P27 Kip1 Protein Expression Research Articles

Association of Genetic Variants at the CDKN1B and CCND2 Loci Encoding p27Kip1 and Cyclin D2 Cell Cycle Regulators with Susceptibility and Clinical Course of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Beyond the essential role of p27Kip1 and cyclin D2 in cell cycle progression, they are also shown to confer an anti-apoptotic function in peripheral blood (PB) lymphocytes. Although the aberrant longevity and expression of p27Kip1 and cyclin D2 in leukemic cells is well documented, the exact mechanisms responsible for this phenomenon have yet to be elucidated. This study was undertaken to determine the associations between polymorphisms in the CDKN1B and CCND2 genes (encoding p27Kip1 and cyclin D2, respectively) and susceptibility to chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), as well as their influence on the expression of both cell cycle regulators in PB leukemic B cells and non-malignant T cells from untreated CLL patients divided according to the genetic determinants studied. Three CDKN1B single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), rs36228499, rs34330, and rs2066827, and three CCND2 SNPs, rs3217933, rs3217901, and rs3217810, were genotyped using a real-time PCR system. The expression of p27Kip1 and cyclin D2 proteins in both leukemic B cells and non-malignant T cells was determined using flow cytometry. We found that the rs36228499A and rs34330T alleles in CDKN1B and the rs3217810T allele in the CCND2 gene were more frequent in patients and were associated with increased CLL risk. Moreover, we observed that patients possessing the CCND2rs3217901G allele had lower susceptibility to CLL (most pronounced in the AG genotype). We also noticed that the presence of the CDKN1Brs36228499CC, CDKN1Brs34330CC, CDKN1Brs2066827TT, and CCND2rs3217901AG genotypes shortened the time to CLL progression. Statistically significant functional relationships were limited to T cells and assigned to CDKN1B polymorphic variants; carriers of the polymorphisms rs34330CC and rs36228499CC (determining the aggressive course of CLL) expressed a decrease in p27Kip1 and cyclin D2 levels, respectively. We indicate for the first time that genetic variants at the CDKN1B and CCND2 loci may be considered as a potentially low-penetrating risk factor for CLL and determining the clinical outcome.

Targeting Oncostatin M Receptor to Attenuate Carotid Artery Plaque Vulnerability in Hypercholesterolemic Microswine.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that leads to acute embolism via the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. Plaque formation is first induced by fatty deposition along the arterial intima. Inflammation, bacterial infection, and the released endotoxins can lead to dysfunction and phenotypic changes of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), advancing the plaque from stable to unstable form and prone to rupture. Stable plaques are characterized by increased VSMCs and less inflammation while vulnerable plaques develop due to chronic inflammation and less VSMCs. Oncostatin M (OSM), an inflammatory cytokine, plays a role in endothelial cells and VSMC proliferation. This effect of OSM could be modulated by p27KIP1, a cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor. However, the role of OSM in plaque vulnerability has not been investigated. To better understand the role of OSM and its downstream signaling including p27KIP1 in plaque vulnerability, we characterized the previously collected carotid arteries from hyperlipidemic Yucatan microswine using hematoxylin and eosin stain, Movat Pentachrome stain, and gene and protein expression of OSM and p27KIP1 using immunostaining and real-time polymerase chain reaction. OSM and p27KIP1 expression in carotid arteries with angioplasty and treatment with either scrambled peptide or LR12, an inhibitor of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cell (TREM)-1, were compared between the experimental groups and with contralateral carotid artery. The results of this study elucidated the presence of OSM and p27KIP1 in carotid arteries with plaque and their association with arterial plaque and vulnerability. The findings suggest that targeting OSM and p27KIP1 axis regulating VSMC proliferation may have therapeutic significance to stabilize plaque.

Role of Genetic Variations in CDK2, CCNE1 and p27KIP1 in Prostate Cancer.

Our aim was to investigate possible influences of genetic variants in genes involved in the G1/S transition [cyclin-dependent kinase-2 (CDK2), cyclin E1 (CCNE1) and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1B (p27KIP1)] on the expression/activity of their corresponding proteins and to assess the functional impact of these variants on the risk of prostate cancer. We genotyped 530 cases and 562 healthy controls for two relevant single nucleotide polymorphisms (CDK2 rs2069408 and CCNE1 rs997669) by TaqMan genotyping assay. p27KIP1 rs2066827 polymorphisms were studied by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. In addition, the expression of CDK2, CCNE1 and p27KIP1 was evaluated by quantitative real-time-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting in 44 prostate cancer tissues and 31 benign prostatic hyperplasia tissues. No association was found between CDK2 rs2069408, CCNE1 rs997669 or p27KIP1 rs2066827 polymorphisms and an increased risk of prostate cancer development. Higher CDK2 expression was more prevalent in those with rs2069408 GG genotype than in AA carriers (p>0.05). We also noted reduced p27KIP1 protein expression in those with the p27KIP1 G109 allele. No difference was observed for CCNE1 expression in relation to the risky genotype (CC). A significant association was detected between CCNE1 mRNA overexpression and development of higher-grade carcinomas (Gleason score >7, p<0.05). Polymorphisms CDK2 rs2069408, CCNE1 rs997669 and p27KIP1 rs2066827 have no significant impact on prostate cancer risk nor on the gene and protein expression of CDK2, CCNE1 and p27KIP1, although high CCNE1 expression was significantly associated with a higher tumour grade in patients with prostate cancer.

MicroRNA-150 suppresses p27Kip1 expression and promotes cell proliferation in HeLa human cervical cancer cells.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) exert critical roles in the majority of biological and pathological processes. Recent studies have associated miR-150 with a number of different cancer types. However, little is known about miR-150 targets in cervical cancer. In the present study, the HeLa human cervical cancer cell line was transfected with hsa-miR-150-5p mimics, hsa-miR-150-5p inhibitors or miRNA controls. miR-150 was predicted to bind the 3′untranslated region (3′UTR) of the CDKN1B gene, which encodes the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1B (p27Kip1). The direct binding between miR-150 and the 3′UTR of CDKN1B was confirmed using dual-luciferase reporter assays. The effects of miR-150 on CDKN1B mRNA expression, p27Kip1 protein expression, cell cycle and cell proliferation were determined using reverse-transcription quantitative PCR, western blot analysis, flow cytometry and WST-8 assays, respectively. miR-150 was demonstrated to directly target the 3′UTR of CDKN1B in transfected HeLa cells. The expression of CDKN1B mRNA and p27Kip1 protein was reduced by miR-150 mimics, and increased by miR-150 inhibitors. Moreover, the overexpression of miR-150 promoted cell cycle progression from the G0/G1 to the S phase and led to a significant increase in HeLa cell proliferation. The results of the present study indicated that miR-150 promotes HeLa cell cycle progression and proliferation via the suppression of p27Kip1 expression.

The Toll-like receptor ligand, CpG oligodeoxynucleotides, regulate proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of osteoblast

BackgroundThis study aimed to investigate the regulation of CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) on proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3 cells.MethodsThe laser co-focusing and flow cytometry assay were employed to detect cell uptake of CpG ODN 2006. Twelve ODNs were sythesized, and their effects on proliferation and differentiation were detected by MTT and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay. Flow cytometry assay was used to examine the regulation of CpG ODN on cell cycle. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot were used to evaluate the regulation of CpG ODN on mRNA and protein expression of osteogenic differentiation genes.ResultsThe phosphorothioate CpG ODN 2006 could efficiently enter the MC3T3 cells in 1 h and locate in the cytoplasm. The MTT assay demonstrated CpG ODNs could promote MC3T3 cell proliferation and differentiation in the early stage, and gradually attenuated along with the increase of treating time, except for BW001 and FC001. qRT-PCR assay demonstrated that all the 12 CpG ODNs could promote the relative expression level of osteogenic differentiated genes, SP7 and OCN. In addition, western blot analysis suggested the CpG ODNs of BW001 and FC001 could increase the protein expression of P27Kip1 and Runx2 and decrease the protein expression of cyclin D1.ConclusionThe selected CpGODNs may be a potential gene therapy for bone regeneration of periodontitis.

MiR-196a-mediated downregulation of p27kip1 protein promotes prostate cancer proliferation and relates to biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy.

Dysregulation of microRNAs has performed vital gene regulatory functions in the genesis, progression, and prognosis of multiple malignant tumors. This study aimed to elucidate the regulatory mechanism of miR-196a in prostate cancer (PCa) and explore its clinical significance. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was implemented to examine miR-196a and p27kip1 messenger RNA expression in PCa. Cell proliferation was evaluated via Cell Counting Kit-8, colony formation, and nude mouse tumorigenicity assays. Luciferase reporter assay was applied to identify target genes. p27kip1 protein expression in PCa was investigated using Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. There was a dramatic upregulation of miR-196a in PCa. Upregulated miR-196a was related to worse Gleason score (GS), later pathological stage, and poor biochemical recurrence (BCR)-free survival. In vivo and in vitro experiments exhibited that miR-196a promoted PCa proliferation and expedited G1/S-phase progression through the downregulation of p27kip1 protein. Additionally, p27kip1 protein was distinctly downregulated in PCa. Low p27kip1 protein expression had a strong correlation with increased GS and was an independent predictor of BCR after radical prostatectomy (RP). Excessive expression of miR-196a and subsequent downregulation of p27kip1 protein play essential roles in promoting PCa proliferation and leading to BCR after RP. miR-196a and its target p27kip1 may become novel molecular biomarkers and therapeutic targets for PCa.

Clinical significance of p27 Kip1 expression in advanced ovarian cancer

BackgroundOvarian cancer is the most common gynecological malignancy. In patients with advanced ovarian cancer, some biological parameters have prognostic implementations. P27kip1 is an inhibitor of a cycline-dependent kinase, its loss, can contribute to tumor progression.ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the importance of P27KIP1 protein in predicting the prognosis and response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with advanced ovarian epithelial cancer and to compare the outcomes of immunohistochemistry with Quantitative Real-time PCR.Patients and methodsWe have studied P27KIP1expression by both immunohistochemistry and Quantitative Real-time PCR from 88 patients with advanced ovarian carcinomas undergone radical debulking surgery and received Paclitaxel followed by Cisplatin every 3 weeks for a total of 6 cycles. We also studied their association with both chemotherapy response and patient survival.ResultsNuclear expression of p27KIP1 protein was intense in 86 normal ovarian tissues and 42 of 88 carcinomas. The P27kip1mRNA expression level by qRT-PCR was very low in ovarian cancer tissues relative to its adjacent normal tissues. The results were statistically significant by both methods of determination. p27KIP1 expression was significantly related to good prognostic parameters as low stage tumors, differentiated tumors, absence of ascites, residual disease < 2 cm, and response to chemotherapy but not with histopathological type in case of determination by immunohistochemistry. Comparison of P27kip1 by both immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR with different prognostic parameters revealed no significant difference between both methods in the assessment of these parameters. In 4 years of follow-up, 20.5% of patients were alive without evidence of disease. 6.8% were alive with disease. The disease-related four -year survival rate for the whole group was 28.2%. In multivariate analysis, residual disease, histological type, tumor differentiation, ascites was of independent prognostic significance.ConclusionIn ovarian cancer, patients with loss of p27KIP1 expression are at a greater likelihood of disease progression, p27KIP1 may be used as a molecular marker to predict response to chemotherapy and prognosis. Both immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR have equal reliability in the determination of p27 KIP1.

Lower Concentrations of Glucose or Insulin Decrease the Risk of Various Types of Cancer in the Long-Lived Ames Dwarf Mouse by Increasing the Expression of p27Kip1, a Cell-Cycle Repressor Protein

Introduction. The molecular biological mechanism of the increased incidence of the various types of cancer in obesity or type 2 diabetes in rodents or humans has largely been resolved in recent years. By contrast, the molecular biological mechanism of the decreased, not increased, incidence of the various types of cancer in the homozygous long-lived Ames dwarf mice still remains unresolved. Objective. The first objective of the present study was to investigate whether the decrease in the incidence of cancer in the homozygous long-lived Ames dwarf mice is due to the increase, not decrease, in the expression of p27Kip1, a cell cycle repressor protein. The second objective was to investigate whether the decrease in the incidence of cancer in the homozygous long-lived Ames dwarf mice is due to the decrease, not increase, in the levels of glucose or insulin. Methods. To achieve these objectives, we first performed western immunoblot analysis of the hepatic expression of p27Kip1 protein. We then performed, using a human breast cancer cell line in vitro, the luciferase reporter plasmid assay to determine whether the translation initiation activity of the p27Kip1 mRNA is increased when the concentrations of either glucose or insulin are decreased. Results and Conclusion. The results of the first objective indicated that the hepatic expression of p27Kip1 protein was up-regulated in the homozygous long-lived Ames dwarf mice as expected. We also found that the lower concentrations of glucose or insulin increased the translation initiation activity of the p27Kip1 mRNA.

Loss of p27Kip1 leads to expansion of CD4+ effector memory T cells and accelerates colitis-associated colon cancer in mice with a T cell lineage restricted deletion of Smad4

ABSTRACT The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27Kip1 is a tumor suppressor whose intrinsic activity in cancer cells correlates with tumor aggressiveness, invasiveness, and impaired tumor cell differentiation. Here we explore whether p27Kip1 indirectly influences tumor progression by restricting expansion and survival of effector memory T cell (TEM) populations in a preclinical model of spontaneous colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC). We show mRNA and protein expression of p27Kip1 to be significantly decreased in the colons of mice with a T cell-restricted deletion of the TGF-β intermediate, SMAD4 (Smad4TKO). Loss of p27Kip1 expression in T cells correlates with the onset of spontaneous CAC in Smad4TKO mice by 8 months of age. This phenotype is greatly accelerated by the introduction of a germline deletion of CDKN1b (the gene encoding p27Kip1) in Smad4TKO mice (Smad4TKO/p27Kip1-/-, DKO). DKO mice display colon carcinoma by 3 months of age and increased mortality compared to Smad4TKO. Importantly, the phenotype in DKO mice is associated with a significant increase in the frequency of effector CD4 T cells expressing abundant IFN-γ and with a concomitant decrease in Foxp3+ regulatory T cells, both in the intestinal mucosa and in the periphery. In addition, induction of inflammatory mediators (IFN-γ, TNF-γ, IL-6, IL-1β, iNOS) and activation of Stat1, Stat3, and IκB is also observed in the colon as early as 1–2 months of age. Our data suggest that genomic alterations known to influence p27Kip1 abundance in gastrointestinal cancers may indirectly promote epithelial malignancy by augmenting the production of inflammatory mediators from a spontaneously expanding pool of TEM cells.

Integrative analysis of gene alterations and immunoexpression profiles of cell cycle checkpoints in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) represents 95% of all cancers of the head and neck region. The five-year survival rate of OSCC patients is about 60% and has not gone throw significant improvements despite recent advances in molecular biology, or the identification of key pathways in its pathophysiology such as cell cycle. 1) to analyse the inmunoexpression of cell cycle checkpoints (CPs) in an OSCC institutional cohort and to relate it to clinicopathological features and survival, and 2) to study CPs-related genes in the OSCC subset of the TCGA database. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for p16INK4a, p21CIP1, cyclin D1 and p27KIP1 protein expression was quantified by tissue microarray analysis in 68 samples from OSCC patients. In order to analyse its correlation with genetic information, a cohort belonging to The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was analysed. Of 68 patients, 34 (50%) developed recurrence, and 36 (52.09%) died as a result of disease progression (mean survival 34.09 months). IHC staining for nuclear cyclin D1 was associated with worse staging and tobacco use. p16INK4a, p21CIP1, cyclin D1, and p27KIP1 expression was unrelated to overall survival. No statistically significant correlation linked the CPs-related genes mutations to OSCC overall survival in the TCGA database. CPs variations at a phenotype and genotype level seem not to affect significantly clinicopathological features and survival in the studied OSCC cohorts.

KLF5 regulated lncRNA RP1 promotes the growth and metastasis of breast cancer via repressing p27kip1 translation

Increasing evidence suggest that lncRNAs (long noncoding RNAs) play important roles in human cancer. Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease and the potential involvement of lncRNAs in breast cancer remains unexplored. In this study, we characterized a novel lncRNA, RP1-5O6.5 (termed as RP1). We found that RP1 was highly expressed in breast cancer and predicted poor prognosis of breast cancer patients. Gain-of-function and loss-of-function assays showed that RP1 promoted the proliferation and metastasis of breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, RP1 maintained the EMT and stemness states of breast cancer cells via repressing p27kip1 protein expression. RP1 combined with the complex p-4E-BP1/eIF4E to prevent eIF4E from interacting with eIF4G, therefore attenuating the translational efficiency of p27kip1 mRNA. Furthermore, we found that p27kip1 evidently downregulated Snail1 but not ZEB1 to inhibit invasion of breast cancer cells. Kruppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) was positively correlated with RP1 in breast cancer tissues. Moreover, we demonstrated that KLF5 recruited p300 to the RP1 promoter to enhance RP1 expression. Taken together, our findings demonstrated that KLF5-regulated RP1 plays an oncogenic role in breast cancer by suppressing p27kip1, providing support for the clinical investigation of therapeutic approaches focusing on RP1.

S100A7, Jab1, and p27kip1 expression in psoriasis and S100A7 CRISPR-activated human keratinocyte cell line.

Psoriasis, a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease, is characterized by dysregulated keratinocyte proliferation. The EF-hand calcium binding protein S100A7 has been found to be overexpressed in psoriatic keratinocytes. It is know that S100A7 may interact with Jab1, a cofactor that stabilizes c-Jun. Jab1 is known to downregulate the expression of the cell cycle inhibitor p27Kip1 in some cancer models. In this study, we aimed to investigate the possible interaction between S100A7 and Jab1 and the downstream effects on p27 Kip1 expression in normal human keratinocyte cells transfected with S100A7 CRISPR activation plasmid and in archival psoriatic skin samples. Our results showed that the upregulated S100A7 colocalizes with Jab1 at the nuclear level in transfected cells and psoriatic skin samples. We also showed a differential protein expression of Jab1 between cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments, thus suggesting Jab1 translocation from nucleus to cytoplasm. p27 Kip1 protein expression patterns would imply a translocation from nucleus and a subsequent degradation of this protein. The upregulation of S1007 and its interaction with Jab1 would contribute to the p27 Kip1 -dependent impaired proliferation that characterizes psoriatic skin.

Diosmetin suppresses human prostate cancer cell proliferation through the induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest.

Diosmetin, a plant flavonoid, has been shown to exert promising effects on prostate cancer cells as an anti-proliferative and anticancer agent. In this study, using western blot analysis for protein expression and flow cytometry for cell cycle analysis, we determined that the treatment of the LNCaP and PC-3 prostate cancer cells with diosmetin resulted in a marked decrease in cyclin D1, Cdk2 and Cdk4 expression levels (these proteins remain active in the G0-G1 phases of the cell cycle). These changes were accompanied by a decrease in c-Myc and Bcl-2 expression, and by an increase in Bax, p27Kip1 and FOXO3a protein expression, which suggests the potential modulatory effects of diosmetin on protein transcription. The treatment of prostate cancer cells with diosmetin set in motion an apoptotic machinery by inhibiting X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) and increasing cleaved PARP and cleaved caspase-3 expression levels. On the whole, the findings of this study provide an in-depth analysis of the molecular mechanisms responsible for the regulatory effects of diosmetin on key molecules that perturb the cell cycle to inhibit cell growth, and suggest that diosmetin may prove to be an effective anticancer agent for use in the treatment of prostate cancer in the future.

Expression of cyclin D1 correlates with p27KIP1 and regulates the degree of oral dysplasia and squamous cell carcinoma differentiation

The aim of this study was to identify an association or link between cyclin D1 and p27KIP1 protein expression and dysplastic changes or progression. Oral mucosal biopsies with a diagnosis of non-neoplastic tissue (gingivitis) (n = 10), mild to moderate oral epithelial dysplasia (n = 12), and oral squamous cell carcinoma (n = 11) were evaluated by using immunohistochemistry. Scanning software was used to determine cyclin D1 and p27KIP1 intensity of expression, location, and pattern. A significant increase in expression of cyclin D1 and a decrease in expression of p27KIP1 proteins were identified in oral epithelial dysplasia and less differentiated oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). There was a more diffuse distribution of cyclin D1 protein expression extending from the basal cell layer into the prickle cell layers in epithelial dysplasia and extending within all epithelial layers in OSCC. Cases of oral epithelial dysplasia had moderate infrequent expression of p27KIP1. There were no p27KIP1-positive cells in OSCC. The percentage of cells with both nuclear and cytoplasmic cyclin D1 staining was higher in OSCC specimens than control groups and oral epithelial dysplasia. The expression of both cyclin D1 and p27KIP1 correlated with the grade of oral epithelial dysplasia and degree of OSCC differentiation. The results obtained will be verified through a basic follow-up of the cases to determine the prognosis/progression of oral dysplasia.

Expression of p27Kip1, A Cell Cycle Repressor Protein with Dual Roles for Both Cancer Prevention and Promotion, Is Regulated Primarily at the Level of Unusual p27Kip1 mRNA—A Short Concept Proposal

The p27Kip1 is a cell cycle repressor protein that regulates primarily the cell cycle transition from G1 to S phase and hence the DNA replication is in the S phase and cell division in the M phase. Expression of p27Kip1 protein has dual roles for both cancer prevention and promotion. For example, numerous nutritional and chemopreventive anti-cancer agents specifically increase the expression of p27Kip1 protein without directly affecting the expression of any other cell cycle regulatory proteins. On the other hand, pro-cancer agents (like glucose, insulin and other growth factors frequently seen in obesity and/or diabetes) specifically decrease the expression of p27Kip1 protein without directly affecting the expression of any other cell cycle regulatory proteins. Unlike expression of any other cell cycle regulatory proteins, expression of p27Kip1 protein is very unusual. The mRNA of p27Kip1 has a very long and unusual 5’-untranslated region (from -575 to -1 in human). It appears that the 5’-untranslated region of p27Kip1 mRNA forms two alternative secondary structures. One increases the expression of p27Kip1 protein when anti-cancer agents are added and another decrease the expression of p27K1p1 when pro-cancer agents are added. For this short concept proposal, Dr. Albert Einstein’s “visualized thought experiments (German: Gedanken experiment)” were used as a fundamental tool for understanding how either anti- or pro-cancer agents bring the primary structure of the 5’-untranslated region of p27Kip1 mRNA into two alternative secondary structures, thereby either increasing or decreasing, respectively, the translation initiation of p27Kip1 protein.

Morin inhibits PDGF-induced proliferation, migration, and invasion of vascular smooth muscle cells via modulating p27KIP1, AKT, and MMP-9 activities.

Hyper-proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are closely associated with atherosclerosis. Recently, the flavonol morin has been reported to exhibit potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Therefore, we investigated molecular mechanisms of morin in VSMCs stimulated by PDGF. Morin effectively inhibited PDGF-stimulated proliferation of VSMCs through a G1 cell-cycle arrest, leading to down-regulation of CDK2, CDK4, cyclin D1, and cyclin E proteins. Interestingly, PDGF markedly down-regulated p27KIP1 protein expression; however, morin treatment restored the p27KIP1expression to the basal level. Morin did not affect phosphorylation of MAPKs (ERK, p38, and JNK); however, phosphorylation of AKT was dramatically suppressed by morin in PDGF-stimulated VSMCs. Using the PI3K inhibitor, LY294002, we revealed that AKT is a key regulator in the inhibitory mechanism of morin against PDGF-induced proliferation of VSMCs. Morin disturbed migratory and invasive potential of VSMCs via suppression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity. Using electrophoretic mobility shift assays, we verified that NF-κB, AP-1, and Sp-1 transcription factors are implicated in the mode of action of morin, which suppresses the MMP-9 activity in PDGF-induced VSMCs. Based on the results, we believe that morin may be a potential therapeutic agent for atherosclerosis without negative side effect.

The relationship between cervical precancerous lesion galectin-3 and p27 protein expression and clinical prognosis.

The relationship between galectin-3 and p27kip1 protein expression levels in cervical precancerous lesions and clinical prognosis were studied. A total of 74 patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia [(CIN), 20 cases classified as stage I, 24 cases as stage II and 30 cases as stage III] were enrolled in this study. Tissue galectin-3, p27kip1, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-2 and cyclin D protein levels were detected via immunohistochemical staining and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Follow-up median duration was 13.5 months and recurrence rate was determined. Galectin-3, VEGF-2, and cyclin D expression was elevated in patients with higher stage CIN, whereas p27kip1 showed the opposite trend (p<0.05). During follow-up, there were 3 cases (15.0%) of recurrence in the CIN-I group, 5 cases (20.8%) in the CIN-II group and 9 cases (30.0%) in CIN-III the group. No significant difference in recurrence rate was noted among the groups (p>0.05). The upregulation of galectin-3 and downregulation of p27kip1 in CIN tissues may be related to tumor progression. This phenomenon will require further verification.

Expression of p27Kip1 and p18Ink4c in human multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1-related pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors are a major manifestation of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1). This tumor syndrome is caused by germline mutations in MEN1, encoding menin. Insight into pathogenesis of these tumors might lead to new biomarkers and therapeutic targets for these patients. Several lines of evidence point towards a role for p27Kip1 and p18Ink4c in MEN1-related tumor development in animal models for MEN1, but their contribution to human MEN1-related pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor development is not known. In this study, we characterized protein expression of p27Kip1 and p18Ink4c in human MEN1-related PanNETs by immunohistochemistry. From the nationwide DutchMEN1 Study Group database including>90% of the Dutch MEN1 population, MEN1-patients, who underwent pancreatic surgery, were selected. A tissue micro-array was constructed with available paraffin tissue blocks, and PanNETs from 61 MEN1 patients were eligible for analysis. Expression of p27Kip1 was high in 57 (93%) PanNETs and 67% of the tumors showed low expression of p18Ink4c (67.3%). No association was found between expression of either p27Kip1 or p18Ink4c and clinic-pathological characteristics. These findings indicate that loss of p18Ink4c, but not p27Kip1, is a common event in the development of MEN1-related PanNETs. Restoration of p18Ink4c function through CDK4/6 inhibitors could be a therapeutic option for MEN1-related PanNETs.

Silencing heme oxygenase-1 increases the sensitivity of ABC-DLBCL cells to histone deacetylase inhibitor in vitro and in vivo

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) can promote tumor growth and reinforce the resistance of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) cells to chemotherapeutic drug vincristine. We herein found that HO-1 protein expression was higher in high-risk DLBCL patients than in low-risk ones. Silencing HO-1 gene expression resisted vorinostat-induced apoptosis and arrested cell cycle in the G0/G1 phase of LY-10 cells. Western blot, co-immunoprecipitation and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays confirmed that the possible mechanisms may be increased cleaved caspase-3 protein expression, decreased phospho-histone deacetylase 3 protein expression, and activated histone acetylation of P27Kip1 promoter. Moreover, silencing HO-1 gene expression enhanced vorinostat-induced tumor cell apoptosis, prolonged survival time and promoted P27Kip1 protein expression in a xenograft mouse model.In conclusion, HO-1 is a potential therapeutic target of DLBCL. The findings provide a valuable preclinical evidence for sensitizing DLBCL patients with poor prognosis to histone deacetylase inhibitors.

Activation of PI3K in response to high glucose leads to regulation of SOCS-3 and STAT1/3 signals and induction of glomerular mesangial extracellular matrix formation.

Excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the glomerulus contributed by mesangial cells is the hallmark of diabetic nephropathy, eventually leading to glomerulosclerosis. In this study, we examined the regulatory signals involved in the high glucose (HG)-induced overproduction of ECM in rat mesangial cells (RMCs). We disclosed excessive fibronectin and collagen IV production, tyrosine phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 and 3 (STAT1/3), and up-regulation of suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS-3) expression in HG-treated RMCs. STAT1/STAT3 binding element was essential for SOCS-3 promoter activity stimulated by HG. HG was capable of promoting the specific DNA binding activities to an oligonucleotide probe containing the SOCS-3 sequence. The selective phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002 and dominant negative p85 vector (DNΔp85) transfection effectively abolished these HG-induced responses. Moreover, HG markedly increased the cyclin kinase inhibitor p27Kip1 protein expression, which could be inhibited by LY294002 or transfection of DNΔp85. Taken together, these results suggest that HG-induced SOCS-3 upregulation depends upon the presence of STAT-binding element in the SOCS-3 promoter, which is specifically activated by STAT1/3. The PI3K/STAT1/3 signaling pathway mediated HG-triggered ECM accumulation and SOCS-3 upregulation in RMCs.