Andrographolide anti-proliferation and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma through LncRNA MIR22HG regulation.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment is a major challenge. Although andrographolide (Andro) has an anti-proliferation effect on HCC, its underlying mechanism is not yet elucidated, and whether Andro can inhibit HCC metastasis has not been reported. The present study aimed to clarify whether Andro inhibits SK-Hep-1 cell proliferation and HCC metastasis, and the mechanisms. The results showed that Andro significantly reduced the survival of HCC cells and tumor weight and volume in tumor-bearing nude mice. Andro also triggered apoptosis of HCC cells and upregulated MIR22HG, Cleaved Caspase 9/7/3 expression levels, and downregulated BCL-2 mRNA, BCL-2 expression levels. Knockdown of MIR22HG or overexpression of HuR attenuated the effects of Andro on the signal transduction of mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and proliferation ability in HCC cells. Moreover, Andro significantly reduced the invasive ability of the cells and the level of HCC cell lung metastasis, upregulated miR-22-3p expression level and downregulated HMGB1 and MMP-9 expression levels. MIR22HG or miR-22-3p knockdown attenuated the effects of Andro on the signaling of HMGB1/MMP-9 pathway and invasive ability in HCC cells, while the overexpression of HMGB1 attenuated the inhibitory effects of Andro on the MMP-9 expression level and invasive ability in HCC cells. Thus, the regulation of MIR22HG-HuR/BCL-2 and MIR22HG/HMGB1 signaling pathways is involved in the anti-HCC proliferation and metastasis effects of Andro. This study provided a new pharmacological basis for Andro in HCC treatment and, for the first time, identified a natural product molecule capable of positively regulating MIR22HG, which has a robust biological function.

Effect of glycosaminoglycans on the structure and composition of articular cartilage and bone of broilers.

This study aimed to assess the influence of glycosaminoglycan (chondroitin and glucosamine sulfates) supplementation in the diet of broilers on the expression of matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9) and metallopeptidase inhibitor 2 (TIMP-2) genes, the synthesis of proteoglycans, collagen type II and chondrocytes, bone and cartilage macroscopy, bone mineral densitometry, bone breaking strength and mineral profile. A completely randomized design was carried out in a 3 × 3 factorial scheme (3 levels of chondroitin sulfate: 0.00, 0.05, and 0.10%; and 3 levels of glucosamine sulfate: 0.00, 0.15, and 0.30%), totaling 9 treatments. At 21 and 42 d of age, broilers were slaughtered, and tibias and femurs were collected for evaluation. There was an interaction (P < 0.05) of sulfates for the expression of MMP-9 and its inhibitor TIMP-2 in femur articular cartilage, as well as for the number of chondrocytes, collagen type II and proteoglycans in tibia articular cartilage, bone and cartilage macroscopy and mineral profile (P < 0.05), with better results obtained with the inclusion of chondroitin and/or glucosamine sulfates in the feed. In conclusion, chondroitin and glucosamine sulfates can be used in broiler diets in order to favor the development of the structure of the locomotor system (bones and joints), thus preventing locomotion problems.

Fenugreek Seed Extract Regulates Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cell Angiogenesis and Proliferation via the PI3K/Akt/Cyclin D1 Pathway.

The significance of angiogenesis in tumour progression has been widely documented. Hence, the identification of anti-angiogenic agents with fewer common side effects would be valuable in cancer therapy. In this study, we evaluated the anti-angiogenic and anti-proliferative effects of a hydro-alcoholic extract of fenugreek seed (HAEF) on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were treated with various concentrations of HAEF and the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value was estimated by using the MTT assay. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and matrix metalloproteinase enzyme (MMP-2 and MMP-9) gene expression profiles were evaluated by using quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). Moreover, MMP activities and PI3K, Akt and cyclin D1 protein expression levels were evaluated by gel zymography and Western blotting, respectively. HAEF reduced HUVEC viability, with an IC50 value of 200 µg/ml. The qRT-PCR results demonstrated that treatment with HAEF markedly reduced MMP-2/MMP-9, VEGF and bFGF gene expression, as compared to the control group. We also found that MMP-2/MMP-9 enzyme activity and PI3K/Akt/cyclin D1 protein expression were notably decreased in cells treated with HAEF. Our results suggest that HAEF can potentially inhibit angiogenesis, and also affect cellular proliferation by targeting the PI3K/Akt/cyclin D1 pathway. Thus, fenugreek seed extract merits further investigation as a source of compounds with anti-cancer properties.

Impact of Vitamin D3 on Carbonyl-Oxidative Stress and Matrix Metalloproteinases after Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Rats with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes mellitus is associated with the development of carbonyl-oxidative stress (COS) and an increased risk of a cerebral hemorrhage. Vitamin D3 is considered an additional drug to have an impact on COS and proteolysis in the extracellular matrix. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to evaluate the impact of D3 on the COS-markers and matrix metalloproteinases MMP2/MMP9 activity after acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in rats with experimental type 2 diabetes mellitus (Т2DM) compared to metformin (Met). METHODS: T2DM was induced in rats via the intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) and nicotinamide (NA), ICH - by microinjection of bacterial collagenase into the striatum. Rats were randomized into five groups: 1 - intact animals (n = 8), 2 - T2DM (n = 9); 3 - T2DM+ICH (n = 7); 4 - T2DM+ICH+Met (n = 7); 5 - T2DM+ICH+D3 (n = 7). Blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were assessed using commercial kits. Advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), protein carbonyls (PC370/430), and ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) were measured by spectrophotometry, advanced glycation end products (AGEs) by quantitative fluorescence, and matrix metalloproteinases MMP2/9 by gelatin zymography. RESULTS: D3 does not significantly affect the glucose level and OGTT in rats with T2DM+ICH. However, it reduces AOPP, PC, and AGEs, thus reducing the COS index. In contrast, the activity of proMMP9 increases after D3 administration. These effects of D3 have been reported to be stronger and sometimes opposite to those of metformin. CONCLUSION: D3 supplementation may decrease the negative consequences of a cerebral hemorrhage in T2DM by reducing COS and preventing the accumulation of COS-modified proteins in the brain by regulating the expression and activity of MMP9.

[Lutein inhibits the adhesion, invasiveness and metastasis of human prostate cancer PC-3M cells].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of lutein on the adhesion, invasiveness and metastasis of human prostate cancer PC-3M cells and its action mechanism. METHODS: We divided human prostate cancer PC-3M cells into a control, a low-dose lutein, a medium-dose lutein and a high-dose lutein group, and treated them with 0, 10, 20 and 40 µmol/L lutein, respectively. Then we examined the adhesion of the cells to matrix by cell adhesion assay and the changes in cell pseudopodia by Phalloidin staining, detected the expressions of paxillin, matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), MMP-9, recombinant tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1), E-cadherin, N-cadherin and vimentin by Western blot, determined the invasiveness and migration of the cells by scratch and Transwell assays, and observed their dynamic movement by high-intension imaging. RESULTS: Compared with the control, the lutein intervention groups showed significant reduction in the number of the cells adhered to matrix, the number of cell pseudopodia, the expressions of paxillin, MMP-2, MMP-9, N-cadherin and vimentin, the rates of migration, invasion and metastasis, and the distances of displacement and movement of the cells. However, the expressions of TIMP-1 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related E-cadherin were upregulated significantly. CONCLUSION: Lutein can inhibit cell adhesion, reduce the expressions of MMPs, and suppress cell invasion and migration by inhibiting the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Liraglutide Attenuates Restenosis After Vascular Injury in Rabbits With Diabetes Via the TGF-ß/Smad3 Signaling Pathway.

Background: Lower limb ischemia due to arterial stenosis is a major complication in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Liraglutide is a long-acting analogue of a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist used for lowering blood glucose in patients with DM, and is believed to possess cardiovascular protective effects. The aim of this study was to investigate whether liraglutide has a protective effect on blood vessels and alleviates vascular intimal hyperplasia in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced rabbits with DM and its molecular mechanism. Methods: Rabbits with DM were induced by STZ, and a lower limb ischemia model was established. The animals were divided into a control group, DM-injury group and liraglutide treatment group. Pathological staining was used to observe the intimal growth, analyze the oxidation levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and plasma glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and analyze the changes in expression of marker proteins and signaling pathway proteins by Western blotting. A hyperglycemia (HG)-injured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) model was established to analyze reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, Cell-Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to analyze cell proliferation, scratch assay and Transwell Migration Assay to analyze cell migration, flow cytometry to analyze apoptosis and Western blotting was used to analyze changes in the expression of marker and signaling pathway proteins. Results: The results of pathological staining showed that intimal hyperplasia was severe after diabetes-induced lower limb ischemia in rabbits at 4 weeks, and liraglutide treatment reduced symptoms. Liraglutide treatment significantly decreased MDA content, increased SOD, GSH-Px content, and augmented total antioxidant capacity levels in tissues. The results of Western blotting analysis showed that E-cadherin, mitochondrial membrane potential 9 (MMP-9), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and type I collagen protein expression levels were significantly decreased after liraglutide treatment compared with the DM injury group. The results indicated that liraglutide inhibited epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) progression, vascular cell proliferation and migration and collagen production. Liraglutide inhibits transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-ß1)/Smad3 signaling pathway protein expression. In vitro assays have shown that liraglutide reduces cellular ROS levels, inhibits cell proliferation and migration and promotes apoptosis. Liraglutide down-regulated the expression of E-cadherin, MMP-9, PCNA, type I collagen protein as well as the TGF-ß1/Smad3 signaling pathway, but this effect could be reversed by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). Conclusion: Liraglutide can significantly improve tissue antioxidant capacity, reduce vascular cell proliferation and migration via the TGF-ß1/Smad3 signaling pathway, inhibit the EMT and collagen production processes, and alleviate hyperglycemia(HG)-induced lower limb ischemia and intimal hyperplasia.

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 induces cardiac fibroblast migration, collagen and cytokine secretion: inhibition by salvianolic acid B from Salvia miltiorrhiza.

Cardiac fibroblasts play the key role in cardiac function and matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) is a well known contributor to the development of myocardial remodeling. However, the direct regulation of MMP-9 on the function of cardiac fibroblasts and the underlying mechanism are far from elucidation. In the present research, recombinant protein encoding catalytic domain of MMP-9 (MMP-9 CD) was constructed and the function of neonatal cardiac fibroblasts was investigated by cell proliferation assay, migration assay, picrosirius red assay, multiplex cytokine assay and fibroblast phenotype detection. 200 nM MMP-9 CD stimulated cardiac fibroblasts migration (169.4±22.5% versus 100±0%, p<0.01), increased collagen synthesis (1.5±0.2 fold, p<0.05), up-regulated the secretion of ICAM (574.0±40.1 versus 268.5±8.6pg/ml, p<0.01), TNF-α (192.6±11.0 versus 14.4±1.8pg/ml, p<0.001), IL-6 (1500.9±70.2 versus 323.4±40.6pg/ml, p<0.001) and sVCAM-1 (30.3±4.3 versus 7.0±0.1 pg/ml, p<0.05) and down-regulated VEGF (436.5±148.9 versus 1034.3±28.1 pg/ml, p<0.05) significantly with modest effects on proliferation. Accompanying with these regulations, transition of fibroblasts to myofibroblast was confirmed by immunofluorescent stain of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) with MMP-9 CD treatment. Furthermore, salvianolic acid B (SalB) inhibited the effects of MMP-9 CD significantly. In conclusion, our results provide evidence for a direct influence of MMP-9 on cardiac fibroblast migration, collagen and cytokine secretion, which can be attenuated by SalB.

A highly specific inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-9 rescues laminin from proteolysis and neurons from apoptosis in transient focal cerebral ischemia.

Neuronal cell death occurs during many neurodegenerative disorders and stroke. The aberrant, excessive activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), especially MMP-9, contributes directly to neuron apoptosis and brain damage (Rosenberg et al., 1996; Asahi et al., 2001; Gu et al., 2002; Horstmann et al., 2003). We determined that MMP-9 degrades the extracellular matrix protein laminin and that this degradation induces neuronal apoptosis in a transient focal cerebral ischemia model in mice. We also determined that the highly specific thiirane gelatinase inhibitor SB-3CT blocks MMP-9 activity, including MMP-9-mediated laminin cleavage, thus rescuing neurons from apoptosis. We conclude that MMP-9 is a highly promising drug target and that SB-3CT derivatives have significant therapeutic potential in stroke patients.