PRR11 and SKA2 promote the proliferation, migration and invasion of esophageal carcinoma cells.

Proline-rich protein 11 (PRR11) together with its upstream adjacent gene, spindle and kinetochore associated 2 (SKA2), represent a classic, head-to-head gene pair. The role of the PRR11 and SKA2 gene pair has been described in various types of cancer, including breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma and ovarian carcinoma. However, its role in esophageal carcinoma (ESCC) remains unclear. The mRNA expression levels of PRR11 and SKA2 were examined in ESCC surgical specimens. In addition, the role of PRR11 and SKA2 in the proliferation and migratory and invasive capacities of EC9706 and EC109 cell lines was examined. The results from the present study demonstrated that PRR11 and SKA2 expression levels were upregulated in ESCC tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. Furthermore, PRRl1 and SKA2 knockdown significantly inhibited the proliferation and migratory and invasive capacities of ESCC cells. Conversely, PRRl1 and SKA2 overexpression significantly promoted the proliferation and migratory and invasive capacities of ESCC cell lines via activation of the AKT signaling pathway and certain markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, including Snail and N-cadherin. The results from the present study suggested that the PRR11 and SKA2 gene pair may represent a potential target in the diagnosis and treatment of ESCC.

A chalcone inhibits the growth and metastasis of KYSE-4 esophageal cancer cells.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the in vitro and in vivo anticancer effects of a chalcone against KYSE-4 esophageal cancer cells. METHODS: A chalcone was synthesized via the molecular hybridization strategy based on the anticancer activity of chalcone and dithiocarbamate scaffolds. The anticancer effects of different concentrations of the chalcone derivative were compared in esophageal cancer cells. RESULTS: This chalcone displayed strong inhibitory effects on esophageal cancer cell growth with an IC50 of 1.06 µM in KYSE-4 cells. Analysis of the mechanism revealed that the derivative obviously inhibited KYSE-4 cell growth, migration, and invasion in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, the compound regulated migration-related biomarkers (E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and Slug) and inhibited the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway. According to western blotting, this chalcone suppressed the expression of proline-rich protein 11 (PRR11) in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: This chalcone might be a leading candidate for suppressing the growth and metastasis of esophageal cancer by downregulating PRR11 expression and inhibiting Wnt/ß-catenin signaling.

Effect of simulated microgravity and its associated mechanism on pulmonary circulation in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of Simulated Microgravity and its Associated Mechanism on Pulmonary Circulation in Rats). METHODS: Rat tail-suspension model was used to simulate the physiological effects of microgravity and changes in pulmonary blood vessel morphology, pulmonary arterial and venous blood pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, pulmonary vasomotoricity, as well as the regulation of pulmonary circulation by cytokines produced and released by the lung of rats were measured. RESULTS: The walls of pulmonary blood vessels of rats were thickened, and the pulmonary artery was reconstructed with increased pulmonary vascular resistance. The pulmonary blood vessels of rats became more prone to dilation as contractions increased. Rat epithelial Adrenomedulin gene transcription and protein expression were upregulated. The level of basic fibroblast growth Factor of rat was also elevated. CONCLUSION: Findings from the present study on rats revealed that the microgravity can affect pulmonary blood vessel structure, pulmonary arterial pressure, and pulmonary blood vessel self-regulation and cytokine production.

[Salidroside inhibits clinorotation-induced apoptosis in pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the inhibitory effect of salidroside (Sal) on pulmonary microvascular endothelial cell (HPMEC) apoptosis induced by simulated microgravity and its mechanism. METHODS: Human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells cultured in vitro were divided into control group, clinorotation group and clinorotation+Sal pretreatment groups. Microgravity was simulated by clinorotation. The apoptotic rate of HPMECs was detected by flow cytometry using Annexin V-FITC staining, and the expressions of bcl-2, bax, and caspase-3 at the mRNA and protein levels were determined by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. RESULTS: A 72-h clinorotation significantly induced apoptosis in HPMECs. Real-time PCR results demonstrated a significantly lowered bcl-2 but increased bax and caspase-3 mRNA expressions in clinorotation group as compared with those in the control group. Western blotting showed that clinorotation inhibited the protein expressions of PI3K and p-AKT and increased caspase-3 protein expression. Salidroside significantly inhibited the cell apoptosis, reversed the expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax, and attenuated the decrease in the protein expression of PI3K and phosphorylation level of AKT. Salidroside also antagonized the activation of caspase-3. CONCLUSION: PI3K/AKT pathway and caspase 3 are involved in the apoptosis of HPMVECs induced by clinorotation, and the effect of clinorotation can be reversed by salidroside, suggesting the potential value of salidroside for application in spaceflight.

Impact of simulated microgravity on microvascular endothelial cell apoptosis.

Cardiovascular deconditioning is known to occur in astronauts exposed to microgravity. Endothelial dysfunction at microcirculatory sites might contribute to cardiovascular deconditioning induced by weightlessness. Recent studies have reported changes in the morphology and gene expression of endothelial cells exposed to conditions of simulated microgravity. The present study was aimed at examining the effects of microgravity on the apoptosis of microvascular endothelial cells and the mechanism underlying these effects. We simulated a microgravity environment and found that microgravity induced microvascular endothelial cell apoptosis and that this effect was correlated with the downregulation of the PI3K/Akt pathway, increased expression of NF-κB, and depolymerization of F-actin. These findings may provide important insights into the origin of the adverse physiological changes occurring due to exposure to microgravity conditions.

[Clinical data analysis and chest radiographic features of Wegener's granulomatosis with pulmonary involvement].

OBJECTIVE: To improve the diagnostic accuracy of Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) with pulmonary involvement by analyzing the clinical data and chest radiographic features. METHODS: The clinical data and chest radiographic features of 43 WG cases with pulmonary involvement were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Clinically, the patients frequently presented with multi-system involvement, with the incidence of pulmonary involvement of 72.8%. The patients with WG presented with such symptoms in the respiratory system as coughing, expectoration, hemoptysis, and dyspnea. The radiographic manifestations varied among the cases. Nodules and cavitations in the lungs were the signs most frequently found, and patchy infiltration and bronchial narrowing were also observed, which often led to misdiagnosis of WG as other pulmonary diseases. CONCLUSION: WG often has multi-organ involvement, and the lung is one of the most commonly involved organs. The clinical symptoms and radiographic manifestations of WG have no specificity, and the disease can be easily misdiagnosed. Biopsy and ANCA assay can be important means for WG diagnosis.