Effect of Ag-1031 on apoptosis in gastric cancer AGS cells and its effects on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway

FTIR microspectroscopic study of gastric cancer AGS cells apoptosis induced by As2O3

As2O3 has shown significant anti-gastric cancer effects, but the mechanism is still unclear. Thus, biomacromolecular changes induced by As2O3 were investigated by using human gastric cancer AGS cells as the model. Flow cytometry results confirmed that As2O3 induced AGS cells apoptosis. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy detected biomacromolecular changes during As2O3-induced AGS cells apoptosis sensitively: IR spectra showed significant changes in the lipids content and the proteins and DNA structure. Peak-area ratios indicated obvious changes in the lipids and DNA content and the proteins structure, while also showing a relatively good linear relationship between A1733/A969 and the apoptosis rate. PCA exhibited significant alteration in nucleic acids while curve fitting further revealed the changes in nucleic acids and proteins. On the whole, our study explored As2O3-induced gastric cancer cells apoptosis in depth on the basis of analyzing biomacromolecular changes, in addition, it also suggested FTIR microspectroscopy to be possibly useful in the research of apoptosis.

CALD1 facilitates epithelial-mesenchymal transition progression in gastric cancer cells by modulating the PI3K-Akt pathway

BACKGROUND

CALD1 has been discovered to be abnormally expressed in a variety of malignant tumors, including gastric cancer (GC), and is associated with tumor progression and immune infiltration; however, the roles and mechanisms of CALD1 in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in GC are unknown.

AIM

To investigate the role and mechanism of CALD1 in GC progression, invasion, and migration.

METHODS

In this study, the relationship between CALD1 and GC, as well as the possible network regulatory mechanisms of CALD1, was investigated by bioinformatics and validated by experiments. CALD1-siRNA was synthesized and used to transfect GC cells. Cell activity was measured using the CCK-8 method, cell migration and invasive ability were measured using wound healing assay and Transwell assay, and the expression levels of relevant genes and proteins in each group of cells were measured using qRT-PCR and Western blot. A GC cell xenograft model was established to verify the results of in vitro experiments.

RESULTS

Bioinformatics results showed that CALD1 was highly expressed in GC tissues, and CALD1 was significantly higher in EMT-type GC tissues than in tissues of other types of GC. The prognosis of patients with high expression of CALD1 was worse than that of patients with low expression, and a prognostic model was constructed and evaluated. The experimental results were consistent with the results of the bioinformatics analysis. The expression level of CALD1 in GC cell lines was all higher than that in gastric epithelial cell line GES-1, with the strongest expression found in AGS and MKN45 cells. Cell activity was significantly reduced after CALD1-siRNA transfection of AGS and MKN45 cells. The ability of AGS and MKN45 cells to migrate and invade was reduced after CALD1-siRNA transfection, and the related mRNA and protein expression was altered. According to bioinformatics findings in GC samples, the CALD1 gene was significantly associated with the expression of members of the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway as well as the EMT signaling pathway, and was closely related to the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Experimental validation revealed that upregulation of CALD1 increased the expression of PI3K, p-AKT, and p-mTOR, members of the PI3K-Akt pathway,while decreasing the expression of PTEN; PI3K-Akt inhibitor treatment decreased the expression of PI3K, p-AKT, and p-mTOR in cells overexpressing CALD1 (still higher than that in the normal group), but increased the expression of PTEN (still lower than that in the normal group). CCK-8 results revealed that the effect of CALD1 on tumor cell activity was decreased by the addition of the inhibitor. Scratch and Transwell experiments showed that the effect of CALD1 on tumor cell migration and invasion was weakened by the addition of the PI3K-Akt inhibitor. The mRNA and protein levels of EMT-related genes in AGS and MKN45 cells were greatly altered by the overexpression of CALD1, whereas the effect of overexpression of CALD1 was significantly weakened by the addition of the PI3K-Akt inhibitor. Animal experiments showed that tumour growth was slow after inhibition of CALD1, and the expression of some PI3K-Akt and EMT pathway proteins was altered.

CONCLUSION

Increased expression of CALD1 is a key factor in the progression, invasion, and metastasis of GC, which may be associated with regulating the PI3K-Akt pathway to promote EMT.

LARP1 knockdown inhibits cultured gastric carcinoma cell cycle progression and metastatic behavior

This study aimed to clarify the role of la-related protein 1 (LARP1) in cell cycle progression and metastatic behavior of cultured gastric carcinoma (GC) cells. To do that, LARP1 expression was detected in clinical GC tissues and cell lines using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting. The cell viability, apoptosis, cell cycle, migration, invasion, and cell growth were examined using a Cell Counting Kit-8, Annexin V-FITC staining, propidium iodide staining, Transwell migration and invasion assays, and colony formation assays after LARP1 knockdown. Phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and AKT1 mRNA and protein expression levels of PI3K, p-AKT1, AKT1, p-BAD, p-mTOR, and p21 in si-LARP1 transfected GC cells were determined using qRT-PCR and western blotting. Here, we've shown that LARP1 expression was upregulated in human GC tissues and KATO III cells. LARP1 knockdown inhibited GC cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, migration, invasion, and colony formation and promoted apoptosis. In si-LARP1-transfected KATO III cells, the mRNA expression levels of PI3K and AKT1, PI3K protein expression, and the p-AKT1/AKT1 ratio were significantly suppressed. p-mTOR and p-BAD were significantly decreased, whereas p21 was significantly increased in si-LARP1-transfected KATO III cells. In conclusion LARP1 knockdown induces apoptosis and inhibits cell cycle progression and metastatic behavior via PI3K/AKT1 signaling in GC cells.

Improving the biocompatibility and antibacterial efficacy of silver nanoparticles functionalized with (LLRR)3 antimicrobial peptide

The selection of effective antibiotics is becoming increasingly limited due to the emergence of bacterial resistance. Designing and developing nanoscale antibacterials is a strategy for effectively addressing the antibiotic crisis. In this work, AgNPs@AMP nanoparticles were synthesized to take advantage of the synergistic antibacterial activity of the (LLRR)3 antimicrobial peptide (AMP) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Based on morphological structure characterization and biocompatibility analysis, the inhibitory properties of AgNPs@AMP on Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) were evaluated. The results demonstrated that AMP and AgNPs were physically bound to form AgNPs@AMP nanoparticles, which had better solution stability, improved nanomaterial properties, and overcame the hemolytic activity of AMP and the cytotoxicity of AgNPs. The inhibitory activity of AgNPs@AMP against E. coli and S. aureus was significantly higher than that of AMP and AgNPs. It was capable of disrupting the morphology and internal structure of cells, damaging the cell membrane, and inhibiting the activity of enzymes related to the material-energy metabolism of the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Compared to AMP and AgNPs, AgNPs@AMP were found to effectively inhibit the infection of mouse wounds and promote their healing. Therefore, AMP-modified AgNPs can enhance their biocompatibility and antibacterial activity, and they can be further developed as a potential antimicrobial agent.

Effect and Mechanism of LncRNA HOTAIR on Migration, Apoptosis and Proliferation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

<sec> <title>Objective:</title> This study was designed to probe the influence and mechanism of lncRNA HOTAIR on migration, apoptosis and proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. </sec> <sec> <title>Methods:</title> We evaluated LncRNA HOTAIR expression in HCC tissues and adjacent tissues, and serum of HCC patients and healthy controls. Later, we knocked down lncRNA HOTAIR, and utilized CCK-8 to determine Hep3B cell proliferation, flow cytometry for prospecting Hep3B cell apoptosis, and cell scratch assay for observing Hep3B cell migration.We anticipated the direct target of lncRNA HOTAIR, and adopted luciferase reporter assay to verify. Moreover, we inhibitedmiR-126-5p expression, and rescue experiment for evaluating the influence of si-HOTAIR+miR-126-5p inhibitors on Hep3B cell migration, apoptosis as well as proliferation. </sec> <sec> <title>Results:</title> Our results showed that lncRNA HOTAIR expression in tumor tissues and serum was significantly increased. Moreover, lncRNA HOTAIR inhibition significantly decreased the Hep3B cell proliferation rate, elevated Hep3B cell apoptosis rate, and inhibited Hep3B cell migration. Luciferase reporter assay suggested that miR-126-5p was the direct target of lncRNA HOTAIR. Furthermore, co-transfection of si-HOTAIR+miR-126-5p inhibitor could diminishthe effects of HOTAIR silencing on apoptosis, proliferation and migration. </sec> <sec> <title>Conclusion:</title> Silencing of lncRNA-HOTAIR can inhibit the HCC cell migration and proliferation, and increase the apoptosis by up-regulating miR-126-5p expression. </sec>

Resveratrol ameliorates the glucose uptake and lipid metabolism in gestational diabetes mellitus mice and insulin-resistant adipocytes via miR-23a-3p/NOV axis

BACKGROUND

Resveratrol improves insulin-resistance (IR) of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) mice. Low-expressed miR-23a-3p in diabetes patients regulates IR of adipocytes. Hence, we speculated the effect of Res on GDM mice was realized through regulating miR-23a-3p.

METHODS

The GDM model was established in mice by high-fat diet, treated with miR-23a-3p antagomiR, and further performed with glucose and insulin tolerance tests. The bodyweight, serum glucose and serum insulin, and the expressions of miR-23a-3p and nephroblastoma overexpressed (NOV) in mouse adipose tissues were detected. MiR-23a-3p target was identified by Starbase and dual-luciferase reporter. Then, an IR adipocyte model was established by dexamethasone-inducing and further treated with Resveratrol or transfected with miR-23a-3p inhibitor or siNOV. The cell glucose intake was detected by radioimmunoassay. The expressions of miR-23a-3p, NOV, Adiponectin, Leptin, p-PI3K, PI3K, p-Akt, and Akt in the adipocytes were determined by qPCR or Western blot.

RESULTS

Resveratrol decreased bodyweight, glucose level, insulin level, and the expressions of miR-23a-3p and NOV in the GDM mice, which was reversed by miR-23a-3p antagomiR. MiR-23a-3p targeted NOV. Resveratrol increased the glucose intake and the expressions of miR-23a-3p, Adiponectin, Leptin, p-PI3K, and p-Akt, decreased NOV expression in the IR adipocytes. The effect of the miR-23a-3p inhibitor on adipocytes with IR was opposite to Resveratrol, and the effects siNOV was the same as Resveratrol, except for its effect on miR-23a-3p expression. Effect of Res on the adipocytes with IR was counteracted by miR-23a-3p inhibitor whose effect was reversed by siNOV.

CONCLUSION

Resveratrol ameliorated glucose uptake and lipid metabolism of the GDM mice and adipocytes with IR by regulating miR-23a-3p/NOV axis.

Enhanced Neuroprotective Effects of Epicatechin Gallate Encapsulated by Bovine Milk-Derived Exosomes against Parkinson's Disease through Antiapoptosis and Antimitophagy

Epicatechin gallate (ECG) is a main effective catechin widely existing in natural plants and food, with well-known health benefits. The present study first designed a new exosome-based delivery system for ECG and examined its neuroprotective effects on a rotenone (Rot)-induced Parkinson's disease (PD) model in vitro. Exosomes (Exo) were isolated from fresh bovine milk, and their average size was 85.15 ± 2.00 nm. ECG was encapsulated into Exo by a sonication method, and the loading efficiency of ECG-loaded exosomes (ECG-Exo) was 25.96 ± 0.45%. The neuroprotective effects of ECG-Exo were evaluated on Rot-induced SHSY5Y cells and compared with free ECG. Cell viability, cellular reactive oxygen species, apoptosis rate, and the expressions of caspase-3, Bax, Bcl-2, parkin, PINK1, and Atg5 were determined. Our results showed that Exo delivered ECG successfully into SHSY5Y cells and exhibited enhanced neuroprotective effects. ECG-Exo might inhibit SHSY5Y cell damage induced by Rot through antiapoptosis and antimitophagy.