Objective To investigate the effect of ursolic acid on the proliferation and apoptosis of human osteosarcoma cell line U2-OS and analyze its mechanism. Methods Human osteosarcoma cell line U2-OS was divided into 4 groups, which was cultured with ursolic acid of 0, 10, 20, and 40 μmol/L, respectively. At 0, 24, 48, and 72 hours after being cultured, the cell proliferation ability was detected by cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8). At 48 hours, the effects of ursolic acid on cell cycle and apoptosis of U2-OS cells were measured by flow cytometry. Besides, the expressions of cyclin D1 and Caspase-3 were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR and Western blot. Results CCK-8 tests showed that the absorbance (A) value of each group was not significant at 0 and 24 hours (P>0.05); but the differences between groups were significant at 48 and 72 hours (P<0.05). Flow cytometry results showed that, with the ursolic acid concentration increasing, the G1 phase of U2-OS cells increased, the S phase and G2/M phase decreased, and cell apoptosis rate increased gradually. There were significant differences between groups (P<0.05). Compared with the 0 μmol/L group, the relative expressions of cyclin D1 mRNA and protein in 10, 20, and 40 μmol/L groups significantly decreased (P<0.05); whereas, there was no significant difference in relative expression of Caspase-3 mRNA between groups (P>0.05). However, with the ursolic acid concentration increasing, the relative expressions of pro-Caspase-3 protein decreased and the relative expressions of activated Caspase-3 increased; there were significant differences between groups (P<0.05). Conclusion Ursolic acid can effectively inhibit the proliferation of osteosarcoma cell line U2-OS, induce the down-regulation of cyclin D1 expression leading to G0/G1 phase arrest, increase the activation of Caspase-3 and promote cell apoptosis.
摘要:目的:探索槐耳清膏对体结肠癌SW480细胞增殖能力影响及其机制。方法:采用噻唑蓝(MTT)比色法检测槐耳清膏对SW480细胞增殖能力的作用,并探求最佳作用浓度;将体外培养细胞随机分为常氧组(NC组)、低氧组(HC组)和低氧槐耳组(HH组),逆转录聚合酶链反应（RTPCR）检测各组血管内皮生长因子(VEGF) mRNA表达水平,Western blot检测蛋白表达水平。结果:槐耳清膏对SW480细胞抑制率随药物浓度增加而上升,1 mg/mL时抑制率最大(66.7%),与氟尿嘧啶组(浓度为10 μg/mL)相比无统计学意义。HH组和HC组VEGF mRNA表达均显著高于NC组,分别为4.71±0.07,4.54±0.02和1.19±0.03(P＜0.05),但HH组与HC组比较差异无统计学意义。HC组VEGF蛋白表达显著高于NC组,分别为0.66±0.03和0.38±0.02(P＜0.05),HH组较HC组VEGF蛋白表达均显著下降,分别为0.37±0.03和0.66±0.03(P＜0.05)。结论:槐耳清膏可抑制SW480细胞增殖,1 mg/mL时抑制率最大。其机制为槐耳清膏下调细胞内VEGF蛋白表达,从而抑制肿瘤生长。Abstract: Objective: To investigate the effect of Huaier cream on proliferation of colon cancer cells SW480 and its mechanism. Methods: The proliferation was analyzed by MTT. SW480 cells were randomly divided into normoxic group (NC group), hypoxia group (HC group) and hypoxia group treated by Huaier (HH group). Levels of mRNA and protein expression of VEGF were detected by RTPCR and Western blot, respectively． Results: Huaier cream induced a dosedependent inhibition of SW480 cells. The maximum percentage of growth inhibition was 66.7% at a concentration of 1.0 mg/mL, but no significant difference was found compared to the positive control (5FU 10 μg/mL). VEGF mRNA levels were significantly higher in HC group and HH group than in NC group (4.71±0.07, 4.54±0.02 vs 1.19±0.03, all Plt;0.05), but not significantly different between HC group and HH group. VEGF protein expression was higher in HC group than NC group (0.66±0.03 vs 0.38±0.02, Plt;0.05). In HH group, VEGF protein was inhibited remarkably compared with HC group (0.37±0.03 vs 0.66±0.03, Plt;0.05). Conclusion: Huaier cream can significantly inhibit SW480 cells and the top inhibition concentration is 1.0 mg/mL. Huaier cream plays a role in inhibiting tumor through downregulating protein expression of VEGF.
Objective To measure the concentration of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) in demineralized bone matrix (DBM) prepared from different long bones and to evaluate the osteoinductivity of different DBM on MC3T3-E1 cells. Methods Different bones from the same cadaver donor were used as the initial materials for making DBM, which were divided into ulna group (uDBM), humerus group (hDBM), tibia group (tDBM), and femur group (fDBM) according to the origins, and boiled DBM (cDBM) was taken as the control group. The proteins of DBM were extracted by guanidine hydrochloride, and the concentrations of BMP-2 were determined by ELISA assay. Then the DBM were co-cultured with MC3T3-E1 cells, the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells was observed by cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) assay. The osteogenic differentiation ability of MC3T3-E1 cells was qualitatively observed by alizarin red, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and Van Gieson staining, and the osteogenic differentiation ability of MC3T3-E1 cells was quantitatively analyzed by ALP content. Linear regression was used to analyze the effect of BMP-2 concentration in DBM on ALP synthesis. ResultsThere were significant differences in the concentration of BMP-2 among the DBM groups (P<0.05). The concentrations of BMP-2 in the lower limb long bone were higher than those in the upper limb long bone, and the concentration of BMP-2 in the fDBM group was about 35.5 times that in the uDBM group. CCK-8 assay showed that the cells in each group continued to proliferate within 5 days of co-culture, and the absorbance (A) values at different time points were in the order of cDBM group<uDBM group<hDBM group<tDBM group<fDBM group. After co-culture for 14 days, the expressions of ALP, calcified nodules, and collagen fibers in each group were consistent with the distribution of BMP-2 concentration in DBM. The order of ALP content from low to high was cDBM group<uDBM group<hDBM group<tDBM group<fDBM group, and the differences between the groups were significant (P<0.05). Linear regression analysis showed that \begin{document}$\hat y $\end{document}=0.361+0.017x, the effect of BMP-2 concentration in DBM on cellular ALP content was significant (t=3.552, P=0.005); for every 1 ng/g increase in BMP-2 concentration, ALP content would increase by 0.017 [95%CI (0.006, 0.027)] U/100 mL. Conclusion The concentration of natural BMP-2 in different long bones varies greatly, and the lower limb long bone is higher than the upper limb long bone. The harvested location of bone material was an important factor affecting the osteoinductivity of DBM.
The aim of this article is to study the regulatory feedback loop between β-catenin and IQ motif containing GTPase activating protein 1 (IQGAP1), as well as the effect of this regulation loop in colon cancer cell proliferation. Western blot was used to detect the expression of IQGAP1 and β-catenin after changing their expression respectively by transfection in SW1116 cells. CCK-8 cell proliferation assay was used to detect the effect of IQGAP1 involved in the proliferation of SW1116 cells promoted by β-catenin. The results of Western blot indicated that β-catenin could positively regulate IQGAP1, while IQGAP1 silencing could up-regulate β-catenin, forming a negative feedback loop. The results of CCK-8 showed that IQGAP1 silencing inhibited β-catenin-mediated proliferation in SW1116 cells. In conclusion, our research reveals a negative regulatory feedback loop between β-catenin and IQGAP1 which has a remarkable effect on the proliferation ability of colon cancer cells.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of attenuated expression of neuraminidase 3 (NEU3) via RNA interference on the proliferation and apoptosis in human osteosarcoma MG-63 cells.MethodsMG-63 cells were immunostained to observe the expression of NEU3. The cells were then divided into 5 groups: MG-63 cells in normal control group (group A) were not treated; MG-63 cells in 30, 50, and 100 nmol/L NEU3 RNA interference groups (groups B, C, and D) were transfected with 30, 50, and 100 nmol/L of NEU3 small interfering RNA (siRNA); negative control group (group E), MG-63 cells were transfected with different species negative siRNA (actin siRNA of mice, 50 nmol/L). The expression level of NEU3 mRNA was measured with real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qPCR). The proliferation of the cells was measured by cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8). The cell apoptosis rate was detected by flowcytometry (FCM). The expressions of cell apoptosis related proteins (Ras and Bcl-2) were detected by Western blot assay.ResultsNEU3 expressed in the cytoplasm of MG-63 cells under fluorescence microscope. The qPCR results showed that NEU3 mRNA levels were significantly lower in groups B, C, D than that in groups A and E (P<0.05) after 24 hours of transfection; meanwhile, with the increase of siRNA concentration, NEU3 mRNA levels were significantly decreased (P<0.05). The CCK-8 results showed that with the increase of siRNA concentration, the survival rate of MG-63 cells was significantly suppressed (P<0.05) and the apoptosis rate of MG-63 cells was significantly accelerated (P<0.05) after 48 hours of transfection. FCM results showed that after 24 hours of transfection, the number of live MG-63 cells decreased as that of the dead cells increased in groups B, C, D, and showing significant differences between 3 groups (P<0.05). While the apoptosis rate in groups B, C, and D showed significant difference when compared with that of group A (P<0.05); and when compared with group E, the apoptosis rate in groups C and D were significantly reduced (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between groups B and E (P>0.05). The results of Western bolt assay showed that the protein levels of Ras and Bcl-2 in groups B and C were not significantly different from groups A and E (P>0.05), while the protein levels of Ras and Bcl-2 were significantly decreased in group D (P<0.05).ConclusionAttenuated expression of NEU3 could inhibit the survival of MG-63 cells and accelerate its apoptosis. The results suggest that NEU3 could be a possible target for treating osteosarcoma.
Objective To investigate the effect of ginkgolide B (GB) on cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-3 (Caspase-3)/chromosome 10 deletion phosphatase-tension protein homologue (PTEN)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway and cell proliferation and apoptosis in hypoxia/reoxygenation cardiomyocytes. Methods H9C2 cells were cultured in vitro. A control group was cultured in serum-free DMEM high glucose medium at 37°C and 5% CO2 for 28 hours. The remaining groups were prepared with hypoxia/reoxygenation models. A GB low-dose group and a GB high-dose group were treated with GB pretreatment with final concentration of 50 μmol/L and 200 μmol/L respectively at 1 h before hypoxia/reoxygenation. A carvedilol group was treated with carvedilol of a final concentration of 10 μmol/L at 1 h before hypoxia/reoxygenation. The proliferation and apoptosis of H9C2 cells were detected, and the levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), PTEN, Akt, phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) and Caspase-3 in H9C2 cells were also detected. Results Compared with the control group, the proliferation rate of H9C2 cell, and the levels of PTEN, Akt and p-Akt in other groups decreased, and the apoptosis rate, and the levels of LDH, MDA, ROS and Caspase-3 increased (P<0.05). Compared with the hypoxia/reoxygenation group, the proliferation rate of H9C2 cell, and the levels of PTEN, Akt and p-Akt in all GB dose groups and the carvedilol group increased; the apoptosis rate, and the levels of LDH, MDA, ROS and Caspase-3 decreased, and the effect of GB was in a dose dependent manner; however, the effect of GB was not as strong as carvedilol (P<0.05). Conclusion GB can inhibit H9C2 cell apoptosis and promote H9C2 cell proliferation by activating Caspase-3/PTEN/Akt pathway.
Objective To study the effects of morroniside (MOR) on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of mouse MC3T3-E1 cells. MethodsThe 4th generation MC3T3-E1 cells were randomly divided into 6 groups: control group (group A), MOR low dose group (10 μmol/L, group B), MOR medium-low dose group (20 μmol/L, group C), MOR medium dose group (40 μmol/L, group D), MOR medium-high dose group (80 μmol/L, group E), and MOR high dose group (100 μmol/L, group F). The proliferation activity of each group was detected by cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) assay; the bone differentiation and mineralized nodule formation of each group were detected by alizarin red staining; real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was performed to detect cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (P21), recombinant Cyclin D1 (CCND1), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), collagen type Ⅰ (COL-1), bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2), and adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) mRNA expressions; Western blot was used to detecte the expressions of osteopontin (OPN), Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), and adenosine A2AR protein. ResultsThe CCK-8 assay showed that the absorbance (A) values of groups B to F were significantly higher than that of group A at 24 hours of culture, with group C significantly higher than the rest of the groups (P<0.05). The MOR concentration (20 μmol/L) of group C was selected for the subsequent CCK-8 assay; the results showed that the A values of group C were significantly higher than those of group A at 24, 48, and 72 hours of culture (P<0.05). Alizarin red staining showed that orange-red mineralized nodules were visible in all groups and the number of mineralized nodules was significantly higher in groups B and C than in group A (P<0.05). RT-qPCR showed that the relative expressions of P21, CCND1, and PCNA mRNAs were significantly higher in group C than in group A (P<0.05). The expressions of ALP, BMP-2, COL-1, and adenosine A2AR mRNAs in groups B to E were significantly higher than those in group A, with the expressions of ALP, BMP-2, COL-1 mRNAs in group C significantly higher than the rest of the groups (P<0.05). Compared with group A, the expressions of OPN and RUNX2 proteins in groups B and C were significantly increased, while those in group D and E were significantly inhibited (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between groups B and C and between groups D and E (P>0.05). The relative expression of adenosine A2AR protein in groups B to E was significantly higher than that in group A, with group C significantly higher than the rest of the groups (P<0.05). Conclusion MOR can promote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells; the mechanism of MOR may be achieved by interacting with adenosine A2AR.
Objective To investigate the feasibility of a dual-crosslinked injectable hydrogel derived from acellular musclar matrix (AMM) for promoting myoblasts proliferation and myogenic differentiation. Methods Firstly, hyaluronic acid was oxidized with NaIO4 and methylated to prepare methacrylamidated oxidized hyaluronic acid (MOHA). Then, AMM obtained by washing enzymatically treated muscle tissue was aminolyzed to prepare aminated AMM (AAMM). MOHA hydrogel and AAMM were crosslinked using Schiff based reaction and UV radiation to prepare a dual-crosslinked MOHA/AAMM injectable hydrogel. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to characterize MOHA, AAMM, and MOHA/AAMM hydrogels. The injectability of MOHA/AAMM hydrogel were evaluated by manual injection, and the gelation performance was assessed by UV crosslinking. The rheological properties and Young’s modulus of the hydrogel were examined through mechanical tests. The degradation rate of the hydrogel was assessed by immersing it in PBS. The active components of the hydrogel were verified using immunofluorescence staining and ELISA assay kits. The promotion of cell proliferation by the hydrogel was tested using live/dead staining and cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) assays after co-culturing with C2C12 myoblasts for 9 days. The effect of the hydrogel on myogenic differentiation was evaluated by immunofluorescence staining and real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). ResultsFTIR spectra confirmed the successful preparation of MOHA/AAMM hydrogel. The hydrogel exhibited good injectability and gelation ability. Compared to MOHA hydrogel, MOHA/AAMM hydrogel exhibited higher viscosity and Young’s modulus, a reduced degradation rate, and contained a higher amount of collagen (including collagen type Ⅰ and collagen type Ⅲ) as well as bioactive factors (including epidermal growth factor, fibroblast growth factor 2, vascular endothelial growth factor, and insulin-like growth factor 1). The live/dead cell staining and CCK-8 assay indicated that with prolonged incubation time, there was a significant increase in viable cells and a decrease in dead cells in the C2C12 myoblasts within the MOHA/AAMM hydrogel. Compared with MOHA hydrogel, the difference was significant at each time point (P<0.05). Immunofluorescence staining and RT-qPCR analysis demonstrated that the deposition of IGF-1 and expression levels of myogenic-related genes (including Myogenin, Troponin T, and myosin heavy chain) in the MOHA/AAMM group were significantly higher than those in the MOHA group (P<0.05). ConclusionThe MOHA/AAMM hydrogel prepared based on AMM can promote myoblasts proliferation and myogenic differentiation, providing a novel dual-crosslinked injectable hydrogel for muscle tissue engineering.
To study the potential molecular mechanism of tumor angiogenesis in its microenvironment, we investigated the effects of HepG2 conditioned medium on the proliferation of vascular endothelial cell and vascular angiogenesis in our laboratory. Human umbilical vein endothelial EA.hy926 cells were co-cultured with HepG2 conditioned medium in vitro. The proliferation and the tubulogenesis of EA.hy926 cells were detected by teramethylazo salt azole (MTT) and tube formation assay, respectively. The results showed that the survival rate of the EA.hy926 cells was significantly increased under the co-culture condition. HepG2 conditioned medium also enhanced the angiogenesis ability of EA.hy926 cells. In addition, the expressions of intracellular VEGF and extracellular VEGFR (Flk-1) were regulated upward in a time-dependent manner. In conclusion, the proliferation of vascular endothelial cells and Vascula angiogenesis were improved under the condition of indirect co-culture.
ObjectiveTo prepare hierarchically structured fibrous scaffolds with different morphologies, and to explore the additional dimensionality for tuning the physicochemical properties of the scaffolds and the effect of their hemocompatibility and cytocompatibility.MethodsElectrospinning poly (e-caprolactone) (PCL)/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) bicomponent fibers (PCL∶PVP mass ratios were 8∶2 and 5∶5 respectively), and the surface porous fibrous scaffolds were prepared by extracting PVP components. The scaffolds were labeled PCL-P8 and PCL-P5 respectively according to the mass ratio of polymer. In addition, shish-kebab (SK) structured scaffolds with different kebab sizes were created by solution incubation method, which use electrospun PCL fibers as shish while PCL chains in solution crystallizes on the fiber surface. The PCL fibrous scaffolds with smooth surface was established as control group. The hierarchically structured fibrous scaffolds were characterized by field emission scanning electron microspore, water contact angle tests, and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) experiments. The venous blood of New Zealand white rabbits was taken and hemolysis and coagulation tests were used to characterize the blood compatibility of the scaffolds. The proliferation of the pig iliac artery endothelial cell (PIEC) on the scaffolds was detected by cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) method, and the biocompatibility of the scaffolds was evaluated.ResultsField emission scanning electron microscopy showed that porous morphology appeared on the surface of PCL/PVP bicomponent fibers after extracting PVP. In addition, SK structure with periodic arrangement was successfully prepared by solution induction, and the longer the crystallization time, the larger the lamellar size and periodic distance. The contact angle and DSC measurements showed that when compared with smooth PCL fiber scaffolds, the crystallinity of PCL surface porous fibrous scaffolds and PCL-SK fibrous scaffolds increased, while the hydrophobicity of PCL-SK fibrous scaffolds increased, but the hydrophobicity of PCL porous scaffolds did not change significantly. The hemolysis test showed that the hemolysis rate of PCL surface porous fibrous scaffolds and PCL-SK fibrous scaffolds was higher than that of PCL fibrous scaffolds. According to American Society of Materials and Tests (ASTM) F756-08 standard, all scaffolds were non-hemolytic materials and were suitable for blood contact materials. Coagulation test showed that the coagulation index of PCL surface porous fibrous scaffolds and PCL-SK fibrous scaffolds was higher than that of PCL fibrous scaffolds at 5 and 10 minutes of culture. CCK-8 assay showed that both hierarchically structured fibrous scaffolds were more conducive to PIEC proliferation than PCL fibrous scaffold.ConclusionBased on electrospinning technology, solution-induced and blend phase separation methods can be used to construct multi-scale fiber scaffolds with different morphologies, which can not only regulate the surface physicochemical properties of the scaffolds, but also have good blood compatibility and biocompatibility. The hierarchically structured fibrous scaffolds have high application potential in the field of tissue engineering.