Targeting PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in non small cell lung cancer

While PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is altered in a variety of cancers including non small cell lung cancer, abnormalities in this pathway are more common in squamous cell lung carcinoma than in adenocarcinoma of the lung. Moreover, aberrant activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is one of the mechanisms of acquired resistance to EGFR-TK inhibitors in patients with adenocarcinoma carrying EGFR activating mutations.     

Salvianolic acid B protects human endothelial progenitor cells against oxidative stress-mediated dysfunction by modulating Akt/mTOR/4EBP1, p38 MAPK/ATF2, and ERK1/2 signaling pathways

The vascular endothelium is specifically sensitive to oxidative stress, and this is one of the mechanisms that causes widespread endothelial dysfunction in most cardiovascular diseases and disorders. Protection against reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated oxidative damage via antioxidant mechanisms is essential for tissue maintenance and shows therapeutic potential for patients suffering from cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Salvianolic acid B (SalB), a natural bioactive component known from Traditional Chinese Medicine, has been reported to exert cellular protection in various types of cells. However, the underlying mechanisms involved are not fully understood. Here, we showed that SalB significantly promoted the migratory and tube formation abilities of human bone marrow derived-endothelial progenitor cells (BM-EPCs) in vitro, and substantially abrogated hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced cell damage. SalB down-regulated Nox4 and eNOS, as well as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-oxidase expression upon H₂O₂ induction that in turn prevents oxidative-induced endothelial dysfunction. Moreover, SalB suppressed the Bax/Bcl-xL ratio and caspase-3 activation after H₂O₂ induction. Furthermore, our results provide mechanistic evidence that activation of the mTOR/p70S6K/4EBP1 pathways is required for both SalB-mediated angiogenic and protective effects against oxidative stress-induced cell injury in BM-EPCs. Suppression of MKK3/6-p38 MAPK-ATF2 and ERK1/2 signaling pathways by SalB significantly protected BM-EPCs against cell injury caused by oxidative stress via reduction of intracellular ROS levels and apoptosis. Taken together, by providing a mechanistic insight into the modulation of redox states in BM-EPCs by SalB, we suggest that SalB has a strong potential of being a new proangiogenic and cytoprotective therapeutic agent with applications in the field of endothelial injury-mediated vascular diseases.     

沙格列汀干预非酒精性脂肪性肝病合并2型糖尿病大鼠肝组织AMPK/mTOR-TFEB自噬信号通路蛋白表达变化*

目的 探讨沙格列汀干预非酒精性脂肪性肝病(NAFLD)合并2型糖尿病(T2DM)大鼠对肝组织腺苷酸活化蛋白激酶(AMPK)/哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白(mTOR)-转录因子EB(TFEB)自噬信号通路蛋白表达的影响。方法 将42只大鼠随机分为对照组、模型组和沙格列汀干预组,每组14只。采用高脂饲料喂养和链脲佐菌素腹腔注射构建NAFLD合并T2DM模型。在建模成功后,分别给予沙格列汀或生理盐水灌胃8 w。采用放射免疫法检测空腹胰岛素(INS,使用全自动生化分析仪检测空腹血糖(FPG),计算胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR)。采用Western bloting法检测肝组织p-AMPK、mTOR、TFEB和自噬标记物LC3B-II蛋白表达。结果 沙格列汀处理组大鼠体质量、肝质量和肝脏指数分别为(341.53±5.15)g、(11.06±0.49)g和(3.32±0.25)%,显著低于模型组【分别为(353.27±8.74)g、(12.77±0.84)g和(3.67±0.18)%,P<0.05】;FPG、INS和HOMA-IR水平分别为(9.45±0.71)mmol/L、(7.92±0.34)mIU/L和(3.44±0.36),显著低于模型组【分别为(13.97±0.92)mmol/L、(14.57±0.84)mIU/L和(9.03±0.91),P<0.05】;TC、TG、ALT和AST水平分别为(3.79±0.17)mmol/L、(0.81±0.13)mmol/L、(68.76±4.11)IU/L和(54.49±5.21)IU/L,均显著低于模型组【分别为(4.05±0.20)mmol/L、(2.04±0.15)mmol/L、(119.73±3.94)IU/L和(83.27±7.68)IU/L,P<0.05】;肝组织p-AMPK、TFEB和LC3B-II表达分别为(1.13±0.11)、(1.23±0.13)和(1.17±0.12),显著强于模型组【分别为(0.62±0.07)、(0.48±0.05)和(0.37±0.04)】,而mTOR表达为(0.89±0.08),显著弱于模型组【(1.53±0.16),P<0.05】。结论 沙格列汀可能通过调控AMPK/mTOR-TFEB自噬信号通路显著降低NAFLD合并T2DM大鼠血糖和血脂水平,改善肝脂肪变。     

Rapamycin-mediated induction of gamma-globin mRNA accumulation in human erythroid cells

The present study aimed to determine whether rapamycin could increase the expression of gamma-globin genes in human erythroid cells. Rapamycin is a macrocyclic lactone that possesses immunosuppressive, antifungal and anti-tumour properties. This molecule is approved as an immunosuppressive agent for preventing rejection in patients receiving organ transplantation. To verify the activity of rapamycin, we employed two experimental cell systems, the human leukaemia K562 cell line and the two-phase liquid culture of human erythroid progenitors isolated from normal donors and patients with beta-thalassaemia. The results suggested that rapamycin, when compared with cytosine arabinoside, mithramycin and cisplatin, is a powerful inducer of erythroid differentiation and gamma-globin mRNA accumulation in human leukaemia K562 cells. In addition, when normal human erythroid precursors were cultured in the presence of rapamycin, gamma-globin mRNA accumulation and fetal haemoglobin (HbF) production increased to levels that were higher than those obtained using hydroxyurea. These effects were not associated with inhibition of cell growth. Furthermore, rapamycin was found to increase HbF content in erythroid precursor cells from four beta-thalassaemia patients. These results could have practical relevance, because pharmacologically mediated regulation of the expression of human gamma-globin genes, leading to increased HbF, is considered a potential therapeutic approach in haematological disorders, including beta-thalassaemia and sickle cell anaemia.     

Rapamycin promotes Schwann cell migration and nerve growth factor secretion

Rapamycin, similar to FK506, can promote neural regeneration in vitro. We assumed that the mechanisms of action of rapamycin and FK506 in promoting peripheral nerve regeneration were similar. This study compared the effects of different concentrations of rapamycin and FK506 on Sc hwann cells and investigated effects and mechanisms of rapamycin on improving peripheral nerve regeneration. Results demonstrated that the lowest rapamycin concentration(1.53 nmol/L) more significantly promoted Schwann cell migration than the highest FK506 concentration(100 μmol/L). Rapamycin promoted the secretion of nerve growth factors and upregulated growth-associated protein 43 expression in Schwann cells, but did not significantly affect Schwann cell proliferation. Therefore, rapamycin has potential application in peripheral nerve regeneration therapy.