Int J Med Sci
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The therapeutic effect of dihydroartemisinin (DHA) against cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) has been previously demonstrated; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study sought to verify the therapeutic effect of DHA against cSCC and explore its underlying mechanism in A431 cSCC cells. This study reported that DHA inhibited A431 cells proliferation in a time- and concentration-dependent manner and promoted A431 cells apoptosis. ⋯ Treatment of A431 cells with the mTOR inhibitor, and autophagy promoter, rapamycin also inhibited these two pathways. In conclusion, DHA inhibited activation of the AIM2 inflammasome pathway and NF-κB/HIF-1α/VEGF pathway by promoting autophagy in A431 cells, thus accounting for its therapeutic effect. Induction of autophagy by DHA may be mediated by inhibiting the mTOR pathway and promoting reactive oxygen species production.
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Huaier extract, the main active constituent proteoglycan, has anti-tumor activity in various experimental and clinical settings. However, the potential anti-neuroblastoma and associated mechanisms have not been investigated. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to elucidate the potential role of Huaier extract in 3 human neuroblastoma cell lines. ⋯ Signaling analysis indicated that Huaier extract suppressed the MEK/ERK and mTOR signaling pathways simultaneously. In conclusion, we verify that Huaier extract causes cell proliferation inhibition, apoptosis, autophagy, and cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase via MEK/ERK and mTOR signaling. Huaier extract may act as a complementary agent for treating neuroblastoma.
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Increasing evidence has demonstrated that circular RNA (circRNA) exerts important function in the pathogenesis of some diseases. While, the contributions of circRNAs to aseptic loosening after total hip arthroplasty (THA) remain largely unknown. Our research is to explore the differentially expressed circRNAs (DEcircRNAs) and elucidate complex regulated mechanism of circRNAs in aseptic loosening. ⋯ Then, circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network was established. The result of GO and KEGG enrichment analysis suggested that the circRNAs were related with some biological functions and pathways of aseptic loosening. A novel pathogenesis and treatment strategy about aseptic loosening after THA was revealed from our study of circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network.
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Observational Study
Circulating Th22 cells, as well as Th17 cells, are elevated in patients with renal cell carcinoma.
T-helper (Th) 22 cells serve an essential role in different types of tumors and autoimmune diseases. No research has been conducted to study the role of Th22 cells in the pathogenesis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of circulating Th22, Th17, and Th1 cells in RCC patients. ⋯ Furthermore, patients with high Th22 or Th17 cells frequency displayed a decreased trend in survival rate. Our research indicated that the increased circulating Th22 and Th17 cells and plasma IL-22 may be involved in the pathogenesis of RCC and may be involved in the occurrence and development of tumors. Th22 cells, plasma IL-22, and Th17 cells may be promising new clinical biomarkers and may be used as cellular targets for RCC therapeutic intervention.
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Background: When an imbalance occurs between the demand and capacity for protein folding, unfolded proteins accumulate in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) lumen and activate the unfolded protein response (UPR). In addition, unfolded proteins are cleared from the ER lumen for ubiquitination and subsequent cytosolic proteasomal degradation, which is termed as the ER-associated degradation (ERAD) pathway. This study focused on changes in the UPR and ERAD pathways induced by the repeated inhalation anesthetic exposure in Caenorhabditis elegans. ⋯ Conclusion: Repeated isoflurane exposure caused significant ER stress in C. elegans. Following the increase in UPR, the ERAD pathway was disrupted by repeated isoflurane exposure and ubiquitinated proteins was accumulated subsequently. UPR and ERAD pathways are potential modifiable neuroprotection targets against anesthesia-induced neurotoxicity.