Ginsenoside Rb1 Modulates the Migration of Bone-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells through the SDF-1/CXCR4 Axis and PI3K/Akt Pathway.

Methods: Wound-healing assay and Transwell assay were utilized to evaluate the effect of ginsenoside Rb1 on the migration of BMSCs. RT-PCR and Western blotting were performed to evaluate the expression of stromal-derived factor 1 (SDF-1), C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and protein kinase B (PKB; AKT). Results: Ginsenoside Rb1 significantly enhanced the migration of BMSCs through the activation of SDF-1, CXCR4, p-PI3K/PI3K, and p-Akt/Akt relative expression. Furthermore, this stimulus was blocked by the pretreatment with AMD3100 and LY294002. Conclusions: Ginsenoside Rb1 facilitated the migration of BMSCs through the activation of the SDF-1/CXCR4 axis and PI3K/Akt pathway.

Streptococcus pyogenes CAMP factor promotes calcium ion uptake in RAW264.7 cells.

Streptococcus pyogenes is a bacterium that causes systemic diseases such as pharyngitis and toxic shock syndrome. S. pyogenes produces molecules that inhibit the function of the human immune system, thus allowing growth and spread of the pathogen in tissues. It is known that S. pyogenes CAMP factor induces vacuolation in macrophages; however, the mechanism remains unclear. In the current study, the mechanism by which CAMP factor induces vacuolation in macrophages was investigated. CAMP factor was found to induce calcium ion uptake in murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells. In addition, EDTA inhibited calcium ion uptake and vacuolation in the cells. The L-type voltage-dependent calcium ion channel blockers nifedipine and verapamil reduced vacuolation. Furthermore, the phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitors LY294002 and wortmannin also inhibited the vacuolation induced by CAMP factor. Fluorescent microscopy revealed that clathrin localized to the vacuoles. These results suggest that the vacuolation is related to calcium ion uptake by RAW264.7 cells via L-type voltage-dependent calcium ion channels. Therefore, it was concluded that the vacuoles induced by S. pyogenes CAMP factor in macrophages are clathrin-dependent endosomes induced by activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase signaling pathway through calcium ion uptake.

Involvement of PI3K/Akt signaling in PTTH-stimulated ecdysteroidogenesis by prothoracic glands of the silkworm, Bombyx mori.

The prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH) stimulates ecdysteroidogenesis by prothoracic gland in larval insects. Previous studies showed that Ca(2+), cAMP, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and tyrosine kinase are involved in PTTH-stimulated ecdysteroidogenesis by the prothoracic glands of both Bombyx mori and Manduca sexta. In the present study, the involvement of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling in PTTH-stimulated ecdysteroidogenesis by B. mori prothoracic glands was further investigated. The results showed that PTTH-stimulated ecdysteroidogenesis was partially blocked by LY294002 and wortmannin, indicating that PI3K is involved in PTTH-stimulated ecdysteroidogenesis. Akt phosphorylation in the prothoracic glands appeared to be moderately stimulated by PTTH in vitro. PTTH-stimulated Akt phosphorylation was inhibited by LY294002. An in vivo PTTH injection into day 6 last instar larvae also increased Akt phosphorylation of the prothoracic glands. In addition, PTTH-stimulated ERK phosphorylation of the prothoracic glands was not inhibited by either LY294002 or wortmannin, indicating that PI3K is not involved in PTTH-stimulated ERK signaling. A23187 and thapsigargin, which stimulated B. mori prothoracic gland ERK phosphorylation and ecdysteroidogenesis, could not activate Akt phosphorylation. PTTH-stimulated ecdysteroidogenesis was not further activated by insulin, indicating the absence of an additive action of insulin and PTTH on the prothoracic glands. The present study, together with the previous demonstration that insulin stimulates B. mori ecdysteroidogenesis through PI3K/Akt signaling, suggests that crosstalk exists in B. mori prothoracic glands between insulin and PTTH signaling, which may play a critical role in precisely regulated ecdysteroidogenesis during development.

Activation of a non-genomic Pim-1/Bad-Pser75 module is required for an efficient pro-survival effect of Bcl-xL induced by androgen in LNCaP cells.

The present report investigated the pathway(s) involved in the inhibition of apoptosis by the synthetic androgen, R1881 in serum-starved LNCaP cells exposed to the pi3K inhibitor, LY294002. R1881 blocked LY294002-induced apoptosis through the inhibition of Bak activation via an increase in Bcl-xL transcription and protein expression. In addition, R1881 treatment enhanced the stability of the Pim-1 kinase, resulting in the inhibition of the activation of the BH3-only protein Bad through its phosphorylation at ser75. Pharmacological inhibition of the Pim-1 kinase activity with quercetagetin, a highly selective Pim-1 inhibitor, prevented R1881-mediated increase in Bad phosphorylation and restored cell sensitivity to LY294002-induced apoptosis despite the increase in Bcl-xL expression. These results demonstrate for the first time that the inhibition of LY294002-induced apoptosis by androgen is a function of an androgen receptor-dependent genomic signaling pathway leading to an increase in Bcl-xL expression as well as a non-genomic, Pim-1-dependent, signaling pathway mediated via phosphorylation of Bad at ser75.

The PI-3 kinase-Akt-MDM2-survivin signaling axis in high-risk neuroblastoma: a target for PI-3 kinase inhibitor intervention.

PURPOSE: Studies of SF1126, an RGDS targeted, water-soluble prodrug of LY294002, are currently nearing completion in two adult Phase I trials. Herein, we performed a preclinical evaluation of SF1126 as a PI-3K inhibitor for Phase I trials in the treatment of recurrent neuroblastoma (NB). METHODS: The effects of SF1126 on pAkt-MDM2 cell signaling, proliferation, apoptosis, and migration were determined using a panel of NB cell lines, and anti-tumor activity was determined using a xenograft model of NB. RESULTS: SF1126 blocks MDM2 activation, IGF-1 induced activation of Akt, and the upregulation of survivin induced by IGF-1. It also increases sensitivity to doxorubicin in vitro and was found to exhibit marked synergistic activity in combination with doxorubicin. Treatment disrupts the integrin αvß3/αvß5-mediated organization of the actin cytoskeleton as well as the α4ß1/α5ß1-mediated processes essential to metastasis. In vivo, SF1126 markedly inhibits tumor growth in NB xenografted mice (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A pan PI-3 kinase inhibitor has potent antitumor activity and induces apoptosis in multiple neuroblastoma cell lines. The observed effects of SF1126 on the p-Akt-MDM2-survivin axis suggest a patient selection paradigm in which NB tumors with increased pAkt-MDM2-survivin signaling may predict response to SF1126 alone or in combination with standard chemotherapy regimens that contain anthracyclines.

Hormonal regulation of the epithelial Na+ channel: from amphibians to mammals.

High-resistance epithelia derived from amphibian sources such as frog skin, toad urinary bladder, and the A6 Xenopus laevis kidney cell line have been widely used to elucidate the underlying mechanisms involved in the regulation of vectorial ion transport. More recently, the isolation of high-resistance mammalian cell lines has provided model systems in which to study differences and similarities between the regulation of ion transporter function in amphibian and mammalian renal epithelia. In the present study, we have compared the natriferic (Na+ retaining) responses to aldosterone, insulin, and vasotocin/vasopressin in the A6 and mpkCCDcl4 (mouse principal cells of the kidney cortical collecting duct) cell lines. The functional responses of the epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) to hormonal stimulation were remarkably similar in both the amphibian and mammalian lines. In addition, insulin- and aldosterone-stimulated, reabsorptive Na+ transport in both cell lines requires the presence of functional PI3-kinase.

Identification of JNK-dependent and -independent components of cerebellar granule neuron apoptosis.

Cerebellar granule neurons grown in high potassium undergo rapid apoptosis when switched to medium containing 5 mm potassium, a stimulus mimicking deafferentation. This cell death can be blocked by genetic deletion of Bax, a member of the pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family, cycloheximide an inhibitor of macromolecular synthesis or expression of dominant-negative c-jun. These observations suggest that Bax activation is the result of c-jun target gene(s) up-regulation following trophic withdrawal. Candidate genes include the BH3-only Bcl-2 family members Dp5 and Bim. The molecular mechanisms underlying granule cell neuronal apoptosis in response to low potassium were investigated using CEP-1347 (KT7515), an inhibitor of the MLK family of JNKKK. CEP-1347 provided protection of potassium-serum-deprived granule cells, but such neuroprotection was not long term. The incomplete protection was not due to incomplete blockade of the JNK signaling pathway because c-jun phosphorylation as well as induction of c-jun RNA and protein were completely blocked by CEP-1347. Following potassium-serum deprivation the JNKK MKK4 becomes phosphorylated, an event blocked by CEP-1347. Cells that die in the presence of CEP-1347 activate caspases; and dual inhibition of caspases and MLKs has additive, not synergistic, effects on survival. A lack of synergism was also seen with the p38 inhibitor SB203580, indicating that the neuroprotective effect of the JNK pathway inhibitor cannot be explained by p38 activation. Activation of the JNK signaling pathway seems to be a key event in granule cell apoptosis, but these neurons cannot survive long term in the absence of sustained PI3 kinase signaling.

Distribution and function of the peptide transporter PEPT2 in normal and cystic fibrosis human lung.

BACKGROUND: Aerosol administration of peptide based drugs has an important role in the treatment of various pulmonary and systemic diseases. The characterisation of pulmonary peptide transport pathways can lead to new strategies in aerosol drug treatment. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry and ex vivo uptake studies were established to assess the distribution and activity of the beta-lactam transporting high affinity proton coupled peptide transporter PEPT2 in normal and cystic fibrosis human airway tissue. RESULTS: PEPT2 immunoreactivity in normal human airways was localised to cells of the tracheal and bronchial epithelium and the endothelium of small vessels. In peripheral lung immunoreactivity was restricted to type II pneumocytes. In sections of cystic fibrosis lung a similar pattern of distribution was obtained with signals localised to endothelial cells, airway epithelium, and type II pneumocytes. Functional ex vivo uptake studies with fresh lung specimens led to an uptake of the fluorophore conjugated dipeptide derivative D-Ala-L-Lys-AMCA into bronchial epithelial cells and type II pneumocytes. This uptake was competitively inhibited by dipeptides and cephalosporins but not ACE inhibitors, indicating a substrate specificity as described for PEPT2. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide evidence for the expression and function of the peptide transporter PEPT2 in the normal and cystic fibrosis human respiratory tract and suggest that PEPT2 is likely to play a role in the transport of pulmonary peptides and peptidomimetics.

The Fas-FasL death receptor and PI3K pathways independently regulate monocyte homeostasis.

Peripheral blood-derived monocytes spontaneously undergo apoptosis mediated by Fas-Fas ligand (FasL) interactions. Activation of monocytes by LPS or TNF-alpha prevents spontaneous monocyte apoptosis through an unknown mechanism. Here, we demonstrate that LPS and TNF-alpha up-regulate Flip and suppress spontaneous Fas-FasL mediated monocyte apoptosis and caspase 8 and 3 activation. Flip was responsible for this protection, since inhibition of Flip by antisense oligonucleotides in the presence of LPS or TNF-alpha restored monocyte sensitivity to spontaneous apoptosis. We also investigated whether the PI3K pathway contributes to the suppression of spontaneous monocyte apoptosis mediated by LPS and TNF-alpha. Monocytes treated with a reversible PI3K inhibitor (LY294002) displayed enhanced apoptosis, while LPS and TNF-alpha partially protected against apoptosis mediated by LY294002. However, direct suppression of Fas-FasL interactions by addition of neutralizing anti-FasL antibody did not further suppress LY294002-induced apoptosis in the presence of LPS or TNF-alpha. Collectively, these data demonstrate that LPS or TNF-alpha protect monocytes from death receptor-mediated apoptosis through the up-regulation of Flip, but not apoptosis initiated by inhibition of the PI3K pathway.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and mTOR mediate lipopolysaccharide-stimulated nitric oxide production in macrophages via interferon-beta.

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) elicits responses by macrophages that help the body repel infections. Recent evidence indicates that phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) may mediate some of these responses. Here, we show that exposing macrophages to LPS rapidly increased membrane-associated PI 3-kinase activity and also elevated p70 S6 kinase activity. Inhibitors of PI 3-kinase or the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) fully blocked p70 S6 kinase activation, implying that this kinase is controlled by PI 3-kinase and mTOR. These inhibitors also substantially reduced LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production. This inhibition was, in part, attributable to impaired LPS-stimulated secretion of interferon-beta, an autocrine co-factor for NO production. However, the addition of exogenous interferon-beta did not fully restore NO production, indicating that the NO response was being inhibited by another mechanism as well. Together, these data suggest that PI 3-kinase, mTOR, and possibly p70 S6 kinase mediate LPS-induced NO production by regulating the secretion of interferon-beta and by a second undefined mechanism.

Antagonistic action of caffeine against LY294002-induced apoptosis in cerebellar granule neurons.

AIM: To study the effect of caffeine on apoptosis induced by inhibition of 1-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in cerebellar granule neurons. METHODS: Cerebellar granule neurons culture, agar gel electrophoresis, and stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK)/c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) assay kit to measure SAPK/JNK activity. RESULTS: LY294002 evoked apoptosis concentration-dependently in cerebellar granule neurons. But death resulting from LY294002 was prevented by caffeine in a concentration-dependent manner. The survival effect of caffeine was not affected by inhibitors of ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+ release, nor was it inhibited by L-type channel blockers and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor blocker. In addition, RP-cAMP, H89, and KN62 were not able to inhibit the protective effect of caffeine. Phosphorylation of c-Jun was necessary for the induction of apoptosis induced by LY294002 in cerebellar granule neurons. But caffeine directly inhibited the activation of JNK and decreased phospho-c-Jun in granule neurons. CONCLUSION: Caffeine inhibited the activation of JNK and decreased the phosphorylation of c-Jun to protect granule neurons from LY294002-induced apoptosis.