ABSTRACT
Activation of antiapoptotic genes has been indicated as one of the factors that contributes to hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection-induced liver cancer. The cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein 2 (cIAP2), a member of the IAP family, is upregulated in various types of cancer and serves as a potential treatment target. However, to the best of our knowledge, the importance of cIAP2 in HBV-induced liver cancer has not been investigated. In the present study, cIAP2 expression in liver cells in response to HBV infection and the underlying mechanism involved was investigated. Western blot analysis of clinical liver samples showed that higher cIAP2 expression was detected in HBV-positive non-cancerous tissue compared with that in HBV-negative non-cancerous tissue, and the expression was further increased in HBV-positive liver cancer tissue. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blot experiments performed on two liver cell lines also confirmed that cIAP2 expression was increased upon HBV infection at both the mRNA and protein levels. Promoter analysis revealed that HBV could activate cIAP2 promoter in an infection dose-dependent manner, and this activation involved a NF-κB-binding site in the cIAP2 promoter. Further analysis demonstrated that HBV enhanced NF-κB phosphorylation and nuclear translocation via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, leading to the binding and activation of cIAP2 promoter. The present data demonstrates that HBV-infection induces cIAP2 expression in the liver by activation of the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway through promoting the binding of NF-κB to cIAP2 promoter, which may lead to carcinogenesis. The findings from the present study provide more information for understanding HBV-induced liver cancer and also offer a potential target for treatment or diagnosis of this disease.
ABSTRACT
This study evaluated the effects of polysaccharides from Spirulina platensis (PSP) on endurance during treadmill exercise; levels of some biochemical indicators including hemoglobin (Hb), lactic acid (LA), creatine kinase (CK), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN); concentrations of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT); and expressions of second isoforms of tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH2) and serotonergic type 1B inhibitory autoreceptor (5-HT1B) in the caudate putamen of exercising rats. Sixty Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into six groups: control group, exercise group, exercise and PSP (50, 100, or 200 mg kg-1)-treated groups, and exercise and caffeine (10 mg kg-1)-treated group (positive control). In the exercise groups, rats were put on a treadmill and forced to run for 30 min once a day for 6 consecutive days. On the 7th day of the experiment, time to exhaustion during the treadmill exercise was determined for the trained groups. Immediately after determination of the exhaustion time, all rats were sacrificed. Levels of Hb and LA were tested by the HiCN (Hemoglobin ferricyanide) colorimetry method and a colorimetric assay, respectively. Levels of CK and BUN were determined by automatic biochemical analyzer. 5-HT concentrations were detected by HPLC analysis. TPH2 and 5-HT1B expressions were measured by western blotting and real-time PCR. The results demonstrated that PSP prolonged the time to exhaustion during the treadmill exercise; increased Hb levels; decreased LA, BUN, and CK levels in the blood; suppressed the exercise-induced increase of 5-HT concentrations and TPH2 expression; and prevented the exercise-induced decrease of 5-HT1B expression in the caudate putamen. The most potent effects were observed at the PSP dose of 200 mg kg-1. These results suggest that the mechanism of promotion of physical performance by PSP might be related to increase in Hb levels; decrease in LA, BUN, and CK levels in the blood; inhibition of the exercise-induced 5-HT and TPH2 expressions; and the increase in the 5-HT1B expression in the caudate putamen of exercised rats.