Recombinant human calcineurin B inhibits orthotopic hepatocellular carcinoma xenograt growth in mice by promoting apoptosis

Objective: To explore the effects of recombinant human calcineurin B (rhCNB) on hepatocellular carcinoma in mice. Methods: An in vivo mouse model with hepatocellular carcinoma was established, and the mice were randomized into the rhCNB, positive control and vehicle treatments groups. Tumor growth was assessed via bioluminescence using a small animal imaging system. Relative tumor proliferation rate and tumor growth inhibition were calculated. The expression of p53 and caspase-9 proteins in tumors were detected by immunohistochemistry. In vitro, flow cytometry was used to quantify the cell-cycle stages and rate of apoptosis. Western blotting and quantitative real-time PCR assays were used to evaluate the effects of rhCNB on protein and gene expression of CDK1, cyclin B1, p53 and caspase-9. Results: rhCNB at the higher dose significantly reduced tumor growth in vivo and caused tumor cell apoptosis in vitro. The rhCNB at the higher dose was as effective as cisplatin, and was safer. Conclusions: rhCNB has potent pro-apoptotic effects on tumor cells in vivo and in vitro and is well tolerated in vivo.

Effects of high glucose on expression of OPG and RANKL in rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells

Objective: To explore effect of high glucose on expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of NF- κ B ligand (RANKE) in rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells. Methods: SD rats were intraperitoneally injected with streptozotocin, OPG and RANKL expression in rat thoracic aortas were detected by immunohistochemical staining. In cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) (A7r5), qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis were used to examine the mRNA and protein levels of OPG and RANKL. Results: Our results demonstrated that OPG expression was increased in hyperglycemic rat aortic VSMCs, while RANKL expression was decreased. Besides, in vitro experiments high glucose induced OPG expression, but depressed RANKL expression by dose- and time-dependent manner in cultured A7r5. Conclusions: Our findings suggested that high glucose could promote the expression of OPG, and inhibit the expression of RANKL in VSMCs, which may be partly be the molecular mechanism of diabetic vascular calcification.

Effects of high glucose on expression of OPG and RANKL in rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells

OBJECTIVE@#To explore effect of high glucose on expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of NF- κ B ligand (RANKE) in rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells.@*METHODS@#SD rats were intraperitoneally injected with streptozotocin, OPG and RANKL expression in rat thoracic aortas were detected by immunohistochemical staining. In cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) (A7r5), qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis were used to examine the mRNA and protein levels of OPG and RANKL.@*RESULTS@#Our results demonstrated that OPG expression was increased in hyperglycemic rat aortic VSMCs, while RANKL expression was decreased. Besides, in vitro experiments high glucose induced OPG expression, but depressed RANKL expression by dose- and time-dependent manner in cultured A7r5.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Our findings suggested that high glucose could promote the expression of OPG, and inhibit the expression of RANKL in VSMCs, which may be partly be the molecular mechanism of diabetic vascular calcification.

p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein kinases inhibit atrial natriuretic peptide mRNA transcription in gp130-mediated hypertrophic ventricular myocytes

OBJECTIVE@#To understand the role of ANP mRNA transcription regulation in gp130-mediated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, and the involved mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK, also called p42/p44 MAPK) signaling pathway.@*METHODS@#Isolated neonatal ventricular myocytes were treated with different concentrations of CT-1 (10(-9), 10(-8)and 10(-7)mol/L). MTT was used to analyze the viability and RT-PCR was used to detect ANP mRNA levels in cardiomyocyte. To inhibit p42/p44 MAPK activity in hypertrophic cardiomyocytes, the cells were pretreated with a specific MEK1 inhibitor.@*RESULTS@#CT-1 significantly induced ANP mRNA expression and the viability of cardiomyocytes in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, blocking p42/p44 MAPK activity by the special MEK1 inhibitor upregulated the ANP mRNA.@*CONCLUSIONS@#p42/p44 MAPK have an important role in suppressing ANP mRNA transcription and cell activity in gp130-mediated hypertrophic ventricular myocytes.

Inhibition of Pim-1 attenuates the proliferation and migration in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the role of proto-oncogene Pim-1 in the proliferation and migration of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells.@*METHODS@#Pim-1 expressions in NPC cell lines CNE1, CNE1-GL, CNE-2Z and C666-1 were examined by RT-PCR, western blotting and immunoflucesence, respectively. After CNE1, CNE1-GL and C666-1 cells were treated with different concentrations of Pim-1 special inhibitor, quercetagetin, the cell viability, colony formation rate and migration ability were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#Pim-1 expression was negative in well-differentiated CNE1 cells, whereas expressed weakly positive in poor-differentiated CNE-2Z cells and strongly positive in undifferentiated C666-1 cells. Interestingly, CNE1-GL cells that derived from CNE1 transfected with an Epstein Barr virus latent membrane protein-1 over-expression plasmid displayed stronger expression of Pim-1. Treatment of CNE1-GL and C666-1 cells with quercetagetin significantly decreased the cell viability, colony formation rate and migration ability but not the CNE1 cells.@*CONCLUSIONS@#These findings suggest that Pim-1 overexpression contributes to NPC proliferation and migration, and targeting Pim-1 may be a potential treatment for anti-Pim-1-expressed NPCs.