Indole hydrazide compound ZJQ-24 inhibits angiogenesis and induces apoptosis cell death through abrogation of AKT/mTOR pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma

Knockdown of ChREBP ameliorates retinal microvascular endothelial cell injury and angiogenic responses in diabetic retinopathy

PURPOSE

To examine whether and how carbohydrate response element-binding protein (ChREBP) plays a role in diabetic retinopathy.

METHODS

Western blotting was used to detect ChREBP expression and location following high glucose stimulation of Human Retinal Microvascular Endothelial Cells (HRMECs). Flow cytometry, TUNEL staining, and western blotting were used to evaluate apoptosis following ChREBP siRNA silencing. Cell scratch, transwell migration, and tube formation assays were used to determine cell migration and angiogenesis. Diabetic models for wild-type (WT) and ChREBP knockout (ChKO) mice were developed. Retinas of WT and ChKO animals were cultivated in vitro with vascular endothelial growth factor + high glucose to assess neovascular development.

RESULTS

ChREBP gene knockdown inhibited thioredoxin-interacting protein and NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing protein 3 expression in HRMECs, which was caused by high glucose stimulation, reduced apoptosis, hindered migration, and tube formation, and repressed AKT/mTOR signaling pathway activation. Compared with WT mice, ChKO mice showed suppressed high glucose-induced alterations in retinal structure, alleviated retinal vascular leakage, and reduced retinal neovascularization.

CONCLUSIONS

ChREBP deficiency decreased high glucose-induced apoptosis, migration, and tube formation in HRMECs as well as structural and angiogenic responses in the mouse retina; thus, it is a potential therapeutic target for diabetic retinopathy.

Targeting EGFR/PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) poses a significant global health concern, with its incidence steadily increasing. The development of HCC is a multifaceted, multi-step process involving alterations in various signaling cascades. In recent years, significant progress has been made in understanding the molecular signaling pathways that play central roles in hepatocarcinogenesis. In particular, the EGFR/PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in HCC has garnered renewed attention from both basic and clinical researchers. Preclinical studies in vitro and in vivo have shown the effectiveness of targeting the key components of this signaling pathway in human HCC cells. Thus, targeting these signaling pathways with small molecule inhibitors holds promise as a potential therapeutic option for patients with HCC. In this review, we explore recent advancements in understanding the role of the EGFR/PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in HCC and assess the effectiveness of targeting this signaling cascade as a potential strategy for HCC therapy based on preclinical studies.

Synthesis and Cytotoxic Activity of 1,2,4-Triazolo-Linked Bis-Indolyl Conjugates as Dual Inhibitors of Tankyrase and PI3K

A series of new 1,2,4-triazolo-linked bis-indolyl conjugates (15a–r) were prepared by multistep synthesis and evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against various human cancer cell lines. It was observed that they were more susceptible to colon and breast cancer cells. Conjugates 15o (IC₅₀ = 2.04 μM) and 15r (IC₅₀ = 0.85 μM) illustrated promising cytotoxicity compared to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU, IC₅₀ = 5.31 μM) against the HT-29 cell line. Interestingly, 15o and 15r induced cell cycle arrest at the G₀/G₁ phase and disrupted the mitochondrial membrane potential. Moreover, these conjugates led to apoptosis in HT-29 at 2 μM and 1 μM, respectively, and also enhanced the total ROS production as well as the mitochondrial-generated ROS. Immunofluorescence and Western blot assays revealed that these conjugates reduced the expression levels of the PI3K-P85, β-catenin, TAB-182, β-actin, AXIN-2, and NF-κB markers that are involved in the β-catenin pathway of colorectal cancer. The results of the in silico docking studies of 15r and 15o further support their dual inhibitory behaviour against PI3K and tankyrase. Interestingly, the conjugates have adequate ADME-toxicity parameters based on the calculated results of the molecular dynamic simulations, as we found that these inhibitors (15r) influenced the conformational flexibility of the 4OA7 and 3L54 proteins.

linc00958/miR-185-5p/RSF-1 modulates cisplatin resistance and angiogenesis through AKT1/GSK3β/VEGFA pathway in cervical cancer

BACKGROUND

Chemoresistance is one of the major obstacles that lead to poor prognosis in cervical cancer. linc00958 was reported to be an oncogene in cervical cancer. However, its role in mediating chemoresistance remains to be revealed.

PURPOSE

To explore the regulatory mechanisms of linc00958 in cisplatin-resistant cervical cancer cells and further validate in xenograft mice.

METHODS

Online bioinformatic tools were used to conduct the pre-investigation of linc00958/miR-185-5p/RSF-1 and predict the associations between RSF-1 and AKT1/GSK3β/VEGFA in cervical cancer. RT-qPCR measured the RNA expression levels of linc00958/miR-185-5p/RSF-1 in SiHa and SiHa/DDP. Cell survival rates were evaluated by CCK8 methods after cells were exposed to differential concentrations of DDP. Dual-luciferase reporter methods were used to measure luciferase activity. Western blot measured RSF-1 protein and phosphorylated changes of AKT1/GSK3β. Immunofluorescence was employed to observe VEGFA secretion in vitro. Tube formation was applied to evaluate the in-vitro changes of angiogenesis. The SiHa/DDP cells stably transfected with pLKO-sh-NC or pLKO-sh-linc00958 plasmids, were injected into mice, establishing xenograft models. The changes in mice weight and tumor volumes were recorded. H&E staining and Immunohistochemistry (IHC) method was further performed.

RESULTS

linc00958 expression was higher in SiHa/DDP cells. High linc00958 expression was associated with low overall survival. In SiHa/DDP cells linc00958/miR-185-5p/RSF-1 axis inhibited the cellular resistance to cisplatin and suppressed VEGFA and the tube formation through AKT1/GSK3β/VEGFA pathway. The knockdown of linc00958 inhibited RSF-1 and Ki67, curbing tumor growth; it also inhibited VEGFA and CD34, decreasing angiogenesis in mice.

CONCLUSION

linc00958/miR-185-5p/RSF-1 modulates cisplatin resistance and angiogenesis through AKT1/GSK3β/VEGFA pathway in cervical cancer.

DHW-208, A Novel Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase (PI3K) Inhibitor, Has Anti-Hepatocellular Carcinoma Activity Through Promoting Apoptosis and Inhibiting Angiogenesis

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common tumors worldwide with high prevalence and lethality. Due to insidious onset and lack of early symptoms, most HCC patients are diagnosed at advanced stages without adequate methods but systemic therapies. PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway plays a crucial role in the progression and development of HCC. Aberrant activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is involved in diverse biological processes, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion and angiogenesis. Therefore, the development of PI3K-targeted inhibitors is of great significance for the treatment of HCC. DHW-208 is a novel 4-aminoquinazoline derivative pan-PI3K inhibitor. This study aimed to assess the therapeutic efficacy of DHW-208 in HCC and investigate its underlying mechanism. DHW-208 could inhibit the proliferation, migration, invasion and angiogenesis of HCC through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in vitro. Consistent with the in vitro results, in vivo studies demonstrated that DHW-208 elicits an antitumor effect by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR-signaling pathway with a high degree of safety in HCC. Therefore, DHW-208 is a candidate compound to be developed as a small molecule PI3K inhibitor for the treatment of HCC, and our study provides a certain theoretical basis for the treatment of HCC and the development of PI3K inhibitors.

A Systematic Review on Synthetic and Antimicrobial Bioactivity of the Multifaceted Hydrazide Derivatives

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To overcome the upsurge of antimicrobial resistance that has emerged in recent years, there is a need for the development of newer hits having satisfying anti-infective activity. Hydrazides incorporated with an azomethine hydrogen account for a cardinal class of molecules for the development of newer derivatives. Hydrazide derivatives have gained considerable interest of medicinal chemists owing to their diverse bioactivity. In the present review, we have attempted to compile the recent trends in the synthesis of hydrazides and their substituted derivatives. The structural features that lead to the desired antimicrobial activity are highlighted, which will lead the way for synthetic and medicinal chemists to focus on newer designs in this arena.

Indole Hydrazide Compound IHZ-1 Induces Apoptosis and Autophagy via Activation of ROS/JNK Pathway in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common primary malignant tumors of the digestive system. Compound 5-chloro-N'-(2,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)-1H-indole-2-carbohydrazide (IHZ-1/ZJQ-24) is a novel indole hydrazide derivative. In a recent study, we demonstrated that IHZ-1 inhibits tumor growth and induces cell apoptosis through inhibiting the kinase activity of mTORC1 without activation of AKT, which is associated with JNK/IRS-1 activation. However, the impact and mechanisms of JNK activation by IHZ-1 in hepatocellular carcinoma remains entirely unknown. Here, we find that IHZ-1 increases the generation of intracellular ROS and enhances autophagy. The phosphorylation of JNK induced by IHZ-1 was reversed by the decreased ROS level. Moreover, inhibition of ROS/JNK or autophagy equally attenuated apoptotic effect induced by IHZ-1. Our findings suggest that the activation of JNK by IHZ-1 treatment is dependent on the generation of ROS that mediates apoptosis and autophagy in hepatocellular carcinoma.

EGPI-1, a novel eIF4E/eIF4G interaction inhibitor, inhibits lung cancer cell growth and angiogenesis through Ras/MNK/ERK/eIF4E signaling pathway

eIF4E plays an important role in regulating tumor growth and angiogenesis, and eIF4E is highly expressed in a variety of lung cancer cell lines. siRNA eIF4E can significantly inhibit the proliferation of lung cancer cells, indicating that inhibition of eIF4E may become a novel anti-tumor target. In the previous study, we synthesized a series of small molecule compounds with the potential to inhibit eIF4E. Among them, the compound EGPI-1 significantly inhibited the proliferation of a variety of lung cancer cells such as A549, NCI-H460, NCI-H1650 and 95D without inhibiting the proliferation of HUVEC cells. Further studies found that EGPI-1 interfered with the eIF4E/eIF4G interaction and inhibited the phosphorylation of eIF4E in NCI-H460 cells. The results of flow cytometry showed that EGPI-1 induced apoptosis and G0/G1 cycle arrest in NCI-H460 cell. Interestingly, we also found that EGPI-1 induced autophagy and DNA damage in NCI-H460 cells. The mechanism results showed that EGPI-1 inhibited the Ras/MNK/ERK/eIF4E signaling pathway. Moreover, EGPI-1 inhibited tube formation of HUVECs, as well as inhibited the neovascularization of CAM, proving the anti-angiogenesis activity of EGPI-1. The NCI-H460 xenograft studies showed that EGPI-1 inhibited tumor growth and angiogenesis in vivo by regulating Ras/MNK/ERK/eIF4E pathway. Our studies proved that eIF4E was a novel target for regulating tumor growth, and the eIF4E/eIF4G interaction inhibitor EGPI-1 was promising to develop into a novel anti-lung cancer drug.

Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor restores blood-brain barrier integrity of aged mice after ischaemic stroke/reperfusion through anti-inflammation via TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway

Ischaemic stroke remains a leading cause of disability and mortality worldwide and ageing-associated inflammation for the aged patients specifically leads to worse post-stroke blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption than young subjects. Accordingly, suppression of excessive inflammation can alleviate BBB injury, which provides potential therapeutic treatment for ischaemic stroke of the aged. Prior studies revealed that mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) regulated inflammatory response and alleviated liver injury in ageing. However, it is unclear whether MANF confer similar benefit to BBB of aged mice suffered from ischaemic stroke. Transient cerebral ischaemia induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was conducted in aged mice (18-20 months old). MANF was injected into the right lateral ventricle 2 h after MCAO. BBB integrity, tight junctional proteins, ultrastructure of microvessels, infarct volume, neurological scores, brain water content, pro-inflammatory cytokines and neutrophil infiltration rate were determined 72 h after MCAO. H₂O₂-induced senescent bEnd.3 cells were applied in the in vitro study to investigate the possible mechanism. First, we confirmed that ischaemic stroke/reperfusion in senescent condition promoted the over-expression of MANF on brain endothelial cells. Then, MANF supplement could suppress the pro-inflammatory factor production, restore BBB integrity and then alleviate infarct volume, neurological scores, brain water content and neutrophil infiltration rate. In addition, MANF maintained BBB integrity after ischaemic stroke of aged condition dependent on TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway via intervention of pro-inflammatory factors production. In summary, the recognition of MANF in the process of BBB breakdown at aged condition may offer novel therapeutic approaches for ischaemic stroke.