Single-nucleus profiling unveils a geroprotective role of the FOXO3 in primate skeletal muscle aging

Age-dependent loss of skeletal muscle mass and function is a feature of sarcopenia, and increases the risk of many aging-related metabolic diseases. Here, we report phenotypic and single-nucleus transcriptomic analyses of non-human primate skeletal muscle aging. A higher transcriptional fluctuation was observed in myonuclei relative to other interstitial cell types, indicating a higher susceptibility of skeletal muscle fiber to aging. We found a downregulation of FOXO3 in aged primate skeletal muscle, and identified FOXO3 as a hub transcription factor maintaining skeletal muscle homeostasis. Through the establishment of a complementary experimental pipeline based on a human pluripotent stem cell-derived myotube model, we revealed that silence of FOXO3 accelerates human myotube senescence, whereas genetic activation of endogenous FOXO3 alleviates human myotube aging. Altogether, based on a combination of monkey skeletal muscle and human myotube aging research models, we unraveled the pivotal role of the FOXO3 in safeguarding primate skeletal muscle from aging, providing a comprehensive resource for the development of clinical diagnosis and targeted therapeutic interventions against human skeletal muscle aging and the onset of sarcopenia along with aging-related disorders.

Regulation of Baicalin on Growth of Extranodal NK/T Cell Lymphoma Cells through FOXO3/CCL22 Signaling Pathway / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of baicalin on the growth of extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma (ENKTCL) cells and its related mechanism.@*METHODS@#Normal NK cells and human ENKTCL cells lines SNK-6 and YTS were cultured, then SNK-6 and YTS cells were treated with 5, 10, 20 μmol/L baicalin and set control. Cell proliferation and apoptosis was detected by Edu method and FCM method, respectively, and expressions of BCL-2, Bax, FOXO3 and CCL22 proteins were detected by Western blot. Interference plasmids were designed and synthesized. FOXO3 siRNA interference plasmids and CCL22 pcDNA overexpression plasmids were transfected with PEI transfection reagent. Furthermore, animal models were established for validation.@*RESULTS@#In control group and 5, 10, 20 μmol/L baicalin group, the proliferation rate of SNK-6 cells was (56.17±2.96)%, (51.92±4.63)%, (36.42±1.58)%, and (14.60±2.81)%, respectively, while that of YTS cells was (58.85±2.98)%, (51.38±1.32)%, (34.75±1.09)%, and (15.45±1.10)%, respectively. In control group and 5, 10, 20 μmol/L baicalin group, the apoptosis rate of SNK-6 cells was (5.93±0.74)%, (11.78±0.34)%, (28.46±0.44)%, and (32.40±0.37)%, respectively, while that of YTS cells was (7.93±0.69)%, (16.29±1.35)%, (33.91±1.56)%, and (36.27±1.06)%, respectively. Compared with control group, the expression of BCL-2 protein both in SNK-6 and YTS cells decreased significantly (P<0.001), and the expression of Bax protein increased in SNK-6 cells only when the concentration of baicalin was 20 μmol/L (P<0.001), while that in YTS cells increased in all three concentrations(5, 10, 20 μmol/L) of baicalin (P<0.001). The expression of FOXO3 protein decreased while CCL22 protein increased in ENKTCL cell lines compared with human NK cells (P<0.001), but the expression of FOXO3 protein increased (P<0.01) and CCL22 protein decreased after baicalin treatment (P<0.001). Animal experiments showed that baicalin treatment could inhibit tumor growth. The expression of CCL22 protein in ENKTCL tissue of nude mice treated with baicalin decreased compared with control group (P<0.01), while the FOXO3 protein increased (P<0.05). In addition, FOXO3 silencing resulted in the decrease of FOXO3 protein expression and increase of CCL22 protein expression (P<0.01, P<0.001).@*CONCLUSION@#Baicalin can inhibit proliferation and promote apoptosis of ENKTCL cell lines SNK-6 and YTS, up-regulate the expression of Bax protein, down-regulate the expression of BCL-2 protein, and down-regulate the expression of CCL22 protein mediated by FOXO3. Animal experiment shown that the baicalin can inhibit tumor growth. Baicalin can inhibit the growth and induce apoptosis of ENKTCL cells through FOXO3/CCL22 signaling pathway.

Association of FOXO3 polymorphism (rs3800231) and clinical subphenotypes of beta thalassemic individuals

Abstract Introduction Studies have shown that the loss of the FOXO3 transcriptional function is involved in the pathophysiology of some chronic erythroid disorders, including beta-thalassemia (β-thal). Therefore, the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs3800231 (35-2764A > G) could contribute to alterations in its transcriptional activity, acting as a modifier of β-thal phenotypic manifestations. Objective and method In order to better understand the genotypic and/or allelic distributions among β-thal patients, we evaluated 83 β-thal heterozygous and 20 homozygous, compared to 117 individuals without hemoglobinopathies (control group). Additionally, we verified any influence of the FOXO3 polymorphism on clinical manifestations among β-thal homozygotes. Results We obtained higher frequencies of the wild-type homozygous (AA) and the wild-type allele (A) in the β-thal group (p< 0.0001 and p= 0.00014, respectively). The most common clinical manifestations found among β-thal homozygotes were iron overload (90%), splenomegaly (65%) and bone complications (35%), e.g., osteopenia/osteoporosis. We observed that close to 80% of the patients presenting such manifestations had the genotype AA. However, we did not find any significant involvement of the FOXO3 polymorphism in clinical manifestation occurrences. Conclusion Thus, we concluded that the SNP rs3800231 did not play a significant role as a modifier of the clinical manifestations observed in the β-thal homozygotes studied.

The Relationship between MicroRNA Expression Profiling in Imatinib-Resistant Cell Line K562/G and Potential Mechanism through FOXO3/Bcl-6 Signaling Pathway / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the drug resistant related FOXO3/Bcl-6 signaling pathway in K562/G cell line and its related microRNA(miRNA) mechanisms.@*METHODS@#The drug resistance potency of imatinib on K562/G was detected by MTT assay. The expression of FOXO3 and Bcl-6 proteins in K562 and K562/G cells was detected by Western blot. Real-time PCR (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of FOXO3 and Bcl-6 mRNA. The miRNA expression profiling in K562 and K562/G cells was analyzed by microarray technique, and the miRNA targeted to FOXO/Bcl-6 signaling pathway was identified.@*RESULTS@#The expression of FOXO3 and Bcl-6 protein was significantly increased in K562/G cells as compared with that in K562 cells (P<0.01), the expression level of Bcl-6 mRNA showed no increase in K562/G cells. However, FOXO3 mRNA was up-regulated in K562/G cells (P<0.05). MiRNA microarray results showed that 109 miRNAs were expressed differentially in K562 and K562/G cells. The expression of 81 miRNAs were up-regulated while 28 miRNAs were down-regulated. Through reverse prediction by bioinformatics, miR-6718-5p, miR-5195-5p, miR-4711-3p, miR-4763-5p, miR-4664-5p and miR-3176 were related to FOXO/Bcl-6 signaling pathway.@*CONCLUSION@#The FOXO3/Bcl-6 signaling pathway contributes to imatinib resistance in K562/G cell line, and the miRNA expression profiles showed significant differences between K562/G and K562 cells.

Effect of U2AF1 Mutation to Inflammatory Cytokine Expression in SKM-1 Cells through FOXO3a-Bim Signaling Pathway / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of U2AF1 gene mutation to inflammatory cytokine in SKM-1 cell of human myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and whether the above effects were mediated by FOXO3a-Bim signaling pathway.@*METHODS@#Wide-type U2AF1 and mutant U2AF1 (the serine residue 34 was replaced by phenylalanine, and named as S34F) recombinant expression plasmids were constructed. Lentiviruses were packaged and transfected into SKM-1 cells. The expression of FOXO3a was up-regulated by lentiviruses, and its transfection rate was investigated. The cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 method. Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis and cycle of the cells. The expression pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-4 were detected by qRT-PCR. FOXO3a, Bim, Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression levels were detected by Western blot.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the control group, the cell apoptosis rate, pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β and TNF-α transcription levels were significantly increased in the S34F group (P<0.05); cell cycle was blocked at the G@*CONCLUSION@#U2AF1 S34F mutation can regulate inflammatory phenotype in SKM-1 cells, which may be mediated through FOXO3a-Bim signaling pathway.

Effect of Huangqin Qingre Chubi Capsules containing serum on oxidative stress and protein expression of AMPK and FoxO3a in rheumatoid arthritis patients / 中国中药杂志

To study the effect of Huangqin Qingre Chubi Capsules containing serum on the protein expressions of AMPK and FoxO3 a in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA), in order to explore the mechanism of anti-oxidation. Peripheral anticoagulant was collected from patients and normal people. Monocytes(PBMC) were isolated through density gradient centrifugation, and the logarithmic phase cells were cultured. Drug containing serum was prepared through intragastric admini-stration to SD rats. The rats were divided into five groups, namely normal group, model group, AMPK blocker group(compound C 10 μmol·L~(-1)), medium-dose HQC+AMPK blocker group, and middle-dose HQC group. The cell inhibition rate was calculated by MTT method. The levels of IL-1β, IL-4, LPO, MDA, SOD and TAOC were detected by ELISA. The expressions of AMPK, p-AMPK, p-FoxO3 a and FoxO3 a were detected by Western blot. The HQC containing serum had an inhibitory effect on human monocytes in peripheral blood. The best concentration was observed in middle-dose HQC, and the best time was 24 hours. Middle-dose HQC group was better than model group, AMPK blocker group and middle-dose HQC + AMPK blocker group in terms of increase of SOD, p-AMPK, p-FoxO3 a and decrease of LPO. It was better than model group and AMPK blocker group in terms of increase of IL-4, TAOC, AMPK, FoxO3 a and decrease of IL-1β, MDA. The differences were statistically significant(P<0.05 or P<0.01). The HQC containing serum may increase the levels of TAOC and SOD, decrease the level of MDA and LPO, activate AMPK, directly phosphorylate FOXO3 a, enhance its transcriptional activity, and improve the state of oxidative stress in RA patients.

Effects of Polygonum cuspidatum on AMPK-FOXO3α Signaling Pathway in Rat Model of Uric Acid-Induced Renal Damage / 中国结合医学杂志

BACKGROUND@#To observe the effects of Chinese medicine (CM) Polygonum cuspidatum (PC) on adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), forkhead box O3α (FOXO3α), Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4), NACHT, LRR and PYD domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) expression in a rat model of uric acid-induced renal damage and to determine the molecular mechanism.@*METHODS@#A rat model of uric acid-induced renal damage was established, and rats were randomly divided into a model group, a positive drug group, and high-, medium-, and low-dose PC groups (n=12 per group). A normal group (n=6) was used as the control. Rats in the normal and model groups were administered distilled water (10 mL•kg) by intragastric infusion. Rats in the positive drug group and the high-, medium-, and low-dose PC groups were administered allopurinol (23.33 mg•kg), and 7.46, 3.73, or 1.87 g•kg•d PC by intragastric infusion, respectively for 6 to 8 weeks. After the intervention, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, and immunohistochemistry were used to detect AMPK, FOXO3α, TLR4, NLRP3, and MCP-1 mRNA and protein levels in renal tissue or serum.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the normal group, the mRNA transcription levels of AMPK and FOXO3α in the model group were significantly down-regulated, and protein levels of AMPKα1, pAMPKα1 and FOXO3α were significantly down-regulated at the 6th and 8th weeks (P<0.01 or P<0.05). The mRNA transcription and protein levels of TLR4, NLRP3 and MCP-1 were significantly up-regulated (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Compared with the model group, at the 6th week, the mRNA transcription levels of AMPK in the high- and medium-dose groups, and protein expression levels of AMPKα1, pAMPKα1 and FOXO3α in the high-dose PC group, AMPKα1 and pAMPKα1 in the mediumdose PC group, and pAMPKα1 in the low-dose PC group were significantly up-regulated (P<0.01 or P<0.05); the mRNA transcription and protein levels of TLR4 and NLRP3 in the 3 CM groups, and protein expression levels of MCP-1 in the medium- and low-dose PC groups were down-regulated (P<0.01 or P<0.05). At the 8th week, the mRNA transcription levels of AMPK in the high-dose PC group and FOXO3α in the medium-dose PC group, and protein levels of AMPKα1, pAMPKα1 and FOXO3α in the 3 CM groups were significantly up-regulated (P<0.01 or P<0.05); the mRNA transcription levels of TLR4 in the medium- and low-dose PC groups, NLRP3 in the high- and low-dose PC groups and MCP-1 in the medium- and low-dose PC groups, and protein expression levels of TLR4, NLRP3 and MCP-1 in the 3 CM groups were down-regulated (P<0.01 or P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#PC up-regulated the expression of AMPK and its downstream molecule FOXO3α and inhibited the biological activity of TLR4, NLRP3, and MCP-1, key signal molecules in the immunoinflammatory network pathway, which may be the molecular mechanism of PC to improve hyperuricemia-mediated immunoinflflammatory metabolic renal damage.

Inhibitory effect of Astragalus polysaccharide on osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats by regulating FoxO3a /Wnt signaling pathway

Abstract Purpose: To investigate inhibitory effect of Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) on osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats by regulating FoxO3a/Wnt2 signaling pathway. Methods: Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) animal model was developed by excising the bilateral ovaries of rats. The model rats were administered with APS (200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, 800 mg/kg) by intragastric administration once daily for 12 weeks. Bone density, bone metabolism index and oxidative stress index were measured in all groups. Furthermore, the regulation of APS of FoxO3a / Wnt2 signaling pathway was observed. Results: APS has an estrogen-like effect, which can increase bone mass, lower serum ALP and BGP values, increase blood calcium content, and increase bone density of the femur and vertebrae in rats. At the same time, APS can increase the bone mineral content of the femur, increase the maximum stress, maximum load and elastic modulus of the ovariectomized rats, improve oxidative stress in rats by increasing the gene expression of β-catenin and Wnt2 mRNA and inhibiting the gene expression of FoxO3a mRNA. Conclusion: Astragalus polysaccharide can effectively alleviate oxidative stress-mediated osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats, which may be related to its regulation of FoxO3a/Wnt2/β-catenin pathway.

Foxo3 gene expression and oxidative status in beta-thalassemia minor subjects

ABSTRACT Background: Oxidative stress may aggravate symptoms of hemolytic anemias such as beta-thalassemia. FoxO3 activation results in resistance to oxidative stress in fibroblasts and neuronal cell cultures. Objective: The purpose of this research was to study FoxO3 gene expression and oxidative status in beta-thalassemia minor individuals. Methods: Sixty-three subjects (42 apparently healthy individuals and 21 with beta-thalassemia minor) were analyzed at the Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Argentina, between September 2013 and June 2014. A complete blood count, hemoglobin electrophoresis in alkaline pH and hemoglobin A2 levels were quantified. Moreover, thiobarbituric acid reactive species, erythrocyte catalase activity and iron status were evaluated. Beta-thalassemia mutations were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. FoxO3 gene expression was investigated by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction using mononuclear cells from peripheral blood. Results: Subjects were grouped as children (≤12 years), and adult women and men. The analysis of erythrocyte catalase activity/hemoglobin ratio revealed a significant difference (p-value <0.05) between healthy and beta-thalassemia minor adults, but no significant difference was observed in the thiobarbituric acid reactive species levels and FoxO3 gene expression (p-value >0.05). Thiobarbituric acid reactive species and the erythrocyte catalase activity/hemoglobin ratio were not significantly different on comparing the type of beta-thalassemia mutation (β0 or β+) present in carriers. Conclusions: The lack of systemic oxidative imbalance demonstrated by thiobarbituric acid reactive species is correlated to the observation of normal FoxO3 gene expression in mononuclear cells of peripheral blood. However, an imbalanced antioxidant state was shown by the erythrocyte catalase activity/hemoglobin ratio in beta-thalassemia minor carriers. It would be necessary to study FoxO3 gene expression in reticulocytes to elucidate the role of FoxO3 in this pathology.

Expression of PH Domain Leucine-rich Repeat Protein Phosphatase, Forkhead Homeobox Type O 3a and RAD51, and their Relationships with Clinicopathologic Features and Prognosis in Ovarian Serous Adenocarcinoma / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Ovarian serous adenocarcinoma can be divided into low- and high-grade tumors, which exhibit substantial differences in pathogenesis, clinicopathology, and prognosis. This study aimed to investigate the differences in the PH domain leucine-rich repeat protein phosphatase (PHLPP), forkhead homeobox type O 3a (FoxO3a), and RAD51 protein expressions, and their associations with prognosis in patients with low- and high-grade ovarian serous adenocarcinomas.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The PHLPP, FoxO3a, and RAD51 protein expressions were examined in 94 high- and 26 low-grade ovarian serous adenocarcinomas by immunohistochemistry. The differences in expression and their relationships with pathological features and prognosis were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In high-grade serous adenocarcinomas, the positive rates of PHLPP and FoxO3a were 24.5% and 26.6%, while in low-grade tumors, they were 23.1% and 26.9%, respectively (P < 0.05 vs. the control specimens; low- vs. high-grade: P > 0.05). The positive rates of RAD51 were 70.2% and 65.4% in high- and low-grade serous adenocarcinomas, respectively (P < 0.05 vs. the control specimens; low- vs. high-grade: P > 0.05). Meanwhile, in high-grade tumors, Stage III/IV tumors and lymph node and omental metastases were significantly associated with lower PHLPP and FoxO3a and higher RAD51 expression. The 5-year survival rates of patients with PHLPP- and FoxO3a-positive high-grade tumors (43.5% and 36.0%) were significantly higher than in patients with PHLPP-negative tumors (5.6% and 7.2%, respectively; P< 0.05). Similarly, the 5-year survival rate of RAD51-positive patients (3.0%) was significantly lower than in negative patients (42.9%; P< 0.05). In low-grade tumors, the PHLPP, FoxO3a, and RAD51 expressions were not significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis, omental metastasis, Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage, or prognosis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Abnormal PHLPP, FoxO3a, and RAD51 protein expressions may be involved in the development of high- and low-grade ovarian serous adenocarcinomas, suggesting common molecular pathways. Decreased PHLPP and FoxO3a and increased RAD51 protein expression may be important molecular markers for poor prognosis, and RAD51 may be an independent prognosis factor, of high-grade, but not low-grade, ovarian serous adenocarcinomas.</p>

Role of c-Jun N-terminal kinase-mediated FOXO3a nuclear translocation in neuronal apoptosis in neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the mechanisms of neuroprotective effects of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/FOXO3a transcription factor signaling pathway inhibition on hypoxic-ischemic neuronal apoptosis in neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-four 7-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: hypoxia-ischemia (HI), sham-operated, JNK specific inhibitor AS601245-treated, and DMSO vehicle. Rats' cerebral cortexes were collected at 24 hours after HI. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of JNK, p-JNK, FOXO3a, nuclear and cytoplasmic FOXO3a, Bim, and CC3. TUNEL staining was used to detect the apoptotic cells.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the sham-operated group, p-JNK protein increased (P<0.01), nuclear protein of FOXO3a increased (P<0.01), cytoplasmic protein decreased (P<0.01), and pro-apoptotic proteins Bim and CC3 increased 24 hours after HI (P<0.01). Compared with the HI and DMSO vehicle groups, p-JNK protein was reduced (P<0.01), nuclear protein of FOXO3a was also reduced (P<0.01), cytoplasmic protein increased (P<0.01), and Bim and CC3 proteins decreased (P<0.01) in the AS601245-treated group 24 hours after HI. TUNEL positive cells were reduced in the AS601245-treated rats compared with the HI and DMSO vehicle groups 24 hours after HI (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>JNK activity increases in the neonatal rat brain with HI damage. JNK activity inhibition can inhibit FOXO3a translocation from cytoplasm to nucleus and downregulate the levels of pro-apoptotic proteins Bim and CC3, leading to the reduction of neuronal apoptosis.</p>

Effect of Foxo3a gene over-expression on the development of rat ovarian granulose cells and in prevention of cisplatin-induced ovarian damage in rats / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect of Foxo3a gene over-expression on the development of rat ovarian granulosa cells and in prevention of cisplatin-induced ovarian damage in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rat ovarian granulose cells released mechanically from the ovaries were cultured in vitro and identified with HE staining and immunohistochemical staining for FSHR. A recombinant adenovirus carrying Foxo3a gene was constructed for infecting the granulose cells, and the cell growth and expressions of cyclin D1, p27, Bax, and Bim were detected; the cell apoptosis and cell cycle changes were detected using Hoechst/PI 33342 staining and flow cytometry, respectively. The transfected cells were challenged with cisplatin and the cell apoptosis was detected with flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Over 90% of the cultured cells survived and contained more than 95% ovarian granulose cells. Infection of the cells with the recombinant adenovirus resulted in over-expressions of Foxo3a at the mRNA and protein levels at 36 h and 48 h after the infection, respectively. The infected cells showed suppressed proliferation, increased apoptotic rate and cell cycle arrest in G1 phase with increased expressions of Bim, p27, and cyclin D1 but without significant changes in Bax expression. Cisplatin exposure caused a significantly higher apoptosis rate in the infected cells than in the control cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Over-expression of Foxo3a gene can promote granulose cell apoptosis by increasing Bim expression and cause cell cycle arrest in G1 phase by increasing cyclin D1 and p27 expressions, but can not prevent the toxic effects of cisplatin on ovarian granulosa cells.</p>

Expression of Transcription Factor FOXO3a is Decreased in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Ulcerative colitis (UC) is associated with differential expression of genes involved in inflammation and tissue remodeling, including FOXO3a, which encodes a transcription factor known to promote inflammation in several tissues. However, FOXO3a expression in tissues affected by UC has not been examined. This study investigated the effects of FOXO3a on UC pathogenesis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>FOXO3a expression, in 23 patients with UC and in HT29 cells treated with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) for various durations, was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting analysis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to quantify interleukin (IL)-8 expression in FOXO3a-silenced HT29 cells treated with TNF-α for various durations.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The messenger RNA and protein expression of FOXO3a were significantly lower in UC tissues than those in normal subjects (P < 0.01). TNF-α treatment for 0, 0.5, 1, 6, and 24 h induced FOXO3 degradation in HT29 cells. FOXO3a silencing increased IL-8 levels in HT29 cells treated with TNF-α for 6 h (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>FOXO3a may play an important role in the intestinal inflammation of patients with UC.</p>

Protective effect of ginsenoside Rg1 again PC-12 cells in OGD injury through mTOR/Akt/FoxO3 signaling pathway / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the protective effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) in PC-12 cells, and preliminarily discuss the potential molecular mechanism of mTOR/Akt/FoxO3 signaling pathway.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The OGD PC-12 cell model was established. The cell viability was measured by MTT assay. After the pretreatment with Rg1 with the concentration of 10, 20, 40 micromol x L(-1) for 24 h, the cell viability was observed. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, superoxide dismutase (SOD) ac- tivity and malondialdehyde (MDA) level were detected by colorimetry assay. mTOR, p-Akt(ser473), p-Akt(tjr308), Akt, p-FoxO3, FoxO3 in cytoplasm and nucleus, and total FoxO3 protein expression were detected by Western blot assay.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>OGD could significantly in- hibit cell proliferation in 4-24 h in a time-dependent manner. After pretreatment for 24 h, Rg1 (20, 40 micromol x L(-1)) could notably elevate the cell viability and SOD viability and reduce the LDH release and MDA content. Besides, Rg1 also inhibited OGD-induced mTOR and p-Akt(ser473) decreases. After treatment for 6 h, OGD could reduce FoxO3 phosphorylation and promote FoxO3 in cytoplasm. This data suggested that Rg1 could protect PC-12 cell injury through mTOR/p-Akt/FoxO3 signaling pathway.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Ginsenoside Rg1 could attenuate OGD-induced PC-12 cell injury. Its action mechanism may be closely related to activation of mTOR/p-Akt/FoxO3 signaling pathway.</p>

Threonine 32 (Thr32) of FoxO3 is critical for TGF-β-induced apoptosis via Bim in hepatocarcinoma cells

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) exerts apoptotic effects on various types of malignant cells, including liver cancer cells. However, the precise mechanisms by which TGF-β induces apoptosis remain poorly known. In the present study, we have showed that threonine 32 (Thr32) residue of FoxO3 is critical for TGF-β to induce apoptosis via Bim in hepatocarcinoma Hep3B cells. Our data demonstrated that TGF-β induced FoxO3 activation through specific de-phosphorylation at Thr32. TGF-β-activated FoxO3 cooperated with Smad2/3 to mediate Bim up-regulation and apoptosis. FoxO3 (de)phosphorylation at Thr32 was regulated by casein kinase I-ε (CKI-ε). CKI inhibition by small molecule D4476 could abrogate TGF-β-induced FoxO/Smad activation, reverse Bim up-regulation, and block the sequential apoptosis. More importantly, the deregulated levels of CKI-ε and p32FoxO3 were found in human malignant liver tissues. Taken together, our findings suggest that there might be a CKI-FoxO/Smad-Bim engine in which Thr32 of FoxO3 is pivotal for TGF-β-induced apoptosis, making it a potential therapeutic target for liver cancer treatment.

Role of ERK/FoxO3a signal axis in inhibitory effect of vitexin 1 (VB-1) in HepG2 cell proliferation / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate whether the ERK/FoxO3a signal axis could induce the inhibitory effect of vitexin 1 (VB-1) in HepG2 cell proliferation.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The MTT method was adopted to observe the effect of different concentrations of VB-1 on human hepatoma carcinoma cell line HepG2 and immortalized human embryo liver cell line L-02. The cell growth was assessed by the clone formation assay. The protein phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2 and FoxO3a were measured by the western blot.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>VB-1 inhibited the viability of HepG2 cell line in a concentration-dependent manner, with a weak effect on L-02 cell line. VB-1 could effectively inhibit the anchorage-dependent growth of HepG2 cells, and reduce the expression levels of pERK1/2 and pFoxO3a in a concentration-dependent manner. MEK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 could enhance VB-1' s effect in inhibiting HepG2 cell proliferation and ERK1/2, FoxO3a phosphorylation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>VB-1 inhibits the proliferative activity of hepatoma carcinoma cell line HepG2 by blocking the ERK/FoxO3a signal axis.</p>

Recent advances in the study of AMPK and inflammatory pulmonary disease / 药学学报

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an important regulator of cellular energy homeostasis. Recent studies demonstrated that AMPK is a novel signaling molecule modulating inflammatory responses and oxidative stress which are involved in inflammatory pulmonary diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary infectious diseases and pulmonary fibrosis. AMPK attenuates inflammatory lung injury by phosphorylating its downstream targets, such as sirtuin1 (SIRT1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1alpha), p53 and forkhead box O3a (FoxO3a). This review summarized the relationship between AMPK and the development of inflammatory pulmonary diseases.

Involvement of Toll-like receptor 4 in apoptosis of hippocampal neurons through Akt/FoxO3a/Bim signaling pathways / 生理学报

The present study was to investigate whether Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-mediated Akt/FoxO3a/Bim signaling pathway participated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced apoptosis in hippocampal neurons. The primarily cultured rat hippocampal neurons were treated with LPS, TLR4 antibody+LPS, and LY294002+LPS, respectively. Cell vitality was assayed by CCK-8. Expressions of p-Akt, Akt, p-FoxO3a, FoxO3a, Bim and active-Caspase-3 of each group were detected by Western blot analysis; the mRNA expression of Bim was detected by real-time quantitative PCR; FoxO3a nuclear translocation was detected by fluorescence microscope. The rate of cell apoptosis was assayed by flow cytometry. The results showed that cell vitality of hippocampal neurons decreased after being treated with LPS in a time-dependent way. Compared with the control group, the expressions of p-Akt and p-FoxO3a decreased significantly, FoxO3a translocated into the nucleus, meanwhile, the expression of Bim and active-Caspase-3, and the apoptotic ratio of hippocampal neurons increased in LPS treated neurons. Pretreatment with TLR4 antibody significantly blocked, while PI3K antagonist LY294002 further strengthened these changes induced by LPS. In conclusion, the present study suggests that Akt/FoxO3a/Bim signaling pathways mediated by TLR4 participate in the apoptotic processes of primarily cultured hippocampal neurons treated with LPS, and the activation of TLR4 causes neuronal apoptosis.

miRNA-155 modulates the malignant biological characteristics of NK/T-cell lymphoma cells by targeting FOXO3a gene / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

This study investigated the effects of miRNA-155 on malignant biological characteristics of NK/T-cell lymphoma cell lines and the possible mechanism. The expression of miRNA-155 was detected in lymphoma cell lines from different sources (SNK-6, YTS, Jurkat and DOHH2) by real-time PCR. Lentiviral vectors (pLL3.7) that could overexpress or downexpress miRNA-155 were constructed. Recombinant lentiviral particles were prepared and purified, and their titers determined. The expression of miRNA-155 in the infected SNK-6 cells and the cell proliferation were detected by PCR and CCK-8, respectively. Flow cytometry was used to determine the apoptosis of infected SNK-6 cells. The target of miRNA155 was predicted from Targetscan website. The effect of miRNA155 on FOXO3a expression was examined by Western blotting. The results showed that among the human NK/T-cell lymphoma cell lines SNK-6, YTS, Jurkat and DOHH2, the expression of miRNA-155 was highest in SNK-6. The infection efficiency of the recombinant lentivirus in SNK-6 was more than 70% at multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 100. The expression of miRNA-155 was significantly increased in SNK-6 cells infected by lentivirus vectors with high expression of miRNA-155 (4 times higher than the control group), and profoundly decreased in those infected with lentiviruses with low expression of miRNA-155. The proliferation of letivirus-infected SNK-6 cells was decreased as the expression of miRNA-155 reduced. The apoptosis rate was increased with the reduction in the expression of miRNA-155. FOXO3a was found to be a possible target of miRNA155, as suggested by Targetscan website. Western blotting showed that the expression of FOXO3a was significantly elevated in SNK-6 cells with miRNA-155 inhibition. It was concluded that reduction in miRNA-155 expression can inhibit the proliferation of SNK-6 lymphoma cells and promote their apoptosis, which may be associated with regulation of FOXO3a gene.

Effects of Sam68 gene silencing on proliferation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line 5-8F and its possible molecular mechanism / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of Sam68 gene silencing on proliferation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell line 5-8F and explore its possible molecular mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The NPC cell line 5-8F was transfected with a small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting Sam68 and the cell proliferation changes were observed. Quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to examine the changes in the expressions of Sam68, cell cycle-related proteins, and some up-stream proteins in the transfected cells.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Transfection of 5-8F cells with Sam68-specific siRNA significantly lowered the mRNA and proteins levels of Sam68, suppressed cell proliferation, decreased the expression of Cyclin D1, and increased the expression of p27. The transfected cells showed obviously decreased expressions of p-FOXO3a, p-Akt and p-GSK-3β, but the expressions of FOXO3a, Akt and GSK-3β were not obviously affected.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Sam68 modulates the proliferation of NPC cells probably by activating Akt/FOXO3a pathway and regulating the cell proliferation-related molecules.</p>