Baicalein Mediated FAK Protein Regulates PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway to Inhibit Proliferation and Migration of Gastric Cancer HGC-27 Cells / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo study the possible molecular mechanism of baicalein （BAI）-mediated focal adhesion kinase （FAK） in the regulation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B （PI3K/Akt） signaling pathway to inhibit the proliferation and migration of gastric cancer HGC-27 cells. MethodThe gastric epithelial GES-1 cells and gastric cancer HGC-27 cells were respectively treated with BAI （0， 5， 15， 25， and 50 μmol·L-1） for 48 h， and then methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium （MTT） assay was adopted to detect effect of BAI on cell proliferation. Western blot （WB） was employed to detect the expression of FAK and the proteins related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT） and PI3K signaling pathway after intervention with different concentrations of BAI. The HGC-27 cells stably overexpressing FAK were constructed with lentivirus-mediated transfection technique， and the transfection of FAK was detected through WB and green fluorescent protein （GFP）. The cells were divided into empty vector （NC） group， BAI group， FAK overexpression group， and BAI-treated FAK overexpression group， and cell proliferation activity was detected by MTT assay. The colony formation and cell migration were observed via colony formation assay and Transwell migration assay， respectively. The expression of proteins involved in EMT and PI3K signaling pathways were detected by Western blot. ResultCompared with the NC group， BAI （15， 25 and 50 μmol·L-1） inhibited the proliferation of HGC-27 cells in a dose-dependent manner （P<0.05， P<0.01） while did not affect that of GES-1 cells. BAI （5， 15 and 25 μmol·L-1） down-regulated the expression level of p-FAK （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with NC group， FAK overexpression group showed up-regulated expression level of FAK in HGC-27 cells. The HGC-27 cells in both NC group and FAK overexpression group had green fluorescence. Compared with NC group， BAI inhibited the growth， colony formation， and migration， while FAK overexpression promoted those of HGC-27 cells. The treatment of FAK overexpression group with BAI inhibited the enhancement of cell proliferation and migration （P<0.05）. WB showed that compared with NC group， BAI （15， 25 μmol·L-1） significantly up-regulated the expression of E-cadherin protein and down-regulated that of Vimentin， Snail， p-PI3K， and p-Akt protein in HGC-27 cells （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with NC group， FAK overexpression group showed down-regulated expression of E-cadherin， up-regulated expression of p-FAK， Vimentin， and Snail， and increased ratios of p-FAK/FAK， p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt （P<0.05）. This phenomenon would be reversed after BAI treatment. ConclusionBAI can affect the proliferation and migration of gastric cancer HGC-27 cells by mediating FAK to regulate PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Role and mechanism of focal adhesion kinase in inducing osteogenic differentiation of mouse embryonic fibroblasts cells / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is regarded as a bridge molecule of “biomaterial/scaffold,” “seed cell,” and “growth factor” in bone tissue engineering. Exploration on the role and mechanism of focal adhesion kinase in inducing osteogenic differentiation of related seed cells is particularly important for the development and application of bone tissue engineering. OBJECTIVE: To determine the role and mechanism of FAK in inducing osteogenic differentiation of immortalized mouse embryonic fibroblasts (iMEF). METHODS: Under the same induction conditions, the iMEF cells with (iMEFFAK+/+ cells) or without FAK knockout (iMEFFAK-/- cells), treated with or without PI3K/ AKT phosphorylation inhibitor LY294002 or ERK1/2 phosphorylation inhibitor U0126, were induced to differentiate into osteoblasts. The morphological changes of iMEFs (iMEFFAK+/+ and iMEFFAK-/-) at different induction periods were observed under a microscope. Runx2 protein levels and corresponding p-ERK1/2 and p-AKT levels were detected by western blot. RT-PCR technology was used to detect the transcription level of Runx2 gene. Finally, the induced iMEFs (iMEFFAK+/+ and iMEFFAK-/-) were stained with alizarin red staining for calcium nodules 3 weeks after osteogenesis induction. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The osteogenic effect of iMEFFAK-/- cells was lower than that of iMEFFAK+/+ cells under the same induction conditions. Both the expression levels of Runx2 and the osteogenic effect of iMEFFAK+/+ cells and iMEFFAK-/- cells treated with LY294002 decreased significantly compared with the control group. Both the expression levels of Runx2 and the osteogenic effect of iMEFFAK+/+ cells and iMEFFAK-/- cells treated with U0126 decreased significantly compared with the control group. To conclude, silencing FAK expression can inhibit osteogenic differentiation of mouse embryonic fibroblasts by reducing the levels of PI3K/AKT, serine/threonine protein kinase, and ERK1/2 phosphorylation levels.

Mechanism of Xinfeng Capsules improving rheumatoid arthritis based on CD19~+B cells regulating FAK/CAPN/PI3K pathway / 中国中药杂志

To observe the effect of Xinfeng Capsules on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) B lymphocytes,inflammatory mediators,FAK/CAPN/PI3K pathway,in order to explore the mechanism of Xinfeng Capsules in improving clinical symptoms of RA.Joint and systemic symptoms of RA patients were observed,and laboratory indicators[hemoglobin (HGB),platelet count (PLT),erythrocyte sedimentation (ESR),immunoglobulin (Ig) G,Ig A,Ig M,rheumatoid factor (RF),anti-cyclic citrulline antibody (CCP-AB),C-reactive protein (CRP)]were detected.ELISA was used to detect serum interleukin (IL)-1β，IL-10,IL-33,chemokine 5 (CCL5),and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).CD3~-CD19~+B cells were measured by flow cytometry.Western blot was used to detect FAK,p-FAK,CAPN,PI3K protein.The results showed that Xinfeng Capsules could significantly alleviate RA joint and systemic symptoms and improve clinical efficacy.And Xinfeng Capsules could increase HGB,decrease PLT,CCP-AB,CRP,ESR index,upregulate IL-10 expression,and down-regulate IL-1β，IL-33,CCL5,VEGF,CD3~-CD19~+B cells,FAK,p-FAK,CAPN,PI3K expressions (P<0.01).Based on the above results,Xinfeng Capsules may reduce the expression of CD3~-CD19~+,regulate the balance of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines,inhibit abnormal activation of FAK/CAPN/PI3K pathway,and improve clinical symptoms of RA.

Recent progress in targeting degradation of FAK based on PROTAC / 药学学报

Local focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a non-receptor intracellular tyrosine kinase that plays an important role in tumor initiation, development, metastasis and invasion, and is considered to be an important target for the development of antineoplastic drugs. It has both kinase-dependent and non-kinase-dependent scaffolding functions. However, traditional small molecular inhibitors can only inhibit its kinase-dependent activity, so it is difficult to target the kinase-independent scaffolding function. Therefore, there is an urgent need for novel strategies to enhance FAK targeting to lay the foundation for determining the druggability and discovery of FAK inhibitors. Proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) is a new drug development strategy that can recruit E3 ligase to specifically ubiquitinylate target proteins for degradation through the proteasome system. The unique mechanism of action of the PROTAC system could be used to target and degrade the FAK protein, thus eliminating the scaffolding function of FAK. In this review, FAK protein, the signaling pathway, and small molecule inhibitors are briefly described, and the latest research progress in targeting the degradation of FAK using PROTAC technology is summarized.

Heparan sulfate proteoglycan triggers focal adhesion kinase signaling during Trypanosoma cruzi invasion

BACKGROUND Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, is capable of triggering different signaling pathways that modulate its internalisation in mammalian cells. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a non-receptor tyrosine kinase protein, has been demonstrated as a mechanism of T. cruzi invasion in cardiomyocytes. Since the involved cell surface receptors are not yet known, we evaluated whether heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG), a molecule involved in T. cruzi recognition and in the regulation of multiple signaling pathways, are able to trigger the FAK signaling pathway during T. cruzi invasion. METHODS To investigate the role of HSPG in the regulation of the FAK signaling pathway during trypomastigote entry, we performed heparan sulfate (HS) depletion from the cardiomyocyte surface by treatment with heparinase I or p-nitrophenyl-β-D-xylopyranoside (p-n-xyloside), which abolishes glycosaminoglycan (GAG) attachment to the proteoglycan core protein. Wild-type (CHO-k1) and GAG-deficient Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-745) were also used as an approach to evaluate the participation of the HSPG-FAK signaling pathway. FAK activation (FAK Tyr397) and spatial distribution were analysed by immunoblotting and indirect immunofluorescence, respectively. FINDINGS HS depletion from the cardiomyocyte surface inhibited FAK activation by T. cruzi. Cardiomyocyte treatment with heparinase I or p-n-xyloside resulted in 34% and 28% FAK phosphorylation level decreases, respectively. The experiments with the CHO cells corroborated the role of HSPG as a FAK activation mediator. T. cruzi infection did not stimulate FAK phosphorylation in CHO-745 cells, leading to a 36% reduction in parasite invasion. FAK inhibition due to the PF573228 treatment also impaired T. cruzi entry in CHO-k1 cells. MAIN CONCLUSION Jointly, our data demonstrate that HSPG is a key molecule in the FAK signaling pathway activation, regulating T. cruzi entry.

Effect of focal adhesion kinase inhibition on osteoblastic cells grown on titanium with different topographies

Abstract Objective The present study aimed to investigate the participation of focal adhesion kinases (FAK) in interactions between osteoblastic cells and titanium (Ti) surfaces with three different topographies, namely, untreated (US), microstructured (MS), and nanostructured (NS). Methodology Osteoblasts harvested from the calvarial bones of 3-day-old rats were cultured on US, MS and NS discs in the presence of PF-573228 (FAK inhibitor) to evaluate osteoblastic differentiation. After 24 h, we evaluated osteoblast morphology and vinculin expression, and on day 10, the following parameters: gene expression of osteoblastic markers and integrin signaling components, FAK protein expression and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. A smooth surface, porosities at the microscale level, and nanocavities were observed in US, MS, and NS, respectively. Results FAK inhibition decreased the number of filopodia in cells grown on US and MS compared with that in NS. FAK inhibition decreased the gene expression of Alp, bone sialoprotein, osteocalcin, and ALP activity in cells grown on all evaluated surfaces. FAK inhibition did not affect the gene expression of Fak, integrin alpha 1 ( Itga1 ) and integrin beta 1 ( Itgb1 ) in cells grown on MS, increased the gene expression of Fak in cells grown on NS, and increased the gene expression of Itga1 and Itgb1 in cells grown on US and NS. Moreover, FAK protein expression decreased in cells cultured on US but increased in cells cultured on MS and NS after FAK inhibition; no difference in the expression of vinculin was observed among cells grown on all surfaces. Conclusions Our data demonstrate the relevance of FAK in the interactions between osteoblastic cells and Ti surfaces regardless of surface topography. Nanotopography positively regulated FAK expression and integrin signaling pathway components during osteoblast differentiation. In this context, the development of Ti surfaces with the ability to upregulate FAK activity could positively impact the process of implant osseointegration.

Porous tantalum coated with RGD polypeptide can activate the integrin/focal adhesion kinase signaling pathway of MG63 cells / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: The compounding of RGD polypeptide on the surface of the material can induce the expression of osteoblast integrin gene, promote the adhesion of osteoblasts to the surface of biomaterials and differentiate into mature cells, and promote the formation of new bone. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of domestic porous tantalum modified by RGD polypeptide on integrin/focal adhesion kinase signaling pathway in MG63 cells. METHODS: Porous tantalum material modified by RGD polypeptide was prepared. MG63 cells were inoculated on the surface of porous tantalum and porous tantalum materials modified with RGD polypeptide. MG63 cells cultured alone were used as the blank group. When cultured for 1, 3, 5, and 7 days, the cell proliferation was detected by the CCK-8 method. At 1, 3, and 5 days, the cell growth status was observed under an inverted microscope. At 3, 5 days of culture, cell adhesion was observed with scanning electron microscope. At 5 days of culture, RT-PCR and western blot assay were used to detect type I collagen and integrin β1 and focal adhesion kinase expression. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The cell proliferation of the RGD modified group cultured at 3, 5, and 7 days was faster than that of the porous tantalum group and the blank group (P 0.05). (2) Observation by an inverted phase contrast microscope showed that the cells of the porous tantalum group and the RGD modified group were attached to the edge of the material when cultured for 1 day, and the number of cells gradually increased with the extension of the culture time. The number and density of cells in the RGD modified group were better than that of the porous tantalum group. (3) Observation by scanning electron microscope showed that cells adhered to the surface of the porous tantalum group and RGD modified group after 3 days of culture. The cells adhered to the material pore walls and pores, and protruded pseudopods into the pores. When cultured for 5 days, the cells secreted a large amount of extracellular matrix, and the cells were connected to each other through the matrix and gradually covered the surface of the material. The cell growth state, matrix secretion and cell coverage area of the RGD modified group were better than those of the porous tantalum group. (4) Western blot detection results showed that the expressions of type I collagen and integrin β1 protein in the RGD modified group were higher than those in the porous tantalum group and the blank group (P < 0.05). The expression levels of type I collagen, integrin β1, and focal adhesion kinase protein in the porous tantalum group were higher than those in the blank group (P < 0.05). (5) RT-PCR detection showed that the expressions of type I collagen, integrin β1, and focal adhesion kinase mRNA in the RGD modified group were higher than those of the porous tantalum group and the blank group (P < 0.05), and the expression of the porous tantalum group was higher than that of the blank group (P < 0.05). (6) The results showed that porous tantalum modified with RGD polypeptide can up-regulate the expression of type I collagen and integrin β1 on the cell membrane, activate the integrin/focal adhesion kinase signaling pathway, and promote cell adhesion and growth.

Effect of the focal adhesion kinase inhibitor TAE226 on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line / 华西口腔医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the effect of the focal adhesion kinase inhibitor TAE226 on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell line.@*METHODS@#HSC-3 and HSC-4 cells were cultured with TAE226 under different concentrations (0, 1, 5, and 10 μmol·L⁻¹) for 24, 48, and 72 h. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect the mRNA expressions of E-cadherin and Vimentin. The protein expressions of E-cadherin and Vimentin were determined by Western blot assay after 48 h of TAE226 treatment.@*RESULTS@#Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed that increasing the TAE226 dose and reaction time resulted in increased and decreased E-cadherin and Vimentin mRNA expressions, respectively (P<0.05). Western blot assays showed that increasing the TAE226 dose resulted in increased and decreased E-cadherin and Vimentin protein expressions, respectively (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#TAE226, which is expected to be an effective drug for OSCC treatment, can effectively inhibit the EMT of the OSCC cell line.

Coelomic fluid of Lumbricus rubellus enhances anti-prolioniferative effect of 5-fluorouracil by modulating focal adhesion kinase express and IL-1β of colorectal cancer in mice

The different malignancy advancing systems related with focal adhesion kinase (FAK) can be attentive in theprogression of colorectal cancer. By inhibiting the growth mechanism of mixture of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) andearthworm therapy could enhance the affectability of malignant growth cells. The objective of this research was toexplore the antiproliferative activity of mixed coelomic fluid cancer medicines produced from Lumbricus rubellus.Colorectal cancer was actuated in mice by injected HT-29 cells in the caecum of mice, and then 5% dextran sodiumsulfate were given by the drinking water. To investigate the effect of combination treatment, we divided of fivetreatment groups: group 1 was untreated (vehicle), groups 2–5 were given by 5-FU. Groups 3–5 were given by acombination of 5-FU (50 μg/g BW) and coelomic fluid (50, 100, and 200 μg/g BW), respectively. The administratedof coelomic fluid was started from the 4th weeks. Mice were sacrificed at the end of 8 weeks and colon tissue wasisolated, then assessed using Flowcytometry and immunofluorescent. These findings revealed that the mixture of 5FUand coelomic fluid components inhibits growth considerably, Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and FAK compare with 5-FUonly group (p < 0.001; p < 0.05; and p < 0.001). Treatment used coelomic fluid at a dose of 200 μg/g BW decreasedFAK expression. The combination of 5-FU and coelomic fluid at a dose of 200 μg/g BW decreased the percentage ofIL-1β (p < 0.05).

Expression of PLOD2 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and its correlation with invasion and metastasis / 中华病理学杂志

Objective@#To investigate PLOD2 expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and to explore the potential mechanism by which PLOD2 promotes tumor metastasis.@*Methods@#The expression of PLOD2 in 60 cases of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (the patients were collected at the first Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, from January 2016 to December 2017) was investigated by immunohistochemistry. Fibrillar collagen formation and collagen deposition were detected by picrosirius red staining. Correlation of PLOD2 expression with clinical pathologic features of the patients was performed using χ2 test and Kaplan-Meier analysis. After EC-109 cells were transfected with LV-vector and LV-over/PLOD2, the expression of PLOD2 was detected by real time PCR and the impact of POLD2 on invasion in EC-109 cells was determined by transwell migration and invasion assays. The expression of PLOD2/AKT epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition signal pathway related proteins was detected by Western blot.@*Results@#The expression level of PLOD2 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma was 81.7% (49/60 cases),higher than their paired noncancerous tissues(8.3%, 5/60; P<0.01), and correlated significantly with tumor depth of invasion and nodal metastasis (P<0.01). Picrosirius red staining showed that collagen deposition was increased and the degree of fibrillar organization was enhanced in carcinoma tissues that had higher PLOD2 expression. Transwell migration and invasion assays showed that PLOD2 significantly promoted the migration and invasion ability of EC-109 cells. Western blot showed that PLOD2 significantly increased the expression levels of p-FAK, p-AKT and vimentin in EC-109 cells.@*Conclusions@#Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma has a high expression of PLOD2 that correlates with tumor invasion and lymph node metastasis. PLOD2 promotes invasion and metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma through epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition via FAK/AKT signal pathway.

PEP06 polypeptide 30 is a novel cluster-dissociating agent inhibiting v integrin/FAK/Src signaling in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells

Collectively migrating tumor cells have been recently implicated in enhanced metastasis of epithelial malignancies. In oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), v integrin is a crucial mediator of multicellular clustering and collective movement ; however, its contribution to metastatic spread remains to be addressed. According to the emerging therapeutic concept, dissociation of tumor clusters into single cells could significantly suppress metastasis-seeding ability of carcinomas. This study aimed to investigate the anti-OSCC potential of novel endostatin-derived polypeptide PEP06 as a cluster-dissociating therapeutic agent . Firstly, we found marked enrichment of v integrin in collectively invading multicellular clusters in human OSCCs. Our study revealed that metastatic progression of OSCC was associated with augmented immunostaining of v integrin in cancerous lesions. Following PEP06 treatment, cell clustering on fibronectin, migration, multicellular aggregation, anchorage-independent survival and colony formation of OSCC were significantly inhibited. Moreover, PEP06 suppressed v integrin/FAK/Src signaling in OSCC cells. PEP06-induced loss of active Src and E-cadherin from cell-cell contacts contributed to diminished collective migration of OSCC . Overall, these results suggest that PEP06 polypeptide 30 inhibiting v integrin/FAK/Src signaling and disrupting E-cadherin-based intercellular junctions possesses anti-metastatic potential in OSCC by acting as a cluster-dissociating therapeutic agent.

Focal adhesion kinase mediated signaling on atrial fibrosis in patients with valvular atrial fibrillation / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective To explore the changes of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in the fibrotic atrium of patients with valvular atrial fibrillation and explore its downstream signaling pathways. Methods A total of 45 patients with mitral valve disease were included in this study and were divided into a valvular atrial fibrillation group (VAF, ≥6 months, 25 patients) and a sinus rhythm group (SR, 20 patients) based on having atrial fibrillation or not. The atrial appendage tissue was obtained during the operation , histopathological examination and Western blotting were performed. The degree of atrial fibrosis and changes in FAK and its downstream pathways in fibrotic myocardium were observed. Results This study revealed a higher degree of atrial fibrosis in valvular atrial fibrillation and disordered cell arrangement. Expression of fibroblast differentiation marker alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was significantly increased in atrial fibrillation, and the expression of FAK and downstream AKT/S6K pathway proteins was up-regulated, while the other signal was observed, there was no significant change in ERK1/2 signaling pathway. Conclusion Atrial fibrosis in valvular atrial fibrillation is an important feature of atrial structural remodeling. We found overproduction of collagen fibers disrupted the continuity of atrial myocytes, leading to abnormal conduction and providing a matrix environment for the development of atrial fibrillation. The expression of focal adhesion kinase and downstream AKT/S6K signaling pathway in fibrotic myocardium may be involved in the process of atrial fibrosis, providing a basis for the study of its mechanism.

Mechanism of β-carboline alkaloids inhibiting migration and invasion of SGC-7901 cells / 中国中药杂志

To explore the mechanism of β-carboline alkaloids inhibiting the migration and invasion of SGC-7901 cells and its correlation with FAK gene expression,CCK-8 method was used to determine the inhibitory rate of β-carboline alkaloids on the proliferation of gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells under different concentrations.The effect of β-carboline alkaloids on the migration and invasion of SGC-7901 cells was used by Transwell compartment.Detection of mRNA and protein expression of FAK genes were used by qRT-PCR and Western blot.Then si-FAK-1051 recombinant plasmid was transfected into SGC-7901 cells.FAK gene silencing effect was identified by qRT-PCR and Western blot technique again.Finally,the effects of FAK gene silencing on proliferation and migration of gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells were detected by CCK-8 kit and Transwell chamber assay respectively.With the increase of the concentration ofβ-carboline alkaloids,the inhibitory rate of SGC-7901 cells in human gastric cancer cells increased gradually,with IC5013.364 mg·L-1.The number of SGC-7901 cells of Transwell compartment in the positive experimental group(5-FU,5 mg·L-1) and the β-carboline alkaloids group decreased significantly(P<0.01) and the number of SGC-7901 cells in the β-carboline alkaloids group was significantly lower than that in the positive experimental group(P<0.01).Compared with the blank control group,the mRNA and protein expression level of FAK genes in the positive experimental group was significantly lower than that in the experimental group of β-carboline alkaloids(P<0.05).After transfection of si-FAK-1051 into gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells,the expression of mRNA and protein of FAK gene was significantly down regulated(P<0.05).SGC-7901 cell proliferation and cell migration ability also decreased significantly(P<0.05).β-carboline alkaloids are more effective than 5-FU in inhibiting migration and invasion of gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells,and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of mRNA and protein expression of FAK gene by β-carboline alkaloids.

β2GP/anti-β2GP complex inhibits oxLDL-mediated lipid accumulation and FAK activation in THP-1 macrophages / 临床检验杂志

Objective@#To investigate the effects of β2 glycoprotein Ⅰ/anti-β2 glycoprotein Ⅰ complex (β2/aβ2) on oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL)-mediated lipid accumulation and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activation in THP-1 macrophage, as well as the role of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) during the process. @*Methods@#THP-1 cells were differentiated into THP-1 macrophage by PMA (100 ng/mL). THP-1 macrophages were treated with RPMI 1640 medium, oxLDL, oxLDL+β2/aβ2 or oxLDL+lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The mRNA expressions of lipid transportation molecules, ACAT1, ABCA1 and ABCG1 were detected by RT-qPCR. Intracellular total cholesterol (TC) and free cholesterol (FC) in THP-1 macrophages were evaluated by Trinder assay, then the content and proportion of intracellular cholesteryl ester (CE) were calculated. The expression and phosphorylation of FAK were detected by immune fluorescence, RT-qPCR and western blot. To evaluate the role of TLR4, THP-1 macrophages were pre-treated with or without TLR4 inhibitor TAK-242 (1 μg/mL). @*Results@#β2/aβ2 treatment significantly inhibited oxLDL-mediated lipid accumulation and FAK expression and phosphorylation in THP-1 macrophages, which could be reversed by TLR4 blockage. @*Conclusion@#β2/aβ2 inhibits the oxLDL-mediated lipid accumulation and FAK activation of THP-1 macrophage, which is related to the function of TLR4.

Identification of In Vivo Activity of Defactinib-Microcrystal on Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells Using Positron Emission Computed Tomography / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To prepare the microcrystal of defactinib and identify the in vivo activity of defactinib-microcrystal on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells using PET (positron emission computed tomography) methods. METHODS: The protein level of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in HCC cell lines was examined by Western blot. The solubilizing solution or microcrystal of defactinib was prepared. MHCC97-H cells, which express highest level of FAK, were injected to nude mice to form the subcutaneous tumor. The solubilizing solution or microcrystal of defactinib was injected into tumor tissues. The clearance curve or anti-tumor efficiency of solubilizing solution or microcrystal of defactinib was identified by LC-MS /MS or PET/CT methods. Mice were injected with 300 μCi(11.1 MBq)18F-FDG and analyzed by PET after 50 min. RESULTS: The solubilizing solution or microcrystal of defactinib was successfully prepared. MHCC97-H expresses highest level of FAK than HCC other cell lines. defactinib slowly released by defactinib-microcrystal. Treatment of defactinib-microcrystal sustainably attenuated the absorbing of 18F-FDG in MHCC97-H cells. CONCLUSION: The solubilizing solution or microcrystal of defactinib is successfully prepared. A method to identify the in vivo activity of FAK inhibitor is also established.

Phosphorylated Focal Adhesion Kinase, Phosphinositides 3 Kinase and Aggrecan Genes and Proteins in Cartilage Cells Are Probably Involved in Needle Knife Intervention Induced Improvement of Knee Osteoarthritis in Rabbits / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: We have demonstrated that needle knife (acupotomy) treatment can improve knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in rabbits. The present study was designed to examine its effect on expression of phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase (p-FAK), phosphinositides 3 kinase (p-PI 3 K) and Aggrecan genes and proteins in the knee-joint cartilage tissues of KOA rabbits, so as to explore its partial molecular mechanism underlying improvement of KOA. METHODS: Forty-nine New Zealand male rabbits were randomly divided into normal control, model, model +inhibitor, needle knife, needle knife+ inhibitor, electroacupuncture (EA), EA +inhibitor groups (n=7 in each). The KOA model was established by modified Videman method (left hindlimb extension immobilization and ankle dorsal flexion 60°). Acupotomy relaxing manipulation was applied to the lateral collateral ligament and patellar ligament of the left knee-joint, two times a week for 4 weeks, and EA (2 Hz/100 Hz, 3 mA) was applied to the left "Liangmen" (ST 21), "Xuehai" (SP 10), "Neixiyan " (EX-LE 4) and "Dubi" (ST 35) for 20 min, three times a week, for 4 weeks. About 2 h before every needle-knife or EA treatment or at the corresponding time-point, intra-articular cavity injection of PF-562271(a specific antagonist of FAK, 200 μmol/L, 0.5 mL)was performed in the three inhibitor groups. The expression levels of p-FAK, p-PI 3 K, Aggrecan genes and proteins in the cartilage tissues were measured with quantitative Real-time PCR and Western blot, separately. RESULTS: After modeling, the expression levels of p-FAK and p-PI 3 K genes and proteins were significantly up-regulated (P<0.05, P<0.01), while those of Aggrecan protein and mRNA considerably down-regulated in the model group in comparison with the normal group (P<0.01). Following 4 weeks' needle-knife or EA treatment, the expression levels of p-FAK and p-PI 3 K and Aggrecan proteins in both EA and needle-knife groups, and Aggrecan mRNA in the needle knife group were significantly up-regulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). After administration of p-FAK antagonist, modeling-induced upregulation of expression of p-FAK mRNA and protein and p-PI 3 K protein, as well as modeling-induced down-regulation of Aggrecan mRNA and protein were significantly suppressed in the model+inhibitor group (P<0.05, P<0.01), and needle knife-induced and EA-induced up-regulation of expression of p-FAK, p-PI 3 K and Aggrecan mRNAs and proteins was notably suppressed respectively in comparison with the needle knife and EA groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). The effect of needle knife was significantly superior to that of EA in up-regulating p-PI 3 K and Aggrecan mRNAs as well as p-FAK, p-PI 3 K and Aggrecan proteins (P<0.05, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Needle knife intervention can up-regulate the expression levels of p-FAK, p-PI 3 K and Aggrecan proteins and mRNAs in the cartilage tissue of the knee-joint in KOA rabbits, suggesting an involvement of FAK-PI 3 K signaling in the needle knife-induced improvement of KOA.

Research on the correlation between mechanical signaling molecules of hypertrophic scar and post injury time in burn patients in scar remodeling stage / 中华烧伤杂志

Objective@#To analyze the correlation between integrin β1, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) of hypertrophic scar (HS) and post injury time in burn patients in scar remodeling stage.@*Methods@#Thirty-four patients with 34 HS specimens admitted to Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery of Chengdu No.2 Hospital and Institute of Burn Research of the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University (originally the Third Military Medical University) from May 2013 to April 2016 were recruited by convenient sampling method, and normal skin specimens were obtained from donor sites of another 6 patients from the above-mentioned departments who had scar resection and skin grafting for this cross-sectional and observational study. Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) was used to assess the height, vascularity, pigmentation, and pliability of scars. Diasonograph was used to assess scar thickness. Immunohistochemical method was used to observe the expressions of integrin β1, FAK, and ERK1/2 in dermis and epidermis of scar and normal skin. Correlations between the post injury time and the scar thickness, the post injury time and the expressions of integrin β1, FAK, and ERK1/2 in epidermis of scar, the post injury time and the expressions of integrin β1, FAK, and ERK1/2 in dermis of scar, the expressions of integrin β1, FAK, and ERK1/2 in dermis and those in epidermis of scar were analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis. Locally estimated scatterplot smoothing curve fitting line was used to demonstrate the non-linear regression relationship between the expressions of integrin β1, FAK, and ERK1/2 in dermis and those in epidermis of scar, the scar thickness and the post injury time.@*Results@#(1) The total VSS score of scars of patients was (8.3±2.3) points, with height scored (2.2±0.7) points, vascularity scored (2.0±0.8) points, pigmentation scored (2.3±0.7) points, and pliability scored (1.9±0.7) points. The thickness of scar was (2.8±1.1) mm. (2) The expressions of integrin β1, FAK, and ERK1/2 in dermis and epidermis of scar were more than those in normal skin. (3) There was significantly positive correlation between the scar thickness and the post injury time (r=0.39, P<0.05). There was significantly positive correlation between the expression of integrin β1 in epidermis of scar and the post injury time (r=0.33, P<0.05). There were no significantly correlations between the expressions of FAK and ERK1/2 in epidermis of scar and the post injury time (r=-0.03, -0.04, P>0.05). There was significantly negative correlation between the expression of FAK in dermis of scar and the post injury time (r=-0.34, P<0.05). There were no significantly correlations between the expressions of integrin β1 and ERK1/2 in dermis of scar and the post injury time (r=0.07, -0.23, P>0.05). There were significantly positive correlation between the expressions of integrin β1, FAK, and ERK1/2 in dermis and those in epidermis of scar (r=0.70, 0.60, 0.64, P<0.01). (4) The expressions of integrin β1, FAK, and ERK1/2 in dermis and epidermis of scar were changed from downtrend in 1 to 2 months post injury to uptrend in 2 to 3 months post injury, which reached the peak around 3 to 4 months post injury. Hereafter the expressions of mechanical signaling molecules in epidermis of scar were gradually declined, while the expressions of mechanical signaling molecules in dermis of scar were at a quite high level within half a year post injury. Scar thickness was steadily increased after 1 month post injury.@*Conclusions@#In scar remodeling stage of burn patients, the HS thickness increases continuously along with the increasing post injury time in the early stage of scar formation. The vulnerability of integrin β1, FAK, and ERK1/2 of HS to external mechanical stimuli increases gradually within 4 months post injury.

Effects of Sodium Valproate on the Expression of FAK in Hippocampus of Rats with Seizure Induced by Pentylenetrazole / 中国药师

Objective: To investigate the effects of sodium valproate (VPA) on the expression of FAK and FAK-pY397 in hippo-campus of rats with seizure induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). Methods: A total of 75 rats were randomly divided into 5 groups:the normal control group, the epilepsy model group (PTZ group) and the VPA groups(150,300 and 600 mg·kg-1·d-1)with 15 ones in each group. The model rats were continuously given PTZ (32 mg·kg-1·d-1) by intraperitoneal injection for 4 weeks and paid close attention to the behavioral changes, and then VPA was administrated orally for 2 weeks. The pathological changes of hippo-campus tissue were observed by HE staining. The expressions and distributions of FAK, FAK-pY397 and integrin in serum and hippo-campus were evaluated by immunohistochemical assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Compared with the model group, the symptoms of epilepsy in VPA groups were significantly relieved and cell apoptosis was improved. Immunohistochemis-try showed that the expression of FAK-pY397 decreased significantly in VPA groups with the increase of sodium valproate dose, and there was no significant difference in the expression of ITGα3. The VPA groups significantly reduced the expression of FAK, FAK-pY397 and ITGβ1(P<0. 05), the expression of FAK and ITGβ1 protein in peripheral serum decreased significantly (P<0. 05), but the expression of FAK-pY397 did not change significantly. Conclusion: VPA can effectively participate in or affect the process of epi-lepsy by inhibiting the expressions of FAK-pY397 and ITGβ1 in hippocampal tissue of epileptic rats.

The impact of FAK gene silencing on the proliferation and migration of human tongue squamous cell carcinoma cell lines CAL-27 / 实用医学杂志

Objective To explore the effect of silencing focal adhesion kinase (FAK) gene on the proliferation and migration of human tongue squamous cell carcinoma cell lines CAL-27.Methods The siRNA interference technology was used to complete the construction of FAK siRNA by transient transfection.CAL-27 cells were divided into the experiment group,the negative control group and blank control group.The expressions of FAK mRNA and protein were detected by qPCR and Western blotting respectively.The cell proliferation ability was tested by using MTT assay.The cell migration ability was detected by using Transwell chamber assay.Results The expression level of FAK mRNA and protein in experiment group was lower than that in blank control group and negative control group,the difference was significant (PinRNA ＜ 0.01,Pprolein ＜ 0.05).Compared with negative control group and blank control group,the proliferation ability of cells in experiment group was obviously decreased at 48 h and 72 h (P ＜ 0.01).Transwell chamber migration assay showed,the average number of migrating cells in experimnet group group was lower than that in blank control group and negative control group,the difference was significant (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions FAK gene silencing can significantly inhibit the proliferation ability and migration ability of human tongue squamous cell carcinoma cell lines CAL-27.

The study of the effect of Focal adhesion kinase and p53 in rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast like synoviocytes on cell proliferation / 中华风湿病学杂志

Objective To investigate the expression of Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and p53 in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) Fibroblast Like Synoviocytes and to explore the pathogenesis of RA.This study also studied the effect of FAK and p53 on the proliferation of Fibroblast Like Synoviocytes in RA on order to identify new target for the treatment of RA.Methods Synovial tissue from RA patients were cultured in vitro;FLS were cultured in TNF-α (10 ng/ml) and different density of protease inhibitor (MG-132) (1,5,10,20 μmol/L)for 48 h.Then the level of mRNA of both FAK and p53 in each group was tested by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).FLS were cultured with different density of protease inhibitor (MG-132) (1,5,10,20μmol/L) for 24 h,48 h,72 h,96 h then the cell proliferation of each group were tested.ANOVA was used to compare the means between groups.Results ① After TNF-α stimulating,the level of FAK mRNA was higher than the control group [(1.48±0.09 vs(1.03±0.33),F=7.807,P＜0.05).Compared with the control group,the level of p53 mRNA decreased [(0.97:±0.03) vs (1.30±0.39),F=19.933,P＞0.05).② After stimulated with different density of MG-132,the level of p53 mRNA was higher than the control group [(3.12±0.72) vs (1.30±0.39),F=19.933,P＜0.05),and the 5μ mol/L group was the highest of them.Compared with the control group,the level of FAK mRNA decreased [(0.93±0.20) vs (1.03±0.33),F=7.807,P＞0.05).③ After stimulated with different density of MG-132,the proliferation of FLS was slower than the control group (24 h F=16.654,P＜0.05;48 hF=13.652,P＜0.05;72 h F=72.999,P＜0.05;96 h F=51.533,P＜0.05).Conclusion In vitro,after stimulated with TNF-α,the level of mRNA of Focal adhesion kinase is increased,while the level of that decreases after MG-132 stimulation.Focal adhesion kinase is involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.In vitro,after MG-132 stimulating,the level of mRNA of p53 is increased.p53 inhibits the excessive proliferation of RA synovial fibroblast cells and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.