) for 24 h to detect cell viability, cell cycle, apoptosis, and key proteins related to cell cycle and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. The agonist (IGF-1) and inhibitor (LY294002) of PI3K were used to verify the role of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in cell cycle and apoptosis. TiO2 NPs significantly inhibited cell proliferation, induced cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase and resulted in apoptosis. TiO2 NPs downregulated the levels of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and cyclins, including CDK4, CDK2, Cyclin D1 and Cyclin E1, while upregulated the levels of p21 and p53 proteins. Furthermore, TiO2 NPs inhibited the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway by decreasing the levels of p-PI3K, p-AKT and p-mTOR. IGF-1 reversed the G0/G1 phase arrest and apoptosis caused by TiO2 NPs. However, LY294002 aggravated the G0/G1 phase arrest and apoptosis resulting from TiO2 NPs. Collectively, TiO2 NPs induced cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase and apoptosis through inhibiting the activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, which could be the main reason for the reduction in sperm numbers caused by TiO2 NPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoyun Dong
- Department of Preventive Medicine / the Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Public Health Security, the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832000, Xinjiang, China
| | - Xiaojia Meng
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hongmei Chang
- Department of Preventive Medicine / the Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Public Health Security, the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832000, Xinjiang, China
| | - Yuzhu Lei
- Department of Preventive Medicine / the Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Public Health Security, the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832000, Xinjiang, China
| | - Yunhua Hu
- Department of Preventive Medicine / the Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Public Health Security, the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832000, Xinjiang, China
| | - Yizhong Yan
- Department of Preventive Medicine / the Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Public Health Security, the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832000, Xinjiang, China
| | - Guanling Song
- Department of Preventive Medicine / the Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Public Health Security, the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832000, Xinjiang, China.
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Ge K, Du X, Liu H, Meng R, Wu C, Zhang Z, Liang X, Yang J, Zhang H. The cytotoxicity of microcystin-LR: ultrastructural and functional damage of cells. Arch Toxicol 2024; 98:663-687. [PMID: 38252150 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-023-03676-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is a toxin produced by cyanobacteria, which is widely distributed in eutrophic water bodies and has multi-organ toxicity. Previous cytotoxicity studies have mostly elucidated the effects of MC-LR on intracellular-related factors, proteins, and DNA at the molecular level. However, there have been few studies on the adverse effects of MC-LR on cell ultrastructure and function. Therefore, research on the cytotoxicity of MC-LR in recent years was collected and summarized. It was found that MC-LR can induce a series of cytotoxic effects, including decreased cell viability, induced autophagy, apoptosis and necrosis, altered cell cycle, altered cell morphology, abnormal cell migration and invasion as well as leading to genetic damage. The above cytotoxic effects were related to the damage of various ultrastructure and functions such as cell membranes and mitochondria. Furthermore, MC-LR can disrupt cell ultrastructure and function by inducing oxidative stress and inhibiting protein phosphatase activity. In addition, the combined toxic effects of MC-LR and other environmental pollutants were investigated. This review explored the toxic targets of MC-LR at the subcellular level, which will provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of multi-organ toxicity caused by MC-LR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangfeng Ge
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Xingde Du
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Haohao Liu
- Department of Public Health, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Ruiyang Meng
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Chunrui Wu
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Zongxin Zhang
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Xiao Liang
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Jun Yang
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Huizhen Zhang
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
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Gao X, Yu S, Liu S, Zhang S, Sha X, Sun D, Jiang X. Circular RNA nuclear receptor interacting protein 1 promoted biliary tract cancer epithelial-mesenchymal transition and stemness by regulating the miR-515-5p/AKT2 axis and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2023; 38:2632-2644. [PMID: 37466171 DOI: 10.1002/tox.23898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Biliary tract cancer (BTC) is a devastating malignancy that is notoriously difficult to diagnose and is associated with high mortality. Circular RNA (circRNA) is a class of endogenous non-coding RNA which has been regarded as the key regulator of tumor initiation and progression, including BTC. Circular RNA nuclear receptor interacting protein 1 (circ_NRIP1), as a circular RNA, is abnormally expressed in many human tumors and exhibits diverse functions in cancer progression. However, its biological significance in BTC has not been thoroughly investigated. In this research, we elucidated that circ_NRIP1 was notably overexpressed in both BTC tissues and cells. We further established a correlation between circ_NRIP1 expression and clinicopathological features in BTC patients, highlighting its clinical relevance. Through functional assays, we observed that knockdown of circ_NRIP1 significantly inhibited tumor cell proliferation, invasion, stemness maintenance, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition, indicating its active involvement in promoting BTC progression. Additionally, it attenuated growth of xenograft and metastasis models. Mechanically, we revealed that circ_NRIP1 served as the competing endogenous RNA to sequester miR-515-5p through complementary base pairing mechanism, thereby upregulated AKT2 expression and indirectly activated PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Generally, targeting the circ_NRIP1/miR-515-5p/AKT2 axis and aberrant activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway may hold promising therapeutic strategies for BTC. Our research contributes to a better understanding of the underlying biological basis of BTC and paves the way for the development of innovative treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Gao
- Department of General Surgery, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Shaobo Yu
- Department of General Surgery, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Sidi Liu
- Department of General Surgery, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Siyuan Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xiangjun Sha
- Department of General Surgery, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Dongsheng Sun
- Department of General Surgery, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xingming Jiang
- Department of General Surgery, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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Huang X, Su Z, Li J, He J, Zhao N, Nie L, Guan B, Huang Q, Zhao H, Lu GD, Nong Q. Downregulation of LncRNA GCLC-1 Promotes Microcystin-LR-Induced Malignant Transformation of Human Liver Cells by Regulating GCLC Expression. TOXICS 2023; 11:162. [PMID: 36851037 PMCID: PMC9960881 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11020162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Microcystin-LR (MCLR) is an aquatic toxin, which could lead to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are considered important regulatory elements in the occurrence and development of cancer. However, the roles and mechanisms of lncRNAs during the process of HCC, induced by MCLR, remain elusive. Here, we identified a novel lncRNA, namely lnc-GCLC-1 (lncGCLC), which is in close proximity to the chromosome location of glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC). We then investigated the role of lncGCLC in MCLR-induced malignant transformation of WRL68, a human hepatic cell line. During MCLR-induced cell transformation, the expression of lncGCLC and GCLC decreased continuously, accompanied with a consistently high expression of miR-122-5p. Knockdown of lncGCLC promoted cell proliferation, migration and invasion, but reduced cell apoptosis. A xenograft nude mouse model demonstrated that knockdown of lncGCLC promoted tumor growth. Furthermore, knockdown of lncGCLC significantly upregulated miR-122-5p expression, suppressed GCLC expression and GSH levels, and enhanced oxidative DNA damages. More importantly, the expression of lncGCLC in human HCC tissues was significantly downregulated in the high-microcystin exposure group, and positively associated with GCLC level in HCC tissues. Together, these findings suggest that lncGCLC plays an anti-oncogenic role in MCLR-induced malignant transformation by regulating GCLC expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinglei Huang
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Zhaohui Su
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Jiangheng Li
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Junquan He
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Na Zhao
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Liyun Nie
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Bin Guan
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Qiuyue Huang
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Huiliu Zhao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Guo-Dong Lu
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Qingqing Nong
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
- Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Highly Prevalent Diseases, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environment and Health Research, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
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