低氧及一氧化氮对SW480细胞缺氧诱导因子-1α、VEGF及iNOS 表达的初步研究

目的：观察一氧化氮(NO)对低氧培养的人结肠腺癌细胞株SW480中缺氧诱导因子-1α（HIF-1α）、血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）、诱导型一氧化氮合酶（iNOS）表达的影响。方法： 运用免疫细胞化学检测HIF-1α、VEGF、iNOS蛋白表达，Western blot检测HIF-1α蛋白表达。原位杂交法检测HIF-1α mRNA表达。结果： 免疫细胞化学染色图像分析结果显示：低氧组细胞HIF-1α、VEGF和iNOS蛋白表达水平显著高于常氧组(P<0.01，P<0.01，P<0.05)和低氧＋genistein（三羟基异黄酮）组（P<0.01，P<0.05，P<0.05）。低氧条件下，SNP（硝普钠）显著抑制HIF-1α、VEGF蛋白的表达,但对iNOS表达无明显影响；NOC5（NO发生剂）诱导HIF-1α、VEGF、iNOS蛋白的表达；NO抑制剂L-NAME(N-硝基精氨酸甲酯)则抑制3者的表达。 Western blot结果显示：低氧培养条件下，HIF-1α呈强表达，给予genistein能显著抑制其表达；而给予SNP和L-NAME后，蛋白表达量减少，给予NOC5，则蛋白表达增强。原位杂交结果显示：常氧组、低氧组及低氧＋genistein组、低氧＋SNP组、低氧＋NOC5组、低氧＋L-NAME组HIF-1α mRNA表达A值组间均无显著差异。结论： 低氧诱导SW480细胞HIF-1α蛋白表达量增高，从而上调VEGF和iNOS表达。低氧条件下，NO供体SNP抑制SW480细胞HIF-1α蛋白及VEGF表达，而另一种供体NOC5则促进HIF-1α表达，两种供体对HIF-1表达的影响可能存在不同的机制。     

Hypoxic inactivation of glycogen synthase kinase‐3β promotes gastric tumor growth and angiogenesis by facilitating hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1 signaling

Since the molecular mechanism of hypoxic adaptation in cancer cells is cell‐type specific, we investigated whether glycogen synthase kinase‐3β (GSK‐3β) activation is involved in hypoxia‐induced gastric tumor promotion. Stable gastric cancer cell lines (SNU‐638, SNU‐484, MKN1, and MKN45) were cultured under hypoxic conditions. Cells overexpressing wild‐type GSK‐3β (WT‐GSK‐3β) or kinase‐dead mutant of GSK‐3β (KD‐GSK‐3β) were generated and used for cell culture and animal studies. In cell culture experiments, hypoxia decreased GSK‐3β activation in gastric cancer cells. Cell viability and the expressions of HIF‐1α protein and VEGF mRNA in gastric cancer cells were higher in KD‐GSK‐3β transfectants than in WT‐GSK‐3β transfectants under hypoxic conditions, but not under normoxic conditions. Gastric cancer xenografts showed that tumor growth, microvessel area, HIF‐1α activation, and VEGF expression were higher in KD‐GSK‐3β tumors than in WT‐GSK‐3β tumors in vivo. In addition, the expression of hypoxia‐induced HIF‐1α protein was regulated by GSK‐3β at the translational level. Our data suggest that GSK‐3β is involved in hypoxic adaptation of gastric cancer cells as an inhibitory upstream regulator of the HIF‐1α/VEGF signaling pathway.     

RNA干扰沉默HIF-1α基因对宫颈癌HeLa细胞定植和侵袭的影响

目的探讨HIF-1α基因短发夹干扰RNA(shRNA)低氧条件下对宫颈癌HeLa细胞定植和侵袭能力的作用。方法针对HIF-1α基因设计并合成2条寡聚DNA片段,退火后将其克隆入pSilencer2.1-U6-neo质粒中,构建shRNA真核表达质粒,脂质体转染人宫颈癌细胞株HeLa细胞。低氧培养后,应用Western blot和定量PCR法检测HIF-1α蛋白及mRNA表达水平;用软琼脂克隆形成实验和体外侵袭实验检测HeLa细胞的定植和侵袭能力。结果成功构建的HIF-1αshRNA真核表达载体转染宫颈癌HeLa细胞,低氧条件下HeLa细胞的HIF-1α蛋白及mRNA表达下降;同时细胞在软琼脂中克隆形成数和穿透Matrigel膜的细胞数减少。结论HIF-1α的shRNA真核表达载体在低氧条件下可抑制宫颈癌细胞的定植和侵袭能力。     

低氧诱导因子-1对人乳腺癌细细胞系侵袭和转移能力的影响

目的 探讨低氧诱导因子(HIF)-1对人乳腺癌细胞系侵袭和转移能力的影响.方法 对正常氧和低氧培养的细胞,采用Western blot检测细胞HIF-1α、磷酸化波形蛋白和tubulin蛋白的表达;采用小干扰RNA(siRNA)干扰MDA-MB-231和SK-BR-3细胞的HIF-1α蛋白表达;穿膜侵袭和划痕修复实验检测干扰细胞的侵袭和迁移能力.结果 多种乳腺癌细胞系均有HIF-1α蛋白的基础和低氧诱导表达,以高侵袭转移能力的细胞系MDA-MB-231表达最强;经siRNA干扰HIF-1α后,细胞的侵袭和迁移能力随之明显减弱,磷酸化波形蛋白表达降低.结论 HlF-1促进乳腺癌细胞系的侵袭和迁移,可能成为抗肿瘤转移治疗的靶点.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate HIF-1 α gene expression in human breast cancer cells and the role of HIF-i in tumor metastasis and invasion. Methods Human breast cancer cell lines were cultured under normoxic or hypoxic conditions. Western blot was used to evaluate the protein expression of HIF-1α,p-vimentin and α-tubulin. Small interfering RNA targeting HIF-1α was used to block the expression of HIF1α in MDA-MB-231 and SK-BR-3 cell lines. Matrigel transwell and cell wound healing assays were used to detect the capability of cellular invasion and migration, respectively. Results Under normoxic condition,all the cell lines tested showed a base-level of HIF-1αt expression. The highest expression level of HIF-1αprotein was obtained in the MDA-MB-231 cell line, which is also noticed to be highly invasive and migratory in behavior. HIF-1α siRNA was capable of blocking the protein expression of both HIF-1α and p-vimentin and in addition, the attenuated ability of invasion and migration. Conclusion Since HIF-1 is able to promote invasion and metastasis of tumor cells, which may be considered as a target in anti-cancer therapy.     

mTOR activates hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and inhibits neuronal apoptosis in the developing rat brain during the early phase after hypoxia-ischemia

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) exerts neuroprotective effects under hypoxic or ischemic conditions. To explore whether mTOR participates in neuroprotective signaling through regulation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and neuronal apoptosis in developing rat brain with hypoxia-ischemia (HI), we operated on postnatal day 10 rats by ligating the common carotid artery followed by exposure to systemic hypoxia. Brains were collected at various intervals to detect the expression of mTOR, phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR), HIF-1α, VEGF and cleaved caspase 3 (CC3), using immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. We also used terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-nick end labeling (TUNEL) to detect neuronal apoptosis. The p-mTOR protein expression increased at 2 h after HI, peaked at 8 h, lasted 24 h, and then dropped to the basal level. Also, the expression of HIF-1α and VEGF was significantly enhanced and peaked at 8 h after HI. Up-regulated expression of CC3 was observed at 2 h, peaked at 24 h, and lasted 72 h after HI. Increased neuronal apoptosis is associated with reduced HIF-1α and VEGF expression. Furthermore, pretreatment with rapamycin, a mTOR specific inhibitor, significantly inhibited HIF-1α and VEGF protein after HI. The expression of CC3 and the number of TUNEL-positive cells were up-regulated at 8 h and down-regulated at 24 h after HI in the rapamycin-treated group. Our findings suggest that mTOR may participate in the regulation of HIF-1α, VEGF and neuronal apoptosis, serving neuroprotective functions after HI in developing rat brain.     

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha regulates prion protein expression to protect against neuron cell damage

The human prion protein fragment, PrP (106-126), may contain a majority of the pathological features associated with the infectious scrapie isoform of PrP, known as PrP(Sc). Based on our previous findings that hypoxia protects neuronal cells from PrP (106-126)-induced apoptosis and increases cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) expression, we hypothesized that hypoxia-related genes, including hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α), may regulate PrP(C) expression and that these genes may be involved in prion-related neurodegenerative diseases. Hypoxic conditions are known to elicit cellular responses designed to improve cell survival through adaptive processes. Under normoxic conditions, a deferoxamine-mediated elevation of HIF-1α produced the same effect as hypoxia-inhibited neuron cell death. However, under hypoxic conditions, doxorubicin-suppressed HIF-1α attenuated the inhibitory effect on neuron cell death mediated by PrP (106-126). Knock-down of HIF-1α using lentiviral short hairpin (sh) RNA-induced downregulation of PrP(C) mRNA and protein expression under hypoxic conditions, and sensitized neuron cells to prion peptide-mediated cell death even in hypoxic conditions. In PrP(C) knockout hippocampal neuron cells, hypoxia increased the HIF-1α protein but the cells did not display the inhibitory effect of prion peptide-induced neuron cell death. Adenoviruses expressing the full length Prnp gene (Ad-Prnp) were utilized for overexpression of the Prnp gene in PrP(C) knockout hippocampal neuron cells. Adenoviral transfection of PrP(C) knockout cells with Prnp resulted in the inhibition of prion peptide-mediated cell death in these cells. This is the first report demonstrating that expression of normal PrP(C) is regulated by HIF-1α, and PrP(C) overexpression induced by hypoxia plays a pivotal role in hypoxic inhibition of prion peptide-induced neuron cell death. These results suggest that hypoxia-related genes, including HIF-1α, may be involved in the pathogenesis of prion-related diseases and as such may be a therapeutic target for prion-related neurodegenerative diseases.     

HSP90对低氧诱导因子的调节作用

低氧诱导因子（hypoxia-inducible factor 1,HIF-1）是一种调节细胞和机体氧稳态的转录因子。在低氧时，HIF-1蛋白得以稳定，并活化一系列基因如促红细胞生成素、血管内皮生长因子、糖酵解酶等来增强细胞供能供氧能力，促使细胞在低氧环境下存活或增殖。在这一过程中，热休克蛋白90（heat shock protein 90, HSP90）对HIF-1起着重要的调节作用，它能与活化蛋白激酶C受体竞争结合HIF-1α，使其免于非氧依赖方式的降解从而维持其稳定，并影响低氧时HIF-1α的核转位、与HIF-1β的异二聚化及转录活性等。此外，HIF-1也能通过增强热休克因子的转录水平来上调热休克蛋白家族，进而加强自身的稳定。     

Basic FGF augments hypoxia induced HIF-1-alpha expression and VEGF release in T47D breast cancer cells

AIM: Both hypoxia inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) play important roles in tumour angiogenesis. This study was designed to clarify the cooperative effect of these two mediators in induction of vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) release from breast cancer and probe possible mechanisms involved. METHODS: Release of VEGF from a breast cancer cell line (T47D) was quantitated by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Expression of HIF-1 and ERK was assayed using Western blotting. Transient transfection and dual luciferase reporter assay were used to study HIF-1 transactivity. RESULTS: The data showed that hypoxia induced the expression of HIF-1alpha protein, the transactivity of HIF-1 and the release of VEGF. bFGF further augmented these hypoxic inductions. The PI3K pathway was required for these processes as demonstrated by application of PI3Kinase inhibitor (LY294002) or mutant construct transfections. In contrast, the MEK1 inhibitor PD98059 showed no effect on either activation of HIF-1 or VEGF release, which is in agreement with our finding that ERK1/2 was not activated by hypoxia. Under hypoxic conditions, bFGF activated the MEK1/ERK pathway. PD98059 blocked the activation of ERK1/2 and suppressed bFGF-induced HIF-1 transactivity, yet the protein expression of HIF-1alpha or VEGF release was not affected by PD98059. CONCLUSION: bFGF augments hypoxia induced VEGF release mainly through the PI3K pathway and partly depending on HIF-1 activity. Elucidation of this mechanism may provide a new target for anti-angiogenesis in cancer therapy.     

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α is essential for hypoxia-induced mesenchymal stem cell mobilization into the peripheral blood

Mobilization of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is a promising strategy for tissue repair and regenerative medicine. The establishment of an appropriate animal model and clarification of the underlying mechanisms are beneficial to develop the mobilization regimens for therapeutic use. In this study, we therefore established a rat MSC mobilization model and investigated the related mechanisms, using continuous hypoxia as the mobilizing stimulus. We found that MSCs could be mobilized into peripheral blood of rats exposed to short-term hypoxia (2 days) and the mobilization efficiency increased in a time-dependent manner (2-14 days). Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) was upregulated during hypoxic exposure and was expressed continuously in bone marrow. Inhibition of HIF-1α expression by YC-1 remarkably reduced the number of mobilized MSCs, suggesting that HIF-1α is essential for hypoxia-induced MSC mobilization. Further, we investigated the potential role of HIF-1α target genes, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α). VEGF expression was elevated from day 2 to day 7 of hypoxia, stimulating an increase in bone marrow sinusoidal vessels and possibly facilitating the egress of MSCs. SDF-1α protein levels were increased in the peripheral blood of rats during MSC mobilization and promoted the migration of MSCs under hypoxic conditions in vitro. These results suggest that HIF-1α plays a pivotal role in hypoxia-induced MSC mobilization, possibly acting via its downstream genes VEGF and SDF-1α. These data provide a novel insight into the mechanisms responsible for MSC mobilization and may help in the development of clinically useful therapeutic agents.     

通心络通过PI-3K/Akt/HIF信号通路改善血管内皮细胞缺氧损伤

目的: 观察通心络对缺氧血管内皮细胞中缺氧诱导因子(HIF)及其上游信号转导通路PI-3K/Akt的影响,探讨PI-3K/Akt/HIF信号通路在通心络改善血管内皮细胞抗缺氧损伤中的作用。方法: 将体外培养的人脐静脉血管内皮细胞(HUVECs)分为常氧对照组、通心络组、缺氧组和缺氧+通心络组。采用CCK-8试剂盒检测各组细胞的活性,Western blotting 检测HIF-1α、Bcl-2、Mcl-1、Bax表达变化及Akt的磷酸化情况。利用HIF-1α的显性负性突变体(DN-HIF)瞬时转染HUVECs,流式细胞仪分析细胞的凋亡情况。利用PI-3K和Akt的显性负性突变体瞬时转染HUVECs,探讨PI-3K/Akt信号通路在通心络改善血管内皮细胞抗缺氧损伤中的作用。结果: 与常氧条件下比较,通心络对缺氧内皮细胞虽有明显的促增殖作用,但程度明显减弱。通心络可显著上调HIF-1α、Bcl-2、Mcl-1蛋白表达水平及Akt磷酸化水平,且下调Bax的表达。利用DN-HIF抑制HIF-1α的活化后,通心络提高缺氧HUVECs活性的程度明显下降,但仍可一定程度上降低细胞凋亡百分率。进一步利用PI-3K显性负性突变体(Δp85)和Akt显性负性突变体(DN-Akt)阻断HIF-1α上游信号通路PI-3K/Akt后,通心络上调缺氧HUVECs HIF-1α蛋白表达的作用明显减弱,促进Akt磷酸化的作用基本消失。结论: 在缺氧条件下,通心络上调HUVECs HIF-1α蛋白表达水平,促进抗凋亡因子同时抑制促凋亡因子的表达,降低细胞凋亡率,从而提高缺氧细胞的增殖率,这些作用在一定程度上依赖于PI-3K/Akt/HIF通路的活性。     

低氧诱导因子1在低氧致肺动脉平滑肌细胞增殖中的作用

目的: 探讨低氧对肺动脉平滑肌细胞(PASMC)增殖和凋亡的影响,以及HIF-1α、P-ERK1/2、iNOS蛋白表达变化在其中的作用与意义。方法: 体外培养大鼠PASMC，设计常氧组、低氧组及ADM、L-NAME、PD98059干预组，用MTT比色法和PCNA的免疫组化法测定细胞增殖反应，用流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡，用Western blotting法检测HIF-1α、P-ERK1/2、iNOS的蛋白表达。结果: （1）低氧24 h组的A值明显高于常氧组(P<0.01)，而PD98059及ADM干预组明显低于低氧组(P<0.01)， L-NAME干预组明显高于低氧组和常氧组(P<0.01)。（2）免疫组化表明，低氧24 h组呈阳性表达(P<0.01)。PD98059、ADM抑制了PCNA的表达(P<0.01)， L-NAME促进了PCNA的表达(P<0.01)。（3）各组在低氧培养24 h后，凋亡指数差异无显著(均P＞0.05)。（4）Western blotting表明常氧组少量HIF-1α、iNOS、 P-ERK1/2表达，低氧4 h后均表达增高(P<0.01),8 h仍维持在高峰(P<0.01)，而HIF-1α、P-ERK1/2在低氧24 h后表达下调。L-NAME促进了HIF-1α表达(P<0.01),PD98059部分抑制了HIF-1α、iNOS及P-ERK1/2表达(P<0.01)；ADM部分抑制了HIF-1α表达，促进iNOS表达(P<0.01)。结论: 低氧能促进肺动脉平滑肌细胞增殖，对细胞的凋亡无影响；HIF-1在低氧诱导肺动脉平滑肌细胞增殖中起重要作用。     

Experimental hypoxia and embryonic angiogenesis.

We examined the role of hypoxia and HIF factors in embryonic angiogenesis and correlated the degree of hypoxia with the level of HIF and VEGF expression and blood vessel formation. Quail eggs were incubated in normoxic and hypoxic (16% O(2)) conditions. Tissue hypoxia marker, pimonidazol hydrochloride, was applied in vivo for 1 hr and detected in sections with Hypoxyprobe-1 Ab. VEGF and HIF expression was detected by in situ hybridization. HIF-1alpha protein was detected in sections and by Western blot. Endothelial cells were visualized with QH-1 antibody. Hypoxic regions were detected even in normoxic control embryos, mainly in brain, neural tube, branchial arches, limb primordia, and mesonephros. The expression patterns of HIF-1alpha and HIF-1beta factors followed, in general, the Hypoxyprobe-1 marked regions. HIF-2alpha was predominantly expressed in endothelial cells. Diffuse VEGF expression was detected in hypoxic areas of neural tube, myocardium, digestive tube, and most prominently in mesonephros. Growing capillaries were directed to areas of VEGF positivity. Hypoxic regions in hypoxic embryos were larger and stained more intensely. VEGF and HIF-1 factors were proportionately elevated in Hypoxyprobe-1 marked regions without being expressed at new sites and were followed by increased angiogenesis. Our results demonstrate that normal embryonic vascular development involves the HIF-VEGF regulatory cascade. Experimentally increasing the level of hypoxia to a moderate level resulted in over-expression of HIF-1 factors and VEGF followed by an increase in the density of developing vessels. These data indicate that embryonic angiogenesis is responsive to environmental oxygen tension and, therefore, is not entirely genetically controlled.     

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 and VEGF upregulate CXCR4 in glioblastoma: implications for angiogenesis and glioma cell invasion

Hypoxia and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) play a critical role in glioblastoma multiforme (GBMs). CXCR4 is involved in angiogenesis and is upregulated by HIF-1alpha. CXCR4 is a chemokine receptor for stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1)alpha, also known as CXCL12. We hypothesized that CXCR4 would be upregulated by hypoxia in GBMs. First, we investigated the expression of HIF-1alpha and CXCR4 in GBMs. CXCR4 was consistently found colocalized with HIF-1alpha expression in pseudopalisading glioma cells around areas of necrosis. In addition, angiogenic tumor vessels were strongly positive for CXCR4. Next, we tested the in vitro effect of hypoxia and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on the expression of CXCR4 in glioma cell lines and in human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs). Exposure to hypoxia induced significant expression of CXCR4 and HIF-1alpha in glioma cells, whereas treatment with exogenous VEGF increased CXCR4 expression in HBMECs. We also transfected U87MG glioma cells with an HIF-1alpha construct and observed that CXCR4 was upregulated in these cells even in normoxic conditions. We then used a lentivirus-mediated shRNA expression vector directed against HIF-1alpha. When exposed to hypoxia, infected cells failed to show HIF-1alpha and CXCR4 upregulation. We performed migration assays under normoxic and hypoxic conditions in the presence or absence of AMD3100, a CXCR4 inhibitor. There was a significant increase in the migration of U87MG and LN308 glioma cells in hypoxic conditions, which was inhibited in the presence of AMD3100. These studies demonstrate the critical role played by hypoxia and CXCR4 in glioma cell migration. Based on these studies, we suggest that hypoxia regulates CXCR4 in GBMs at two levels. First, through HIF-1alpha in the pseudopalisading tumor cells themselves and, secondly, by the VEGF-stimulated angiogenic response in HBMECs. We believe this knowledge may lead to a potentially important two-pronged therapy against GBM progression using chemotherapy targeting CXCR4.     

Delivery of dimethyloxallyl glycine in mesoporous bioactive glass scaffolds to improve angiogenesis and osteogenesis of human bone marrow stromal cells

Development of hypoxia-mimicking bone tissue engineering scaffolds is of great importance in stimulating angiogenesis for bone regeneration. Dimethyloxallyl glycine (DMOG) is a cell-permeable, competitive inhibitor of hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase (HIF-PH), which can stabilize hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) expression. The aim of this study was to develop hypoxia-mimicking scaffolds by delivering DMOG in mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG) scaffolds and to investigate whether the delivery of DMOG could induce a hypoxic microenvironment for human bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSC). MBG scaffolds with varied mesoporous structures (e.g. surface area and mesopore volume) were prepared by controlling the contents of mesopore-template agent. The composition, large-pore microstructure and mesoporous properties of MBG scaffolds were characterized. The effect of mesoporous properties on the loading and release of DMOG in MBG scaffolds was investigated. The effects of DMOG delivery on the cell morphology, cell viability, HIF-1α stabilization, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion and bone-related gene expression (alkaline phosphatase, ALP; osteocalcin, OCN; and osteopontin, OPN) of hBMSC in MBG scaffolds were systematically investigated. The results showed that the loading and release of DMOG in MBG scaffolds can be efficiently controlled by regulating their mesoporous properties via the addition of different contents of mesopore-template agent. DMOG delivery in MBG scaffolds had no cytotoxic effect on the viability of hBMSC. DMOG delivery significantly induced HIF-1α stabilization, VEGF secretion and bone-related gene expression of hBMSC in MBG scaffolds in which DMOG counteracted the effect of HIF-PH and stabilized HIF-1α expression under normoxic condition. Furthermore, it was found that MBG scaffolds with slow DMOG release significantly enhanced the expression of bone-related genes more than those with instant DMOG release. The results suggest that the controllable delivery of DMOG in MBG scaffolds can mimic a hypoxic microenvironment, which not only improves the angiogenic capacity of hBMSC, but also enhances their osteogenic differentiation.