TRPV4 induces apoptosis via p38 MAPK in human lung cancer cells

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. TRPV4 belongs to the 'transient receptor potential' (TRP) superfamily. It has been identified to profoundly affect a variety of physiological processes, including nociception, heat sensation, and inflammation. Unlike other TRP superfamily channels, its roles in cancers are unknown. Here, we elucidated the effects of TRPV4 and molecular mechanisms in human lung cancer cells. The levels of TRPV4 were detected in human lung cancer tissues and the paired paracarcinoma tissues by real-time PCR and western blotting analysis. The proliferation of human lung cancer cells was determined by MTT assay. Cell apoptosis was determined by FACS assay. The results demonstrated that low levels of TRPV4 were detected in clinical lung carcinoma specimens. Over-expression of TRPV4 induced cell death and inhibited cell proliferation and migration in A549 cells and H460 cells. Moreover, over-expression of TRPV4 enhanced the activation of p38 MAPK signal pathway. Inhibition of p38 MAPK abolished the effects of TRPV4 on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and migration in A549 cells. Collectively, our findings indicated that TRPV4 induced apoptosis via p38 MAPK in human lung cancer cells and suggested that TRPV4 was a potential target for therapy of human lung cancers.

MiR-140-3p inhibits natural killer cytotoxicity to human ovarian cancer via targeting MAPK1

Natural killer (NK) cells have pivotal role in immunotherapy of human ovarian cancer (OC). AlthoughmicroRNAs (miRNAs) participate in dysfunction of NK cells, how and whether miR-140-3p regulates cytotoxicity of NK cells in OC are uncertain. miR-140-3p and mitogen activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1)abundances were examined via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction or western blot. Tumornecrosis factor-a (TNF-a) and interferon-c (IFN-c) abundances were examined via enzyme linkedimmunosorbent assay. NK cytotoxicity to OC was evaluated via lactate dehydrogenase release. The relevanceof miR-140-3p and MAPK1 was proved via luciferase activity analysis. Murine xenograft experiment wasapplied to assess the function of miR-140-3p on NK cytotoxicity. miR-140-3p was elevated and MAPK1 wasdeclined in NK cells from OC patients, while the levels were reversed after treatment of interleukin-2 (IL-2).MiR-140-3p addition mitigated IFN-c and TNF-a production induced via IL-2 as well as NK-92 cytotoxicityto OC cells. Additionally, MAPK1 was negatively regulated via miR-140-3p and ablated the influence of miR140-3p on cytotoxicity, cytokines levels. Besides, miR-140-3p enrichment facilitated tumor growth via suppressing function of NK cells in a xenograft model. miR-140-3p suppressed NK cytotoxicity to OC cells viamediating MAPK1, indicating a new avenue of ameliorating NK cells function for OC treatment.