Jiawei Taohe Chengqi decoction inhibition of the notch signal pathway affects macrophage reprogramming to inhibit HSCs activation for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Jiawei Taohe Chengqi Tang (JTCD) is a modified formulation of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) known as Taohe Chengqi Decoction, which has been described in the ancient TCM literature "Treatise on Febrile Diseases". As a formula that can activate blood circulation and eliminate blood stasis and regulate Yin and Yang in traditional Chinese medicine applications, JTCD has been reported to be effective in the treatment of chronic liver disease and hepatic fibrosis (HF).

AIM OF STUDY

The current study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of JTCD in modulating hepatic macrophages by regulating the Notch signal pathway, and to further investigate the mechanisms underlying macrophage reprogramming that leads to HF.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Molecular assays were performed using in vitro cultures of human mononuclear THP-1 cells and human-derived hepatic stellate cells LX-2. CCl4-induced mice were utilized as an in vivo model to simulate HF.

RESULTS

Our results demonstrated that JTCD exhibited dual effects by inhibiting hepatic stellate cell (HSCs) activation and modulating the polarisation of macrophages towards the M2 phenotype while decreasing the M1 phenotype. Network pharmacological analyses and molecular docking studies revealed that the Notch signal pathway was significantly enriched and played a crucial role in the therapeutic response of JTCD against HF. Moreover, through the establishment of a co-culture model, we validated that JTCD inhibited the Notch signal pathway in macrophages, leading to alterations in macrophage reprogramming, subsequent inhibition of HSC activation, and ultimately exerting anti-HF effects.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, our findings provide solid evidence for JTCD in treating HF, as it suppresses the Notch signal pathway in macrophages, regulates macrophage reprogramming, and inhibits HSC activation.

[Toxic effect and mechanism of Tripterygium glycosides on ovarian germline stem cells of mice in vitro by Notch signaling pathway]

The ovarian germline stem cells(OGSCs) cultured in the optimized culture system were used as the research object to observe the effect of Tripterygium glycosides(TG) on OGSCs and explore the mechanism of reproductive toxicity by the Notch signaling pathway. Cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) was used to observe the viability level of OGSCs in mice cultured in vitro by TG of 3.75, 7.5, and 15 μg·mL~(-1). Immunofluorescence technology and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) were used to detect the protein and gene expression level of OGSCs marker mouse vasa homologue(MVH) and octamer-binding transcription factor 4(Oct4) by TG of 3.75 μg·mL~(-1). RT-PCR detected the gene expression of neurogenic locus Notch homolog protein 1(Notch1), Hes family BHLH transcription factor 1(Hes1), and jagged canonical Notch ligand 1(Jagged1). The RNA was extracted for transcriptome analysis to analyze the mechanism of action of TG intervention on OGSCs. 3.75 μg·mL~(-1) of TG was combined with 40 ng·mL~(-1) Notch signaling pathway γ-secretagocin agonist jagged canonical notch ligand(Jagged) for administration. CCK-8 was used to detect the viability level of OGSCs. Double immunofluorescence technology was used to detect the protein co-expression of MVH with Hes1, Notch1, and Jagged1. The results showed that compared with the blank group, the TG administration group significantly inhibited the activity of OGSCs(P<0.01 or P<0.001). It could reduce the protein and gene expression of OGSC markers, namely MVH and Oct4(P<0.05, P<0.01, or P<0.001). It could significantly inhibit the gene expression of Notch1, Hes1, and Jagged1(P<0.001). Transcriptomic analysis showed that TG affected the growth and proliferation of OGSCs by intervening Jagged1, a ligand associated with the Notch signaling pathway. The experimental results showed that the combination of Notch signaling pathway γ-secretagorein agonist Jagged could significantly alleviate the decrease in OGSC viability induced by TG(P<0.001) and significantly increased the OGSC viability compared with the TG group(P<0.001). It also could significantly increase the co-expression of MVH/Jagged1, MVH/Hes1, and MVH/Notch1 proteins(P<0.01 or P<0.001). It suggested that TG play the role of γ-secretagorease inhibitors by downregulating the OGSC markers including MVH and Oct4 and Notch signaling pathway molecules such as Notch1, Hes1, and Jagged1, participate in the OGSC pathway, and mediate reproductive toxicity caused by the Notch signaling pathway.

Salidroside promotes pro-angiogenesis and repair of blood brain barrier via Notch/ITGB1 signal path in CSVD Model

INTRODUCTION

Salidroside (SAL), extracted from Rhodiola rosea, has been widely used in coronary heart disease and myocardial ischemia for decades. Previous studies have demonstrated that SAL could reduce arteriosclerosis, and thus combat ischemic brain damage. However, the in-depth function of the salidroside in Cerebral Small Vascular Disease (CSVD) has not been discovered, and related molecular mechanism is still unclear.

OBJECTIVES

The present study aims to explore the effects of salidroside in angiogenesis as well as repair of blood brain barrier (BBB) and its possible mechanisms.

METHODS

We established a rat model of SHR via 2-vessel gradual occlusion (SHR-2VGO) to mimic the CSVD. Subsequently, the MRI, pathomorphism, as well as Morriss water maze test were conducted to determine CSVD-related indicators. 8 weeks post-surgery, animals were randomly administered SAL, DAPT, ATN161 or saline.The aim was to explore the protective effects of SAL in CSVD as well as its possible mechanism.

RESULTS

Here we found that SAL could attenuate cerebral hypoperfusion-induced BBB disruption, promote the pro-angiogenesis through enhancing the cell budding. Further investigations demonstrated that SAL could significantly increase the expression of Notch1, Hes1, Hes5, and ITGB1. In addition, we confirmed that SAL could activate Notch signal path, and then up-regulate ITGB1 to promote pro-angiogenesis and thus protect BBB from disruption.

CONCLUSION

The aforementioned findings demonstrated that SAL could protect BBB integrity through Notch-ITGB1 signaling path in CSVD, which indicated that SAL could be a potential medicine candidate for CSVD treatment.

GATA1-regulated JAG1 promotes ovarian cancer progression by activating Notch signal pathway

Ovarian cancer is the major cause of mortality due to late stage diagnoses and lower survival rates, and the mechanism of cancer progression is not completely understood. Thus, exploring the regulatory factors of ovarian cancer proliferation and metastasis is urgent. JAG1 expression in KOV3 and OVCA433 cells was detected by qPCR and western blot. MTT and Transwell assays were used to determine cell proliferation and metastasis. The tumor spheres formation assay, DOX, and Cisplatin administrations were performed to assess JAG1-induced stemness and chemoresistance. ChIP assay was used to verify the direct binding of GATA1 on JAG1 promoter. Ovarian cancer cells have higher JAG1 expression, which turns on Notch signaling and promotes cell proliferation, migration, invasion, stemness, and the resistance of chemotherapy. While knockdown JAG1 dramatically suppressed the ovarian cancer progression, GATA1 is the transcriptional factor of JAG1 in ovarian cells, knockdown JAG1 can inhibit GATA1-induced Notch activation and cell proliferation. This study demonstrates that JAG1, acting as an oncogenic gene, plays an important role in ovarian cancer progression and chemoresistance. Targeting GATA1/JAG1/Notch pathway may provide a novel strategy for ovarian cancer treatment.

[Effects of tumor necrosis factor-α on osteogenic differentiation and Notch signaling pathway in human periodontal ligament stem cells]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) on osteogenic differentiation and Notch signaling pathway of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) and to investigate the regulatory role of Notch signaling pathway on the osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs under the influence of TNF-α.

METHODS

PDLSCs were obtained through enzyme digestion and tissue block method. The expression levels of stem cell surface markers CD105, CD90, CD146, CD45, and CD31 were detected by fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS). PDLSCs were divided into experimental (10 ng·mL⁻¹ TNF-α) and control groups (0 ng·mL⁻¹ TNF-α). The proliferation ability of PDLSCs was detected using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). The effect of TNF-α on the osteogenic ability of PDLSCs were tested by measuring alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and conducting alizarin red staining and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We tested Notch signal pathway receptors Notch1, Notch2, ligand JAG1, JGA2, and downstream gene Hes-1. Changes in DLL1 expression were detected by quantitative real-time PCR.

RESULTS

FACS profiling showed that PDLSCs were strongly positive for CD105, CD90, and CD146 but negative for CD45 and CD31. CCK-8 results showed that TNF-α could promote the proliferation of PDLSCs (P<0.05). ALP activity in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). Alizarin red staining showed that the experimental group had decreased mineralized nodules as compared with the control group. Quantitative real-time PCR results showed that the mRNA expression of osteogenic marker genes cementum attachment protein (CAP), osteopontin (OPN), and Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) significantly decreased in the experimental group as compared with those in the control group (P<0.05). The expression levels of Notch1, Notch2, JAG1, JGA2 and Hes-1 were significantly decreased (P<0.05), whereas those of Notch3 and DLL1 were increased in Notch signaling pathway-related molecules (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

TNF-α can promote PDLSCs proliferation and inhibit bone differentiation and Notch signaling pathway expression, indicating that the Notch signaling pathway regulates PDLSCs osteogenic differentiation.

Pharmacological inhibition of the Notch pathway enhances the efficacy of androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer

Although androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a standard treatment for metastatic prostate cancer, this disease inevitably recurs and progresses to ADT-resistant stage after this therapy. Accordingly, understanding the mechanism of resistance to ADT and finding new approach to enhance the efficacy of ADT may provide a major benefit to PCa patients. In our study, we found upregulated expression of Notch receptors is positive associated with ADT-resistance progression. Using fluorescent Notch signaling reporter system, we observed that endogenous Notch signaling could be activated after treatment of androgen deprivation in LNCaP cells via activation of Notch3. In addition, exogenous activation of the Notch signaling though Dox-induced overexpression of any Notch intracellular domains (NICD1-4) could enhance the resistance of PCa cells to ADT under ex vivo 3D culture conditions and upregulate expression of ADT resistance-associated phospho-p38 and Bcl-2 in LNCaP cells. As a result, pharmacological inhibition of the Notch pathway using γ-secretase inhibitor (GSI), DAPT, downregulated both phospho-p38 and Bcl-2 expression and significantly enhanced the efficacy of ADT in androgen sensitive PCa cells with impaired proliferation and 3D colony formation, increased apoptosis and remarkable inhibition of tumor growth in murine subcutaneous xenograft model. These results indicate that activated Notch signaling contributes to ADT resistance, and suggest that inhibition of the Notch pathway may be a promising adjuvant therapy of ADT for PCa.

Inhibition of notch signaling pathway temporally postpones the cartilage degradation progress of temporomandibular joint arthritis in mice

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to explore the role of Notch signaling pathway in the initiation and progression of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA).

METHODS

48 mice were divided into DAPT-TMJOA, Control-TMJOA and Control-Sham groups. Animals received discectomy/Sham surgery in their right TMJ, following the DAPT/saline intra-articular injections every week. Mice were sacrificed at 1/4/8 weeks post-surgery. Safranin-O and H&E staining were performed on the TMJ sections for the modified Mankin's score. qPCR and immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate Notch1, Jagged1 and Hes5 expressions.

RESULTS

The mRNA expressions of Notch1, Jagged1 and Hes5 were significantly increased in Control-TMJOA group compared with Control-Sham group. Immunostaining revealed a dramatic elevation of Notch1, Jagged1 and Hes5 signals distributed in the cartilage at 1 and 4 weeks after discectomy. However, the increased number of those immuno-positive cells turned down at 8 weeks after surgery. DAPT treatment partially rescued the elevated mRNA expression and immuno-positive cell numbers of Notch1, Jagged1 and Hes5. More importantly, the cartilage destruction during TMJOA was delayed by DAPT treatment, analyzed by modified Mankin's score.

CONCLUSION

Notch signaling participates in the onset and development of TMJOA. Inhibiting Notch signaling activation by DAPT can partially delay the progress of TMJOA.

lncRNA FAM83H-AS1 is associated with the prognosis of colorectal carcinoma and promotes cell proliferation by targeting the Notch signaling pathway

The long non-coding RNA, FAM83H antisense RNA 1 (head to head) (FAM83H-AS1), has exhibited a functional role as an oncogene in a number of different types of cancer. The aim of the present study was to reveal the dysregulation of FAM83H-AS1 in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) samples and elucidate its underlying associations with the Notch signaling pathway. The expression profiles of FAM83H-AS1 and two Notch signaling-associated molecules, Notch1 and Hes family basic-helix-loop-helix transcription factor 1 (Hes1), were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. The Pearson χ² test was employed to evaluate the associations between FAM83H-AS1 expression and clinical features. A statistically significant positive association between the expression levels of FAM83H-AS1 and those of Notch1 or Hes1 in CRC tissues was analyzed by Spearman's correlation analysis. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to compare the overall survival curves between the highly-expressed and low-expressed FAM83H-AS1 groups via a log-rank test. Specific small hairpin RNA was transfected to silence endogenous FAM83H-AS1. MTT and colony formation assays were performed to measure the growth-inhibition effect of silenced FAM83H-AS1. The levels of FAM83H-AS1, Notch1 and Hes1 were significantly increased in CRC samples and cell lines. Cell proliferation was markedly inhibited when FAM83H-AS1 was knocked down and this effect mediated by FAM83H-AS1 could be reversed by Notch1 regulators. Thus, downregulated FAM83H-AS1 exhibited an anti-proliferative role in CRC by repressing the Notch signaling pathway.

Preliminary comparison of plasma notch-associated microRNA-34b and -34c levels in drug naive, first episode depressed patients and healthy controls

BACKGROUND

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common debilitating disease of unknown etiology. The expression of miRNA is closely related to depression and efficacy of antidepressant therapy. However, whether Notch-associated miRNAs expressions involved in first-episode of MDD are still unknown.

METHODS

In this study, the expression levels of Notch1, Hes1 mRNA and 5 miRNAs (miR-369-3p, miR-34b-5p, miR-34c-5p, miR-381 and miR-107) in peripheral blood leukocytes of 32 MDD patients and 32 healthy controls were detected using qRT-PCR method. We also assessed the severity of depressive symptom, suicide risk level, negative life events and event-related potential P300.

RESULTS

The expression levels of miR-34b-5p (62.49 as the median of cases group and 38.62 as median of control group) and miR-34c-5p (7.17 as the median of cases group and 5.45 as median of control group) in MDD patients were significantly higher than these in control subjects. NOTCH1 gene were significantly lower in MDD patients (5.35 as the median of cases group and 6.80 as median of control group), and was negatively correlated with the expression miR-34c-5p and miR-34b-5p. The expression level of miR-34b-5p and miR-369-3p were significantly lower in patients with suicide idea. N1 latency of P300 were positive correlated with miR-34c-5p, miR-107 and miR-381, and P2 latency of P300 were positive correlated with miR-34c-5p, miR-107 and miR-381.

LIMITATIONS

The sample size was small and the role of candidate miRNAs in the regulation of Notch1 gene and cognitive function are still need to be further investigated.

CONCLUSIONS

Differentially Notch-associated miRNAs expressions in peripheral blood might be involved in MDD, and the miR-34b-5p and miR-34c-5p levels in peripheral blood leukocytes are closely related to MDD, suicide idea and cognitive function, further studies with large sample size are warranted to test the feasibility of these miRNAs serving as biomarkers for MDD.

Effect of spinal cord extracts after spinal cord injury on proliferation of rat embryonic neural stem cells and Notch signal pathway in vitro

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of the spinal cord extracts (SCE) after spinal cord injuries (SCIs) on the proliferation of rat embryonic neural stem cells (NSCs) and the expressions of mRNA of Notch1 as well as of Hes1 in this process in vitro.

METHODS

The experiment was conducted in 4 different mediums: NSCs+PBS (Group A-blank control group), NSCs+SCE with healthy SD rats (Group B-normal control group), NSCs+SCE with SD rats receiving sham-operation treatment (Group C-sham-operation group) and NSCs+ SCE with SCIs rats (Group D-paraplegic group). Proliferative abilities of 4 different groups were analyzed by MTT chromatometry after co-culture for 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 d, respectively. The expressions of Notch1 and Hes1 mRNA were also detected with RT-PCR after co-culture for 24 and 48 h, respectively.

RESULTS

After co-culture for 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 d respectively, the MTT values of group D were significantly higher than those of group A, group B and group C (P<0.05). However, there were no significantly differences regarding MTT values between group A, group B and group C after co-culture for 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 d, respectively (P>0.05). Both the expressions of Notch1 and Hes1 mRNA of group D were significantly higher than those of other 3 groups after co-culture for 24 h and 48 h as well (P<0.05). But there was no difference oin expressions of Notch1 and Hes1 mRNA among group A, group B and group C after co-culture for 24 h and 48 h (P>0.05). There was no difference in expressions of Notch1 and Hes1 mRNA between 24 h and 48 h treatment in group D.

CONCLUSIONS

SCE could promote the proliferation of NSCs. It is demonstrated that the microenvironment of SCI may promote the proliferation of NSCs. Besides, SCE could increase the expression of Notch1 and Hes1 mRNA of NSC. It can be concluded that the Notch signaling pathway activation is one of the mechanisms that locally injured microenvironment contributes to the proliferation of ENSC after SCIs. This process may be performed by up-regulating the expressions of Notch1 and Hes1 gene.

Curcumin regulates hepatoma cell proliferation and apoptosis through the Notch signaling pathway

Curcumin has become a compound of interest for its antioxidant and anti-neoplastic properties. This study sought to determine the effect of curcumin administration on cell proliferation and apoptosis in hepatoma cells. SMMC-7721 hepatoma cells were treated with 10, 30, or 90 μM curcumin solution, with DMEM alone (negative control), or with 20 mg/L fluorouracil (positive control). MTT colorimetry detected significant differences in the rates of cell proliferation inhibition following curcumin treatment, with increasing inhibition accompanying increasing doses of curcumin (P < 0.05), compared to the negative control. Similarly, flow cytometry revealed significant differences in the numbers of apoptotic cells following curcumin treatment: increasing doses of curcumin produced increases in the numbers of apoptotic cells (P < 0.05). To determine whether curcumin exerts these effects by altering the Notch signaling pathway, a phenomenon reported for other cancers, relative expression of Notch1 mRNA and protein were determined in curcumin-treated cells. Both mRNA and protein expression of Notch1 decreased with increasing curcumin dose (P < 0.05). Thus, curcumin appears to inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in hepatoma cells by altering the Notch signaling pathway.

Overexpression of the Notch3 receptor and its ligand Jagged1 in human clinically non-functioning pituitary adenomas

Human clinically non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) primarily cause headaches, visual impairment and hypopituitarism due to the effect of the mass of the tumor. Surgery is the first-line treatment for these tumors. To date, no efficacious medical therapy exists for non-functioning adenomas. Previous studies have demonstrated that the Notch3 receptor is involved in the pathogenesis of various types of malignancies, including human NFPAs. The current study focused on the expression of the Notch3 receptor and its ligand Jagged1 in three types of pituitary adenomas and in the normal pituitary gland. Using quantitative real-time RT-PCR assays and western blot analyses, upregulated Notch3 and Jagged1 were observed in human NFPAs, but not in normal human pituitary glands or in hormone-secreting adenomas. Furthermore, Notch3 was positively correlated with Jagged1 at the mRNA and protein levels. These data indicate that Notch3 and Jagged1 may play an important role in the initiation and proliferation of human non-functioning adenomas, and there may be an interaction between Notch3 and Jagged1 in this process. Our study further elucidates the role of the Notch3 signaling pathway in the tumorigenesis of human NFPAs and provides a potential therapeutic target for the medical treatment of these tumors.