High level of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 predicts poor prognosis in resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3) is a key mediator bridging autophagy, apoptosis and differentiation. However, its role and clinical significance in resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is still scanty. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of LC3 by immunohistochemistry in a group of patients with ESCC treated with surgical resection. Tissue microarray that included 253 surgically resected ESCC specimens was successfully generated for immunohistochemical evaluation. The clinical/prognostic significance of LC3 expression was analyzed statistically. The association of LC3 expression with the ESCC survival rate was assessed by Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional-hazards regression. The results showed that the immunostaining of LC3 was distributed in cytoplasm and plasma-membrane. Significantly high LC3 expression was found in ESCC cells compared with that of normal esophageal epithelial cells. Patients with low expression of LC3 demonstrated higher overall survival compared with those with high expression of LC3 (mean of 71.1 months versus 55.5 months, P = 0.022). A similar result was observed for disease-free survival (mean of 68.7 months versus 51.8 months, P = 0.021). In subgroup analysis, LC3 expression could stratify pN0 patients with ESCC. Multivariate analysis showed that the level of LC3 expression was an independent prognostic factor in ESCC (RR = 1.407, P = 0.049). This paper shows high level of LC3 suggests poor prognosis for resectable ESCC patients.     

CD168 对口腔鳞状细胞癌增殖、 侵袭的作用机制研究

目的 探究 CD168 对口腔鳞状细胞癌增殖、 侵袭的作用机制。 方法 比较人正常口腔角质细胞 系 HOK 与不同口腔鳞癌细胞株间 CD168 表达差异, 选择 HN13 细胞株作为研究对象, 感染慢病毒 shRNA 载体后, 实时荧光定量 PCR (RT-qPCR) 和 Western 印迹法检测 CD168 基因和蛋白表达检测干预效果, CCK-8 法检测细胞增殖情况, 流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡率, Transwell 试验检测细胞侵袭情况, Western 印迹 检测细胞增殖、 凋亡、 侵袭以及 CXCL12-CXCR4 / CXCR7 信号轴相关蛋白表达。 结果 选择 HN13 细胞和 CD168-shRNA2 慢病毒载体进行后续实验 (P< 0. 05); 沉默 CD168 可使 HN13 细胞增殖、 侵袭数量减少, 细胞凋亡率升高 (P< 0. 05), VEGF、 PCNA、 MMP-2、 MMP-9、 CXCL12、 CXCR4、 CXCR7 蛋白表达量降低 (P< 0. 05), Bax / Bcl-2 比值升高 (P< 0. 05), shRNA-NC 组变化无统计学意义 (P> 0. 05)。 结论 靶向沉 默 CD168 可抑制口腔鳞状癌细胞 HN13 增殖、 侵袭, 促进其凋亡, 可能与 CXCL12-CXCR4 / CXCR7 信号轴 有关。     

微小RNA-21转染介导食管鳞癌细胞生物学行为及细胞放射敏感性的变化

目的 探讨微小RNA-21（miRNA-21）表达介导食管鳞癌细胞的生物学特性。方法 转染miRNA-21正义表达载体、miRNA-21空载体及miRNA-21抑制剂,通过Real-time PCR实验,以食管鳞状上皮癌TE-1正常细胞为对照组,检测转染结果。采用细胞计数试剂盒-8(CCK-8）对细胞增殖活性进行检测;采用流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡能力;通过Transwell小室和划痕实验观察TE-1细胞侵袭能力及迁移能力;通过集落形成实验观察TE-1细胞对放疗敏感性变化;采用SPSS 19.0统计学软件对所得数据进行分析。结果 Real-time PCR结果显示,转染miRNA-21抑制剂后,TE-1细胞中miRNA-21的表达水平明显降低（P<0.05）。相比正常细胞生长组,阳性对照组、阴性对照组转染miRNA-21抑制剂后,TE-1细胞增殖能力降低,细胞凋亡加快（P<0.05）。此外,实验抑制组中细胞侵袭和迁移能力下降。集落形成实验分析显示,抑制miRNA-21表达明显提高了TE-1细胞对放射的敏感性。结论 下调miRNA-21可降低食管鳞状上皮癌TE-1细胞的增殖、侵袭、迁移能力及放疗的敏感性,是未来治疗食管癌的潜在靶点。     

From autophagy to senescence and apoptosis in Angiotensin II‐treated vascular endothelial cells

The aim of this study was to explore if cell autophagy is activated by AngII before aging using human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs). The ultrastructural analysis of HUVECs was performed to observe autophagosomes. The LC3‐II/LC3‐I ratio was determined by western blot assay. The β‐gal staining was used to identify cell senescence. The flow cytometry was performed to evaluate cell apoptosis. The BH3 domain analog ABT737 or Beclin‐1 knockdown by specific shRNA or valsartan was applied to investigate their effects on cell autophagy, senescence, and apoptosis induced by Ang II. Cell autophagy was initiated after Ang II treatment at 24 h. And cell senescence and apoptosis were observed in Ang II‐treated cells at 48 h. The significant interaction of Beclin‐1 and Bcl‐2 was detected at 48 h after Ang II treatment. Beclin‐1 was indispensable to Ang II‐induced autophagy, and its BH3 domain was required for the interaction with Bcl‐2 to attenuate autophagy. Pretreated with valsartan, cells were present with less autophagic, senescent, and apoptotic cells after Ang II stimulation. In conclusion, Ang II induced autophagy, senescence, and apoptosis of HUVECs progressively, and autophagy presented an early protective effect on vascular endothelial damage due to Ang II.     

miR-4746促进PRKACB表达上调并促进食管鳞癌细胞增殖

目的研究miR-4746在食管鳞癌中的表达及其对食管鳞癌细胞的增殖的影响。方法收集食管鳞癌患者的癌组织和癌旁组织标本,RT-PCR和Western blot检测miR-4746和PRKACB的表达,并分析二者mRNA水平的相关性。培养EC9706、HET-1A、TE-1细胞,并转染miR-control、miR-4746 mimic或inhibitor,RT-PCR检测PRKACB的表达水平,MTT法检测细胞的增殖水平。结果在食管鳞癌患者的标本中,癌组织中miR-4746和PRKACB的表达显著低于癌旁组织,miR-4746和PRKACB的表达水平呈正相关。在转染miR-4746 mimic后,PRKACB的表达上调,EC9706、HET-1A、TE-1细胞的增殖受到促进;在转染miR-4746 inhibitor后,PRKACB的表达下调,EC9706、HET-1A、TE-1细胞的增殖受到抑制。结论miR-4746促进PRKACB表达上调,并促进食管鳞癌细胞的增殖。     

Overexpression of CD9 correlates with tumor stage and lymph node metastasis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Objective: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths worldwide. CD9 has been reported to play a critical role in cell motility, growth and metastasis of multiple cancers. The present study investigated the clinicopathological features of CD9, and its biological characteristics in ESCC. Methods: Fifteen normal esophageal tissue specimens, fifty-three ESCC adjacent tissues and one hundred and four ESCC tissues were included in this study. Using immunohistochemistry (IHC), the expression levels of CD9 were evaluated among different samples. And its clinicopathological parameters and its prognostic factors were analyzed. Western blotting was used to measure CD9 expression and colony formation was performed to determine the effect of CD9 on cell growth in ESCC TE-1 cells. Results: Compared with normal esophageal tissues and tumor adjacent tissues, CD9 expression level is significantly higher in ESCC tissues. CD9 expression correlated with tumor stage (P = 0.022) and lymph node metastasis (P = 0.019) in ESCC patients. Furthermore, the small interfering RNA-mediated silencing of CD9 expression in TE-1 cells resulted in increased proliferation as evidenced by increased colony number and colony size. Conclusion: CD9 expression is upregulated in ESCC tissues and its expression is correlated with tumor stage and lymph node metastasis in ESCC patients. CD9 suppresses the proliferation of TE-1 cells. CD9 may present a potential in tumor progression in ESCC.     

Promoter methylation and clinical significance of GPX3 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BackgroundGlutathione peroxidase 3 (GPX3) provides critical protection against reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells. Downregulation of GPX3 may contribute to carcinogenesis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), but the mechanisms are not clear.Materials and methodsWe examined the differences in gene expression between ESCC and normal esophageal epithelial, by using GEO datasets, and collected 136 ESCC tumors and adjacent normal tissues to confirm our findings. GPX3 expression was measured, at the mRNA and protein levels, by qRT-PCR, Western Blot and immunohistochemistry (IHC).ResultsGPX3 mRNA and protein levels were 3.3-fold higher in normal epithelium compared with case-matched ESCC tissues. There was no significant correlation between clinical parameters and expression levels of GPX3 in ESCC. Promoter methylation of the GPX3 gene correlated with decreased expression.ConclusionDownregulation of GPX3 might be a key factor in the process of ESCC carcinogenesis.     

Adenovirus-mediated delivery of interferon-γ gene inhibits the growth of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Background

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is suggested to predict the radiosensitivity and/or prognosis of human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of Nimotuzumab (an anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody) on ESCC radiotherapy (RT) and underlying mechanisms.

Methods

Nimotuzumab was administrated to 2 ESCC cell lines KYSE30 and TE-1 treated with RT. Cell growth, colony formation and apoptosis were used to measure anti-proliferation effects. The method of RNA interference was used to investigate the role of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) in ESCC cells radiosensitivity treated with Nimotuzumab. In vivo effect of Nimotuzumab on ESCC radiotherapy was done using a mouse xenograft model.

Results

Nimotuzumab enhanced radiation response of KYSE30 cells (with high EGFR expression) in vitro, as evidenced by increased radiation-inhibited cell growth and colony formation and radiation-mediated apoptosis. Mechanism study revealed that Nimotuzumab inhibited phosphorylated EGFR (p-EGFR) induced by EGF in KYSE30 cells. In addition, knockdown of IGFBP-3 by short hairpin RNA significantly reduced KYSE30 cells radiosensitivity (P<0.05), and even after the administration of Nimotuzumab, the RT response of IGFBP-3 silenced KYSE30 cells was not enhanced (P>0.05). In KYSE30 cell xenografts, Nimotuzumab combined with radiation led to significant tumor growth delay, compared with that of radiation alone (P=0.029), and also with IGFBP-3 up-regulation in tumor tissue.

Conclusions

Nimotuzumab could enhance the RT effect of ESCC cells with a functional active EGFR pathway. In particular, the increased ESCC radiosensitivity by Nimotuzumab might be dependent on the up-regulation of IGFBP-3 through EGFR-dependent pathway.

     

Temsirolimus,the mTOR inhibitor,induces autophagy in adenoid cystic carcinoma: In vitro and in vivo

Temsirolimus acts as a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-dependent autophagic inhibitor. In order to clarify its effects and mechanisms on human salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC), we examined whether temsirolimus induced autophagy as the mTOR inhibitor in ACC, both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, MTT assay showed that the inhibition effect of temsirolimus assumed an obvious dose–response relationship on ACC-M cells, and the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) approached 20 μmol/l; numerous autophagosomes were observed by the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in temsirolimus treatment groups; notably, expression of LC3 and Beclin1 was significantly up-regulated by temsirolimus. More importantly, the xenograft model provided further evidence of temsirolimus-induced autophagy in vivo by inhibiting mTOR activation as well as up-regulation the expression of Beclin1. These results suggest that temsirolimus could act as an mTOR inhibitor to induce autophagy in adenoid cystic carcinoma both in vitro and in vivo.     

CircAGFG1 acts as a sponge of miR-4306 to stimulate esophageal cancer progression by modulating MAPRE2 expression

ObjectiveThis work aims to determine the role of circular RNA (circRNA) AGFG1 and related molecular mechanism in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells.MethodsCircAGFG1 expression in ESCC cell lines was probed with qRT-PCR. ESCC cells were transfected/cotransfected with si-circAGFG1, pcDNA3.1-circAGFG1, si-Microtubule Associated Protein RP/EB Family Member 2 (MAPRE2), pcDNA3.1-circAGFG1 + miR-4306 mimic or pcDNA3.1-circAGFG1 + si-MAPRE2. The interactions between circAGFG1 and miR-4306 as well as miR-4306 and MAPRE2 were confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion were detected by CCK-8, cell scratch and Transwell assays, respectively. Relative RNA expression levels of circAGFG1, miR-4306 and MAPRE2 in ESCC cells were measured by qRT-PCR. The protein level of MAPRE2 in ESCC cells was monitored by Western blot.ResultsCircAGFG1 was observably upregulated in ESCC cell lines. Besides, circAGFG1 silencing hindered ESCC cell development in vitro, and these effects were enhanced by miR-4306 overexpression or MAPRE2 silencing. Mechanistic analysis evidenced that circAGFG1 might act as a competitive endogenous RNA of miR-4306 to relieve the repressive effect of miR-4306 on its target MAPRE2.ConclusionCircAGFG1 facilitates ESCC progression via the miR-4306/MAPRE2 axis, and it may act as a possible biomarker for therapy and diagnosis in ESCC treatment.     

FEZ1基因在食管癌变过程中的作用

目的探讨FEZ1基因在食管鳞状细胞癌(esophageal squamous cell carcinoma,ESCC)组织中的表达及其与患者预后的关系。方法采用Western blot和免疫组化法分析FEZ1基因在ESCC中的表达情况,应用SPSS 13.0软件分析其与临床病理资料及预后的关系。结果 FEZ1蛋白阳性表达在食管癌中的表达与浸润深度、肿瘤大小相关(P<0.05);而与肿瘤组织分化程度、淋巴结转移无关(P>0.05)。正常食管组织中FEZ1的蛋白表达(4.3±0.39)明显高于食管癌组织中(1.6±0.25),且差异有显著性(P<0.05)。FEZ1的高表达提示患者的5年生存率高。结论 FEZ1基因在食管癌的发生、发展过程中起着重要的作用;FEZ1基因在食管癌中可能是候选的抑癌基因。     

人食管癌细胞株KYSE-150、TE-1中肿瘤干细胞的培养分化及增殖侵袭能力分析

BACKGROUND: There is a certain cell subset in esophageal cancer tissues, with certain invasive and metastatic properties, which is closely related to the clinical therapeutic effect on tumors. OBJECTIVE: To isolate tumor stem cell spheres in human esophageal carcinoma cell lines KYSE-150 and TE-1 and to analyze their proliferation and invasion ability. METHODS: KYSE-150 and TE-1 cells were cultured in serum-free medium to observe the formation of cell spheres. Cell proliferation and invasion were detected using MTT and Transwell chamber culture. Surface markers of cells were detected using flow cytometry. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Cell spheres that were stably subcultured were obtained from KYSE-150 and TE-1 cells cultured in serum-free medium. The proliferation and invasion abilities of cell spheres were significantly stronger than those of parent cells (P < 0.05). The number of CD44+, CD271+ and CD44+CD271+ cells in TE-1 and KYSE-150 cell spheres was significantly higher than that in the TE-1 and KYSE-150 parent cells (P < 0.05). These experimental results show that cell spheres isolated from human esophageal carcinoma cell lines TE-1 and KYSE-150 have tumor stem cell properties as well as strong proliferation and invasion abilities. And moreover, CD44 and CD271 can be used as important surface markers of esophageal carcinoma stem cells.      

5-脂氧合酶激活蛋白抑制剂MK886对人食管癌细胞系增殖和凋亡的影响

目的 5-脂氧合酶活化蛋白（FLAP）抑制剂MK886对人食管癌细胞系（KYSE-150和TE-3）增殖和凋亡的影响及作用机制。方法用2.5、5、10、20、40和80μmol/L的MK886干预体外培养的KYSE-150和TE-3细胞;xCELLigence RTCA系统实时测定细胞增殖抑制率,同时确定半数抑制浓度(IC₅₀)。流式细胞测量术检测食管癌细胞的细胞周期。Western blot检测细胞凋亡和自噬相关蛋白的表达。结果人食管癌细胞系（KYSE-150和TE-3）的增殖抑制率随着MK886浓度增加而增强（P<0.05）,KYSE-150组的IC₅₀浓度为29.11μmol/L,TE-3组的IC₅₀浓度为27.47μmol/L。当MK886浓度增加至25μmol/L时,食管癌细胞G₀/G₁期滞后增加明显（P<0.001）,MK886处理浓度增加到50μmol/L时,食管癌细胞G₂/M期增加明显（P<0.001和P<0.05）...     

Autophagy-related proteins LC3 and Beclin-1 impact the efficacy of chemoradiation on esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Autophagy is a bulk protein and organelle degradation process essential for cellular maintenance, cell viability and development. This study investigated the prognostic role of LC3 and Beclin-1, two autophagy-related proteins, in patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) treated with definitive chemoradiation.     

运动训练通过诱导自噬、抑制凋亡改善老龄大鼠心脏功能

 目的：观察梯度运动对老龄大鼠心肌细胞自噬及凋亡的影响,探讨运动训练提高老龄大鼠心脏功能的机制。方法：实验分为3组,青年组(young)、老年组(old)和老年运动组（old+Ex）。超声心动图记录大鼠心脏功能,透射电镜观察心肌细胞超微结构变化、自噬体的形成以及线粒体形态学的改变,Westernblotting检测心肌组织自噬相关蛋白5（Atg5）、自噬相关蛋白Beclin 1、微管相关蛋白1轻链3(LC3)及心肌线粒体细胞色素C(Cyt C)蛋白的表达,TUNEL方法检测心肌细胞凋亡,分光光度法检测钙诱导的线粒体通透性转换孔(mPTP)开放。结果: （1）与young组比较,透射电镜下可见old组大鼠心肌肌原纤维排列不整齐,线粒体基质疏松,线粒体膜有破裂,肌丝间有大量脂褐素颗粒沉积;心肌组织中Beclin 1与Atg5蛋白表达降低,LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ比值降低,线粒体Cyt C表达下降,细胞凋亡指数增加,mPTP开放数目增加,左心室收缩末期与舒张末期直径明显增大,左心室射血分数与缩短分数降低(P＜0.05或P＜0.01)。（2）与old组比较,old+Ex组大鼠心肌超微结构观察可见肌节结构清晰,线粒体基质致密,数目增多,自噬体形成增多,脂褐素颗粒沉积明显减少;并且心肌组织Beclin 1与Atg5蛋白表达增加,LC3 I向LC3 II转换增加,细胞凋亡指数减少,mPTP开放数目减少,心肌线粒体Cyt C表达上调,左室功能有明显改善（P＜0.05或P＜0.01）。结论：运动训练通过上调老龄大鼠心肌细胞自噬,抑制细胞凋亡,改善老龄大鼠心脏功能。     

Influence of autophagy-mediated high-intensity interval training on skeletal muscle mass and aerobic capacity of middle-aged rats北大核心

BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether autophagy mediates the long-term exercise adaptation of the skeletal muscle induced by high-intensity interval training (HIIT). OBJECTIVE: To identify the influence of HIIT on skeletal muscle autophagy of middle-aged rats over time, and to understand the potential regulatory effects of autophagy on maintaining the muscle mass and improving aerobic capacity by HIIT. METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into quiet, moderate training group (50-minute running at the intensity of 60% VO2 max) and HIIT group (6 times of 3-minute running at 80% VO2 max and 3-minute active recovery at 50% VO2 max with a 7-minute warm-up and a 7-minute cool-down at 60% VO2 max). All rats were tested for VO2 max, exhaustive running time and distance at baseline and after 4, 8 and 12 weeks of exercise, respectively. The soleus muscle were collected and weighted, and then the expression levels of autophagy-related protein Beclin 1, LC3 and P62 were detected by western blot assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The soleus muscle mass in the quiet group decreased at the 12th week (P < 0.01), while the moderate training and HIIT groups improved this decline (P < 0.05). The HIIT group dramatically improved the VO2 max from the 4th week when compared with the pre-experiment and the quiet group, until the 12th week. The expression levels of Beclin1 and LC3II in the quiet group declined at the 12th week (P < 0.05, P < 0.001), but the expression level of LC3II and ratio of LC3II/LC3I raised from the 4th and 8th weeks till the 12th week compared with the pre-experiment and the quiet group, and the expression level of LC3II and ratio of LC3II/LC3I point time significantly raised in the moderate training group at the 12th week (P < 0.001, P < 0.01). In the quiet group, the content of P62 significantly increased at the 4th and 8th weeks (P < 0.05), and decreased at the 12th week (P < 0.001), but the content of P62 remained at the low level in the moderate exercise and HIIT groups. These results imply that an equivalent or better effects on improving basic autophagy level, skeletal muscle mass and aerobic capacity of the middle aged rats, by HIIT versus moderate training, providing the theory and empirical data that highlight the role of HIIT in health promotion. © 2018, Journal of Clinical Rehabilitative Tissue Engineering Research. All rights reserved.     

Indentification of breast cancer subtypes sensitive to HCQ-induced autophagy inhibition

BackgroundBreast cancer is the most frequent carcinoma in females, which could be classified to 4 subtypes and the current treatment is still far from satisfactory. In this study, we explored the effects of autophagy inhibition on certain subtypes of breast cancer and the molecular mechanism underlying the different response for breast cancer subtypes initially.MethodsAutophagy inhibitor hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) was used to identify the sensitivity of breast cancer subtypes to autophagy inhibition in the present study. Cell proliferation and cell invasion were assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay (CCK-8) and transwell assay, respectively. Immunofluorescence staining and western blotting were applied to evaluate cell autophagy. In addition, levels of Ras/Raf/ERK signaling pathway were evaluated by western blotting.ResultsOur results showed that HCQ treatment suppressed breast cancer cell proliferation and migration in especially SUM-190 cells, which was most sensitive. Furthermore, HCQ inhibited cell autophagy in breast cancer cells by regulating levels of p62, LC3-I and LC3-II. Moreover, the expression of Ras was significant lower than other breast cancer cells. HCQ treatment markedly inhibited the activation of Ras/Raf/ERK signaling in SUM190 cells.ConclusionTo conclude, basal-like breast cancer represented by SUM-190 cells may be most sensitive to HCQ induced autophagy inhibition and the mechanism might be relative to Ras/Raf/ERK signaling pathway.     

DICER activates autophagy and promotes cisplatin resistance in non-small cell lung cancer by binding with let-7i-5p

ObjectiveDrug resistance is the main obstacle in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study aimed to explore the mechanism of DICER in NSCLC resistance and its downstream signaling pathways.MethodsThe A549 cisplatin (DDP)-resistant strain A549/DDP was established. A549/DDP cells were transfected with DICER- and let-7i-5p-related vectors, and treated with autophagy activator rapamycin. The cell viability and apoptosis were tested by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The formation of autophagosomes was observed with a transmission electron microscopy. RT-qPCR and Western blot assay were conducted to detect expression levels of DICER, let-7i-5p, autophagy-related proteins, and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway-related proteins. The dual luciferase reporter gene assay was implemented to confirm the targeted binding of DICER and let-7i-5p.ResultsDICER was highly expressed in DDP-resistant NSCLC tissues and cells, and DICER could target and negatively regulate the expression of let-7i-5p. DDP treatment could inhibit the viability and promote cell apoptosis of A549/DDP cells. Downregulation of DICER in A549/DDP cells exhibited a decrease of cell viability, a decreased ratio of LC3-II/LC3-I and autophagosomes, together with an elevation of cell apoptosis rate and the phosphorylation levels of PI3K/AKT/mTOR. Treatment of rapamycin and let-7i-5p inhibitor reversed the effects of downregulated DICER in cell viability, ratio of LC3-II/LC3-I, autophagosomes, cell apoptosis rate and the phosphorylation levels of PI3K/AKT/mTOR in A549/DDP cells.ConclusionOur research suggests that DICER promotes autophagy and DDP resistance in NSCLC through downregulating let-7i-5p, and inhibits the activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.     

Long non-coding RNA PTCSC3 inhibits human oral cancer cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis and autophagy

IntroductionLong non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have gained increased attention due to the discovery of their roles in cancer-related processes. LncRNA PTCSC3 has been shown to have tumour-suppressive effects in thyroid cancer and glioblastoma. This study investigated the role of lncRNA PTSC3 in human oral cancer.Material and methodsCell viability was determined by MTT assay. The induction of apoptosis was confirmed by 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) and Annexin V/PI assays. Ultrastructural analysis was performed by electron microscopy. Transwell assay was used to monitor the invasion of oral cancer cells.ResultsThe results revealed significant (p < 0.05) suppression of PTCSC3 expression in human oral cancer tissues and cell lines. The overexpression of PTCSC3 caused a significant (p < 0.05) decline in the proliferation of the human oral cancer cells via induction of apoptotic cell death which was accompanied by remarkable enhancement of Bax and suppression of Bcl-2. The electron microscopic analysis showed the development of autophagic vesicles in both the SCC-1 and SCC-9 cells indicative of autophagy. The western blotting analysis showed that PTCSC3 overexpression caused a remarkable increase in LC3B-I and Beclin 1 expression. PTCSC3 overexpression caused a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in invasion of the human SCC-1 and SCC-9 oral cancer cells. The invasion of the SCC-1 and SCC-9 cells was inhibited by 62% and 69% respectively.ConclusionsOverall, the evidence suggests that lncRNA PTCSC3 acts as a tumour suppressor in human oral cancer and suppresses oral cancer proliferation via induction of apoptosis and autophagy.     

京尼平对缺氧/复氧损伤后大鼠心肌细胞凋亡及自噬的影响

目的 探讨京尼平对缺氧/复氧(H/R)损伤后大鼠心肌细胞凋亡及自噬的影响。方法 建立H/R损伤模型,体外培养的大鼠H9c2心肌细胞行缺氧12 h、复氧4 h。实验分为对照组（Con）、京尼平组(GE)、缺氧/复氧组(H/R)、缺氧/复氧+京尼平组(H/R+GE)。细胞计数试剂盒-8（CCK-8）检测细胞存活率,流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡,透射电子显微镜观察自噬体,Western blotting检测Bax、Bcl-2、P62、Beclin1、LC3-Ⅱ、蛋白激酶B(Akt)、p-Akt、哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白（mTOR）和p-mTOR蛋白的表达。结果 京尼平预处理增强了H/R损伤后的H9c2心肌细胞活力,抑制细胞凋亡及自噬体累积,降低自噬结构断面积与细胞质断面积的比值。Western blotting结果显示,京尼平预处理减少了H/R损伤后Bax、LC3-Ⅱ和Beclin1蛋白表达,增加Bcl-2、P62、p-Akt和p-mTOR蛋白表达。结论 京尼平可以抑制H/R损伤后心肌细胞凋亡及自噬,其机制可能与上调Akt/mTOR信号通路有关。