Hsa_circ_0013561 promotes progression of nasopharyngeal carcinoma by activating JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway

Abstract Objective Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) is a malignancy of epithelium of epithelium of the nasopharynx, with the highest incidence of otolaryngeal malignancies. A growing number of studies confirm that Circular RNA (circRNA) plays an important role in tumor development, including Hsa_circ_0013561. This study aims to elucidate the process and mechanism of NPC regulation hsa_circ_0013561. Methods In this study, circRNA expression nodes and subcellular localization in NPC tissues were analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization. The expression of hsa_circ_0013561 in NPC cells was further clarified by RT-qPCR. At the same time, the lentivirus vector interfered by hsa_circ_0013561 was constructed and transfected. The cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 method, EdU assay and plate cloning assay. The cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry, and the cell migration ability was detected by wound healing assay and Transwell assay. Western blotting examined the expression of apoptosis, Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT)-associated proteins, and Janus Kinase/Signal Transductor and Activator of Transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway-related proteins. Results The results showed that the expression of hsa_circ_0013561 in NPC samples was significantly upregulated and hsa_circ_0013561 localized in the cytoplasm. After down-regulating hsa_circ_0013561 expression, it significantly inhibited the proliferation and metastasis ability of NPC, inhibited EMT progression, and promoted apoptosis. Further studies showed that interference hsa_circ_0013561 significantly inhibited JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway activation and induced the expression of apoptosis-related proteins. Conclusion In summary, we found that hsa_circ_0013561 is a pro-tumor circRNA in NPC, which can reduce the activation of JAK2/STAT3 pathway by knocking down hsa_circ_0013561, thereby slowing down the malignant progression of NPC. Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine 2011 Levels of Evidence Level 4.

Oncolytic Newcastle disease virus inhibits IL-6 induced migration and invasion of human glioblastoma U87MG cells / 中国肿瘤生物治疗杂志

@#[摘 要] 目的：探讨溶瘤新城疫病毒（NDV）对IL-6诱导的人胶质母细胞瘤U87MG细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的作用及其可能的机制。方法：将U87MG细胞分为对照组、IL-6组、NDV组、NDV+IL-6组，其中IL-6组与NDV+IL-6组用75 ng/mL IL-6预处理1 h，其余组用DMEM预处理1 h，后分别用DMEM、75 ng/mL IL-6、1 HU NDV、1 HU NDV+75 ng/mL IL-6处理24 h。MTT法、细胞划痕实验和Transwell侵袭实验分别检测IL-6、NDV对U87MG细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的影响，WB法检测各组细胞JAK2、p-JAK2、STAT3、p-STAT3和MMP2蛋白的表达水平。结果：与对照组相比，IL-6组细胞迁移率显著升高（P<0.05），侵袭细胞数目显著增多（P<0.01）；与IL-6组相比，NDV+IL-6组U87MG细胞增殖率显著降低（P<0.05），细胞迁移率和侵袭细胞数目均显著降低（均P<0.01）。WB实验结果显示，与对照组相比，IL-6组p-STAT3/STAT3比值显著升高（P<0.01），NDV组p-JAK2/JAK2、p-STAT3/STAT3比值显著降低（P<0.05，P<0.01），MMP-2蛋白表达量显著降低（P<0.01）；与IL-6组相比，NDV+IL-6组p-STAT3/STAT3比值、MMP-2蛋白表达量均显著降低（均P<0.05）。结论：NDV能抑制IL-6对人脑胶质瘤U87MG细胞迁移和侵袭的诱导作用，其机制可能与JAK2/STAT3信号通路的参与调控有关。

Amentoflavone induces apoptosis and suppresses proliferation of thyroid carcinoma SW579 cells by inhibiting the activation of JAK2-STAT3 pathway / 中国肿瘤生物治疗杂志

@#[摘 要] 目的：探讨阿曼托双黄酮（AF）对甲状腺癌SW579细胞中JAK2-STAT3通路活化及其细胞增殖和凋亡的影响。方法：用0、50、100、150、200 μmol/L的AF处理SW579细胞24、48、72 h，采用CCK-8和Celigo计数、FCM、WB及qPCR法检测AF对SW579细胞的增殖、凋亡、JAK2-STAT3通路活化及其下游调控基因c-Myc、Bcl2、survivin的mRNA及蛋白表达水平的影响。结果：AF处理后，SW579细胞增殖能力显著下降（P<0.05）且呈浓度依赖性，细胞凋亡呈浓度依赖性增多（P<0.05），细胞中JAK2-STAT3通路的活化受到显著抑制（P<0.05），其下游基因c-Myc、Bcl2、survivin的mRNA及蛋白表达均明显下降（均P<0.05）。结论：AF可通过抑制SW579细胞中JAK2-STAT3通路活化及其下游基因的表达而抑制SW579细胞的增殖并促进其凋亡，有望成为治疗甲状腺癌的有效药物。

Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 alleviates infectious bronchitis virus-induced cellular inflammation by suppressing IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway / 生物工程学报

The goal of this study was to investigate the regulatory effect of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) on cellular inflammation caused by avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and the underlying mechanism of such effect. Vero and DF-1 cells were used as test target to be exposed to recombinant IBV virus (IBV-3ab-Luc). Four different groups were tested: the control group, the infection group[IBV-3ab-Luc, MOI (multiplicity of infection)=1], the ACE2 overexpression group[IBV-3ab Luc+pcDNA3.1(+)-ACE2], and the ACE2-depleted group (IBV-3ab-Luc+siRNA-ACE2). After the cells in the infection group started to show cytopathic indicators, the overall protein and RNA in cell of each group were extracted. real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to determine the mRNA expression level of the IBV nucleoprotein (IBV-N), glycoprotein 130 (gp130) and cellular interleukin-6 (IL-6). Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the level of IL-6 in cell supernatant. Western blotting was performed to determine the level of ACE2 phosphorylation of janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). We found that ACE2 was successfully overexpressed and depleted in both Vero and DF-1 cells. Secondly, cytopathic indicators were observed in infected Vero cells including rounding, detaching, clumping, and formation of syncytia. These indicators were alleviated in ACE2 overexpression group but exacerbated when ACE2 was depleted. Thirdly, in the infection group, capering with the control group, the expression level of IBV-N, gp130, IL-6 mRNA and increased significantly (P < 0.05), the IL-6 level was significant or extremely significant elevated in cell supernatant (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01); the expression of ACE2 decreased significantly (P < 0.05); protein phosphorylation level of JAK2 and STAT3 increased significantly (P < 0.05). Fourthly, comparing with the infected group, the level of IBV-N mRNA expression in the ACE2 overexpression group had no notable change (P > 0.05), but the expression of gp130 mRNA, IL-6 level and expression of mRNA were elevated (P < 0.05) and the protein phosphorylation level of JAK2 and STAT3 decreased significantly (P < 0.05). In the ACE2-depleted group, there was no notable change in IBV-N (P > 0.05), but the IL-6 level and expression of mRNA increased significantly (P < 0.05) and the phosphorylation level of JAK2 and STAT3 protein decreased slightly (P > 0.05). The results demonstrated for the first time that ACE2 did not affect the replication of IBV in DF-1 cell, but it did contribute to the prevention of the activation of the IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, resulting in an alleviation of IBV-induced cellular inflammation in Vero and DF-1 cells.

Effect of Scutellarin on Proliferation of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells and Its Related Mechanism / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of scutellarin (SCU) on proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells and its related molecular mechanism.@*METHODS@#Human AML HL-60 cells were cultured in vitro. The cells were treated with SCU at the concentration of 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 μmol/L, and the inhibition rate of cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 method. Then HL-60 cells were treated with SCU at the concentration of 4, 8, 16 μmol/L, and the negative control group (NC group) was set. The cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry, and the expression of cell cycle, apoptosis and JAK2/STAT3 pathway related proteins were detected by Western blot.@*RESULTS@#SCU significantly inhibited the proliferation of HL-60 cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner(r =0.958,r =0.971). Compared with NC group, the proportion of cells in G0/G1 phase and apoptosis rate of HL-60 cells in 4, 8, 16 μmol/L SCU group were significantly increased, and the proportion of cells in S phase was significantly decreased (P <0.05). The relative protein expression levels of p21, p53, caspase-3 and Bax were significantly increased, while the relative protein expression levels of CDK2, cyclin E and Bcl-2 were significantly decreased (P <0.05). The ratio of p-JAK2/JAK2 and p-STAT3/STAT3 were significantly decreased (P <0.05). The changes of above-mentioned indexes were concentration dependent.@*CONCLUSION@#SCU can inhibit the proliferation of AML cells, induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Effect of Sparganii Rhizoma-Curcumae Rhizoma-medicated serum on proliferation, apoptosis, and migration of human ectopic endometrial stromal cells: based on JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway / 中国中药杂志

Based on the Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(JAK2/STAT3) signaling pathway, this study investigated the effect of medicated serum of Sparganii Rhizoma(SR) and Curcumae Rhizoma(CR) on the proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and secretion of inflammatory factors of ectopic endometrial stromal cells(ESCs). Specifically, human ESCs were primary-cultured. The effect of different concentration(5%, 10%, 20%) of SR-, CR-, and SR-CR combination-medicated serum, and AG490 solution(50 μmol·L~(-1)) on the proliferation of ESCs was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT) assay, and the optimal dose was selected accordingly for further experiment. The cells were classified into normal serum(NS) group, SR group(10%), CR group(10%), combination(CM) group(10%), and AG490 group. The apoptosis level of ESCs was detected by flow cytometry, and the migration ability was examined by wound healing assay. The secretion of interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The protein levels of cysteinyl aspartate specific protei-nase-3(caspase-3), B-cell lymphoma(Bcl-2), and Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax) and the levels of phosphorylated(p)-JAK2 and p-STAT3 were detected by Western blot. The results showed that the viability of ESCs cells was lowered in the administration groups compared with the blank serum group(P<0.01), especially the 10% drug-medicated serum, which was selected for further experiment. The 10% SR-medicated serum, 10% CR-medicated serum, and 10% CM-medicated serum could increase the apoptosis rate(P<0.01), up-regulate the protein expression of caspase-3 and Bax in cells(P<0.05 or P<0.01), down-regulate the expression of Bcl-2(P<0.01), decrease the cell migration rate(P<0.05 or P<0.01), and reduce the secretion levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α(P<0.05 or P<0.01), and levels of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the SR and CR groups, CM group showed low cell viability(P<0.01), high protein expression of caspase-3 and Bax(P<0.05 or P<0.01), and low protein expression of Bcl-2 and p-JAK2(P<0.05). After incubation with CM, the apoptosis rate was higher(P<0.05) and the migration rate was lower(P<0.01) than that of the CR group. The p-STAT3 protein level of CM group was lower than that of the RS group(P<0.05). The mechanism of SR, CR, and the combination underlying the improvement of endometriosis may be that they blocked JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, inhibited ESC proliferation, promoted apoptosis, weakened cell migration, and reduced the secretion of inflammatory factors. The effect of the combination was better than that of RS alone and CR alone.

Baricitinib improves pulmonary fibrosis in mice with rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease by inhibiting the Jak2/ Stat3 signaling pathway

Abstract Objective The study explored improvements in pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis in a bovine type II collagen-induced rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease mouse model after treatment with baricitinib and the possible mechanism of action. Methods A rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease mouse model was established, siRNA Jak2 and lentiviral vectors were transfected with human embryonic lung fibroblast cells. And the levels of relevant proteins in mouse lung tissue and human embryonic lung fibroblasts were detected by Western blotting. Results The levels of JAK2, p-JAK2, p-STAT3, p-SMAD3, SMA, TGFβR2, FN and COL4 were increased in the lung tissues of model mice (P < 0.5) and decreased after baricitinib intervention (P < 0.05). The expression levels of p-STAT3, p-SMAD3, SMA, TGFβR2, FN and COL4 were reduced after siRNA downregulation of the JAK2 gene (P < 0.01) and increased after lentiviral overexpression of the JAK2 gene (P < 0.01). Conclusion Baricitinib alleviated fibrosis in the lung tissue of rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease mice, and the mechanism of action may involve the downregulation of Smad3 expression via inhibition of the Jak2/Stat3 signaling pathway, with consequent inhibition of the profibrotic effect of transforming growth factor-β1.

Effect of Qiling Baitouweng Tang on Proliferation and Apoptosis in Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma Through JAK2/STAT3 Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Qiling Baitouweng Tang （QLBTWT） on proliferation and apoptosis， Janus kinase 2 （JAK2）/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3） signaling pathway and interleukin-10 （IL-10） in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma （DLBCL）. MethodWith human DLBCL cells OCI-LY10 and U2932 as research objects， cell proliferation was detected by cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） assay. After treatment with 0， 4.6， 9.3， 18.7， 37.5， 75， 150 mg·L-1 QLBTWT for 24 h， the half-inhibitory concentration （IC50） of OCL-LY10 and U2932 cells was calculated to be 9.33， 16.13 mg·L-1， respectively， based on which， 9.5， 19， 38 mg·L-1 QLBTWT were selected for subsequent experiments. After 0， 9.5， 19， 38 mg·L-1 QLBTWT treatment for 24 h， the zymogen activities of Caspase-3， Caspase-8 and Caspase-9 in OCI-LY10 and U2932 cells were detected using corresponding activity assay kits （colorimetric）， and the IL-10 expression was detected by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay （ELISA）. The apoptosis rate and cell cycle of OCI-LY10 and U2932 cells treated with different concentrations of QLBTWT for 24 h were detected by flow cytometry. The expressions of apoptosis-related proteins ［B-cell lymphoma 2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）， cleaved poly adenosine diphosphate ribose polymerase （cleaved PARP）， cleaved Caspase-3］， JAK2， STAT3， phospho-JAK2 （p-JAK2）， phospho-STAT3 （p-STAT3） pathway proteins， and c-Myc protein in OCL-LY10 and U2932 cells after 24 h treatment with 0， 9.5， 19， 38 mg·L-1 QLBTWT were all tested by Western blot. ResultAfter QLBTWT treatment on OCI-LY10 and U2932 cells for 24 h， cell proliferation was inhibited in each QLBTWT group compared with that in the control group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The zymogens of Caspase-3， Caspase-8 and Caspase-9 were activated （P<0.01）， and there was an increase in cell apoptosis （P<0.05， P<0.01） and cell cycle arrest at Gap phase1 （G1） phase in 9.5， 19 and 38 mg·L-1 QLBTWT group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. After 9.5， 19 and 38 mg·L-1 QLBTWT treatment on OCI-LY10 and U2932 cells for 24 h， the expressions of Bcl-2， p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 proteins were decreased （P<0.01）， and the expressions of Bax， cleaved PARP and cleaved Caspase-3 proteins were increased （P<0.01）， but no significant change was observed in the expressions of JAK2 and STAT3 proteins. Compared with the conditions in the control group， the expressions of c-Myc， p-JAK2， and p-STAT3 proteins were down-regulated in 19 mg·L-1 QLBTWT group and 19 mg·L-1 QLBTWT+10 μg·L-1 IL-10 group （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and up-regulated in 10 μg·L-1 IL-10 group （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while there was no difference in JAK2/STAT3 proteins. ConclusionQLBTWT can inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of human DLBCL cells OCI-LY10 and U2932， and the potential mechanism may be related to the regulation of JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Scutellaria Baicalensis Polysaccharides Alleviates the Inflammation of DSS-induced UC Model Mice by Regulating JAK2/STAT3 Pathway and IL-23/IL-17 Inflammatory Axis / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of Scutellaria Baicalensis polysaccharides on intestinal immunity in mice with ulcerative colitis （UC）. MethodsC57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to blank group， model group， mesalazine group and Scutellaria Baicalensis polysaccharides low-dose， medium-dose and high-dose groups （n=10 mice/group）. The daily status of mice was observed and the disease activity index （DAI） score was recorded. The expression of cytokines including IL-6， IL-17 and IL-23 in serum was detected by ELISA. After the mice were sacrificed， HE was used to observe the intestinal mucosal damage in mice， and the colonic tissue damage index （TDI） score was recorded. Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression levels of Janus kinase 2 （JAK2）， signal transducer and activator of transcription （STAT3）， p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 proteins. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the DAI score of the model group was significantly increased， the contents of IL-6， IL-17 and IL-23 in serum were significantly increased， the ratio of p-JAK2/JAK2 and p-STAT3/STAT3 in colon tissue was significantly increased， and the expression levels of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 were significantly increased. Compared with the model group， the DAI score of mice in each administration group was significantly decreased. The contents of IL-6， IL-17 and IL-23 in serum were decreased， the TDI score was decreased， the ratio of p-JAK2/JAK2 and p-STAT3/STAT3 in colon tissue was decreased， and the expression of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 was decreased. ConclusionScutellaria Baicalensis polysaccharides may improve the inflammatory effect of UC mice through JAK2/STAT3 pathway and IL-23/IL-17 inflammatory axis.

AG490 regulates JAK2/STAT3 pathway in M2-like macrophages via promoting the proliferation of gastric cancer cells and inhibiting apoptosis / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

【Objective】 To investigate the regulatory effect of JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway inhibitor AG490 on the functional phenotype of M2-like macrophages and its effects on proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells. 【Methods】 Human mononuclear cell line THP-1 was induced to differentiate into M0 macrophages by PMA in vitro. The M1-like phenotype was induced by LPS and IFN-γ, and M2-like phenotype was induced by IL-4 and IL-13, respectively, and identified by immunofluorescence labeling CD68, CD86 and CD206. The mRNA expressions of CD163, Arg1, CCL22, PPARγ, IL-10, IL-20 and TNF-α were determined by RT-qPCR. The expressions of key proteins in JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway were detected by Western blotting. M2-like macrophages were treated with JAK2/STAT3 inhibitor (AG490) to observe the expression level of marker genes for M2 like phenotype. Macrophages were co-cultured with gastric cancer cells, and the effects of the macrophages on proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of gastric cancer cells were detected by CCK-8 method, healing assay, transwell intracellular Matrigel invasion assay, and flow cytometry. The xenograft tumor model of MKN45 gastric cancer in nude mice was prepared, and the tumor size and quality were observed for 20 days after the model was established. 【Results】 THP-1 cells were induced into M1-like macrophages and M2-like macrophages. M1-like marker (CD86) and M2-like marker (CD206) were identified by flow cytometry. The P38MAPK, JAK2, p-STAT3/STAT3 protein levels of M2-like macrophages treated with AG490 were significantly reduced. The mRNA expression levels of Arg1, CCL22, PPARγ and IL-10 were significantly reduced in the group of M2-like macrophages treated with AG490. Co-culture of M2-like macrophages with gastric cancer cells could promote gastric cancer cell viability, increase migration and invasion ability, and inhibit apoptosis. When the group of M2-like macrophages treated with AG490 was co-cultured with gastric cancer cells, the proliferation activity of MKN-45 cells and MGC823 was significantly lower than that in M2 group (1.047±0.062 vs. 1.426±0.076, 1.149±0.006 vs. 1.301±0.015). Compared to M2 group, the migration (100.0%±5.73% vs. 72%±3.85%) and invasion ability (100.0%±7.40% vs. 60%±6.54%) of MGC823 gastric cancer cells in AG490 treatment group were significantly reduced. The apoptosis rate of MGC823 cells in the AG490 treated group was significantly higher than that in M2 group (27.51%±0.70% vs. 20.82%±0.92%). In the nude mouse xenograft tumor model, the volume and weight of the transplanted tumor collected at day 20 were significantly lower in AG490 treated group than in M2 group (736.04±182.34 vs. 1 080.5±250.57)mm3, (0.64±0.11 vs. 0.87±0.17)g. 【Conclusion】 AG490 downregulates the activation level of JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway in M2-like macrophages, inhibits M2-type polarization, partially reverses the cancer-promoting function of M2-like macrophages, inhibits proliferation, migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells, and induces apoptosis. The JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway can be further studied as a potential therapeutic target for gastric cancer.

Influence of Limonin on Malignant Biological Behavior of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Cells by Regulating JAK2/STAT3 Signaling Pathway / 肿瘤防治研究

Objective To investigate the influence of limonin on the malignant biological behavior of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells by regulating the protein tyrosine kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway. Methods CCK-8 method was applied to detect the survival rate of A549 cells treated with different concentrations of limonin (0, 5, 10, 25, 50, 75, 100 μmol/L). A549 cells were separated into normal culture (NC) group, low-dose limonin group (treatment with 10 μmol/L limonin for 24 h), medium-dose limonin group (treatment with 25 μmol/L limonin for 24 h), high-dose limonin group (treatment with 50 μmol/L limonin for 24 h), coumermycin A1 group (treatment with 10 μmol/L JAK2 activator coumermycin A1+50 μmol/L limonin for 24 h), and AG490 group (treatment with 10 μmol/L JAK2 inhibitor AG490+50 μmol/L limonin for 24 h). Clone formation assay was applied to detect the clones of each group of cells. Transwell assay was applied to detect cell migration and invasion, and flow cytometry was applied to detect apoptosis. Western blot analysis was applied to detect the protein expression levels of JAK2, p-JAK2, STAT3, p-STAT3, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and vimentin in each group. Results The viability of A549 cells decreased significantly in a limonin concentration-dependent manner (P < 0.05), with IC50 of 45.16±1.66 μmol/L. Concentrations of 10, 25, and 50 μmol/L were selected for subsequent experiments. The numbers of clones, migration, and invasion of A549 cells and the protein expression levels of IL-6, p-JAK2, p-STAT3, N-cadherin, and vimentin in the low-, medium-, and high-dose limonin groups significantly decreased, compared with those in the NC group, and the apoptosis rate and E-cadherin protein expression significantly increased (P < 0.05). The JAK2 activator coumermycin A1 attenuated the ability of limonin to inhibit the proliferation, migration, invasion, and other malignant biological behavior of A549 cells and attenuated the apoptosis ability. The JAK2 inhibitor AG490 enhanced the ability of limonin to inhibit the proliferation, migration, invasion, and other malignant biological behavior of A549 cells and enhanced the apoptosis ability. Conclusion Limonin can inhibit the malignant biological behavior of NSCLC cells, such as proliferation, migration, and invasion, by inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

Inhibitory effects of ursolic acid on IL-6-mediated invasion and migration of breast cancer cells / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To investigate the inhibitory effects of ursolic acid on interleukin-6 （IL-6）-mediated invasion and migration of breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells （hereinafter referred to as “231 cells”）. METHODS The effects of 20， 40， 80， 160 and 320 µmol/L ursolic acid on the proliferation rate of 231 cells were measured by CCK-8 method. The breast cancer 231 cells were divided into control group， model group and administration group. The migration and invasion abilities of cells were detected by scratch assay and Transwell assay. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （q-PCR） assay and Western blot assay were used to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related makers such as E cadherin （E-cad）， matrix metalloprotein 2 （MMP2）， MMP9， vimentin （Vim）， CD44 molecule （CD44） and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family member A1 （ALDH1A1）. The phosphorylation levels of JAK2 and STAT3 in the Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （JAK2/STAT3） signaling pathway （in terms of p-JAK2/JAK2 ratio and p-STAT3/STAT3 ratio） were detected by Western blot assay. RESULTS A low concentration of ursolic acid of 20 µmol/L （no significant inhibitory effect on cell proliferation ability） was selected as the subsequent administration concentration. Compared with the control group， the migration and invasion abilities of cells in the model group were significantly enhanced （P＜0.05）； compared with the model group， the migration and invasion abilities of cells in the administered group were significantly reduced （P＜0.05）. Compared with the control group， the relative mRNA and protein expressions of epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related markers MMP9， MMP2， Vim， ALDH1A1 and CD44 were all elevated to different extents， and the mRNA and protein expressions of E-cad were all decreased to different extents in the model group cells， and part of the differences had statistical significance （P＜0.05）， the p-JAK2/JAK2 ratio and p-STAT3/STAT3 ratio were significantly increased in the model group （P＜0.05）； compared with the model group， the expressions of the above indicators were reversed to some extent in the administration group. CONCLUSIONS Ursolic acid blocks the activation of JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathwby the inflammatory factor IL-6， which ultimately interrupts the invasion and metastasis of breast cancer cells.

Bushen Huoxue Fang improves recurrent miscarriage in mice by down-regulating the JAK2/STAT3 pathway / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the efficacy of Bushen Huoxue Fang (BSHXF, a traditional Chinese medicine formula) for improving recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) in mice and the role of tyrosine kinase (JAK2) and transcriptional activator (STAT3) signaling pathway in its therapeutic mechanism.@*METHODS@#Female CBA/J mice were caged with male DBA/2 mice to establish RSA mouse models, which were randomly divided into model group, dydrogesterone group and BSHXF group, with the female mice caged with male BALB/c mice as the control group (n=6). From the first day of pregnancy, the mice were subjected to daily intragastric administration of BSHXF, dydrogesterone, or distilled water (in control and model groups) for 12 days. After the treatments, serum levels of antithrombin III (AT-III), activated protein C (APC), tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), progesterone, human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), and estradiol (E2) were detected in each group using ELISA. HE staining was used to observe the morphological changes of the endometrium of the mice. Western blotting was performed to determine the expressions of p-JAK2, p-Stat3 and Bcl-2 in the placenta of the mice.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the control mice, the mouse models of RSA showed a significantly increased embryo loss rate with decreased serum levels of AT-III, T-PA, progesterone, APC and HCG, increased placental expressions of p-JAK2, p-STAT3 and Bax, and decreased expression of Bcl-2 (P < 0.05). Treatments with BSHXF and dydrogesterone both increased serum levels of AT-III, t-PA and HCG in the mouse models; Serum APC level was significantly reduced in BSHXF group and serum progesterone level was significantly increased in dydrogesterone group (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#BSHXF can improve the prethrombotic state and inhibit cell apoptosis by downregulating the JAK2/STAT3 pathway to increase the pregnancy rate in mouse models of RSA.

Carbon ion ( 12C 6+) inhibits JAK2/STAT3 pathway and promotes CD8 + T cell infiltration in lung cancer / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective:To explore the alteration of JAK2/STAT3 pathway after carbon ion ( 12C 6+) irradiation and the difference in the infiltration of CD8 + T cells in lung cancer regulated by downstream protein FOXP3. Methods:Significantly altered JAK2/STAT3 pathway and related differentially-expressed genes and proteins such as FOXP3 in lung cancer after carbon ion irradiation were screened based on RNA sequencing analysis in the Lewis tumor model of C57BL/6 mice. The correlation between FOXP3 and major immune cell infiltration in the immune microenvironment of lung cancer was analyzed using the ssGSEA immune infiltration algorithm in the R software "GSVA" and CD8 + T cell infiltration in the immune microenvironment of lung cancer was evaluated based on the carbon ion combined with STAT3 inhibition pathway (niclosamide). Results:The JAK2/STAT3 pathway was inhibited and the expression of related genes and proteins was downregulated in lung cancer after carbon ion irradiation. Immune scoring based on the ssGSEA algorithm showed that FOXP3 expression was significantly negatively correlated with CD8 + T cell infiltration in the immune microenvironment of lung cancer. The role of targeting the JAK2/STAT3 pathway in increasing CD8 + T cell infiltration in lung cancer was further clarified by carbon ion irradiation combined with STAT3 inhibition (niclosamide). Conclusion:Carbon ion irradiation ( 12C 6+) can play a synergistic role with immunotherapy by targeting the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

Effect of Pulsatilla Saponin A on Proliferation and Apoptosis of Burkitt Lymphoma Cells Based on JAK2/STAT3 Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of pulsatilla saponin A （PSA） on proliferation and apoptosis of human Burkitt lymphoma （BL） cell line Raji cells and expression of related pathway proteins. MethodWith Raji cells as the research object， the cell proliferation was detected by cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） method， and the half-maximal inhibitory concentration （IC50） values of 24 h， 48 h and 72 h were calculated to be 19.77， 18.31， 16.70 μmol·L-1， respectively. In subsequent related experiments， 0， 8， 16， 32 μmol·L-1 PSA were selected according to the IC50 value of Raji cells treated with PAS for 72 h. After 0， 8， 16， 32 μmol·L-1 PSA acted on Raji cells for 24， 48， 72 h， the optical density values of cell growth curve were detected by CCK-8 method. The zymogen activities of cysteine aspartate-specific protease （Caspase）-3， Caspase-8 and Caspase-9 in Raji cells treated with 0， 8， 16 and 32 μmol·L-1 PSA for 24 h were measured by Caspase-3， Caspase-8 and Caspase-9 colorimetric assay kit. The apoptosis rate and cell cycle of Raji cells treated with different concentrations of PSA after 24 h were detected by flow cytometry. The expression of B-cell lymphoma 2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）， cleaved poly（ADP-ribose） polymerase （cleaved PARP）， cleaved cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-3 （cleaved Caspase-3） apoptosis related protein and Janus kinase 2 （JAK2）， signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3）， phosphorylated-JAK2 （p-JAK2）， and phosphorylated- STAT3 （p-STAT3） pathway proteins in Raji cells after 24 h of treatment with 0， 8， 16 and 32 μmol·L-1 PSA were tested by Western blot. ResultCompared with control group， decreased cell survival rate， inhibited cell proliferation， activated zymogens of Caspase-3， Caspase-8 and Caspase-9 （P<0.01）， increased apoptosis （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and enhanced cell cycle arrest in Gap phase 2 （G2） were observed in 8， 16 and 32 μmol·L-1 PSA groups（P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with control group， cells treated with 8， 16 and 32 μmol·L-1 PSA had lower expression of Bcl-2， p-JAK2， p-STAT3 proteins （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and higher expression of Bax， cleaved PARP and cleaved Caspase-3 protein （P<0.01）， while no significant change was found in the expression of JAK2 and STAT3 proteins. ConclusionPSA could inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of Raji cells， and its potential mechanism might be related to the regulation of JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Dexmedetomidine pretreatment alleviates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by inhibiting neuroinflammation through the JAK2/STAT3 pathway

Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is known to provide neuroprotection against cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury (CIRI), but the exact mechanisms remain unclear. This study was conducted to investigate whether DEX pretreatment conferred neuroprotection against CIRI by inhibiting neuroinflammation through the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was performed to establish a cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) model. Specific-pathogen-free male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into Sham, I/R, DEX, DEX+IL-6, and AG490 (a selective inhibitor of JAK2) groups. The Longa score, TTC staining, and HE staining were used to evaluate brain damage. ELISA was used to exam levels of TNF-α. Western blotting was used to assess the levels of JAK2, phosphorylated-JAK2 (p-JAK2), STAT3, and phosphorylated-STAT3 (p-STAT3). Our results suggested that both pretreatment with DEX and AG490 decreased the Longa score and cerebral infarct areas following cerebral I/R. After treatment with IL-6, the effects of DEX on abrogating these pathological changes were reduced. HE staining revealed that I/R-induced neuronal pathological changes were attenuated by DEX application, consistent with the AG490 group. However, these effects of DEX were abolished by IL-6. Furthermore, TNF-α levels were significantly increased in the I/R group, accompanied by an increase in the levels of the p-JAK2 and p-STAT3. DEX and AG490 pretreatment down-regulated the expressions of TNF-α, p-JAK2, and p-STAT3. In contrast, the down-regulation of TNF-α, p-JAK2, and p-STAT3 induced by DEX was reversed by IL-6. Collectively, our results indicated that DEX pretreatment conferred neuroprotection against CIRI by inhibiting neuroinflammation via negatively regulating the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Hepatocellular carcinoma-derived exosomal miRNA-761 regulates the tumor microenvironment by targeting the SOCS2/JAK2/STAT3 pathway / 世界急诊医学杂志（英文）

@#BACKGROUND: Exosomes and exosomal microRNAs have been implicated in tumor occurrence and metastasis. Our previous study showed that microRNA-761 (miR-761) is overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and that its inhibition affects mitochondrial function and inhibits HCC metastasis. The mechanism by which exosomal miR-761 modulates the tumor microenvironment has not been elucidated. METHODS: Exosomal miR-761 was detected in six cell lines. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and transwell migration assays were performed to determine the function of exosomal miR-761 in HCC cells. The luciferase reporter assay was used to analyze miR-761 target genes in normal fibroblasts (NFs). The inhibitors AZD1480 and C188-9 were employed to determine the role of the Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) signaling pathway in the transformation of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). RESULTS: In this study, we characterized the mechanism by which miR-761 reprogrammed the tumor microenvironment. We found that HCC-derived exosomal miR-761 was taken up by NFs. Moreover, HCC exosomes affected the tumor microenvironment by activating NFs via suppressor of cytokine signaling 2 (SOCS2) and the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrated that exosomal miR-761 modulated the tumor microenvironment via SOCS2/JAK2/STAT3 pathway-dependent activation of CAFs. Our findings may inspire new strategies for HCC prevention and therapy.

Triptolide inhibits inflammatory response and migration of fibroblast like synovial cells in rheumatoid arthritis through the circRNA 0003353/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of triptolide (TPL) on inflammatory response and migration of fibroblast like synovial cells (FLS) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA-FLS) and the mechanism of circular noncoding RNA (circRNA) 0003353 for mediating this effect.@*METHODS@#We collected peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and serum samples from 50 hospitalized RA patients and 30 healthy individuals for detecting the expression of circRNA 0003353, immune and inflammatory indexes (ESR, CRP, RF, anti-CCP, IgA, IgG, IgM, C3, and C4) and DAS28 score. Cultured RA-FLS was treated with 10 ng/mL TPL and transfected with a circRNA 0003353 overexpression plasmid, and cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and Transwell assay were used to detect the changes in the viability and migration of the cells. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to examine the cytokines IL-4, IL-6, and IL-17, and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was performed to detect the expression of circRNA 003353; Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of p-JAK2, pSTAT3, JAK2 and STAT3 proteins in the treated cells.@*RESULTS@#The expression of circRNA 0003353 was significantly increased in PBMCs from RA patients and showed a good performance in assisting the diagnosis of RA (AUC=90.5%, P < 0.001, 95% CI: 0.83-0.98). CircRNA 0003353 expression was positively correlated with ESR, RF and DAS28 (P < 0.05). Treatment with TPL significantly decreased the expression of circRNA 0003353, suppressed the viability and migration ability, decreased the expressions of IL-6 and IL-17, and increased the expression IL-4 in cultured RA-FLS in a time-dependent manner (P < 0.01). TNF-α stimulation of RA-FLS significantly increased the ratios of p-JAK2/JAK2 and p-STAT3/STAT3, which were obviously lowered by TPL treatment (P < 0.01). TPL-treated RA-FLS overexpressing circRNA 0003353 showed significantly increased cell viability and migration ability with decreased IL-4 expression and increased IL-6 and IL-17 expressions and ratios of p-JAK2/ JAK2 and p-STAT3/STAT3 (P < 0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#The expression of circRNA 0003353 is increased in PBMCs in RA patients and in RA-FLS. TPL treatment can regulate JAK2/STAT3 signal pathway and inhibit the inflammatory response and migration of RA-FLS through circRNA 0003353.

Cordycepin Attenuates Immune Function Injury in A Rat Model of Lung Cancer After Radiotherapy by Inhibiting JAK2/STAT3 Pathway / 肿瘤防治研究

Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of cordycepin on immune function injury in lung cancer rats after radiation therapy through JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. Methods Fifty rats were used to establish tumor-bearing model and other 10 rats were taken as normal group. After successful modeling, the rats were randomly divided into model group, radiotherapy group, cordycepin group, agonist group and agonist+cordycepin group (10 rats in each group). We compared tumor weight, tumor volume, tumor inhibition rate, IL-6, TNF-α, spleen index and thymus index, the number of T lymphocyte subsets, JAK2, p-JAK2, STAT3 and p-STAT3 protein expression levels among all groups. Results Compared with normal group, IL-6, TNF-α, CD8+, p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 in model group were increased, while spleen index, thymus index, CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ were decreased (P < 0.05). Compared with model group, tumor weight, tumor volume, spleen index, thymus index, CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ were decreased in radiotherapy group, while IL-6, TNF-α, CD8+, p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 were increased (P < 0.05). Compared with radiotherapy group, tumor weight, tumor volume, IL-6, TNF-α, CD8+, p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 were decreased in cordycepin group, while tumor inhibition rate, spleen index thymus index, CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ were increased; tumor weight, tumor volume, IL-6, TNF-α, CD8+, p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 protein expression were increased in agonist group, while tumor inhibition rate, spleen index, thymus index, CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ were decreased (P < 0.05). Compared with agonist+cordycepin group, tumor weight, tumor volume, IL-6, TNF-α, CD8+, p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 were decreased in cordycepin group, while tumor inhibition rate, spleen index, thymus index, CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ were increased; tumor weight, tumor volume, IL-6, TNF-α, CD8+, p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 were increased in agonist group, while tumor inhibition rate, spleen index, thymus index, CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ were decreased (P < 0.05). Conclusion Cordycepin can effectively inhibit the immune function injury in lung cancer rats after radiation therapy, and may play a regulatory role by inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 signal pathway.

Effects of PNU 282987 on Improving Cardiac Remodeling and JAK 2/STAT3 Signaling Pathway / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE：To st udy the effects of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists （PNU282987）on improving cardiac remodeling of mice and Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3（JAK2/STAT3）signaling pathway. METHODS：Male Kunming mice were randomly divided into normal control group ，model group ，propranolol group （positive control，i.g. 40 mg/kg）and PNU 282987 low-dose，medium-close and high-dose groups （intraperitoneal injection of 0.5，1.0，3.0 mg/kg），with 10 mice in each group. Except for the normal control group ，mice in the other groups were given isoproterenol （ISO，30 mg/kg） subcutaneously for 7 days to induce the cardiac remodeling model. After 30 minutes of ISO injection ， administration groups were given relevant liquid ，once a day ，for 7 consecutive days. Twelve hours after last administration ，the left ventricular ejection fraction （EF）and left ventricular short axis shortening rate （FS）of mice in each group were measured ，and the whole heart mass index （HMI）was calculated ；the pathological changes of myocardium were observed. The serum contents of lactate dehydrogenase （LDH），creatine kinase （CK），tumor necrosis factor α（TNF-α），interleukin 6（IL-6），the protein expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1（ICAM-1）and adhesion molecule 1（VCAM-1）were also determined. The ratios of p-JAK2/JAK2，p-STAT3/STAT3 in myocardial tissue were detected. RESULTS ：Compared with normal control group ，EF and FS of model group were significantly reduced ，HMI，the contents of LDH，CK，TNF-α and IL-6，the protein expression of ICAM- 1 and VCAM- 1，the ratio of p-JAK 2/JAK2 and p-STAT 3/STAT3 were increased significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； blue collagen deposition in the interstitium of myocardium was obvious，and the degree of fibrosis was severe. Compared with model group ， the EF and FS of the mice in the medium-dose and high-dose groups were increased significantly ， HMI （except for PNU 282987 medium-dose group ），the contents of LDH （except for PNU 282987 medium-dose group ），CK，TNF-α and IL-6，the protein expression of ICAM- 1 and VCAM- 1，the ratio of p-JAK 2/JAK2 and p-STAT 3/STAT3 were decreased significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜ 0.01）；blue collagen deposition in the myocardial interstitium was significantly reduced ，and the degree of myocardial fibrosis was significantly reduced. There was no significant difference in the comparison of the above indicators in PNU 282987 low-dose group （P＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS ：PNU282987 can improve cardiac remodeling of mice ，the mechanism of which may be associated with inhibiting JAK 2/STAT3 signaling pathway.