Serine Protease Inhibitors as Good Predictors of Meat Tenderness: Which Are They and What Are Their Functions?

Since years, serine proteases and their inhibitors were an enigma to meat scientists. They were indeed considered to be extracellular and to play no role in postmortem muscle proteolysis. In the 1990's, we observed that protease inhibitors levels in muscles are a better predictor of meat tenderness than their target enzymes. From a practical point of view, we therefore choose to look for serine protease inhibitors rather than their target enzymes, i.e. serine proteases and the purpose of this report was to overview the findings obtained. Fractionation of a muscle crude extract by gel filtration revealed three major trypsin inhibitory fractions designed as F1 (Mr:50–70 kDa), F2 (Mr:40–60 kDa) and F3 (Mr:10–15kD) which were analyzed separately. Besides antithrombin III, an heparin dependent thrombin inhibitor, F1 and F2 comprised a large set of closely related trypsin inhibitors encoded by at least 8 genes bovSERPINA3-1 to A3-8 and able to inhibit also strongly initiator and effector caspases. They all belong to the serpin superfamily, known to form covalent complexes with their target enzymes, were located within muscle cells and found in all tissues and fluids examined irrespective of the animal species. Potential biological functions in living and postmortem muscle were proposed for all of them. In contrast to F1 and F2 which have been more extensively investigated only preliminary findings were provided for F3. Taken together, these results tend to ascertain the onset of apoptosis in postmortem muscle. However, the exact mechanisms driving the cell towards apoptosis and how apoptosis, an energy dependent process, can be completed postmortem remain still unclear.     

Geranylgeraniol and Neurological Impairment: Involvement of Apoptosis and Mitochondrial Morphology

Deregulation of the cholesterol pathway is an anomaly observed in human diseases, many of which have in common neurological involvement and unknown pathogenesis. In this study we have used Mevalonate Kinase Deficiency (MKD) as a disease-model in order to investigate the link between the deregulation of the mevalonate pathway and the consequent neurodegeneration. The blocking of the mevalonate pathway in a neuronal cell line (Daoy), using statins or mevalonate, induced an increase in the expression of the inflammasome gene (NLRP3) and programmed cell death related to mitochondrial dysfunction. The morphology of the mitochondria changed, clearly showing the damage induced by oxidative stress and the decreased membrane potential associated with the alterations of the mitochondrial function. The co-administration of geranylgeraniol (GGOH) reduced the inflammatory marker and the damage of the mitochondria, maintaining its shape and components. Our data allow us to speculate about the mechanism by which isoprenoids are able to rescue the inflammatory marker in neuronal cells, independently from the block of the mevalonate pathway, and about the fact that cell death is mitochondria-related.     

Modulation of Cyclins,p53 and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases Signaling in Breast Cancer Cell Lines by 4-(3,4,5-Trimethoxyphenoxy)benzoic Acid

Despite the advances in cancer therapy and early detection, breast cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among females worldwide. The aim of the current study was to investigate the antitumor activity of a novel compound, 4-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenoxy)benzoic acid (TMPBA) and its mechanism of action, in breast cancer. Results indicated the relatively high sensitivity of human breast cancer cell-7 and MDA-468 cells towards TMPBA with IC₅₀ values of 5.9 and 7.9 μM, respectively compared to hepatocarcinoma cell line Huh-7, hepatocarcinoma cell line HepG2, and cervical cancer cell line Hela cells. Mechanistically, TMPBA induced apoptotic cell death in MCF-7 cells as indicated by 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) nuclear staining, cell cycle analysis and the activation of caspase-3. Western blot analysis revealed the ability of TMPBA to target pathways mediated by mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, 5′ adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and p53, of which the concerted action underlined its antitumor efficacy. In addition, TMPBA induced alteration of cyclin proteins’ expression and consequently modulated the cell cycle. Taken together, the current study underscores evidence that TMPBA induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells via the modulation of cyclins and p53 expression as well as the modulation of AMPK and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling. These findings support TMPBA’s clinical promise as a potential candidate for breast cancer therapy.     

Squamosamide Derivative FLZ Protects Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells from Oxidative Stress through Activation of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR)-AKT Signaling

Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell apoptosis is attributed to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) pathogenesis. FLZ, a novel synthetic squamosamide derivative from a Chinese herb, Annona glabra, has displayed significant cyto-protective activity. In the current study, we explored the pro-survival effect of FLZ in oxidative stressed-RPE cells and studied the underlying signaling mechanisms. Our results showed that FLZ attenuated hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced viability decrease and apoptosis in the RPE cell line (ARPE-19 cells) and in primary mouse RPE cells. Western blotting results showed that FLZ activated AKT signaling in RPE cells. The AKT-specific inhibitor, MK-2206, the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pan inhibitor, wortmannin, and AKT1-shRNA (short hairpin RNA) depletion almost abolished FLZ-mediated pro-survival/anti-apoptosis activity. We discovered that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) trans-activation mediated FLZ-induced AKT activation and the pro-survival effect in RPE cells, and the anti-apoptosis effect of FLZ against H₂O₂ was inhibited by the EGFR inhibitor, PD153035, or by EGFR shRNA-knockdown. In conclusion, FLZ protects RPE cells from oxidative stress through activation of EGFR-AKT signaling, and our results suggest that FLZ might have therapeutic values for AMD.     

Tamoxifen-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles-induced apoptosis in breast cancer cell lines

An in vitro study was conducted to determine the apoptosis induced by tamoxifen (TAM) and TAM-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) in breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB231 cells. The effect of free drug and drug-loaded SLN on the cell lines was characterised by cell morphology and cell cycle distribution using phase contrast microscopy, nuclear morphology and flow cytometry, respectively. The results showed that TAM-loaded SLNs have an equally efficient cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 and MDA-MB231 cells, compared to free TAM, and the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of TAM-loaded SLNs was generally lower than that of free TAM. In the presence of TAM and TAM-loaded SLN, the viability of the both cells diminishes and the cancer cells lose their normal morphological characteristics, detaches, aggregates and later develops apoptotic bodies. Flow cytometry analysis showed that TAM-loaded SLN like the free TAM caused a dose- and time-dependent apoptosis without cell cycle arrest of human breast cancer cells. Therefore, TAM-loaded SLN has great potential in human medicine for the treatment of breast cancers.     

Regulated Necrosis in HeLa Cells Induced by ZnPc Photodynamic Treatment: A New Nuclear Morphology

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a cancer treatment modality based on the administration of a photosensitizer (PS), which accumulates preferentially in tumor cells. Subsequent irradiation of the neoplastic area triggers a cascade of photochemical reactions that leads to the formation of highly reactive oxygen species responsible for cell inactivation. Photodynamic treatments in vitro are performed with the PS, zinc-phthalocyanine (ZnPc). The PS is near the plasma membrane during uptake and internalization. Inactivation clearly occurs by a necrotic process, manifested by nuclear pyknosis, negative TUNEL and Annexin V assays and non-relocation of cytochrome c. In contrast, by increasing the incubation time, ZnPc is accumulated in the Golgi apparatus and produces cell inactivation with characteristics of apoptosis and necrosis: TUNEL positive, relocated cytochrome c and negative Annexin V assay. This type of death produces a still undescribed granulated nuclear morphology, which is different from that of necrosis or apoptosis. This morphology is inhibited by necrostatin-1, a specific inhibitor of regulated necrosis.     

天麻素联合地塞米松保护缺糖缺氧诱导的H9C2细胞损伤

目的：探讨天麻素（gastrodin, GAS）联合地塞米松（dexamethasone, DEX）在缺糖缺氧诱导心肌细胞损伤中的作用及可能机制。方法：建立缺糖缺氧细胞（oxygen-glucose deprivation, OGD）模型,细胞分为5组,即正常对照组（normal group）,缺糖缺氧组（OGD group）,DEX组,GAS组,DEX+GAS组。利用CCK-8实验检测各组心肌细胞活性,利用比色法检测乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）的活性;利用TUNEL法检测各组心肌细胞的凋亡情况;利用ELISA实验检测各组心肌细胞培养液中炎性因子;利用Western blot检测各组心肌细胞中Notch1、Bax、Bcl-2及Beclin1的表达情况。结果：结果显示GAS与DEX联合使用可显著提高损伤心肌细胞的活性,减少心肌细胞的凋亡;降低促炎因子TNF-α、IL-6和IL-1β的产生及促进抑炎因子IL-10的产生,降低LDH的释放;Western blot结果显示GAS与DEX联合使用可促进Notch信号通路中Notch1的表达,显著降低受损心肌细胞中促凋亡蛋白Bax的表达,促进抑凋亡蛋白Bcl-2的表达,促进自噬相关基因Beclin1的表达。 结论：GAS与DEX联合使用,可能通过促进Notch信号通路的激活,促进其自噬,提高细胞的活性,抑制心肌细胞的凋亡,减轻炎症反应,从而减轻OGD诱导的心肌细胞损伤。     

miR-34a通过调控雄激素受体基因抑制前列腺癌细胞系LNCaP增殖

目的：探究miR-34a对雄激素受体（AR）基因的调控作用及对前列腺癌（PCa）LNCaP细胞增殖、凋亡的影响。方法：收集2016年10月至2019年9月本院泌尿外科行前列腺穿刺活检确诊为PCa患者组织标本36例,另取同期行手术治疗切除的良性前列腺增生（BPH）组织标本41例。体外培养LNCaP细胞,分别转染miR-34a mimics（mimics组）,miR-34a mimic NC（NC组）,设正常生长细胞为空白对照组（BC组）,另在mimics组基础上转染AR过表达（AR过表达组）载体及其对照（AR对照组）,采用CCK-8试剂盒检测细胞活性,Annexin V-FITC/PI双染色流式细胞凋亡检测试剂盒检测细胞凋亡率,实时定量PCR（RT-qPCR）检测miR-34a及AR mRNA表达水平,免疫印迹法检测AR蛋白、细胞周期蛋白D1（cyclinD1）及原癌基因产物（c-Mcy）、细胞凋亡相关蛋白（Bcl-2、Bax、capase-3）的表达水平。结果：与BPH组织比较,PCa组织中miR-34a表达水平显著降低（P<0.05）,AR mRNA及蛋白表达水平均显著增加（P<0.05）;与BC、NC组比较,mimics组LNCap细胞miR-34a表达水平、细胞凋亡率、Bax蛋白表达水平显著增加（P<0.05）,AR、Cyclin D1、Bcl-2、Bax蛋白表达水平显著降低（P<0.05）,同一时间LNCap细胞活力均显著降低（P<0.05）;双荧光素酶实验结果显示,miR-34a与AR可能存在一定的调控关系,过表达AR基因可逆转miR-34a mimics对LNCaP细胞增殖抑制,促进凋亡作用。 结论：miR-34a可能通过调控AR抑制前列腺癌LNCaP细胞增殖,促进其凋亡。     

RON蛋白与CXC趋化因子受体4蛋白的表达与去势抵抗型前列腺癌患者阿比特龙耐药的相关性

目的：研究受体酪氨酸激酶（RON）蛋白与CXC趋化因子受体4（CXCR4）蛋白的表达与去势抵抗型前列腺癌（CRPC）患者阿比特龙耐药的相关性。方法：选取2017年1月至2020年2月我院收治的127例接受阿比特龙治疗的CRPC患者,根据是否耐药分为观察组（n=32,阿比特龙耐药患者）、对照组（n=95,缓解患者）。采用免疫组化与蛋白免疫印迹检测比较两组RON、CXCR4蛋白表达,采用Logistic回归分析进行RON、CXCR4蛋白与耐药的单因素、多因素分析,采用受试者工作特征曲线（ROC）及ROC下面积（AUC）分析RON、CXCR4蛋白预测耐药的价值,并在阿比特龙耐药细胞株中加入RON、CXCR4抑制剂,观察两者对阿比特龙耐药细胞凋亡指标［半胱氨酸蛋白酶（caspase）-3、caspase-9、细胞凋亡率］的影响。结果：免疫组化显示,观察组RON阳性表达率（71.88%,23/32）较对照组（27.37%,26/95）高;观察组CXCR4阳性表达率（65.63%,21/32）较对照组（12.63%,12/95）高;蛋白免疫印迹检测显示,观察组RON、CXCR4蛋白较对照组高（P<0.05）;RON、CXCR4蛋白与耐药均呈正相关（P<0.05）;加入RON、CXCR4抑制剂后,RON、CXCR4表达被成功抑制,且caspase-3、caspase-9、细胞凋亡率均高于阿比特龙耐药细胞株（P<0.05）;Transwell实验检测细胞迁移及侵袭显示,抑制RON、CXCR4表达,细胞迁移及侵袭细胞数目均显著降低（P<0.05）;RON蛋白预测阿比特龙耐药的AUC为0.789,截断值＞4.11,敏感度为84.37%,特异度为61.05%（P<0.05）;CXCR4蛋白预测阿比特龙耐药的AUC为0.825,截断值＞3.42,敏感度为75.00%,特异度为80.00%（P<0.05）;RON+CXCR4蛋白预测阿比特龙耐药的AUC为0.884（95%CI：0.815～0.934）,敏感度为87.50%,特异度为83.16%（P<0.05）。 结论：CRPC患者RON、CXCR4蛋白表达显著增加,与患者阿比特龙耐药密切相关,有望成为预测耐药的标志物,抑制RON、CXCR4蛋白表达,可促进CRPC阿比特龙耐药细胞的凋亡。