Inhibition of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling pathway by Qianliening capsules suppresses the growth and induces the apoptosis of human prostate cells

Nrf2-mediated macrophage function in benign prostatic hyperplasia: Novel molecular insights and implications

One of the most common urological diseases is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), with a high prevalence in the middle-aged and elderly male population. Patient's mental and physical health is affected significantly by this condition, causing them considerable discomfort. During the development of BPH, a synergistic effect occurs in response to inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis induced by the activation of macrophages. The nuclear factor erythroid2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway can mediate macrophage activation and inhibit prostate hyperplasia by suppressing pro-inflammatory factors, anti-oxidative stress disorder, and initiating apoptosis. The purpose of this study was to review the mechanism of action of Nrf2 signaling pathway-mediated macrophage activation on the immune microenvironment of BPH and to summarize the Chinese medicine based on Nrf2 to provide an overview of BPH treatment options.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate reduces the proliferation of benign prostatic hyperplasia cells via regulation of focal adhesions

AIMS

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common urological disease that is characterized by the excessive growth of prostatic epithelial and stromal cells. Pharmacological therapy for BPH has limited use due to the many side effects so there is a need for new agents including natural compounds such as epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). This study was undertaken to assess the role of EGCG, suppressing the formation of BPH by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, in cytoskeleton organization and ECM interactions via focal adhesions.

MAIN METHODS

We performed MTT assay to investigate cell viability of BPH-1 cells, wound healing assay to examine cell migration, immunofluorescence assay for F-actin organization and paxillin distribution and finally immunoblotting to investigate focal adhesion protein levels in the presence and absence of EGCG.

KEY FINDINGS

We found that EGCG inhibits cell proliferation at the concentration of 89.12μM, 21.2μM and 2.39μM for 24, 48 and 72h, respectively as well as inhibitory effects of EGCG on BPH-1 cell migration were observed in a wound healing assay. Furthermore, it was determined by immunofluorescence labeling that EGCG disrupts F-actin organization and reduces paxillin distribution. Additionally, EGCG decreases the activation of FAK (Focal Adhesion Kinase) and the levels of paxillin, RhoA (Ras homolog gene family, member A), Cdc42 (cell division cycle 42) and PAK1 (p21 protein-activated kinase 1) in a dose-dependent manner.

SIGNIFICANCE

For the first time, by this study, we found evidence that BPH-1 cell proliferation could be inhibited with EGCG through the disruption of cytoskeleton organization and ECM interactions. Consequently, EGCG might be useful in the prevention and treatment of diseases characterized by excessive cell proliferation such as BPH.

CRNDE Promotes Malignant Progression of Glioma by Attenuating miR-384/PIWIL4/STAT3 Axis

Colorectal neoplasia differentially expressed (CRNDE) is the most upregulated long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) in glioma. Herein, the function and potential molecular mechanisms of CRNDE and miR-384 were illustrated in glioma cells. CRNDE overexpression facilitated cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, while inhibited glioma cells apoptosis. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) demonstrated that miR-384 was downregulated in human glioma tissues and glioma cell lines. Moreover, restoration of miR-384 exerted tumor-suppressive functions. In addition, the expression of miR-384 was negatively correlated with CRNDE expression. A binding region between CRNDE and miR-384 was confirmed using luciferase assays. Moreover, CRNDE promoted cell malignant behavior by decreasing miR-384 expression. At the molecular level, treatment by CRNDE knockdown or miR-384 overexpression resulted in a decrease of piwi-like RNA-mediated gene silencing 4 (PIWIL4) protein. Besides, PIWIL4 was identified as a target of miR-384 and plays an oncogenic role in glioma. Similarly, downstream proteins of PIWIL4 such as STAT3, cyclin D1, VEGFA, SLUG, MMP-9, caspase 3, Bcl-2, and bcl-xL were modulated when treated with miR-384 and PIWIL4. Remarkably, CRNDE knockdown combined with miR-384 overexpression led to tumor regression in vivo. Overall, these results depicted a novel pathway mediated by CRNDE in glioma, which may be a potential application for glioma therapy.

miRNA Regulation Network Analysis in Qianliening Capsule Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Objective. The objective of this study was to evaluate the molecular mechanism by which Qianliening capsule (QC) treats benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods. Benign prostatic hyperplasia epithelial cell line BPH-1 was treated with 0, 1.25, 2.5, and 5 mg/mL QC for 48 h, respectively. Evaluation of cell viability and observation of morphologic changes of BPH-1 cell gene expression and miRNA expression profiles were analyzed. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to confirm changes in miRNA and gene expression. GO and KEGG pathway-based approaches were used to investigate biological functions and signaling pathways affected by differentially expressed mRNAs. Results. QC inhibited BPH-1 cell proliferation. Differential expression of 19 upregulated and 2 downregulated miRNAs was observed in QC-treated BPH-1 cells compared to untreated control cells. 107 upregulated and 71 downregulated genes were identified between the two groups. Significantly enriched signaling pathways based on deregulated mRNAs were mainly involved in regulation of cell proliferation, apoptosis, and so on. Additionally, miRNA-mRNA network analysis integrated these miRNAs and genes by outlining interactions of miRNA and related genes. Conclusion. The study was the first report of differentially expressed miRNA and mRNA in QC-treated BPH-1 cells.