TASL mediates keratinocyte differentiation by regulating intracellular calcium levels and lysosomal function.

Maintaining epidermal homeostasis relies on a tightly organized process of proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes. While past studies have primarily focused on calcium regulation in keratinocyte differentiation, recent research has shed light on the crucial role of lysosome dysfunction in this process. TLR adaptor interacting with SLC15A4 on the lysosome (TASL) plays a role in regulating pH within the endo-lysosome. However, the specific role of TASL in keratinocyte differentiation and its potential impact on proliferation remains elusive. In our study, we discovered that TASL deficiency hinders the proliferation and migration of keratinocytes by inducing G1/S cell cycle arrest. Also, TASL deficiency disrupts proper differentiation process in TASL knockout human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT) by affecting lysosomal function. Additionally, our research into calcium-induced differentiation showed that TASL deficiency affects calcium modulation, which is essential for keratinocyte regulation. These findings unveil a novel role of TASL in the proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes, providing new insights into the intricate regulatory mechanisms of keratinocyte biology.

CXCL5/CXCL8 induces neutrophilic inflammation in peri-implantitis.

OBJECTIVE AND BACKGROUND: This research aimed to examine the role of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 5 (CXCL5) and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8; also known as IL-8) in neutrophilic inflammation triggered by peri-implantitis and to shed light on the underlying mechanisms that link them to the development of this condition. MATERIALS: This study included 40 patients who visited the Department of Periodontology at Kyungpook University Dental Hospital. They were divided into two groups based on their condition: healthy implant (HI) group (n = 20) and peri-implantitis (PI) group (n = 20). Biopsy samples of PI tissue were collected from the patients under local anesthesia. HI tissue was obtained using the same method during the second implant surgery. To construct libraries for control and test RNAs, the QuantSeq 3' mRNA-Seq Library Prep Kit (Lexogen, Inc., Austria) was used according to the manufacturer's instructions. Samples were pooled based on representative cytokines obtained from RNA sequencing results and subjected to Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Hematoxylin and eosin staining, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis were performed to visually assess expression levels and analyze tissue histology. Student's t-test was employed to conduct statistical analyses. RESULTS: Initially, heatmaps were used to examine gene expression variations between the HI and PI groups based on the results of RNA sequencing. Notably, among various cytokines, CXCL5 and CXCL8 had the highest expression levels in the PI group compared with the HI group, and they are known to be associated with inflammatory responses. In the gingival tissues, the expression of genes encoding cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1ß, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and CXCL5/CXCL8 was assessed via RT-qPCR. The mRNA expression level of CXCL5/CXCL8 significantly increased in the PI group compared with the HI group (p < .045). Contrarily, the mRNA expression level of interleukin 36 receptor antagonist (IL36RN) significantly decreased (p < .008). IHC enabled examination of the distribution and intensity of CXCL5/CXCL8 protein expression within the tissue samples. Specifically, increased levels of CXCL5/CXCL8 promote inflammatory responses, cellular proliferation, migration, and invasion within the peri-implant tissues. These effects are mediated through the activation of the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that the PI sites had higher gene expression level of CXCL8/CXCL5 in the soft tissue than HI sites, which could help achieve more accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

HSPA9 reduction exacerbates symptoms and cell death in DSS-Induced inflammatory colitis.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory condition that is influenced by various factors, including environmental factors, immune responses, and genetic elements. Among the factors that influence IBD progression, macrophages play a significant role in generating inflammatory mediators, and an increase in the number of activated macrophages contributes to cellular damage, thereby exacerbating the overall inflammatory conditions. HSPA9, a member of the heat shock protein 70 family, plays a crucial role in regulating mitochondrial processes and responding to oxidative stress. HSPA9 deficiency disrupts mitochondrial dynamics, increasing mitochondrial fission and the production of reactive oxygen species. Based on the known functions of HSPA9, we considered the possibility that HSPA9 reduction may contribute to the exacerbation of colitis and investigated its relevance. In a dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis mouse model, the downregulated HSPA9 exacerbates colitis symptoms, including increased immune cell infiltration, elevated proinflammatory cytokines, decreased tight junctions, and altered macrophage polarization. Moreover, along with the increased mitochondrial fission, we found that the reduction in HSPA9 significantly affected the superoxide dismutase 1 levels and contributed to cellular death. These findings enhance our understanding of the intricate mechanisms underlying colitis and contribute to the development of novel therapeutic approaches for this challenging condition.

Imatinib inhibits oral squamous cell carcinoma by suppressing the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a prevalent oral and maxillofacial cancer with high mortality as OSCC cells readily invade tissues and metastasize to cervical lymph nodes. Although imatinib exhibits potential anticancer and remarkable clinical activities that therapeutically affect several cancer types, its specific impact on OSCC has yet to be fully explored. Therefore, this study investigated the potential anticancer effect of imatinib on OSCC cells and the underlying mechanisms. The Cell Counting Kit-8 was used to determine the impact of imatinib on cell viability. Then, morphological cell proliferation analysis was conducted to examine how imatinib impacted OSCC cell growth. Moreover, OSCC cell migration was determined through wound-healing assays, and colony formation abilities were investigated through the soft agar assay. Lastly, the effect of imatinib on OSCC cell apoptosis was verified with flow cytometry, and its inhibitory mechanism was confirmed through Western blot. Our results demonstrate that imatinib effectively inhibited OSCC cell proliferation and significantly curtailed OSCC cell viability in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, imatinib suppressed migration and colony formation while promoting OSCC cell apoptosis by enhancing p53, Bax, and PARP expression levels and reducing Bcl-2 expression. Imatinib also inhibited the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and induced OSCC cell apoptosis, demonstrating the potential of imatinib as a treatment for oral cancer.

A Novel Fabrication of Heterogeneous Saponified Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)/Pullulan Blend Film for Improved Wound Healing Application.

In this study, a novel film of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/pullulan (PULL) with improved surface characteristics was prepared from poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc)/PULL blend films with various mass ratios after the saponification treatment in a heterogeneous medium. According to proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR), Fourier transform infrared, and X-ray diffraction results, it was established that the successful fabrication of saponified PVA/PULL (100/0, 90/10, and 80/20) films could be obtained from PVAc/PULL (100/0, 90/10, and 80/20) films, respectively, after 72 h saponification at 50 °C. The degree of saponification calculated from 1H-NMR analysis results showed that fully saponified PVA was obtained from all studied films. Improved hydrophilic characteristics of the saponified films were revealed by a water contact angle test. Moreover, the saponified films showed improved mechanical behavior, and the micrographs of saponified films showed higher surface roughness than the unsaponified films. This kind of saponified film can be widely used for biomedical applications. Moreover, the reported saponified film dressing extended the lifespan of dressing as determined by its self-healing capacity and considerably advanced in vivo wound-healing development, which was attributed to its multifunctional characteristics, meaning that saponified film dressings are promising candidates for full-thickness skin wound healing.

Perfluorooctanoic acid suppresses sperm functions via abnormal Protein Kinase B activation during capacitation.

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a perfluorinated compound, a synthesized chemical, and has been used in several industrial products for more than 70 years. Although PFOA is known to exert toxic effects in normal cells, there is no detailed information on its reproductive toxicity and its effects on sperm functions related to protein kinase B (AKT). Therefore, this study was conducted to explore the effects of PFOA on sperm functions via AKT. Boar spermatozoa were incubated with different concentrations of PFOA (0, 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 µM) to induce capacitation. Sperm functions (sperm motility, motion kinematic parameters, capacitation status, cell viability, and intracellular ATP levels) were evaluated. In addition, the expression levels of AKT, phospho-AKT, phospho-PKA, and tyrosine phosphorylated proteins were evaluated by western blotting. Results showed significant decreases in sperm motility and motion kinematic parameters. PFOA treatment significant suppressed spermatozoa capacitation and intracellular ATP levels. Furthermore, it significantly decreased the levels of phospho-PKA and tyrosine phosphorylated proteins. The levels of AKT phosphorylation at Thr308 and Ser473 also significantly decreased. These findings suggest that PFOA diminishes sperm functions during capacitation and induces unnatural phosphorylation in AKT, leading to reproductive toxicity. Therefore, people should be aware of reproductive toxicity when using PFOA.

Anticancer effects of gossypetin from Hibiscus sabdariffa in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: Gossypetin, isolated from Hibiscus sabdariffa L, has been shown to have various pharmacological effects including anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activity against various diseases. However, since the effect of gossypetin in oral cancer remains to be reported, we aimed to investigate the anticancer activity and mechanisms of gossypetin in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). METHODOLOGY: The proliferation of OSCC cells was evaluated by cell viability and soft agar colony assays. The effects of gossypetin on the migration and invasion of OSCC cells was investigated by wound healing and transwell invasion assays, respectively. Apoptosis and cell cycle arrest were measured by flow cytometry. Moreover, the anticancer mechanism of gossypetin in OSCC cells was analyzed by western blotting. RESULTS: Gossypetin inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OSCC cells and induced apoptosis by upregulating the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. Furthermore, gossypetin regulated the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and nuclear factor-kappa B. CONCLUSION: Results showed that gossypetin inhibits the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OSCC cells and triggers apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in OSCC. Therefore, gossypetin has the potential for use as a chemopreventive agent in oral cancer.

Silibinin induces oral cancer cell apoptosis and reactive oxygen species generation by activating the JNK/c-Jun pathway.

Background: Oral cancer is one of the most prevalent malignant tumors worldwide. Silibinin has been reported to exert therapeutic effects in various cancer models. However, its mechanism of action in oral cancer remains unclear. We aimed to examine the molecular processes underlying the effects of silibinin in oral cancer in vitro and in vivo as well as its potential anticancer effects. Next, we investigated the molecular processes underlying both in vitro and in vivo outcomes of silibinin treatment on oral cancer. Methods: To investigate the effects of silibinin on the growth of oral cancer cells, cell proliferation and anchorage-independent colony formation tests were conducted on YD10B and Ca9-22 oral cancer cells. The effects of silibinin on the migration and invasion of oral cancer cells were evaluated using transwell assays. Flow cytometry was used to examine apoptosis, cell cycle distribution, and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The molecular mechanism underlying the anticancer effects of silibinin was explored using immunoblotting. The in vivo effects of silibinin were evaluated using a Ca9-22 xenograft mouse model. Results: Silibinin effectively suppressed YD10B and Ca9-22 cell proliferation and colony formation in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, it induced cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase, apoptosis, and ROS generation in these cells. Furthermore, silibinin inhibited the migration and invasion abilities of YD10B and Ca9-22 cells by regulating the expression of proteins involved in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Western blotting revealed that silibinin downregulated SOD1 and SOD2 and triggered the JNK/c-Jun pathway in oral cancer cells. Silibinin significantly inhibited xenograft tumor growth in nude mice, with no obvious toxicity. Conclusions: Silibinin considerably reduced the development of oral cancer cells by inducing apoptosis, G0/G1 arrest, ROS generation, and activation of the JNK/c-Jun pathway. Importantly, silibinin effectively suppressed xenograft tumor growth in nude mice. Our findings indicate that silibinin may be a promising option for the prevention or treatment of oral cancer.

Rhein Induces Oral Cancer Cell Apoptosis and ROS via Suppresse AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway In Vitro and In Vivo.

Oral cancer remains the leading cause of death worldwide. Rhein is a natural compound extracted from the traditional Chinese herbal medicine rhubarb, which has demonstrated therapeutic effects in various cancers. However, the specific effects of rhein on oral cancer are still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the potential anticancer activity and underlying mechanisms of rhein in oral cancer cells. The antigrowth effect of rhein in oral cancer cells was estimated by cell proliferation, soft agar colony formation, migration, and invasion assay. The cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. The underlying mechanism of rhein in oral cancer cells was explored by immunoblotting. The in vivo anticancer effect was evaluated by oral cancer xenografts. Rhein significantly inhibited oral cancer cell growth by inducing apoptosis and S-phase cell cycle arrest. Rhein inhibited oral cancer cell migration and invasion through the regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related proteins. Rhein induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in oral cancer cells to inhibit the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Rhein exerted anticancer activity in vitro and in vivo by inducing oral cancer cell apoptosis and ROS via the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in oral cancer. Rhein is a potential therapeutic drug for oral cancer treatment.

Anticancer effects of gossypetin from Hibiscus sabdariffa in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract Objective Gossypetin, isolated from Hibiscus sabdariffa L, has been shown to have various pharmacological effects including anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activity against various diseases. However, since the effect of gossypetin in oral cancer remains to be reported, we aimed to investigate the anticancer activity and mechanisms of gossypetin in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methodology The proliferation of OSCC cells was evaluated by cell viability and soft agar colony assays. The effects of gossypetin on the migration and invasion of OSCC cells was investigated by wound healing and transwell invasion assays, respectively. Apoptosis and cell cycle arrest were measured by flow cytometry. Moreover, the anticancer mechanism of gossypetin in OSCC cells was analyzed by western blotting. Results Gossypetin inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OSCC cells and induced apoptosis by upregulating the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. Furthermore, gossypetin regulated the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and nuclear factor-kappa B. Conclusion Results showed that gossypetin inhibits the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OSCC cells and triggers apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in OSCC. Therefore, gossypetin has the potential for use as a chemopreventive agent in oral cancer.

Effects of Hydrogen-rich Water on Cariogenic Bacteria.

Context: Some kinds of electrolysed water have been reported to exhibit antioxidant and bactericidal activity. However, studies on the effect of electrolysed hydrogen-rich water (EHW) with a neutral pH on cariogenic bacteria are limited. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using EHW as a mouthwash by examining its various effects on cariogenic bacteria. Materials and Methods: To test the bactericidal and anti-biofilm formation effects of EHW on Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus, bacterial growth curves, colony-forming unit (CFU) counts, and crystal violet staining of biofilms were examined after exposing the bacterial pellets to EHW or tap water as a control for one minute. In addition, the expressions of glucosyltransferase and glucan-binding proteins encoding genes were examined using real-time PCR. Results: Bacterial growth and biofilm formation were inhibited, and the number of CFUs was significantly reduced in the EHW group compared to the control group. The expression of genes encoding glucosyltransferases (gtfB, gtfC, and gtfI) and glucan-binding proteins (gbpC and dblB) were also decreased in the EHW group compared to the control. Conclusions: Exposing cariogenic bacteria to EHW at neutral pH for one minute can effectively inhibit bacterial growth and biofilm formation in vitro, suggesting that EHW is a promising mouthwash.

Arbidol inhibits human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma growth in vitro and in vivo through suppressing ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein kinase.

Human esophageal cancer has a global impact on human health due to its high incidence and mortality. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new drugs to treat or prevent the prominent pathological subtype of esophageal cancer, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Based upon the screening of drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration, we discovered that Arbidol could effectively inhibit the proliferation of human ESCC in vitro. Next, we conducted a series of cell-based assays and found that Arbidol treatment inhibited the proliferation and colony formation ability of ESCC cells and promoted G1-phase cell cycle arrest. Phosphoproteomics experiments, in vitro kinase assays and pull-down assays were subsequently performed in order to identify the underlying growth inhibitory mechanism. We verified that Arbidol is a potential ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR) inhibitor via binding to ATR kinase to reduce the phosphorylation and activation of minichromosome maintenance protein 2 at Ser108. Finally, we demonstrated Arbidol had the inhibitory effect of ESCC in vivo by a patient-derived xenograft model. All together, Arbidol inhibits the proliferation of ESCC in vitro and in vivo through the DNA replication pathway and is associated with the cell cycle.

20 (S)-ginsenoside Rh2 inhibits colorectal cancer cell growth by suppressing the Axl signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) has a high morbidity and mortality worldwide. 20 (S)-ginsenoside Rh2 (G-Rh2) is a natural compound extracted from ginseng, which exhibits anticancer effects in many cancer types. In this study, we demonstrated the effect and underlying molecular mechanism of G-Rh2 in CRC cells in vitro and in vivo. Methods: Cell proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis, cell cycle, and western blot assays were performed to evaluate the effect of G-Rh2 on CRC cells. In vitro pull-down assay was used to verify the interaction between G-Rh2 and Axl. Transfection and infection experiments were used to explore the function of Axl in CRC cells. CRC xenograft models were used to further investigate the effect of Axl knockdown and G-Rh2 on tumor growth in vivo. Results: G-Rh2 significantly inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion, and induced apoptosis and G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest in CRC cell lines. G-Rh2 directly binds to Axl and inhibits the Axl signaling pathway in CRC cells. Knockdown of Axl suppressed the growth, migration and invasion ability of CRC cells in vitro and xenograft tumor growth in vivo, whereas overexpression of Axl promoted the growth, migration, and invasion ability of CRC cells. Moreover, G-Rh2 significantly suppressed CRC xenograft tumor growth by inhibiting Axl signaling with no obvious toxicity to nude mice. Conclusion: Our results indicate that G-Rh2 exerts anticancer activity in vitro and in vivo by suppressing the Axl signaling pathway. G-Rh2 is a promising candidate for CRC prevention and treatment.

Knockdown of Maged1 inhibits cell cycle progression and causes cell death in mouse embryonic stem cells.

Mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) are characterized by self-renewal and pluripotency and can undergo differentiation into the three germ layers (ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm). Melanoma-associated antigen D1 (Maged1), which is expressed in all developing and adult tissues, modulates tissue regeneration and development. In the present study, we examined the expression and function of Maged1 in mESCs. Maged1 protein and mRNA expression increased during mESC differentiation. The pluripotency of mESCs was significantly reduced through extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 phosphorylation upon knockdown of Maged1, and through G1 cell cycle arrest during cell division, resulting in significantly reduced mESC proliferation. Moreover, the diameter of the embryoid bodies was significantly reduced, accompanied by increased levels of ectodermal differentiation markers and decreased levels of mesodermal and endodermal differentiation markers. Maged1-knockdown mESC lines showed significantly reduced teratoma volumes and inhibition of teratoma formation in nude mice. Additionally, we observed increased ectodermal markers but decreased mesodermal and endodermal markers in teratoma tissues. These findings show that Maged1 affects mESC pluripotency, proliferation, cell cycle, and differentiation, thereby contributing to our understanding of the basic molecular biological mechanisms and potential roles of Maged1 as a regulator of various mESC properties.

Protective Effect of GIP against Monosodium Glutamate-Induced Ferroptosis in Mouse Hippocampal HT-22 Cells through the MAPK Signaling Pathway.

The effect of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) on cells under oxidative stress induced by glutamate, a neurotransmitter, and the underlying molecular mechanisms were assessed in the present study. We found that in the pre-treatment of HT-22 cells with glutamate in a dose-dependent manner, intracellular ROS were excessively generated, and additional cell damage occurred in the form of lipid peroxidation. The neurotoxicity caused by excessive glutamate was found to be ferroptosis and not apoptosis. Other factors (GPx-4, Nrf2, Nox1 and Hspb1) involved in ferroptosis were also identified. In other words, it was confirmed that GIP increased the activity of sub-signalling molecules in the process of suppressing ferroptosis as an antioxidant and maintained a stable cell cycle even under glutamate-induced neurotoxicity. At the same time, in HT-22 cells exposed to ferroptosis as a result of excessive glutamate accumulation, GIP sustained cell viability by activating the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathway. These results suggest that the overexpression of the GIP gene increases cell viability by regulating mechanisms related to cytotoxicity and reactive oxygen species production in hippocampal neuronal cell lines.

Myeloid-Specific PTP1B Deficiency Attenuates Inflammation-Induced and Ovariectomy-Induced Bone Loss in Mice by Inhibiting Osteoclastogenesis.

The differentiation and activity of bone-resorbing osteoclasts are tightly regulated to maintain the homeostasis of healthy bones. In this study, the role of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) during osteoclastogenesis was studied in myeloid-specific Ptpn1-deficient (conditional knockout [cKO]) mice. The mRNA and protein expression of PTP1B increased during the formation of mature osteoclasts from mouse bone macrophages on stimulation with macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) and receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL). The Ptpn1 cKO mice exhibited increased femoral trabecular bone volume with a decreased number and activity of osteoclasts compared with control mice. The in vitro culture of osteoclast precursors corroborated the inhibition of osteoclastogenesis in cKO cells compared with control, with concomitantly decreased RANKL-dependent proliferation, lower osteoclast marker gene expression, reduced nuclear expression of nuclear factor of activated T cells cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1), diminished intracellular Ca2+ oscillations, and increased phosphorylation of proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Src on inhibitory tyrosine residue. In a ligature-induced periodontitis model, Ptpn1 cKO mice exhibited attenuated osteoclastogenesis and alveolar bone loss following the induction of inflammation. The Ptpn1-deficient mice were similarly protected from ovariectomy-induced bone loss compared with control mice. These results provide a novel regulatory role of PTP1B in osteoclastogenesis and suggest a potential as a therapeutic target for bone-lytic diseases. © 2021 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).

Ginger-derived compounds exert in vivo and in vitro anti-asthmatic effects by inhibiting the T-helper 2 cell-mediated allergic response.

6-Shogaol (SHO) and 6-gingerol (GIN), naturally derived compounds of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), have been found to have anti-allergic effects on dermatitis-like skin lesions and rhinitis. Although SHO and GIN have demonstrated a potential in various inflammatory diseases, their efficacy and mechanism in asthma have not been largely examined. Therefore, the present study demonstrated the anti-asthmatic effects of SHO and GIN on the T-helper (Th) 2 cell-mediated allergic response pathway in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma mouse model. The asthma mouse model was established with an intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of 50 µg OVA and 1 mg aluminum hydroxide with or without an i.p. injection of SHO and GIN (10 mg/kg) before treatment with OVA. In addition, the current study assessed mast cell degranulation in antigen-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells under different treatment conditions (SHO or GIN at 0, 10, 25, 50 and 100 nM) and determined the mRNA and protein levels of anti-oxidative enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD)1, SOD2, glutathione peroxidase-1/2, catalase] in lung tissues. SHO and GIN inhibited eosinophilia in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluids and H&E-stained lung tissues. Both factors also decreased mucus production in periodic acid-Schiff-stained lung tissues and the levels of Th2 cytokines in these tissues. GIN attenuated oxidative stress by upregulating the expression levels of anti-oxidative proteins. In an in vitro experiment, the degranulation of RBL-2H3 rat mast cells was significantly decreased. It was found that SHO and GIN effectively suppressed the allergic response in the mouse model by inhibiting eosinophilia and Th2 cytokine production. Collectively, it was suggested that SHO can inhibit lung inflammation by attenuating the Th2 cell-mediated allergic response signals, and that GIN can inhibit lung inflammation and epithelial cell remodeling by repressing oxidative stress. Therefore, SHO and GIN could be used therapeutically for allergic and eosinophilic asthma.

Suppression of transient receptor potential melastatin 7 regulates pluripotency, proliferation, and differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells via mechanistic target of rapamycin-extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation.

Mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) are a widely used model for their diverse availability in studying early embryonic development and their application in regenerative treatment of various intractable diseases. Transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (Trpm7) regulates Ca2+ as a nonselective ion channel and is essential for early embryonic development; however, the precise role of Trpm7 in mESCs has not been clearly elucidated. In this study, we showed that the inhibition of Trpm7 affects the pluripotency and self-renewal of mESCs. We found that short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated suppression of Trpm7 resulted in decreased expression of transcriptional regulators, Oct4 and Sox2, which maintain stemness in mESCs. In addition, Trpm7 knockdown led to alterations in the basic properties of mESCs, such as decreased proliferation, cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase, and increased apoptosis. Furthermore, embryoid body (EB) formation and teratoma formation assays revealed abnormal regulation of differentiation due to Trpm7 knockdown, including the smaller size of EBs, elevated ectodermal differentiation, and diminished endodermal and mesodermal differentiation. We found that EB Day 7 samples displayed decreased intracellular Ca2+ levels compared to those of the scrambled group. Finally, we identified that these alterations induced by Trpm7 knockdown occurred due to decreased phosphorylation of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and subsequent activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in mESCs. Our findings suggest that Trpm7 could be a novel regulator for maintaining stemness and modulating the differentiation of mESCs.

Anticancer effects of veratramine via the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/serine-threonine kinase/mechanistic target of rapamycin and its downstream signaling pathways in human glioblastoma cell lines.

AIMS: Antitumor effects of veratramine in prostate and liver cancers has been investigated, but it is still unclear whether veratramine can be used as an effective therapeutic agent for glioma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential pharmacological mechanism of veratramine in glioma. MAIN METHODS: Using four types of human glioblastoma cell lines, including A172, HS-683, T98G, and U-373-MG the dose-dependent antitumor effect of veratramine was evaluated. The cytotoxicity and cell proliferation were examined by CCK-8, and cell proliferation was further confirmed by anchorage-independent colony formation assay. The cell cycle distribution and apoptotic rate was assessed by flow cytometry, and apoptosis was further evaluated by apoptosis assay. The migration and invasiveness capacity were analyzed by using transwell. Protein and mRNA levels of related factors were determined by western blotting and RT-qPCR, respectively. KEY FINDINGS: Veratramine markedly induced apoptosis, suppressed the cell proliferation via the cell cycle G0/G1 phase arrest, and reduced the capacity for the migration and invasion in human glioblastoma multiforme cell lines. Moreover, veratramine was sufficient to affect the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/serine-threonine kinase/mechanistic target of rapamycin signaling pathway and its downstream Mdm2/p53/p21 pathway in human glioblastoma cell lines. SIGNIFICANCE: Antitumor effects of veratramine in suppression of glioma progression was mediated by the regulation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR and Mdm2/p53/p21 signaling pathway.

Effects of Sangju Honey on Oral Squamous Carcinoma Cells.

Since ancient times, honey has been used in traditional medicine owing to its pharmacological effects. It possesses anticancer properties. However, the therapeutic implications of Sangju honey in cancer remains unknown. Therefore, we aimed to demonstrate the potential anticancer effects of Sangju honey on human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), particularly focusing on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and apoptotic and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. Ca9-22 and YD-10B human OSCC cells were treated with 0.25% or 0.5% Sangju honey, and the cell viability was examined using the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. Cell morphology studies were conducted to observe morphological changes, and the wound-healing assay was performed to evaluate the proliferation of honey-treated OSCC cells. Western blot analysis was conducted to investigate protein expression related to EMT and apoptotic and MAPK signaling pathways. Sangju honey reduced cell viability, induced morphological changes, and significantly suppressed the proliferation and migration of Ca9-22 and YD-10B cells. The expression of E-cadherin and N-cadherin was increased and decreased, respectively, in both OSCC cell lines. Moreover, Sangju honey stimulated apoptosis by increasing the expression of p21, p53, cleaved caspase 3, and caspase 9. Furthermore, it downregulated the expression of phospho (p)-extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2, p-c-Jun amino-terminal kinase, and p-p38 in Ca9-22 and YD-10B cells. Sangju honey inhibits Ca9-22 and YD-10B cell proliferation by regulating EMT, inducing apoptosis, and suppressing the MAPK signaling pathway. Thus, it is a potential anticancer agent for human OSCC.