Circular RNA protein tyrosine kinase 2 aggravates pyroptosis and inflammation in septic lung tissue by promoting microRNA-766/eukaryotic initiation factor 5A axis-mediated ATP efflux

Purpose: Sepsis is characterized by an acute inflammatory response to infection, often with multiple organ failures, especially severe lung injury. This study was implemented to probe circular RNA (circRNA) protein tyrosine kinase 2 (circPTK2)-associated regulatory mechanisms in septic acute lung injury (ALI). Methods: A cecal ligation and puncture-based mouse model and an lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-based alveolar type II cell (RLE-6TN) model were generated to mimic sepsis. In the two models, inflammation- and pyroptosisrelated genes were measured. Results: The degree of lung injury in mice was analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and the apoptosis was by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling staining. In addition, pyroptosis and toxicity were detected in cells. Finally, the binding relationship between circPTK2, miR-766, and eukaryotic initiation factor 5A (eIF5A) was detected. Data indicated that circPTK2 and eIF5A were up-regulated and miR-766 was down-regulated in LPS-treated RLE-6TN cells and lung tissue of septic mice. Lung injury in septic mice was ameliorated after inhibition of circPTK2. Conclusion: It was confirmed in the cell model that knockdown of circPTK2 effectively ameliorated LPS-induced ATP efflux, pyroptosis, and inflammation. Mechanistically, circPTK2 mediated eIF5A expression by competitively adsorbing miR-766. Taken together, circPTK2/ miR-766/eIF5A axis ameliorates septic ALI, developing a novel therapeutic target for the disease.

Extracellular signal regulated kinase 5 promotes cell migration, invasion and lung metastasis in a FAK-dependent manner

This study was designed to evaluate ERK5 expression in lung cancer and malignant melanoma progression and to ascertain the involvement of ERK5 signaling in lung cancer and melanoma. We show that ERK5 expression is abundant in human lung cancer samples, and elevated ERK5 expression in lung cancer was linked to the acquisition of increased metastatic and invasive potential. Importantly, we observed a significant correlation between ERK5 activity and FAK expression and its phosphorylation at the Ser

Comparative analysis of a panel of biomarkers related to protein phosphatase 2A between laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma tissues and adjacent normal tissues / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is the most common type of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) worldwide. Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) dysfunction has been widely reported in a broad range of malignancies due to its distinctive role in miscellaneous cellular processes. However, it is poorly understood whether aberrant alterations of PP2A are involved in the network of oncogenic events in LSCC. Here, we detected a panel of PP2A-associated proteins using western blot in both laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma tissues and paired adjacent normal tissues from patients (Data S1). We found that phospho-PP2A/C (Y307), α4, cancerous inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A (CIP2A), Akt, ezrin, phospho-ezrin (T567), 14-3-3, and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) showed increased expression levels in carcinoma tissues relative to normal tissues, while phospho-Akt (T308) showed decreased levels. Our study, thus, provides a rationale for targeting PP2A to develop novel therapies and proposes a combination of interrelated biomarkers for the diagnostic evaluation and prognosis prediction in LSCC.

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.

Cucurbitacin B suppresses metastasis mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) via focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells / 中国天然药物

Metastasis is responsible for the majority of cancer-related deaths and prevention of metastasis remains a big challenge for cancer therapy. Cucurbitacin B (Cuc B) is a natural triterpenoid with potent anticancer activities while its effect on metastasis remains unclear. In the present study, the inhibitory effect and mechanisms of Cuc B on metastasis were investigated in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. The cells were treated with or without Cuc B, and the cytotoxicity was determined by MTT assay. The effect of Cuc B on metastasis was evaluated with wound healing, transwell, and adhesion assays. Furthermore, the adhesion of cancer cells to endothelial cells was determined. The protein expression was determined by Western blotting. Cuc B (< 100 nmol·L) showed no obvious cytotoxicity to MDA-MB-231 cells, but significantly inhibited migration, invasion, and adhesion to Matrigel, fibronectin, type I collagen, and endothelial cells. Cuc B dramatically inhibited the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and paxillin in dose- and time-dependent manners. Furthermore, Cuc B induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, which could be reduced by N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC). In addition, NAC pretreatment could reverse Cuc B-induced suppression of migration and adhesion, expression of FAK, but showed no effect on paxillin expression. In summary, Cuc B suppressed ROS-dependent metastasis through FAK pathway in breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells, demonstrating novel mechanisms for the anticancer effects of Cuc B.

Cucurbitacin B suppresses metastasis mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) via focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells / 中国天然药物

Metastasis is responsible for the majority of cancer-related deaths and prevention of metastasis remains a big challenge for cancer therapy. Cucurbitacin B (Cuc B) is a natural triterpenoid with potent anticancer activities while its effect on metastasis remains unclear. In the present study, the inhibitory effect and mechanisms of Cuc B on metastasis were investigated in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. The cells were treated with or without Cuc B, and the cytotoxicity was determined by MTT assay. The effect of Cuc B on metastasis was evaluated with wound healing, transwell, and adhesion assays. Furthermore, the adhesion of cancer cells to endothelial cells was determined. The protein expression was determined by Western blotting. Cuc B (< 100 nmol·L) showed no obvious cytotoxicity to MDA-MB-231 cells, but significantly inhibited migration, invasion, and adhesion to Matrigel, fibronectin, type I collagen, and endothelial cells. Cuc B dramatically inhibited the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and paxillin in dose- and time-dependent manners. Furthermore, Cuc B induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, which could be reduced by N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC). In addition, NAC pretreatment could reverse Cuc B-induced suppression of migration and adhesion, expression of FAK, but showed no effect on paxillin expression. In summary, Cuc B suppressed ROS-dependent metastasis through FAK pathway in breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells, demonstrating novel mechanisms for the anticancer effects of Cuc B.

Angiotensin II Modulates p130Cas of Podocytes by the Suppression of AMP-Activated Protein Kinase

Angiotensin II (Ang II) induces the pathological process of vascular structures, including renal glomeruli by hemodynamic and nonhemodynamic direct effects. In kidneys, Ang II plays an important role in the development of proteinuria by the modification of podocyte molecules. We have previously found that Ang II suppressed podocyte AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) via Ang II type 1 receptor and MAPK signaling pathway. In the present study, we investigated the roles of AMPK on the changes of p130Cas of podocyte by Ang II. We cultured mouse podocytes and treated them with various concentrations of Ang II and AMPK-modulating agents and analyzed the changes of p130Cas by confocal imaging and western blotting. In immunofluorescence study, Ang II decreased the intensity of p130Cas and changed its localization from peripheral cytoplasm into peri-nuclear areas in a concentrated pattern in podocytes. Ang II also reduced the amount of p130Cas in time and dose-sensitive manners. AMPK activators, metformin and AICAR, restored the suppressed and mal-localized p130Cas significantly, whereas, compound C, an AMPK inhibitor, further aggravated the changes of p130Cas. Losartan, an Ang II type 1 receptor antagonist, recovered the abnormal changes of p130Cas suppressed by Ang II. These results suggest that Ang II induces the relocalization and suppression of podocyte p130Cas by the suppression of AMPK via Ang II type 1 receptor, which would contribute to Ang II-induced podocyte injury.

Marsdenia tenacissima extract suppresses A549 cell migration through regulation of CCR5-CCL5 axis, Rho C, and phosphorylated FAK / 中国天然药物

Marsdenia tenacissima, a traditional Chinese medicine, is long been used to treat various diseases including asthma, cancer, trachitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, cystitis, and pneumonia. Although Marsdenia tenacissima has been demonstrated to have strong anti-tumor effects against primary tumors, its effect on cancer metastasis remains to be defined, and the molecular mechanism underlying the anti-metastatic effect is unknown. In the present study, we investigated the effects of XAP (an extract of Marsdenia tenacissima) on A549 lung cancer cell migration and explored the role of CCR5-CCL5 axis in the anti-metastatic effects of XAP. Our resutls showed that XAP inhibited A549 lung cancer cell migration and invasion in a dose-dependent manner. The protein levels of CCR5, but not CCR9 and CXCR4, were decreased by XAP. The secretion of CCL5, the ligand of CCR5, was reduced by XAP. XAP down-regulated Rho C expression and FAK phosphorylation. In conclusion, XAP inhibited A549 cell migration and invasion through down-regulation of CCR5-CCL5 axis, Rho C, and FAK.

Focal Adhesion Kinase Induces Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 by Involving α5β1-Mediated Signaling in Breast Cancer Cell, MCF-7.

Introduction: Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase that plays a pivotal role in cell invasion. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are implicated as the key players in cancer cell invasion. Hence, the role of FAK in MMP regulation is very important in understanding tumor progression. Materials and Methods: Here, we studied the role of FAK, its association with other signaling kinases and involvement in the α5β1 integrin receptor-mediated regulation of MMP-2 activity and expression in human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Results: Immuno blot analysis revealed that FN treatment causes phosphorylation of FAK and FAK gets localized at the cell attachment focal point of MCF-7 cells. FN treatment did not change the mRNA status of FAK but enhanced mRNA level of MMP-2 and MT1-MMP, also caused downregulation of TIMP-2. Co-imunoprecipitation and inhibitor studies revealed the association of FAK with α5β1, Paxillin, PI3K and ERK. siRNA studies revealed that FAK is critical in regulation of activity and expression of MMP-2 and downstream signaling kinases. Conclusion: Th e interaction of α5β1 integrin with FN initiates a signaling cascade with FAK as its central player. FAK gets phosphorylated and in turn associates with tyrosine kinases like PI3K and ERK. FAK also activates PI3K and ERK that serve as very crucial mediators of the signaling pathway leading to induction of MMP-2 activity and resulting invasion of breast cancer cell, MCF-7.

Overview of hospitalizations by ambulatory care sensitive conditions in the municipality of Cotia, Brazil / Panorama de las hospitalizaciones por condiciones sensibles de la atención primaria en la ciudad de cotia / Panorama das Internações por Condições Sensíveis à Atenção Primária no município de Cotia

Objective To describe the profile of Hospitalizations by Amulatory Care Sensitive Conditions (HACSC), in the Municipality of Cotia, from 2008 to 2012. Method ecological, exploratory, longitudinal study with a quantitative approach. Data on HACSC, by age group and sex, were obtained from the Department of the Unified Health System. For data analysis descriptive statistics were used. Results During the period, there were 46,676 admissions, excluding deliveries, 7,753 (16.61%) by HACSC. The main causes were cerebrovascular diseases, 16.96%, heart failure, 15.50%, hypertension, 10.80% and infection of the kidney and urinary tract, 10.51%. Regarding gender, HACSC occurred predominantly in males. There was a greater number of HACSC at extreme age ranges, especially in the elderly. Conclusion Chronic diseases predominate among the leading causes of HACSC and there was no significant difference between sex.



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Objetivo Describir el perfil de las Hospitalizaciones por Condiciones Sensibles de la Atención Primaria (HCSAP), en el municipio de Cotia, entre 2008 y 2012. Método Estudio ecológico, exploratorio, longitudinal con un enfoque cuantitativo. Los datos sobre HCSAP, por grupo de edad y sexo, se obtuvieron del Departamento del Sistema Único de Salud. Para el análisis de los datos se utilizaron estadísticas descriptivas. Resultados Durante el período, hubo 46.676 admisiones, excluyendo entregas, 7.753 (16,61%) por HCSAP. Las principales causas fueron las enfermedades cerebrovascular, 16,96%, insuficiencia cardíaca, 15,50%, hipertensión arterial 10,80% y infección del riñón y las vías urinarias, el 10,51%. Cuanto al género, HCSAP ocurrió mayormente en los hombres. Un mayor número de HCSAP en grupos de edades extremas, especialmente en los ancianos. Conclusión Las enfermedades crónicas predominan entre las principales causas de HCSAP y no hubo diferencia significativa entre los sexo.
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Objetivo Descrever o perfil das Internações por Condições Sensíveis à Atenção Primária (ICSAP), no Município de Cotia, entre 2008 e 2012. Método Estudo ecológico, exploratório, longitudinal, de abordagem quantitativa. Dados sobre as ICSAP, segundo a faixa etária e sexo, foram obtidos no Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde. Para a análise dos dados foi utilizada a estatística descritiva. Resultados No período, houve 46.676 internações, excluindo os partos, sendo 7.753 (16,61%) por ICSAP. As principais causas foram: doenças cerebrovasculares, 16,96%; insuficiência cardíaca, 15,50%; hipertensão, 10,80%; e infecção do rim e trato urinário, 10,51%. Quanto ao sexo, as ICSAP ocorreram predominantemente nos homens. Houve maior número de ICSAP nos extremos das faixas etárias, especialmente nos idosos. Conclusão As doenças crônicas predominaram entre as principais causas de ICSAP e não houve diferença importante entre os sexos. .

Expressions of miR-22 and miR-135a in acute pancreatitis / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

This study examined the expressions of miR-22 and miR-135a in rats with acute edematous pancreatitis (AEP) and their target genes in order to shed light on the involvement of miR-22 and miR-135a in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis (AP). The in vivo model of AEP was established by introperitoneal injection of L-arginine (150 mg/kg) in rats. The miRNA microarray analysis was used to detect the differential expression of miRNAs in pancreatic tissue in AEP and normal rats. The in vitro AEP model was established by inducing the rat pancreatic acinar cell line (AR42J) with 50 ng/mL recombinant rat TNF-α. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR was employed to detect the expression of miR-22 and miR-135a in AR42J cells. Lentiviruses carrying the miRNA mimic and anti-miRNA oligonucleotide (AMO) of miR-22 and miR-135a were transfected into the AR42J cells. The AR42J cells transfected with vehicle served as control. Western blotting was used to measure the expression of activated caspase3 and flow cytometry analysis to detect the apoptosis of AR42J cells. Targets of miR-22 and miR-135a were predicted by using TargetScan, miRanda, and TarBase. Luciferase reporter assay and quantitative real-time RT-PCR were performed to confirm whether ErbB3 and Ptk2 were the target gene of miR-22 and miR-135a, respectively. The results showed that the expression levels of miR-22 and miR-135a were obviously increased in AEP group compared with the control group in in-vivo and in-vitro models. The expression levels of miR-22 and miR-135a were elevated conspicuously and the expression levels of their target genes were reduced significantly in AR42J cells transfected with lentiviruses carrying the miRNA mimic. The apoptosis rate was much higher in the TNF-α-induced cells than in non-treated cells. The AR42J cells transfected with miRNA AMOs expressed lower level of miR-22 and miR-135a and had lower apoptosis rate, but the expression levels of ErbB3 and Ptk2 were increased obviously. It was concluded that the expression levels of miR-22 and miR-135a were elevated in AEP. Up-regulating the expression of miR-22 and miR-135a may promote the apoptosis of pancreatic acinar cells by repressing ErbB3 and Ptk2 expression in AEP.

Sphingosine kinase 1 enhances the proliferation and invasion of human colon cancer LoVo cells through up-regulating FAK pathway and the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) on the proliferation, migration and invasion of human colon cancer LoVo cells, and to explore the related mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human colon cancer LoVo cells were divided into three groups: phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) was used to induce the activation of SphK1 in the PMA group, N,N-dimethylsphingosine (DMS) used to suppress the activity of SphK1 in DMS group, and the cells treated with equal amount of 0.9 % NaCl instead of drugs served as the control group. The activity of SphK1 was assayed by autoradiography, the cell proliferation was assessed by MTT assay, cell migration and invasion were examined by Boyden chamber assay, concentrations of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 were assayed by ELISA, and RT-PCR and Western blot were used to evaluate the mRNA and protein expression in the cells.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The activity of SphK1 was efficiently induced by PMA and significantly suppressed by DMS. PMA induced cell proliferation in a time- and dose-dependent manner. On the contrast, DMS suppressed cell proliferation in a time- and dose-dependent manner. After treating with PMA, the number of migrating and invasing cells were increased to 143.36 ± 8.73 and 118.46 ± 6.25, significantly higher than those of the control group (75.48 ± 6.12 and 64.19 ± 5.36). After treating with DMS, the number of migrating and invasing cells were decreased to 38.57 ± 3.24 and 32.48 ± 4.27, significantly lower than those of the control group (P < 0.01). The relative expression levels of FAK, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 mRNA in the PMA group were 0.82 ± 0.06, 0.74 ± 0.05 and 0.89 ± 0.09, and those in the DMS group were 0.23 ± 0.02, 0.26 ± 0.03 and 0.37 ± 0.04, with significant differences between the PMA, DMS and control groups (P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, the relative expression levels of FAK and p-FAK proteins in the PMA group (0.52 ± 0.06 and 0.51 ± 0.06) were significantly elevated, and those of the DMS group (0.20 ± 0.03 and 0.09 ± 0.02) were significantly decreased. In addition, the concentrations of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 were significantly elevated with the activation of SphK1. On the contrary, those of the DMS group were significantly reduced with the suppression of SphK1 (Both P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>SphK1 may enhance the proliferation, migration and invasion of colon cancer LoVo cells through activating FAK pathway and up-regulating the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1.</p>

Relative analysis of OPN and its related signal molecules in hepatocellular carcinoma / 中华肝脏病杂志

Osteopontin (OPN) has close relationship with metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma but its downstream signal pathways have not been well defined in hepatocellular carcinoma. The object of this study is to identify the associated signal pathways in human HCC tissues. The expressions of OPN, intergrin aV, CD44v6, P-FAK, FAK, P-Src, Src, P-ERK and P-AKT were assayed using TMA analysis. The relationship of OPN with P-ERK, P-Src and P-AKT were explored and the role in HCC metastasis was analysed. The expression levels of OPN, intergrin aV, CD44v6, P-FAK, P-Src, Src, P-ERK and P-AKT in HCC tissue were significantly higher than that in normal tissue (P value is less than 0.05). No significant difference was found between the expression levels of FAK in HCC tissue and normal tissue (P value is more than 0.05). OPN expression was significantly associated with Integrin av (P value is less than 0.01), CD44V6 (P value is less than 0.01) and P-ERK (P value is less than 0.05) but not with P-Src, P-FAK and P-AKT (P value is more than 0.05). The expressions of P-FAK (P value is less than 0.05), P-Src (P value is less than 0.01) and P-AKT (P value is less than 0.05) were significantly associated with Integrin av and the P-FAK expression was also significantly associated with CD44V6 (P value is less than 0.01). OPN promotes HCC metastasis though Integrin av/CD44V6/MAPK pathway in human HCC.

JNK/stress-activated protein kinase associated protein 1 is required for early development of telencephalic commissures in embryonic brains

We previously reported that mice lacking JSAP1 (jsap1-/-) were lethal and the brain of jsap1-/- at E18.5 exhibited multiple types of developmental defects, which included impaired axon projection of the corpus callosum and anterior commissures. In the current study, we examined whether the early telencephalic commissures were formed abnormally from the beginning of initial development or whether they arose normally, but have been progressively lost their maintenance in the absence of JSAP1. The early corpus callosum in the brain of jsap1+/+ at E15.5-E16.5 was found to cross the midline with forming a distinct U-shaped tract, whereas the early axonal tract in jsap1-/- appeared to cross the midline in a diffuse manner, but the lately arriving axons did not cross the midline. In the brain of jsap1-/- at E17.5, the axon terminals of lately arriving collaterals remained within each hemisphere, forming an early Probst's bundle-like shape. The early anterior commissure in the brain of jsap1+/+ at E14.5-E15.5 crossed the midline, whereas the anterior commissure in jsap1-/- developed, but was deviated from their normal path before approaching the midline. The axon tracts of the corpus callosum and anterior commissure in the brain of jsap1-/- at E16.5-E17.5 expressed phosphorylated forms of FAK and JNK, however, their expression levels in the axonal tracts were reduced compared to the respective controls in jsap1+/+. Considering the known scaffolding function of JSAP1 for the FAK and JNK pathways, these results suggest that JSAP1 is required for the pathfinding of the developing telencephalic commissures in the early brains.

Expression of deleted in liver cancer 1 and phosphorelated focal adhesion kinase in breast cancer / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the expression of deleted in liver cancer 1 (DLC1) and phosphorelated focal adhesion kinase (p-FAK) in breast cancer tissue to further understand the molecular mechanisms of the carcinogenesis and metastasis of breast cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Immunohistochemistry was employed to determine the protein level of DLC1 and p-FAK in 61 breast cancer, 30 benign breast disease and the adjacent normal breast tissues.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The positivity rates of DLC1 differed significantly between breast cancer, benign and normal tissues (34.43%, 80.00% and 76.67%, respectively, P<0.001). The positivity rates of p-FAK in the 3 tissues were 77.05%, 33.33% and 26.67%, also showing significant differences (P<0.001). The aberrant expression of DLC1 showed an inverse correlation to p-FAK (κ=-0.4591). Both DLC1 and p-FAK were closely correlated to the carcinogenesis, clinical stage, PR and lymphatic metastasis of breast cancer (P<0.05), but not to the patients age, pathological subtype, familial history, ER or CerbB-2 (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The abnormal expression of DLC1 and p-FAK might participate in the carcinogenesis, progression, and metastasis of breast cancer. The role of DLC1 and p-FAK might be related to the regulation of progestone. DLC1 and p-FAK may serve as candidate markers for early diagnosis, prognostic evaluation and target treatment of breast cancer.</p>

Therapeutic effect of focal adhesion kinase gene silence on leukemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was aimed to investigate the effects of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) gene silence on leukemia cell growth, leukemogenesis and efficacy of chemotherapy drug. Vector containing lentiviral-FAK-shRNA was constructed and transfected into BCR/ABL-BaF3 leukemic cells, the cell growth and apoptosis were detected in vitro. The effect of FAK shRNA on leukemogenesis was studied in a murine model with leukemia. The apoptosis of leukemia cells and survival of leukemic mice treated by FAK shRNA combined with drug STI571 were monitored. The results showed that FAK gene expression was knocked down by lentiviral-FAK-shRNA. FAK gene silencing inhibited leukemia cell growth in vitro. The apoptosis test results showed that the percentages of Annexin V(+) cells in vector control group and FAK shRNA group were (3.46 ± 0.56)% and (7.3 ± 0.79)%, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The mice in vector control group died at day 21 to 27, while the mice in FAK shRNA group died between day 52 and 60, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Moreover, FAK gene silence combined with drug STI571 could enhance the apoptosis of leukemia cells and prolong survival time of leukemic mice. It is concluded that FAK gene silence inhibits leukemogenesis and promotes efficacy of chemotherapy drug on leukemia cells, indicating FAK gene silence may be considered as a new therapeutic strategy for leukemia.

Effects of PTK787 on cell proliferation and expression of fak mRNA in K562 / 中国实验血液学杂志

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitor PTK787 on cell proliferation, cell cycle and the expression of fak mRNA of human chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cell line K562, and to explore the mechanism of PTK787 against acute myeloid leukemia. The MTT method was used to detect the effects of PTK787 in various concentrations and at different time points on proliferation of K562 cells; the flow cytometry was used to determine the effects of PTK787 in different concentrations on cell cycle of K562 cells; the RT-PCR was used to assay the expression of fak mRNA in K562 cells treated with PTK787 for 48 hours. The results showed that along with increasing of the concentration and prolonging of time, the inhibitory rate of PTK787 on K562 proliferation was gradually enhanced. The comparison between various concentration groups at same time or comparison between various time groups in same concentration showed significant differences (p < 0.05), in which the effect of 320 micromol/L PTK787 on cells was strongest, while the continuous increase of PTK787 concentration or prolong of action time did not enhance the inhibitory rate on K562 proliferation. With increasing of drug concentration, the cell proportion in G(1) phase gradually increased, the cell proportion in S phase gradually decreased, the comparison between various groups revealed significant differences (p < 0.05), however the continuous increase of drug concentration from 160 micromol/L did not obviously change the cell proportion in phases of cell cycle. With increasing of drug concentration, the expression of fak mRNA in K562 cells gradually reduced with significant differences between various groups (p < 0.05), but with continuous increase of drug concentration from 160 micromol/L, the effect of PTK787 on the expression of fak mRNA in K562 cells also did not obviously change. It is concluded that the PTK787 shows effect of anti-leukemia cells through inhibiting transformation of the K562 cells from G(1) phase into S phase and decreasing the expression of fak mRNA in cells.

The influence of down-regulation of focal adhesion kinase by RNA interference on the adhesion and migration of rat hepatic stellate cells in vitro / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the role of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in adhesion and migration of hepatic stellate cells (HSC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two recombinant plasmids expressing short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) targeting FAK were constructed and one plasmid substantially suppressing FAK expression in HSC was selected. Real-time PCR and Western blot were used to detect the knockdown effects of FAK gene. After 48-hour treatment with FAK shRNA, toluidine blue colorimetric assay was used to detect the cell adhesion. Wound-healing assay and improved Boyden double-chamber were used to detect the cell migration induced by FN.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The recombinant plasmid expressing FAK shRNA was successfully constructed and transfected into HSC. Compared with the controls, the expression of FAK mRNA and protein in HSC treated with FAK shRNA was markedly down-regulated by 76.82% and 72.53%, respectively. The expression of p-FAK (Tyr397) protein was also decreased by 62.71% 48 h posttransfection. The adhesion of HSC was inhibited by 58.69% at 48 h after shRNA transfection. FAK gene silencing could also dramatically inhibit FN-stimulated HSC migration, and the cell migration distance and the cell number of crossing membrane were decreased by 58.27% and 83.70%, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>FAK gene silencing suppresses adhesion and migration of HSC, and FAK may be a potential target for novel anti-fibrosis therapies.</p>

The role of PTEN-FAK signaling pathway in metastasis and invasive ability of leukemia cells / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of the wild type phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN), a tumor-suppressor gene on the proliferation and apoptosis of human chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells line (K562) in vitro and explore the influence of PTEN-FAK signaling pathway on invasion and metastasis of leukemia cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The recombinant Ad-PTEN gene containing green fluorescent protein gene (Ad-PTEN-GFP) or the empty vector (Ad-GFP) was transfected into K562 cells and fresh leukemia cells from CML patients in blast crisis. The growth of K562 cells was assayed by MTT assay; the apoptosis rate was assessed by flow cytometry (FCM). PTEN and FAK mRNA levels were detected by real-time fluorescent relative- quantification reverse transcriptional PCR (FQ-PCR) and its protein levels by Western blot. The metastasis and invasive ability was examined by transwell chamber assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The growth of K562 cells was suppressed markedly when Ad-PTEN-GFP was transfected into K562 cells at the 200 multiplicity of infection (MOI). The maximum growth inhibition rate was 35.2%. Transwell results showed the number of cells entered the lower chamber in Ad-GFP group was 9.1 fold more than that in Ad-PTEN-GFP group;The ability of metastasis and invasion of fresh leukemia cells was also suppressed after transfection with Ad-PTEN-GFP. FAK and p-FAK proteins were down-regulated by 0.72 and 0.16 fold lower after transfected with Ad-PTEN-GFP compared with Ad-GFP group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>PTEN gene might inhibit the proliferation, metastasis and invasive ability of leukemia cells via down-regulating FAK expression.</p>

Phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of serine 722 and serine 910 of focal adhesion kinase in hypertrophic cardiac myocytes of left ventricle of spontaneously hypertensive rats / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the role of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in cardiac hypertrophy induced by hypertension.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using immunofluorescent labeling, confocal microscopy and Western blot, the expression and subcellular location of FAK-pSer722 and FAK-pSer910 were determined in cardiac myocytes of the left ventricles from 2, 6, 12, and 18 month-old spontaneously hypertensive heart failure (SHHF) rats and age-matched Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) control rats, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was no obvious difference in FAK-pSer722 and FAK-pSer910 expression between 2 month-old SHHF and WKY rats. In contrast with the control groups, the expression of FAK-pSer722 and FAK-pSer910 significantly increased in cardiac myocytes of the left ventricle, from 6, 12 and 18 month-old SHHF rats. Both FAK-pSer722 and FAK-pSer910 were translocated and acummulated in nuclei of cardiac myocytes from 6, 12, and 18 month-old SHHF rats.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Phosphorylation and translocation of serine 722 and serine 910 of phosphorylated FAK play an important role in the de-compensatory cardiac hypertrophy.</p>