Jiang C, Xie N, Sun T, Ma W, Zhang B, Li W. Xanthohumol Inhibits TGF-β1-Induced Cardiac Fibroblasts Activation via Mediating PTEN/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway.
DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2020;
14:5431-5439. [PMID:
33324040 PMCID:
PMC7732164 DOI:
10.2147/dddt.s282206]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Background
Xanthohumol (Xn) is the most abundant prenylated flavonoid in Hops (Humulus lupulus L.), and exhibits a range of pharmacological activities. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Xn on TGF-β1-induced cardiac fibroblasts activation and elucidate the underlying mechanism.
Materials and Methods
The cellTiter 96® AQueous one solution cell proliferation assay kit was adopted to determine the cell viability of cardiac fibroblasts, and the proliferation was detected through 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) incorporation assay. The α-SMA protein expression was measured by using immunofluorescence and Western blotting. Western blotting was conducted to test the protein expressions of collagen I and III, PTEN, p-Akt, Akt, p-mTOR, mTOR, p-Smad3, Smad3 and GAPDH. The mRNA levels of α-SMA, collagen I and III were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Results
Xn inhibited the TGF-β1-induced proliferation, differentiation and collagen overproduction of cardiac fibroblasts. TGF-β1 induced the down-regulated PTEN expression, Akt and mTOR phosphorylation. These effects of TGF-β1 were suppressed by Xn, while blocking of PTEN reduced Xn-mediated inhibitory effect on cardiac fibroblasts activation induced by TGF-β1.
Conclusion
Xn inhibits TGF-β1-induced cardiac fibroblasts activation via mediating PTEN/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.
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