Modulation of Matrix Metalloproteinases by Plant-derived Products

Effect of Resveratrol on MMP-2 Expression in Scleral Fibroblasts: An In Vitro Study

PURPOSE

To investigate the effects of resveratrol (Res) on human fetal scleral fibroblasts (HFSFs) and its potential mechanism.

METHODS

HFSFs were randomly divided into the Res-treated group and the control group. Following, HFSFs were treated with or without a concentration of 10 μM Res for 48 h. To detect the expression of related genes, reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and western blotting were used. The apoptosis rate of different groups was determined using flow cytometry.

RESULTS

The mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), Collagen, Type I, Alpha 1 (COL1A1), Janus Kinase 2 (JAK2), and Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3)" was downregulated in the Res-treatment group compared to the control group, according to RT-qPCR. Western blotting revealed that Res therapy reduced the expression of MMP-2, JAK2, P-JAK2, STAT3, P-STAT3, and Bcl-2 associated protein X (Bax) while increasing the expression of COL1A1 and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2). Flow cytometry showed that the cell apoptosis rate was significantly lower in HFSFs treated with Res.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, these findings suggest that Res increases COL1A1 expression while inhibiting MMP-2 and cell apoptosis in HFSFs, possibly through modulation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

The Effects of Quercetin on Apoptosis and Antioxidant Activity in a Renal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury Animal Model

Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is considered as one of the most prevalent causes of acute kidney injury (AKI), which can happen in various clinical situations including hypovolemic shock, injury, thrombo-embolism, and after a kidney transplant. This paper aims to evaluate the reno-protective effects of Quercetin in induced ischemia/reperfusion injury by regulating apoptosis-related proteins, inflammatory cytokines, MMP-2, MMP-9, and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer inactivated B cells (NF-kB) in rats. The male Wistar rats (n=32) were randomly divided into Sham, untreated IR, and Quercetin-treated IR (gavage and intraperitoneal). Quercetin was given orally and intraperitoneally one hour before inducing ischemia-reperfusion injury . After reperfusion, blood samples and kidneys were collected to assess renal function and inflammatory cytokines, apoptotic signaling proteins, and antioxidants. Urea, creatinine, and MDA levels improved in Quercetin-treated groups with different administration methods. In addition, the activities of other antioxidant in Quercetin-treated rats were higher than those in the IR group. Further, Quercetin inhibited NF-kB signaling, apoptosis-associated factors and produced matrix metalloproteinase protein in the kidneys of rats. Based on the findings, the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects of the Quercetin diminished renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in the rats significantly. It is suggested that a single dosage of Quercetin have a reno-protective impact in the case of renal I/R injury.

Matrix metalloproteinase gene mutations and bioinformatics of telocytes in hepatocellular carcinoma

Telocytes (TCs) have crucial functions to promote the metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by over-expressing matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), but the mechanism by which TCs secrete MMPs in the genome is still unknown. We first cultured and isolated primary TCs from distinct liver cancer tissues and hepatic hemangioma surrounding tissues (Control group). Their whole exon genes were tested by Illumina HiSeq family of platforms and by high-throughput sequencing as well as variant mutations. Moreover, immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assays were utilized to assess the expression of MMPs. The perniciousness of signal-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) mutations of proteins were predicted by the Polyphen-2 database. Divergent expression and overall survival (OS) of MMPs was screened by StarBase-Pan Cancer plate; and MMPs associated signaling pathways were found by Kyoto Encyclopedia Genes and Genomes. The "competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA)" network was constructed by Cytoscape software. We found that 12 specific types of SNP mutations related to 5 types of MMPs occurred in TCs of liver malignant tumors as a potential result of MMP1, MMP9, and MMP17 overexpression. High levels of MMP1, MMP7, and MMP9 represented poor OS in HCC, and an interactive network of MMPs is shown. Allele shifts of C/T (rs20544) and G/C (rs2250889) in MMP9 were risk factors for TCs in HCC by the prediction of the Polyphen-2 Database. (MMP9 (-3 C/T)) mutation might be a genetic mechanism of upregulating MMP9 in TCs.

The Role of Polyphenol in Modulating Associated Genes in Diabetes-Induced Vascular Disorders

Diabetes-induced vascular disorder is considered one of the deadly risk factors among diabetic patients that are caused by persistent hyperglycemia that eventually leads to cardiovascular diseases. Elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to high blood glucose levels activate signaling pathways such as AGE/RAGE, PKC, polyol, and hexosamine pathways. The activated signaling pathway triggers oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis which later lead to vascular dysfunction induced by diabetes. Polyphenol is a bioactive compound that can be found abundantly in plants such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and nuts. This compound exerts therapeutic effects in alleviating diabetes-induced vascular disorder, mainly due to its potential as an anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic agent. In this review, we sought to summarize the recent discovery of polyphenol treatments in modulating associated genes involved in the progression of diabetes-induced vascular disorder.

ERK-mediated upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 promotes the invasiveness in human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)

BACKGROUND

Loco-regional invasion is commonly found in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and is associated with its poor survival rate. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) has been implicated in OSCC progression, but its regulation is poorly understood.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Here, one hundred twenty-seven different post-operated human oral cancer tissue samples were analyzed. The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression, protein expression, and MMP-2 activity and MT1-MMP, TIMP-2, and TFs (NFκB, AP1, Sp1, and Twist) were observed semi-quantitative RT-PCR, western blotting, and gelatin zymography. In addition, OSCC derived Cal-27, SCC4/9 cells, photochemical ECGC, and MAPK-pathway inhibitor PD98059 were utilized for in vitro testing and wound healing assay.

RESULT

s: Increased protein and activity level of MMP-2 was detected in non-invasive (N₀) and invasive (N_1-3) oral tumors as compared to the control (adjacent normal) samples. MMP-2 protein and mRNA expression were positively associated with the TFs and MT1-MMP, negatively associated with TIMP-2 expression. Similarly, the MMP-2 expression/activity was related to several signal-transduction pathways like ERK1/2 and wnt-β-catenin pathways. Treatment of ECGC/MEK inhibitor (PD98059) diminished MMP-2 activity and invasion/migration potential in OSCC.

CONCLUSION

Our research suggests that the ERK1/2 driven overexpression/activation of MMP-2 was linked with the overall OSCC invasion and metastasis. Treatment of MEK inhibitor (PD98059) and ECGC diminished MMP-2 activity and thus could be exploited as a therapeutic strategy to control the invasive OSCC.

The Inhibitory Effects of Terminalia catappa L. Extract on the Migration and Invasion of Human Glioblastoma Multiforme Cells

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most aggressive and common types of brain tumor. Due to its high proliferation ability, a high lethality rate has been observed with this malignant glial tumor. Terminalia catappa L. (T. catappa) is currently known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenesis effects. However, few studies have examined the mechanisms of the leaf extracts of T. catappa (TCE) on GBM cells. In the current study, we demonstrated that TCE can significantly inhibit the migration and invasion capabilities of GBM cell lines without showing biotoxic effects. Matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2) activity and protein expression were attenuated by reducing the p38 phosphorylation involved in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. By treating with TCE and/or p38 inhibitor (SB203580), we confirmed that p38 MAPK is involved in the inhibition of cell migration. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that TCE inhibits human GBM cell migration and MMP-2 expression by regulating the p38 pathway. These results reveal that TCE contains potent therapeutic compounds which could be applied for treating GBM brain tumors.

Herbal Infusions as a Valuable Functional Food

Herbal infusions are an underestimated and easy to intake a source of biologically active natural compounds (polyphenols), which, in the dissolved form, are more easily absorbed. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the potential of herbal infusions as a functional food to reduce postprandial hyperglycemia (inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase) and to reduce the effects of increased blood glucose level (antioxidant effect-DPPH, CUPRAC, and Fe²⁺ chelating assays, as well as anti-inflammatory activity-inhibition of collagenase). We showed that polyphenols are present in the examined aqueous herbal infusions (including chlorogenic and gallic acids). Subsequently, our research has shown that herbal infusions containing cinnamon bark, mulberry leaves, and blackberry fruits most strongly inhibit glucose release from complex carbohydrates, and that all herbal infusions can, to different degrees, reduce the effects of elevated blood sugar. In conclusion, infusions prepared from herbal blends could be recommended to prevent type II diabetes.