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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2018

Desflurane inhibits endothelium-dependent vasodilation more than sevoflurane with inhibition of endothelial nitric oxide synthase by different mechanisms

Highlights: • The effects of desflurane on endothelium-dependent vasodilation remain uncertain. • These effects were compared with those of sevoflurane, and mechanisms. • Desflurane inhibited endothelium-dependent vasodilation more than sevoflurane. • This inhibitory effect mediates a calcium pathway. • Sevoflurane, but not desflurane, inhibit phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase. The effects of desflurane on endothelium-dependent vasodilation remain uncertain, whereas sevoflurane is known to inhibit it. Endothelium-dependent vasodilation is mainly mediated by endothelial nitric oxide synthase. The effects of desflurane on endothelium-dependent vasodilation were compared with those of sevoflurane, and inhibition mechanisms, including phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and the calcium pathway, were evaluated for the two anesthetics. We hypothesized that desflurane would inhibit endothelium-dependent vasodilation in a concentration-dependent manner more than sevoflurane, with inhibition of a calcium pathway. Isolated rat aortic rings were randomly assigned to treatment with desflurane or sevoflurane for measurements of the vasodilation ratio. To determine NO production with desflurane and sevoflurane, an in vitro assay was performed with cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells. These cells were also used for measurement of intracellular calcium or Western blotting. For endothelium-dependent vasodilation, the ratio of vasodilation was more significantly inhibited by 11.4% desflurane than by 4.8% sevoflurane. Inhibition did not between 5.7% desflurane and 2.4% sevoflurane. No inhibitory effect of desflurane or sevoflurane was observed in endothelium-denuded aorta. Desflurane inhibited nitric oxide production caused by stimulation of bradykinin significantly more than sevoflurane. Desflurane had a greater suppressive effect on the bradykinin-induced increase in intracellular calcium concentration than did sevoflurane. Sevoflurane, but not desflurane, inhibited phosphorylation of the serine 1177 residue by bradykinin stimulation. Desflurane inhibited endothelium-dependent vasodilation more than sevoflurane through inhibition of a calcium pathway. Sevoflurane inhibited endothelium-dependent vasodilation by inhibition of phosphorylation of the serine 1177 residue of endothelial nitric oxide synthase.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Ropivacaine inhibits the migration of esophageal cancer cells via sodium-channel-independent but prenylation-dependent inhibition of Rac1/JNK/paxillin/FAK

Highlights: • Ropivacaine potently inhibits migration in esophageal cancer cells. • Ropivacaine inhibits migration via sodium channel-independent manner. • Ropivacaine decreases small GTPases activities via inhibiting prenylation. • Ropivacaine inhibits migration via suppressing Rac1/JNK/paxillin/FAK. The direct anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of local anesthetics have been well documented in various cancers. However, whether local anesthetics affect cancer metastasis and their underlying molecular mechanisms are not well understood. In this work, we show that ropivacaine at the clinically relevant concentration significantly inhibits esophageal cancer cell migration. Interestingly, ropivacaine at the same concentration does not display inhibitory effects on esophageal cancer cell growth and survival. We further demonstrate that ropivacaine significantly decreases activities of GTPases including RhoA, Rac1 and Ras, and inhibits prenylation in esophageal cancer cells. In addition, the inhibitory effects of ropivacaine on GTPases activities and migration are abolished in the presence of geranylgeraniol and farnesol, demonstrating that ropivacaine inhibits GTPases activities via prenylation inhibition. Finally, we demonstrate that ropivacaine-inhibited esophageal cancer cell inhibition occurs independently of sodium channel but via suppressing Rac1/JNK/paxillin/FAK pathway. Our work demonstrates the potent anti-migratory effect of ropivacaine in esophageal cancer by attenuating prenylation-dependent migratory signalling events. These findings provide significant insight into the potential mechanisms by which local anaesthetics may negatively affect metastasis.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

Equol inhibits growth, induces atresia, and inhibits steroidogenesis of mouse antral follicles in vitro

Equol is a non-steroidal estrogen metabolite produced by microbial conversion of daidzein, a major soy isoflavone, in the gut of some humans and many animal species. Isoflavones and their metabolites can affect endogenous estradiol production, action, and metabolism, potentially influencing ovarian follicle function. However, no studies have examined the effects of equol on intact ovarian antral follicles, which are responsible for sex steroid synthesis and further development into ovulatory follicles. Thus, the present study tested the hypothesis that equol inhibits antral follicle growth, increases follicle atresia, and inhibits steroidogenesis in the adult mouse ovary. To test this hypothesis, antral follicles isolated from adult CD-1 mice were cultured with vehicle control (dimethyl sulfoxide; DMSO) or equol (600 nM, 6 μM, 36 μM, and 100 μM) for 48 and 96 h. Every 24 h, follicle diameters were measured to monitor growth. At 48 and 96 h, the culture medium was subjected to measurement of hormone levels, and the cultured follicles were subjected to gene expression analysis. Additionally, follicles were histologically evaluated for signs of atresia after 96 h of culture. The results indicate that equol (100 μM) inhibited follicle growth, altered the mRNA levels of bcl2-associated X protein and B cell leukemia/lymphoma 2, and induced follicle atresia. Further, equol decreased the levels of estradiol, testosterone, androstenedione, and progesterone, and it decreased mRNA levels of cholesterol side-chain cleavage, steroid 17-α-hydroxalase, and aromatase. Collectively, these data indicate that equol inhibits growth, increases atresia, and inhibits steroidogenesis of cultured mouse antral follicles. - Highlights: • Equol exposure inhibits antral follicle growth. • Equol exposure increases follicle atresia. • Equol exposure inhibits sex steroid hormone levels. • Equol exposure inhibits mRNA levels of certain steroidogenic enzymes.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Inhibition of miR-361-5p suppressed pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell survival and migration by targeting ABCA1 and inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 pathway

Highlights: • MiR-361-5p was significantly increased in hypoxia-induced hPASMCs. • Inhibition of miR-361-5p suppressed hypoxia-induced hPASMCs proliferation and migration. • miR-361-5p targeted ABCA1. • Overexpression of ABCA1 enhanced the effect of anti-miR-361-5p on hPASMCs proliferation and migration. • miR-361-5p inhibited JAK2/STAT3 pathway. MicroRNAs play a crucial role in the progression of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of miR-361-5p on the proliferation, migration and apoptosis of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) that under the treatment of hypoxia and explore the underlying mechanisms. The results proved that hypoxia noticeably up-regulated the expression of miR-361-5p in PASMCs in comparison to the normoxia-treated cells, while TNF-α and IL-6 stimulation had no obvious effects on miR-361-5p level. Hypoxia induced miR-361-5p elevation in a HIF-1α-dependent manner. Inhibition of miR-361-5p dramatically inhibited hypoxia-induced cell proliferation and migration. miR-361-5p inhibition also rescued hypoxia exposure caused suppression of PASMCs apoptosis. In addition, the results showed that ABCA1 was a direct target of miR-361-5p and was down-regulated in hypoxia-induced PASMCs. Hypoxia and TNF-α or IL-6 stimulation significantly inhibited ABCA1 expression. In addition, overexpression of ABCA1 enhanced the effect of miR-361-5p on hPASMCs. Furthermore, the inhibition of miR-361-5p significantly down-regulated the expression level of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3. In conclusion, it may suggest that the suppression of miR-361-5p suppressed PASMC survival and migration by targeting ABCA1 and inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

Inhibition of fucosylation of cell wall components by 2‐fluoro 2‐deoxy‐ l ‐fucose induces defects in root cell elongation

Summary Screening of commercially available fluoro monosaccharides as putative growth inhibitors in Arabidopsis thaliana revealed that 2‐fluoro 2‐ l ‐fucose (2F‐Fuc) reduces root growth at micromolar concentrations. The inability of 2F‐Fuc to affect an Atfkgp mutant that is defective in the fucose salvage pathway indicates that 2F‐Fuc must be converted to its cognate GDP nucleotide sugar in order to inhibit root growth. Chemical analysis of cell wall polysaccharides and glycoproteins demonstrated that fucosylation of xyloglucans and of N ‐linked glycans is fully inhibited by 10 μ m 2F‐Fuc in Arabidopsis seedling roots, but genetic evidence indicates that these alterations are not responsible for the inhibition of root development by 2F‐Fuc. Inhibition of fucosylation of cell wall polysaccharides also affected pectic rhamnogalacturonan‐ II ( RG ‐ II ). At low concentrations, 2F‐Fuc induced a decrease in RG ‐ II dimerization. Both RG ‐ II dimerization and root growth were partially restored in 2F‐Fuc‐treated seedlings by addition of boric acid, suggesting that the growth phenotype caused by 2F‐Fuc was due to a deficiency of RG ‐ II dimerization. Closer investigation of the 2F‐Fuc‐induced growth phenotype demonstrated that cell division is not affected by 2F‐Fuc treatments. In contrast, the inhibitor suppressed elongation of root cells and promoted the emergence of adventitious roots. This study further emphasizes the importance of RG ‐ II in cell elongation and the utility of glycosyltransferase inhibitors as new tools for studying the functions of cell wall polysaccharides in plant development. Moreover, supplementation experiments with borate suggest that the function of boron in plants might not be restricted to RG ‐ II cross‐linking, but that it might also be a signal molecule in the cell wall integrity‐sensing mechanism.

Dumont, Marie↗
DOE OSTI2018

Quercetin inhibits the poly(dA:dT)-induced secretion of IL-18 via down-regulation of the expressions of AIM2 and pro-caspase-1 by inhibiting the JAK2/STAT1 pathway in IFN-γ-primed human keratinocytes

Highlights: • Pre-treatment with Quercetin inhibited poly(dA:dT)-induced IL-18 secretion in IFN-γ-primed keratinocytes. • Pre-treatment with Quercetin inhibited expression of AIM2 and pro-caspase-1 in poly(dA:dT)-treated and IFN-γ–primed keratinocytes. • Pre-treatment with Quercetin inhibited the JAK2/STAT1 pathway in poly(dA:dT)-treated and IFN-γ–primed keratinocytes. Quercetin, a polyphenol, belongs to a class of flavonoids that exerts anti-inflammatory effects. Interleukin (IL)-18 is a member of the IL-1 family cytokine that regulates immune responses and is implicated in various inflammatory skin diseases. Absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) is a cytosolic double-stranded (ds) DNA sensor that recognizes the dsDNA of a microbial or host origin. Binding of dsDNA to AIM2 simulates caspase-1-dependent inflammasome activity, which leads to the production of IL-1β and IL-18. Increased levels of AIM2 have been observed in patients with inflammatory skin diseases. In the current study, we investigated the issue of whether or how Quercetin attenuates poly (dA:dT), a synthetic analog of microbial dsDNA, -induced IL-18 secretion in IFN-γ-primed human keratinocytes. Treatment with 5 and 10 μM of Quercetin inhibited the poly (dA:dT)-induced secretion of IL-18 after IFN-γ priming and before poly (dA:dT)-induced AIM2 activation. In addition, treatment with Quercetin at 10 μM, significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT1, and the nuclear translocation of phosphorylated STAT1 in poly (dA:dT)-treated and IFN-γ-primed keratinocytes. These results suggest that treatment with Quercetin inhibits the poly (dA:dT)-induced secretion of IL-18 via down-regulation of the expressions of AIM2 and pro-caspase-1 by inhibiting the JAK2/STAT1 pathway in IFN-γ-primed keratinocytes.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

Vitamin K3 (menadione) redox cycling inhibits cytochrome P450-mediated metabolism and inhibits parathion intoxication

Parathion, a widely used organophosphate insecticide, is considered a high priority chemical threat. Parathion toxicity is dependent on its metabolism by the cytochrome P450 system to paraoxon (diethyl 4-nitrophenyl phosphate), a cytotoxic metabolite. As an effective inhibitor of cholinesterases, paraoxon causes the accumulation of acetylcholine in synapses and overstimulation of nicotinic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors, leading to characteristic signs of organophosphate poisoning. Inhibition of parathion metabolism to paraoxon represents a potential approach to counter parathion toxicity. Herein, we demonstrate that menadione (methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone, vitamin K3) is a potent inhibitor of cytochrome P450-mediated metabolism of parathion. Menadione is active in redox cycling, a reaction mediated by NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase that preferentially uses electrons from NADPH at the expense of their supply to the P450s. Using human recombinant CYP 1A2, 2B6, 3A4 and human liver microsomes, menadione was found to inhibit the formation of paraoxon from parathion. Administration of menadione bisulfite (40 mg/kg, ip) to rats also reduced parathion-induced inhibition of brain cholinesterase activity, as well as parathion-induced tremors and the progression of other signs and symptoms of parathion poisoning. These data suggest that redox cycling compounds, such as menadione, have the potential to effectively mitigate the toxicity of organophosphorus pesticides including parathion which require cytochrome P450-mediated activation. - Highlights: • Menadione redox cycles with cytochrome P450 reductase and generates reactive oxygen species. • Redox cycling inhibits cytochrome P450-mediated parathion metabolism. • Short term administration of menadione inhibits parathion toxicity by inhibiting paraoxon formation.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

Agkihpin, a novel SVAE may inhibit the migration and invasion of liver cancer cells associated with the inversion of EMT induced by Wnt/β-catenin signaling inhibition

In our previous work, agkihpin, a snake venom arginine esterase (SVAE), was isolated from the Gloydius halys Pallas, which could attenuate the migration of liver cancer cells. However, the mechanism of the effect of agkihpin on attenuating migration of liver cancer cell is unknown yet. Here, to learn more about agkihpin and explore the possibility of agkihpin as an anti-metastatic drug in the future, a series of experiments about the migration and invasion of liver cancer cells with agkihpin, HepG 2 and SMMC-7721, was conducted. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an initial step and a major phenotype of cancer metastasis and invasion, while a number of EMT opposite phenomenons were observed, for example, epithelial marker E-cadherin was up-regulated, mesenchymal markers N-cadherin and Vimentin, and transcription regulators Snail and twist were down-regulated after treating with agkihpin in liver cancer cells; canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway, one of the signals initiated EMT, was inhibited by decreased expressions of FZD7 and β-catenin, phosphorylation of GSK3β (Ser9), and nuclear β-catenin accumulation in agkihpin treated cancer cells. By using bioinformatics analysis and protease activity analysis in vitro we also found that agkihpin might bind and degrade FZD7. As a result, we hypothesized that agkihpin could inhibit the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by cleaving FZD7, leading to the inactivation of the TCF/LEF transcription factor, which contributed to the inversion of EMT, and finally attenuated the migration and invasion of liver cancer cells. Therefore, our findings provided novel mechanistic insights into the role of SVAEs in liver cancer controlling, and raised the possibility that agkihpin may be used therapeutically in liver cancer. - Highlights: • We found for the first time that SVAE may inhibit the migration and invasion of liver cancer cells. • The inhibition of migration and invasion was associated with the inversion of EMT. • The inversion of EMT was induced by Wnt/β-catenin signaling inhibition.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

The peptide mimicking small extracellular loop domain of CD82 inhibits tumor cell migration, adhesion and induces apoptosis by inhibiting integrin mediated signaling

Highlights: • The peptide mimicking EC1 amino acid sequence (EC1-mP) has the functional role of CD82 intact molecule. • EC1-mP inhibits cancer cell migration, adhesion and induces cancer cells apoptosis. • EC1-mP surpresses the expression of integrin α5 and β1, inhibits integrin mediated signaling. • This novel finding will improve our understanding of the mechanism by which CD82 inhibits metastasis, . • EC1-mP may be a promising candidate for developing anti-metastasis drugs. Within the extracellular domains of metastasis suppressor CD82, the large extracellular loop (EC2) has received much of the attention and its structure and function have been studied in detail. However, little attention has been given to the small extracellular loop (EC1 domain). To investigate the function role of EC1 in metastasis suppression of CD82, the peptide mimicking EC1 amino acid sequence (EC1-mP) was synthesized and its effect on cancer cells behavior was examined. Here, we reported that EC1-mP strongly inhibited cancer cell migration in vitro, attnuated the ability of cancer cells adhesion to fibronectin, and induced the apoptosis. Furthermore, the EC1-mP was showed to supprese the expressions of integrins α5 and β1, as well as decreased the phosphorylation of FAK and expression of ILK in SW620 cells. Taken together, these results demonstrate that this small peptide has the functional role of CD82 intact molecule. This novel finding will improve our understanding of the mechanism by which CD82 inhibits metastasis, and suggested that EC1 mimic peptide may be a promising candidate for developing anti-metastasis drugs.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Thioredoxin-interacting protein-derived peptide (TN13) inhibits LPS-induced inflammation by inhibiting p38 MAPK signaling

Highlights: • TAT-TN13 suppresses p38 MAPK activity. • TAT-TN13 inhibits LPS-induced activation of macrophages. • TAT-TN13 downregulates NF-κB and AP-1 transcriptional activities. • TAT-TN13 inhibits LPS-induced inflammation in vitro and in vivo. Inflammation comprises an innate immune response, and is mainly induced by macrophages to protect the host from pathogens and mechanical injuries. The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway is a key regulator of inflammatory responses in macrophages. Here, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of thioredoxin-interacting protein-derived peptide (TN13) in macrophages in vitro and in vivo. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) trans-activator protein (TAT)-conjugated TN13 (TAT-TN13) was found to penetrate RAW 264.7 cells and decrease p38 MAPK activation in a dose-dependent manner. We also showed that TAT-TN13 could significantly inhibit lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced expression of macrophage activation-related receptors including CD80, CD86, and MHC II, as well as the transcriptional activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) in RAW 264.7 cells and primary mouse splenic macrophages. Furthermore, TAT-TN13 decreased the LPS-induced production of proinflammatory cytokines and mediators such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), nitric oxide (NO), inducible NO synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) in RAW 264.7 cells and mice. These results indicate that TAT-TN13 can inhibit macrophage-derived inflammation by inhibiting p38 MAPK activity and might represent a potential novel drug for the treatment of inflammation-related diseases.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Long noncoding RNA Nespas inhibits apoptosis of epileptiform hippocampal neurons by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway

Highlights: • Nespas is downregulated and inhibits hippocampal neuron apoptosis in epileptic mouse models. • Nespas binds with miR-615–3p in epileptiform hippocampal neurons. • MiR-615–3p targets Psmd11 in epileptiform hippocampal neurons. • Nespas inhibits hippocampal neuron apoptosis in epilepsy by upregulating Psmd11 and inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases with spontaneous recurrent seizures. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are crucial modulators in numerous diseases, including epilepsy. However, the functional role and potential mechanism of lncRNA Nespas in epilepsy remain unknown. Our study clarified that Nespas was underexpressed in epileptiform hippocampal tissues and neurons. Furthermore, Nespas promoted hippocampal neuron viability and proliferation, and inhibited hippocampal neuron apoptosis. Mechanistically, Nespas interacted with microRNA 615–3p (miR-615–3p) in epileptiform hippocampal neurons. 26S proteasome non-ATPase regulatory subunit 11 (Psmd11) was a downstream target of miR-615–3p, and Nespas elevated Psmd11 expression via competitively binding to miR-615–3p in epileptiform hippocampal neurons. In addition, rescue assays suggested that Nespas promoted hippocampal neuron viability and proliferation, and suppressed hippocampal neuron apoptosis by upregulation of Psmd11. Furthermore, Nespas suppressed the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway via upregulating Psmd11 in epileptiform hippocampal neurons. This report explored the function and regulatory mechanism of Nespas in epileptiform hippocampal neurons for the first time. Our findings revealed that Nespas suppressed the apoptosis of epileptiform hippocampal neurons by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway via upregulation of Psmd11 at a miR-615–3p dependent way, indicating that Nespas may offer a new direction for the treatment of epilepsy.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Sclerostin neutralization unleashes the osteoanabolic effects of Dkk1 inhibition [Genetic disruption of compensatory WNT inhibitor expression reveals a context-dependent, highly osteoanabolic role for DKK1 inhibition in the skeleton]

The WNT pathway has become an attractive target for skeletal therapies. High-bone-mass phenotypes in patients with loss-of-function mutations in the LRP5/6 inhibitor Sost (sclerosteosis), or in its downstream enhancer region (van Buchem disease), highlight the utility of targeting Sost/sclerostin to improve bone properties. Sclerostin-neutralizing antibody is highly osteoanabolic in animal models and in human clinical trials, but antibody-based inhibition of another potent LRP5/6 antagonist, Dkk1, is largely inefficacious for building bone in the unperturbed adult skeleton. In this work, we show that conditional deletion of Dkk1 from bone also has negligible effects on bone mass. Dkk1 inhibition increases Sost expression, suggesting a potential compensatory mechanism that might explain why Dkk1 suppression lacks anabolic action. To test this concept, we deleted Sost from osteocytes in, or administered sclerostin neutralizing antibody to, mice with a Dkk1-deficient skeleton. A robust anabolic response to Dkk1 deletion was manifest only when Sost/sclerostin was impaired. Whole-body DXA scans, μCT measurements of the femur and spine, histomorphometric measures of femoral bone formation rates, and biomechanical properties of whole bones confirmed the anabolic potential of Dkk1 inhibition in the absence of sclerostin. Moreover, combined administration of sclerostin and Dkk1 antibody in WT mice produced a synergistic effect on bone gain that greatly exceeded individual or additive effects of the therapies, confirming the therapeutic potential of inhibiting multiple WNT antagonists for skeletal health. In conclusion, the osteoanabolic effects of Dkk1 inhibition can be realized if sclerostin upregulation is prevented. Anabolic therapies for patients with low bone mass might benefit from a strategy that accounts for the compensatory milieu of WNT inhibitors in bone tissue.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS2003

Fluid shear stress inhibits TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis in osteoblasts: a role for fluid shear stress-induced activation of PI3-kinase and inhibition of caspase-3

In bone, a large proportion of osteoblasts, the cells responsible for deposition of new bone, normally undergo programmed cell death (apoptosis). Because mechanical loading of bone increases the rate of new bone formation, we hypothesized that mechanical stimulation of osteoblasts might increase their survival. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the effects of fluid shear stress (FSS) on osteoblast apoptosis using three osteoblast cell types: primary rat calvarial osteoblasts (RCOB), MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells, and UMR106 osteosarcoma cells. Cells were treated with TNF-alpha in the presence of cyclohexamide (CHX) to rapidly induce apoptosis. Osteoblasts showed significant signs of apoptosis within 4-6 h of exposure to TNF-alpha and CHX, and application of FSS (12 dyne/cm(2)) significantly attenuated this TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis. FSS activated PI3-kinase signaling, induced phosphorylation of Akt, and inhibited TNF-alpha-induced activation of caspase-3. Inhibition of PI3-kinase, using LY294002, blocked the ability of FSS to rescue osteoblasts from TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis and blocked FSS-induced inhibition of caspase-3 activation in osteoblasts treated with TNF-alpha. LY294002 did not, however, prevent FSS-induced phosphorylation of Akt suggesting that activation of Akt alone is not sufficient to rescue cells from apoptosis. This result also suggests that FSS can activate Akt via a PI3-kinase-independent pathway. These studies demonstrate for the first time that application of FSS to osteoblasts in vitro results in inhibition of TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis through a mechanism involving activation of PI3-kinase signaling and inhibition of caspases. FSS-induced activation of PI3-kinase may promote cell survival through a mechanism that is distinct from the Akt-mediated survival pathway. Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Non-NASA Center↗
NASA NTRS2020

Let Dependent Low Dose and Synergistic Inhibition of Human Angiogenesis by Charged Particles: Validation of Micrornas That Drive Inhibition

The microvasculature permeates all tissues at the microscopic level making the whole body a target for Space Radiation. Depending on the trajectory a single heavy ion particle would traverse many micro-vessels as it passes through the body causing a widespread response. Studies on the effects of charged particles on the development of human 3D micro-vessel models show that angiogenesis is inhibited by all ions detectible at a dose of 1.25c Gy. However, there are two distinct mechanisms of inhibition depending on the linear energy transfer (LET). We show here that the inhibition of angiogenesis is demarcated into two groups. The blockage of the early motile stage of micro-vessel development occurs after exposure to light ions (LET 3 KeV/n or lower) whereas the prevention of the later stages of development when the microvessels widen into tubes occurs after exposure to heavy ions (LET 8 KeV/n or higher). Strikingly, the combined effect of each ion has a synergistic effect detectible as low as 0.6 cGy. The low fluence of these doses indicates a bystander effect where the response is transmitted to other cells by the secretion of molecules by targeted cells. Prime candidates are microRNAs (miRNAs) and we have previously identified three angiogenesis-associated miRNA regulators from serum, cardiac tissue, and micro-vessels exposed to a simplified Galactic Cosmic Radiation (GCR) simulation – a mixture of heavy and light ions found in Space. Synthetic molecules (Antagomirs) designed to inhibit the predicted miRNAs were successfully used to reverse the inhibition of angiogenesis by Space Radiation. With the simple application of the antagomirs as a countermeasure we have for the first time shown an amelioration of the complex response(s) of angiogenesis to Space Radiation. This opens a new avenue of possible mitigation strategies based on the regulation and understanding of master regulators. These results not only have impact with Space Radiation research, but also provide clues of possible therapeutics for terrestrial diseases in the clinical setting.

Yen-Ruh Wuu↗
DOE OSTI2016

Chaetominine reduces MRP1-mediated drug resistance via inhibiting PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 signaling pathway in K562/Adr human leukemia cells

Drug resistance limits leukemia treatment and chaetominine, a cytotoxic alkaloid that promotes apoptosis in a K562 human leukemia cell line via the mitochondrial pathway was studied with respect to chemoresistance in a K562/Adr human resistant leukemia cell line. Cytotoxicity assays indicated that K562/Adr resistance to adriamycin (ADR) did not occur in the presence of chaetominine and that chaetominine increased chemosensitivity of K562/Adr to ADR. Data show that chaetominine enhanced ADR-induced apoptosis and intracellular ADR accumulation in K562/Adr cells. Accordingly, chaetominine induced apoptosis by upregulating ROS, pro-apoptotic Bax and downregulating anti-apoptotic Bcl-2. RT-PCR and western-blot confirmed that chaetominine suppressed highly expressed MRP1 at mRNA and protein levels. But little obvious alternation of another drug transporter MDR1 mRNA was observed. Furthermore, inhibition of MRP1 by chaetominine relied on inhibiting Akt phosphorylation and nuclear Nrf2. In summary, chaetominine strongly reverses drug resistance by interfering with the PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 signaling, resulting in reduction of MRP1-mediated drug efflux and induction of Bax/Bcl-2-dependent apoptosis in an ADR-resistant K562/Adr leukemia cell line. - Highlights: • Chaetominine enhanced chemosensitivity of ADR against K562/Adr cells. • Chaetominine increased intracellular ADR levels via inhibiting MRP1. • Chaetominine induced apoptosis of K562/Adr cells through upregulation of ROS and modulation of Bax/Bcl-2. • Inhibition of MRP1 and Nrf2 by chaetominine treatment was correlative with blockade of PI3K/Akt signaling.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗