RETRACTED ARTICLE: PEDF inhibits VEGF- and EPO- induced angiogenesis in retinal endothelial cells through interruption of PI3K/Akt phosphorylation

Retinal angiogenesis in diabetes may lead to visual impairment and even irreversible blindness in people of working age group worldwide. The main pathological feature of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) is hypoxia, and overproduction of growth factors like vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and erythropoietin (Epo). This results in pathological proliferation of retinal endothelial cells (RECs), leading to new vessel formation (angiogenesis). Inhibition of angiogenesis is a promising strategy for treatment of PDR and other retinal neovascular disorders. Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), a 50-kDa protein secreted by retinal pigment epithelium, inhibits the growth of new blood vessel induced in the eye in a variety of ways with a yet elusive mechanism. Here, we investigated the possible mechanism by which PEDF inhibits VEGF- and Epo-induced angiogenic effects in RECs is mediated through PI3K/Akt pathway. PEDF treatment induced the apoptosis in RECs by activating caspase-3 and DNA fragmentation. We found a dose-dependent increase in cell survival with VEGF or Epo, which was attenuated in the presence of PEDF. In addition, PEDF significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited migration and in vitro tube formation in RECs in the presence of VEGF as like PI3K/Akt inhibitor. Of interest, PEDF effectively abrogated VEGF-mediated phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt. Further studies using RECs transfected with constitutively active and dominant-negative forms of Akt suggest that PEDF could inhibit VEGF- and also Epo-induced angiogenesis by disruption of PI3K/Akt signaling.     

牛磺酸通过激活PI3K/Akt信号通路抑制高糖诱导的内皮细胞凋亡

目的 探讨牛磺酸对高糖诱导的内皮细胞凋亡的影响及其信号途径.方法 取健康产妇分娩后12h内的脐带分离人脐静脉内皮细胞(HUVEC),进行细胞培养并分为5组:正常葡萄糖组(5 mmol/LD-葡萄糖,NG组);高糖组(30 mmol/LD-葡萄糖,HG组);NG+TAU组(5mmol/LD-葡萄糖+5 mmol/L牛磺酸);HG+TAU组(30 mmol/L D-葡萄糖+5 mmol/L牛磺酸);HG+TAU+Wo组(30 mmol/LD-葡萄糖+5 mmol/L牛磺酸+50 nmol/L wortmannin).干预48 h后应用流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡情况,Western印迹检测磷酸化蛋白激酶B(p-Akt)蛋白的表达水平,2,7-二氯二氢荧光素二乙酯(H2DCF-DA)探针技术及荧光倒置显微镜检测活性氧簇的相对含量.结果 与NG组相比,HG组细胞的凋亡率显著增加(P＜0.05).与HG组相比,HG+TAU组的凋亡率下降(P＜0.05).与HG+TAU组相比,HG+TAU+Wo组的凋亡率较高(P＜0.05).与NG组相比,HG组磷酸化-Akt蛋白表达下降(P＜0.05).与HG组比较,HG+TAU组磷酸化-Akt蛋白表达增加(P＜0.05).与HG+TAU组相比,HG+TAU+Wo组磷酸化-Akt蛋白表达下降(P＜0.05).牛磺酸可降低高糖诱导的活性氧簇生成(P＜0.05),这一作用亦可被wortmannine所阻断(P＜0.05).结论 牛磺酸通过PI3K/Akt信号途径调节细胞内活性氧簇生成,进而在高糖环境下发挥其抗凋亡作用.     

酰基化ghrelin通过PI3K／Akt通路抑制高糖诱导的内皮细胞凋亡

目的研究酰基化ghrelin在高糖诱导的血管内皮细胞凋亡中的作用。方法通过Western-Blot、分光光度比色法分别检测Akt（Ser473）磷酸化水平及caspase-3活性。结果（1）不同浓度ghrelin（10^-6mol／L、10^-7mol／L）作用内皮细胞30min对Akt磷酸化作用的差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）,而ghrelin（10^-7mol／L、10^-8mol／L、10^-9mol／L）浓度之间没有统计学差异（P〉0．05）,暴露于酰基化ghrelin（10^-7mol／L）中细胞内Akt迅速磷酸化,在30min达高峰。（2）P13K抑制剂LY294002可以减弱ghrelin对高糖（33．3mmol／L）环境下caspase-3活化的抑制作用。结论酰基化ghrelin通过P13K／Akt通路抑制高糖诱导的内皮细胞凋亡,在糖尿病血管并发症的防治中可能有一定的意义。     

Apoptosis regulator through modulating IAP expression (ARIA) controls the PI3K/Akt pathway in endothelial and endothelial progenitor cells

Endothelial and endothelial progenitor cells (ECs and EPCs) play a fundamental role in angiogenesis that is essential for numerous physiological and pathological processes. The phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)/ phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway has been implicated in angiogenesis, but the mechanism in the regulation of this pathway in ECs and EPCs is poorly understood. Here we show that ARIA (apoptosis regulator through modulating IAP expression), a transmembrane protein that we recently identified, regulates the PTEN/PI3K pathway in ECs and EPCs and controls developmental and postnatal angiogenesis in vivo. We found that ARIA is abundantly expressed in EPCs and regulates their angiogenic functions by modulating PI3K/Akt/endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) signaling. Genetic deletion of ARIA caused nonfatal bleeding during embryogenesis, in association with increased small vessel density and altered expression of various vascular growth factors including angiopoietins and VEGF receptors. Postnatal neovascularization induced by critical limb ischemia was substantially enhanced in ARIA-null mice, in conjunction with more bone marrow (BM)-derived ECs detected in ischemic muscles. Administration of PI3K or NO synthase inhibitor completely abolished the enhanced neovascularization in ARIA(-/-) mice. Mechanistically, we identified that ARIA interacts with PTEN at the intracellular domain independently of the PTEN phosphorylation in its C-terminal tail. Overexpressed ARIA increased PTEN in the membrane fraction, whereas ARIA-silencing reduced the membrane-associated PTEN, resulting in modified PI3K/Akt signaling. Taken together, our findings establish a previously undescribed mode of regulation of the PTEN/PI3K/Akt pathway by ARIA, and reveal a unique mechanism in the control of angiogenesis. These functions of ARIA might offer a unique therapeutic potential.     

杨梅素通过磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶/蛋白激酶B/哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白信号通路诱导MTB感染巨噬细胞发生自噬的研究

目的对杨梅素通过磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶/蛋白激酶B/哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白(PI3K/Akt/mTOR)信号通路诱导MTB感染的巨噬细胞发生自噬进行研究,从而探讨杨梅素抗结核作用的机理。方法用CCK8法检测杨梅素对细胞增殖的影响,确定安全的用药范围;以H37Ra菌株感染的小鼠巨噬细胞Raw 264.7为模型组,并设空白组和药物处理组。按感染复数(MOI,即细菌:细胞=10:1)加入模型组、药物处理组,共孵育4 h后,磷酸盐缓冲液(PBS)洗3次以弃掉未进入胞内的MTB。药物处理组分别用不同浓度(12.5、25、50、100μmol/L)的杨梅素作用24 h,Western blot法检测自噬相关蛋白即"微管相关蛋白1轻链3-Ⅱ(LC3-Ⅱ)和p62"表达水平的变化,并以此筛选出杨梅素促进自噬的最佳作用浓度;100μmol/L杨梅素作用于感染细胞72 h后,0.1%聚乙二醇辛基苯基醚(Triton X-100)冰上裂解细胞10 min,菌落形成单位(CFU)法检测巨噬细胞胞内荷菌量;杨梅素作用感染细胞不同时间(30、60、180 min)后Western blot测定PI3K/Akt/mTO...     

粒细胞集落刺激因子通过PI3K-Akt通路抑制缺血再灌注损伤

目的:研究经冠状动脉(冠脉)内注入粒细胞集落刺激因子(G-CSF)对大鼠心肌缺血再灌注损伤的预防作用,及其与PI3K-Akt信号转导途径的关系。方法:制备大鼠心肌缺血再灌注模型。再灌注同时经冠脉内给予G-CSF或G-CSF+PI3K激酶抑制剂(LY294002),灌注120min后应用TUNEL法检测细胞凋亡,免疫组织化学法观察凋亡相关蛋白Bax及Bcl-2及caspase-3表达情况,免疫印迹检测总-Akt(t-Akt)及磷酸化Akt(p-Akt)表达。结果:缺血再灌注同时给予冠脉内G-CSF治疗能够显著减轻缺血区心肌细胞凋亡,降低Bax、caspase-3的表达,增高心肌细胞内Bcl-2表达,同时p-Akt的蛋白水平显著增高(P<0.01)。LY294002阻断Akt活化后,抑制了G-CSF诱导的抗心肌细胞凋亡作用。结论:缺血再灌注同时冠脉内给予G-CSF可保护梗死区残存的心肌细胞,减少缺血再灌注所诱导的心肌细胞凋亡,其保护机制与PI3K-Akt信号通路有关。     

PI3K/Akt信号通路与神经保护

PI3K/Akt通路是由磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶(phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase,PI3K)始动的生物信号转导通路,在细胞增殖、细胞周期调控、凋亡启动、血管生成等方面发挥着关键作用.此外,PI3K/Akt通路还与中枢神经系统损伤的保护机制密切相关.深入研究PI3K/Akt、下游分子及其调控机制可能为脑损伤的治疗提供新的思路和方法.     

达沙替尼对人脐静脉内皮细胞的损伤与PI3K/Akt途径抑制有关

目的探索达沙替尼对人脐静脉内皮细胞(HUVEC)增殖、迁移和凋亡等生物学特性的影响,为完善其临床应用提供资料。方法实验分组:达沙替尼组(达沙替尼处理浓度为50 nmol/L)、LY294002组(PI3K抑制剂,处理浓度为20μmol/L)、联合处理组(达沙替尼处理浓度为50 nmol/L、LY294002处理浓度为20μmol/L)及溶媒对照组(DMSO浓度为0.1%)。CCK8法检测细胞活性,划痕法检测细胞迁移,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡和细胞周期,Western blot检测Akt和p-Akt蛋白水平。结果达沙替尼(1~400 nmol/L)不仅抑制HUVEC增殖,而且诱导其凋亡、抑制其迁移、阻滞细胞周期G1-S期转化。随浓度的升高与处理时间的延长(50 nmol/L,24 h~96 h)达沙替尼对细胞增殖抑制作用和诱导凋亡作用明显,同时HUVEC的迁移能力随达沙替尼浓度(50~100 nmol/L)的升高而降低。达沙替尼和PI3K抑制剂LY294002两者单独处理时均具有细胞增殖抑制作用,两者均明显抑制Akt蛋白磷酸化水平;两者联合处理时虽然细胞增殖抑制作用增强,但对Akt蛋白磷酸化水平的影响与单独处理相比差异不明显。结论达沙替尼可通过PI3K/Akt通路促进HUVEC损伤,抑制HUVEC增殖和迁移,改变细胞形态,阻滞HUVEC G1-S期转化,诱导细胞凋亡。     

Oroxylin A inhibits angiogenesis through blocking vascular endothelial growth factor-induced KDR/Flk-1 phosphorylation

Purpose

In this study, we examined the antiangiogenic effect of oroxylin A in vitro and in vivo and explored the potential mechanisms for this effect.

Methods

Transwell assay and tube formation assay were used to evaluate the effects of oroxylin A on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced migration and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Rat aortic ring assay was also employed to assess the effect of oroxylin A on microvessel outgrowth from rat aorta. Human tumor xenografts model in nude mice was further used to investigate the antiangiogenic activity of oroxylin A in vivo. Western blot analysis was used to investigate the related mechanism.

Results

Oroxylin A remarkably suppressed the VEGF-stimulated migration and tube formation of HUVECs. It also inhibited microvessel sprouting from rat aortic ring in vitro. In addition, it suppressed the angiogenesis of xenograft tumor in nude mice, which concurred with the inhibition of tumor growth. Moreover, oroxylin A blocked VEGF-induced phosphorylation of KDR/Flk-1 and related downstream signaling molecules, including p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase and Akt.

Conclusion

Oroxylin A possessed antiangiogenic activities in vitro and in vivo, which could be an underlying mechanism of its anticancer effect.     

Visfatin induces human endothelial VEGF and MMP-2/9 production via MAPK and PI3K/Akt signalling pathways: novel insights into visfatin-induced angiogenesis

AIMS: Visfatin is a novel adipokine whose plasma concentrations are altered in obesity and obesity-related disorders; these states are associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease. We therefore investigated the effect of visfatin on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2, MMP-9) production and the potential signalling cascades. METHODS AND RESULTS: In human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), visfatin significantly and dose-dependently up-regulated gene expression and protein production of VEGF and MMPs and down-regulated expression of tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2). The gelatinolytic activity of MMPs (analysed by zymography) correlated with mRNA and western blot findings. Interestingly, visfatin significantly up-regulated VEGF receptor 2 expression. Inhibition of VEGFR2 and VEGF [by soluble FMS-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt1)] down-regulated visfatin-induced MMP induction. Visfatin induced dose- and time-dependent proliferation and capillary-like tube formation. Importantly, visfatin was noted to have anti-apoptotic effects. In HUVECs, visfatin dose-dependently activated PI3K/Akt (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt) and ERK(1/2) (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) pathways. The functional effects and MMP/VEGF induction were shown to be dependent on the MAPK/PI3K-Akt/VEGF signalling pathways. Inhibition of PI3K/Akt and ERK(1/2) pathways led to significant decrease of visfatin-induced MMP and VEGF production and activation, along with significant reduction in endothelial proliferation and capillary tube formation. CONCLUSION: Our data provide the first evidence of visfatin-induced endothelial VEGF and MMP production and activity. Further, we show for the first time the involvement of the MAPK and PI3K/Akt signalling pathways in mediating these actions, as well as endothelial cell proliferation. Collectively, our findings provide novel insights into visfatin-induced endothelial angiogenesis.     

PTEN and SHIP2 regulates PI3K/Akt pathway through focal adhesion kinase

Our laboratory has established a novel role of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in vitro and in vivo, as a positive regulator of insulin signaling pathway. In vitro studies reported tyrosine dephosphorylation of FAK under insulin resistance in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells. A decrease in FAK tyrosine phosphorylation was also observed in skeletal muscle of insulin resistant Sprague–Dawley rats fed on high-fat-diet. Present study was undertaken to explore the cellular mechanism of FAK dephosphorylation under insulin resistance in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells. Here we report that PTEN and SHIP2, the phosphatases widely implicated as negative regulators of insulin signaling, to be responsible for dephosphorylation of FAK. Data propose that under insulin resistance upregulation of PTEN and SHIP2 act through changes in FAK phosphorylation to impair insulin signaling suggesting FAK to be a key mediator of PTEN and SHIP2 in the regulation of insulin signaling. Thus data elucidates a part of molecular mechanism of insulin resistance in skeletal muscle cells.     

PI3K/Akt信号通路与肝纤维化

PI3K/AKT信号通路可以通过调控基因表达,从而在细胞的存活、分化、生长、运动和凋亡等多种生理和病理过程中起到重要作用。尤其在肝纤维化的进展中,此信号通路发挥了重要的调节作用。本文将对目前有关PI3K/AKT信号通路在参与肝纤维化形成中,如何调控细胞外基质的降解、影响HSC的活化及调节肝窦毛细血管化等作用机制作一综述。这些资料不仅可以揭示相关疾病条件下,多个细胞与信号因子之间复杂的相互作用机制,而且能够突出通过阻断PI3K/AKT信号通路可以保护和治疗肝纤维化这一潜在的临床意义。