QNZ alleviated hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting inflammatory pathways in a rat model

The pathogenicity of HCC could be enhanced by TNF-α and NFκB, which are crucial parts of the inflammatory pathway inside the HCC microenvironment. Therefore, we aimed to discover the therapeutic effects of QNZ, an inhibitor of both TNF-α and NFκB, in an experimental model of HCC in rats. HCC was experimentally induced in rats by thioacetamide, and some of the rats were treated with QNZ. The expression levels of nuclear factor (NF)κB, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, apoptosis signal regulating kinase (ASK)-1, β-catenin, glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3 and TNF receptor-associated factor (TRAF) were examined in hepatic samples. In addition, hepatic tissues were stained with hematoxylin/eosin and anti-TNF-α antibodies. QNZ blocked HCC-induced expression of both NFκB and TNF-α. It significantly reduced both α-fetoprotein and the average number of nodules and increased the survival rate of the HCC rats. Moreover, hematoxylin and eosin liver sections from the HCC rats showed vacuolated cytoplasm and necrotic nodules. All of these effects were alleviated by QNZ treatment. Finally, treating HCC rats with QNZ resulted in a reduction in the expression of TRAF, ASK-1 and β-catenin, as well as increased expression of GSK-3. In conclusion, inhibition of the inflammatory pathway in HCC with QNZ produced therapeutic effects, as indicated by an increased survival rate, reduced serum α-fetoprotein levels, decreased liver nodules and improved the hepatocyte structure. In addition, QNZ significantly reduced the expression of TRAF, ASK-1 and β-catenin that were associated with increased expression of GSK-3.

miR-149-PARP-2 Signaling Regulates E-cadherin and N-cadherin Expression in the Murine Model of Endometrium Receptivity

Cadherins play an essential role in the attachment of the blastocyst to the endometrium, a process known as endometrial receptivity. Loss of E-cadherin expression is essential during the process, while the expression level of the other cadherin, N-cadherin, has been reported to be altered in cases of infertility. Both E-cadherin and N-cadherin can be regulated by members of the PARP family. Specifically, PARP-2, which is under the epigenetic control of miR-149, has been observed to promote E-cadherin expression in other human cells. We investigated the roles of E-cadherin and N-cadherin in endometrial receptivity using mouse models for normal endometrial receptivity, pseudopregnancy, and LPS-induced endometrial receptivity failure. E-cadherin and phosphorylated E-cadherin were predominantly expressed during pre-receptive stages as well as in the implantation site of the receptive stage, which were observed reduced during the later stages of implantation in both implantation and non-implantation regions, while N-cadherin was detected only at pre-receptive stages. E-cadherin and N-cadherin were also seen in the uterus during pseudopregnancy, showing a downregulation trend during receptive and post-receptive stages. LPS-induced failed endometrial receptivity showed upregulation of E-cadherin and downregulation of N-cadherin. The E-cadherin expression promoter, GSK-3, was lost and its suppressor, SLUG was upregulated during normal course of endometrial receptivity in mouse model, while GSK-3 was increased during LPS-induced failed embryo implantation. In an in vitro model of embryo implantation, E-cadherin expression is promoted by PARP-2 and regulated by miR-149 epigenetically in human endometrium epithelial cells. In conclusion, E-cadherin is predominantly expressed during pre-receptive stage and promoted by PARP-2, which is regulated by miR-149 in the endometrial epithelial cells.