Urotensin II induces transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor via transient oxidation of SHP-2 in the rat renal tubular cell line NRK-52E

Urotensin-II (UII) is a potent vasoactive peptide that has been implicated in cardiac fibrosis and renal diseases. However, the role played by UII in renal tissues is largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of human UII (hUII) on rat renal proximal tubular cells of the NRK-52E line and the role of Src homology 2-containing phosphotyrosine phosphatase (SHP-2) in the hUII-induced transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Exposure to hUII at low concentrations significantly induced proliferation in NRK-52E cells; this effect was inhibited by treatment with an ERK1/2 inhibitor (PD98059). UII treatment increased the phosphorylation of EGFR and induced the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Treatment of the ROS scavenger N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) inhibited EGFR transactivation and ERK phosphorylation induced by hUII. SHP-2 was found to interact with EGFR and be transiently oxidized following the hUII treatment. In SHP-2 knockdown cells, UII-induced phosphorylation of EGFR was less influenced by NAC, and significantly suppressed by heparin binding (HB)-EGF neutralizing antibody. Our data suggest that the ROS-mediated oxidation of SHP-2 is essential for the hUII-induced mitogenic pathway in NRK-52E cells.     

GTP酶激活蛋白(Src同源结构域3)结合蛋白1在乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231体外迁移中的作用

目的:研究GTP酶激活蛋白(Src同源结构域3)结合蛋白1[Ras-GTPase activating protein(Src homology domain 3)binding protein 1,G3BP1]在乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231体外迁移过程中的作用.方法:人乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231培养于RPMI1640培养基中;Western blot检测无表皮生长因子(Epidermal growth factor,EGF)刺激,以及10 ng/ml EGF分别刺激30秒、1分钟、2分钟和5分钟条件下乳腺癌细胞内G3BP1、蛋白激酶Cζ(Protein kinase Cζ,PKCζ)、Akt、pPKCζThin410/403及pAktSer473的表达水平;免疫共沉淀法检测乳腺癌细胞内G3BP1与PKCζ的相互作用;转染小干扰RNA抑制内源性G3BP1的表达;趋化实验和侵袭实验分别检测G3BP1抑制前后MDA-MB-231细胞穿过10 μm聚碳酸酯膜及人工基底膜的细胞数.结果:Western blot检测显示G3BP1在MDA-MB-231细胞内过表达;无EGF刺激时MDA-MB-231细胞内G3BP1,PKCζ与Akt均过表达,pPKCζThe410/403及pAktSer473不表达或低于Western blot检测下限;10 ng/ml EGF刺激后G3BP1、PKCζ与Akt表达水平不变,pPKCζThr410/403及pAktSer473的表达刺激时间增加而升高,至5分钟时达到峰值;在乳腺癌细胞内G3BP1与PKCζ具有相互作用;G3BP1表达抑制后乳腺癌细胞的趋化能力和侵袭能力均显著下降(P ＜0.05,P＜0.05).结论:G3 BP1通过与PKCζ相互作用,在乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231的体外迁移过程中发挥重要作用.     

拟胚体贴壁时间对小鼠胚胎干细胞心肌分化的影响

目的观察拟胚体(EB)贴壁时间对小鼠胚胎干细胞(ESC)心肌分化的影响并研究其机制。方法用悬滴培养法促进ESCs形成EBs。EBs在不同的分化天数贴壁,观察搏动EBs百分比,RT-PCR检测Nkx2.5,GATA4和β-MHC mRNA表达,Western blot检测Src家族酪氨酸激酶磷酸化水平。结果分化第3,4天贴壁组搏动EB百分比及Nkx2.5,GATA4,β-MHC表达水平显著低于分化第5,6和7天贴壁组(P<0.05);EB贴壁能够使Src激酶磷酸化水平升高,Src激酶阻断剂PP2能够抑制贴壁诱发的Src激酶磷酸化水平升高(P<0.05);对于分化第4天贴壁组,在分化第4～6天使用PP2能够增加搏动EBs百分比及β-MHC表达水平(P<0.05)。结论 EB贴壁时间是影响ESC心肌分化的一个重要因素。在分化第4天或者之前贴壁可以显著抑制心肌分化,其机制可能是EB贴壁激活了Src激酶。     

基底硬度对肝细胞和肝癌细胞融合生长的影响

目的通过比较融合生长肝细胞(L02)与肝癌细胞(HCCLM3)对不同硬度基底(0.5、4 kPa和玻璃)的响应,探查两类细胞融合生长差异的成因。方法运用实时显微摄影技术、免疫荧光染色、流式细胞技术及Western Blot-ting等试验方法分别检测融合生长L02和HCCLM3细胞在不同硬度基底上的形态特征、骨架构象、E-cad和Integrinβ1表达分布,以及Src激酶活性水平的变化。结果 (1)融合生长L02细胞呈圆形或立方形,HCCLM3细胞呈多角形,铺展和极化更为明显;随基底硬度增加,L02细胞圆度随时间变化幅度较小,HCCLM3细胞变化幅度较大。(2)融合生长的L02细胞皮质下呈现环形骨架,E-cad定位于细胞-细胞接触处,HCCLM3中皮质骨架环不完整,胞内骨架沿基底呈放射状分布,E-cad呈弥散分布于细胞质中。(3)随基底硬度增加,L02和HCCLM3细胞中E-cad表达显著降低(P<0.01),而p-Src和Integrinβ1的表达量则显著增加(P<0.01),HCCLM3较L02细胞变化明显。结论皮质下环形骨架装配与E-cad在细胞-细胞定位呈正相关,基底硬度对肝癌细胞钙黏素与整合素黏附系统平衡调节的影响较对肝细胞的影响明显。     

Tamoxifen and Src kinase inhibitors as neuroprotective/neuroregenerative drugs after spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury(SCI) is a devastating condition that produces significant changes in the lifestyle of patients. Many molecular and cellular events are triggered after the initial physical impact to the cord. Two major phases have been described in the field of SCI: an acute phase and late phase. Most of the therapeutic strategies are focused on the late phase because this provides an opportunity to target cellular events like apoptosis, demyelination, scar formation and axonal outgrowth. In this mini-review, we will focus on two agents(tamoxifen and a Src kinase family inhibitor known as PP2) that have been shown in our laboratory to produce neuroprotective(increase cell survival) and/or regenerative(axonal outgrowth) actions. The animal model used in our laboratory is adult female rat(~250 g) with a moderate contusion(12.5 mm) to the spinal cord at the T10 level, using the MASCIS impactor device. Tamoxifen or PP2 was administered by implantation of a 15 mg pellet(Innovative Research of America, Sarasota, FL, USA) or by intraperitoneal injections(1.5 mg/kg, every 3 days), respectively, to produce a long-term effect(28 days). Tamoxifen and the Src kinase inhibitor, PP2, are drugs that in rats with a moderate spinal cord injury promote functional locomotor recovery, increase spared white matter tissue, and stimulate axonal outgrowth. Moreover, tamoxifen reduces the formation of reactive oxygen species. Therefore, these drugs are possible therapeutic agents that have a neuroprotective/regenerative activity in vertebrates with SCI.     

ShcC proteins: Brain aging and beyond

To date, most studies of Shc family of signaling adaptor proteins have been focused on the near-ubiquitously expressed ShcA, indicating its relevance to age-related diseases and longevity. Although the role of the neuronal ShcC protein is much less investigated, accumulated evidence suggests its importance for neuroprotection against such aging-associated conditions as brain ischemia and oxidative stress. Here, we summarize more than decade of studies on the ShcC expression and function in normal brain, age-related brain pathologies and immune disorders with a focus on the interactions of ShcC with signaling proteins/pathways, and the possible implications of these interactions for changes associated with aging.     

Early pregnancy induced expression of prostaglandin E2 receptors EP2 and EP4 in the ovine endometrium and regulated by interferon tau through multiple cell signaling pathways

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE₂) plays pleiotropic roles at fetal-maternal interface during establishment of pregnancy. The objectives of the study were to: (i) determine regulation of PGE2 receptors EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4 in the endometrium during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy; and (ii) understand endometrial epithelial and stromal cell-specific hormonal regulation of EP2 and EP4 in sheep. Results indicate that: (i) early pregnancy induces expression of EP2 and EP4 but not EP1 and EP3 proteins in the endometrium on days 12-16 compared to that of estrous cycle; (ii) intrauterine infusion of interferon tau (IFNT) increases expression of EP2 and EP4 proteins in endometrium; and (iii) IFNT activates distinct epithelial and stromal cell-specific JAK, EGFR, ERK1/2, AKT, or JNK signaling module to regulate expression of EP2 and EP4 proteins in the ovine endometrium. Our results indicate a role for EP2 and EP4-mediated PGE₂ signaling in endometrial functions and establishment of pregnancy in ruminants.