Biomedical subjects

Xianglin Shi

Publications and source records attributed to Xianglin Shi.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed2005

Deficiency in Ikkbeta gene enhances arsenic-induced gadd45alpha expression.

Chronic arsenic exposure is implicated in the pathophysiology of various human diseases, including cancer and diabetes. Using Ikkbeta gene knockout mouse embryonic fibroblast cells (Ikkbeta-/-), in the present study we demonstrated that NF-kappaB inhibition due to Ikkbeta deficiency up-regulated basal and arsenic-induced expression of gadd45alpha. In addition to gadd45alpha, the basal expression of other gadd family members including gadd45beta, gadd45gamma and gadd153 was substantially increased in Ikkbeta-/- cells. Ikkbeta deficiency prevented the induction of gadd45beta and gadd45gamma by arsenic, whereas the induction of gadd45alpha and gadd153 was appreciably enhanced in Ikkbeta-/- cells. Furthermore, a substantial decrease in the expression of c-myc, an established endogenous transcriptional repressor of gadd45alpha and gadd153 genes, was noted. Thus, these results uncover the molecular mechanism by which NF-kappaB signalling contributes to the regulation of gadd family gene expression induced by arsenic.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Free radical scavenging, DNA protection, and inhibition of lipid peroxidation mediated by uric acid.

Uric acid (UA) has been proposed to be the dominant antioxidant in birds. The objective of this study was to investigate the quenching effect of varying concentrations of UA, including those found in avian plasma, on specific reactive oxygen species (ROS) and to determine the ability of UA to protect DNA and cellular membranes from ROS-mediated damage. Hydroxyl (OH) and superoxide (O2-) radicals were detected by electron spin resonance (ESR) and their presence was reduced following addition of UA (p <0.05) in a concentration-dependent manner. UA inhibited hydroxyl-mediated DNA damage, indicated by the presence of more precise, dense bands of lambda Hind III DNA after agarose gel electrophoresis and ethidium bromide staining (p <0.05). Lipid peroxidation of silica-exposed RAW 264.7 cell membranes was diminished (p <0.02) after addition of UA to the cell incubation mixture. These studies demonstrate that UA scavenges hydroxyl and superoxide radicals and protects against DNA damage and lipid peroxidation. These results indicate specific antioxidant protection that UA may afford birds against ROS-mediated damage.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Metal-induced oxidative stress and signal transduction.

Occupational and environmental exposures to metals are associated with the development of various cancers. Although carcinogenesis caused by metals has been intensively investigated, the mechanisms of action, especially at the molecular level, are still unclear. Accumulating evidence indicates that reactive oxygen species generated by metals may play an important role in the etiology of disease. This review covers recent advances in (1) metal-induced generation of reactive oxygen species; (2) the receptors, kinases, and nuclear transcription factors affected by metals and metal-induced oxidative stress, including growth factor receptors, src kinase, ras signaling, mitogen-activated protein kinases, the phosphoinositide 3-phosphate/Akt pathway, nuclear transcription factor kappaB, activator protein 1, p53, nuclear factor of activated T cells, and hypoxia-inducible factor 1; and (3) global cellular phenomena (signal transduction, cell cycle regulation, and apoptosis) associated with metal-induced ROS production and gene expression.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Cdc42 regulates arsenic-induced NADPH oxidase activation and cell migration through actin filament reorganization.

Although arsenic is a human carcinogen, the molecular mechanisms of its action remain to be understood. The present study reports that exposure to arsenic induced actin filament reorganization, resulting in lamellipodia and filopodia structures through the activation of Cdc42 in SVEC4-10 endothelial cells. It was also found that arsenic induced the formation of the superoxide anion (O2*) in SVEC4-10 cells. Immunoprecipitation and Western blotting analysis demonstrated that arsenic stimulation induced serine phosphorylation of p47phox, a key component of NADPH oxidase, indicating that arsenic induces O2* formation through NADPH oxidase activation. Inhibition of arsenic-induced actin filament reorganization by either overexpression of a dominant negative Cdc42 or pretreatment of an actin filament stabilizing regent, jasplakinolide, abrogated arsenic-induced NADPH oxidase activation, showing that the activation of NADPH oxidase was regulated by Cdc42-mediated actin filament reorganization. This study also showed that overexpression of a dominant negative Rac1 was sufficient to abolish arsenic-induced O2*- production, implying that Rac1 activities are required for Cdc42-mediated NADPH oxidase activation in response to arsenic stimulation. Furthermore, arsenic stimulation induced cell migration, which can be inhibited by the inactivation of either Cdc42 or NADPH oxidase. Taken together, the results indicate that arsenic is able to activate NADPH oxidase through Cdc42-mediated actin filament reorganization, leading to the induction of an increase in cell migration in SVEC4-10 endothelial cells.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

PubMed2004

trans-3,4,5'-Trihydroxystibene inhibits hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha and vascular endothelial growth factor expression in human ovarian cancer cells.

trans-3,4,5'-Trihydroxystibene (resveratrol) is a natural product commonly found in the human diet and has been shown recently to have anticancer effects on various human cancer cells. However, the molecular basis for its anticancer action remains to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated the effect of resveratrol on hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha (HIF-1alpha) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in human ovarian cancer cells A2780/CP70 and OVCAR-3. We found that although resveratrol did not affect HIF-1alpha mRNA levels, it did dramatically inhibit both basal-level and growth factor-induced HIF-1alpha protein expression in the cells. Resveratrol also greatly inhibited VEGF expression. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that resveratrol inhibited HIF-1alpha and VEGF expression through multiple mechanisms. First, resveratrol inhibited AKT and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation, which played a partial role in the down-regulation of HIF-1alpha expression. Second, resveratrol inhibited insulin-like growth factor 1-induced HIF-1alpha expression through the inhibition of protein translational regulators, including M(r) 70,000 ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1, S6 ribosomal protein, eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1, and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E. Finally, we showed that resveratrol substantially induced HIF-1alpha protein degradation through the proteasome pathway. Our data suggested that resveratrol may inhibit human ovarian cancer progression and angiogenesis by inhibiting HIF-1alpha and VEGF expression and thus provide a novel potential mechanism for the anticancer action of resveratrol.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

PubMed2004

Suppressed NF-kappaB and sustained JNK activation contribute to the sensitization effect of parthenolide to TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis in human cancer cells.

Parthenolide (PN) is the main sesquiterpene lactone found in feverfew with potent anti-inflammatory function. The anticancer property of PN has been demonstrated in both in vitro cell culture and in vivo animal model, while the molecular mechanisms remain to be further elucidated. In the present study, we evaluated the involvement of nuclear transcription factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in the anticancer activity of PN by examining the sensitization effect of PN on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-induced apoptosis in human cancer cells. Pre-treatment with PN greatly sensitized various human cancer cells to TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis. Such sensitization is closely associated with the inhibitory effect of PN on TNF-alpha-mediated NF-kappaB activation. Our study revealed a new mechanism that PN inhibits TNF-alpha-mediated NF-kappaB activation via disrupting the recruitment of the IkappaB kinases (IKK) complex to TNF receptor, which then blocked the subsequent signaling events including IKK kinase activation, IkappaBalpha degradation, p65 nuclear translocation, DNA binding and transactivation. Moreover, PN also markedly enhanced and sustained TNF-alpha-mediated JNK activation. A specific JNK inhibitor (SP600125), as well as over-expression of dominant-negative forms of JNK1 and JNK2 abolished the sensitization effect of PN on TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis. It is thus believed that suppressed NF-kappaB activation and sustained JNK activation contribute to the sensitization effect of PN to TNF-alpha-mediated cell death in human cancer cells.

Apoptosis↗

PubMed2004

A critical role of PI-3K/Akt/JNKs pathway in benzo[a]pyrene diol-epoxide (B[a]PDE)-induced AP-1 transactivation in mouse epidermal Cl41 cells.

Mouse skin tumorigenicity studies indicate that benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide (B[a]PDE) contributes to carcinogenesis as both a tumor initiator and promoter. However, the mechanisms that mediate B[a]PDE tumor promotion effects remain unclear. Our results demonstrated that in mouse epidermal Cl41 cells, B[a]PDE treatment resulted in marked activation of AP-1 and its upstream MAPKs, including ERKs, JNKs and p38K. B[a]PDE exposure also led to activation of phosphotidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3K), Akt and p70 S6 kinase (p70S6k). B[a]PDE-induced AP-1 transactivation was inhibited by pretreatment of cells with PI-3K inhibitors, wortmannin or Ly294002. In contrast, inhibition of p70S6k with rapamycin did not show any inhibitory effects. An overexpression of dominant-negative mutant of PI-3K, Deltap85, impaired B[a]PDE-induced activation of PI-3K, Akt and AP-1 transactivation. Furthermore, an overexpression of dominant-negative Akt mutant, Akt-T308A/S473A, blocked B[a]PDE-induced activation of Akt, AP-1 and JNKs, while it did not affect the activation of p70S6k, ERKs and p38 kinase. These results demonstrated that B[a]PDE was able to induce AP-1 transactivation and this AP-1 induction was specific through PI-3K/Akt/JNKs-dependent and p70S6k-independent pathways. This study also indicated that Akt-T308A/S473A blocks B[a]PDE-induced AP-1 activation specific through impairing JNK pathway. These findings will help us to understand the signal transduction pathways involved in the carcinogenic effects of B[a]PDE.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling is involved in neurogenesis during Xenopus embryonic development.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) has numerous cellular functions, including cell survival and proliferation. In this study, we demonstrated that the expression of the active form of PI3K induced dorsal differentiation and axis duplication and strongly induced the expression of neural markers. In contrast, the inhibition of PI3K activity by its dominant negative mutant induced the phenotype of losing posterior structures and the expression of ventral markers. Akt is an essential target of PI3K for neurogenesis. The expression of the active form of Akt induced axis duplication and increased the expression of neural markers. Inhibition of the Akt activity abolished the PI3K-induced double heads and axes. This signal transmits through its target, glycogen synthase kinase 3beta, which is known to mediate Wnt signaling for Xenopus development. These results identify a new function of PI3K/Akt signaling in axis formation and neurogenesis during Xenopus embryonic development and provide a direct link between growth factor-mediated PI3K/Akt signaling and Wnt signaling during embryonic development.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

PI-3K and Akt are mediators of AP-1 induction by 5-MCDE in mouse epidermal Cl41 cells.

5-Methylchrysene has been found to be a complete carcinogen in laboratory animals. However, the tumor promotion effects of (+/-)-anti-5-methylchrysene-1,2-diol-3,4-epoxide (5-MCDE) remain unclear. In the present work, we found that 5-MCDE induced marked activator protein-1 (AP-1) activation in Cl41 cells. 5-MCDE also induced a marked activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3K). Inhibition of PI-3K impaired 5-MCDE-induced AP-1 transactivation, suggesting that PI-3K is an upstream kinase involved in AP-1 activation by 5-MCDE. Furthermore, we found that Akt is a PI-3K downstream mediator for 5-MCDE-induced AP-1 transactivation, whereas another PI-3K downstream kinase, p70(S6K), was not involved in AP-1 activation by 5-MCDE. Moreover, inhibition of Akt activation blocked 5-MCDE-induced activation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERKs) and c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinases (JNKs), whereas it did not affect p38K activation. Consistently, overexpression of a dominant-negative mutant of ERK2 or JNK1 blocked the AP-1 activation by 5-MCDE. These results demonstrate that 5-MCDE is able to induce AP-1 activation, and the AP-1 induction is specifically through a PI-3K/Akt-dependent and p70(S6K)-independent pathway.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Chemopreventive activity of parthenolide against UVB-induced skin cancer and its mechanisms.

Parthenolide (PN) is a major sesquiterpene lactone of feverfew (Tanacetum parthanium) with known anti-inflammatory activity. However, the anticancer effects of PN have not been well studied. In the present investigation, we examined the cancer chemopreventive property of PN using a combination of in vivo and in vitro approaches. We first tested the anticancer effect of PN in UVB-induced skin cancer model. Mice fed with PN (1 mg/day) showed a delayed onset of papilloma incidence, a significant reduction in papilloma multiplicity (papilloma/mouse) and sizes when compared with the UVB-only group. To our surprise, neither PN nor the known cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor celecoxib inhibit UVB-induced COX-2 expression and epidermal prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production. We next investigated the molecular mechanism(s) involved in its anticancer effects using cultured JB6 murine epidermal cells. Non-cytotoxic concentrations of PN significantly inhibited UVB-induced activator protein-1 DNA binding and transcriptional activity. In addition, PN pre-treatment also inhibited c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 kinase activation. More importantly, we found that impaired AP-1, JNK and p38 signaling led to the sensitization of JB6 cells to UVB-induced apoptosis. Data from our study for the first time confirm the anticancer property of PN in an animal model, and provide evidence that the inhibitory effects on AP-1 and mitogen-activated protein kinases serve as one of the underlying mechanisms for the cancer chemopreventive property of PN.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

G1 cell cycle progression and the expression of G1 cyclins are regulated by PI3K/AKT/mTOR/p70S6K1 signaling in human ovarian cancer cells.

Ovarian cancer is one of the most common cancers among women. Recent studies demonstrated that the gene encoding the p110alpha catalytic subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) is frequently amplified in ovarian cancer cells. PI3K is involved in multiple cellular functions, including proliferation, differentiation, antiapoptosis, tumorigenesis, and angiogenesis. In this study, we demonstrate that the inhibition of PI3K activity by LY-294002 inhibited ovarian cancer cell proliferation and induced G(1) cell cycle arrest. This effect was accompanied by the decreased expression of G(1)-associated proteins, including cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4, CDC25A, and retinoblastoma phosphorylation at Ser(780), Ser(795), and Ser(807/811). Expression of CDK6 and beta-actin was not affected by LY-294002. Expression of the cyclin kinase inhibitor p16(INK4a) was induced by the PI3K inhibitor, whereas steady-state levels of p21(CIP1/WAF1) were decreased in the same experiment. The inhibition of PI3K activity also inhibited the phosphorylation of AKT and p70S6K1, but not extracellular regulated kinase 1/2. The G(1) cell cycle arrest induced by LY-294002 was restored by the expression of active forms of AKT and p70S6K1 in the cells. Our study shows that PI3K transmits a mitogenic signal through AKT and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) to p70S6K1. The mTOR inhibitor rapamycin had similar inhibitory effects on G(1) cell cycle progression and on the expression of cyclin D1, CDK4, CDC25A, and retinoblastoma phosphorylation. These results indicate that PI3K mediates G(1) progression and cyclin expression through activation of an AKT/mTOR/p70S6K1 signaling pathway in the ovarian cancer cells.

Antibiotics, Antineoplastic↗

PubMed2004

Nickel compounds act through phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/Akt-dependent, p70(S6k)-independent pathway to induce hypoxia inducible factor transactivation and Cap43 expression in mouse epidermal Cl41 cells.

Nickel compounds are a somewhat unique class of carcinogens. Previous studies have demonstrated that NiCl(2) exposure leads to marked induction of hypoxia inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) in human osteosarcoma and BALB/c 3T3 cells, a transcription factor that has been considered to play an important role in tumor promotion and progression. However, the signal transduction pathways leading to HIF-1 induction are not well understood. The present study indicated that exposure of mouse epidermal Cl41 cells to either Ni(3)S(2) or NiCl(2) resulted in activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3K), Akt, and p70 S6 kinase (p70(S6k)). Inhibition of PI-3K, Akt, and p70(S6k) by overexpression of a dominant-negative mutant of PI-3K (Deltap85) impaired nickel-induced HIF-1 transactivation. Furthermore, an overexpression of the dominant-negative Akt mutant (Akt-T308A/S473A) blocked nickel-induced Akt phosphorylation and HIF-1 transactivation, whereas inhibition of p70(S6k) activation by pretreatment of cells with rapamycin did not show significant inhibitory effects on HIF-1 transactivation induced by nickel compounds. Consistent with HIF-1 transactivation, inhibition of the PI-3K/Akt pathway by either overexpression of Deltap85 or Akt-T308A/S473A caused dramatic inhibition of Cap43 protein expression induced by nickel compounds, whereas pretreatment of cells with rapamycin did not exhibit inhibition of Cap43 induction. These results demonstrated that nickel compounds induce HIF-1 transactivation and Cap43 protein expression through a PI-3K/Akt-dependent and p70(S6k)-independent pathway. This study should help us understand the signal transduction pathways involved in the carcinogenic effects of nickel compounds.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed2004

Arsenite causes DNA damage in keratinocytes via generation of hydroxyl radicals.

Arsenic is an environmental and occupational toxin. Dermatologic toxicities due to arsenic exposure are well-documented and include basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. However, the mechanism of arsenic-induced skin cancer is not well-understood. Recent studies indicate that arsenic exposure results in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress. Here, we examined the chemical nature of the specific ROS, studied the interrelationship among these species, and identified the specific species that is responsible for the subsequent DNA damage in a spontaneously immortalized keratinocyte cell line. We detected the formation of O(2)(*)(-) and H(2)O(2) in keratinocytes incubated with arsenite [As(III)] but not with arsenate. As(III)-induced DNA damage was detected in a concentration-dependent manner and evident at low micromolar concentrations. Catalase, an H(2)O(2) scavenger, eliminated H(2)O(2) and reduced the As(III)-mediated DNA damage. Superoxide dismutase, by enhancing the production of H(2)O(2) and (*)OH, significantly increased the As(III)-mediated DNA damage. Sodium formate, a competitive scavenger for (*)OH, and deferoxamine, a metal chelator, both reduced the DNA damage. These results suggest that exposure to arsenite generates O(2)(*)(-) and H(2)O(2), and (*)OH, derived from H(2)O(2), is responsible, at least in part, for the observed DNA damage. These findings demonstrate arsenic-induced formation of specific ROS and provide the direct evidence of (*)OH-mediated DNA damage in keratinocytes, which may play an important role in the mechanism for arsenic-induced skin carcinogenicity.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Metal-induced toxicity, carcinogenesis, mechanisms and cellular responses.

A wide variety of metals have been reported to act as mutagenic and carcinogenic agents in both human and animal studies. The underlying mechanisms are being extensively investigated. Recently, a new sub-discipline of molecular carcinogenesis has surfaced and new techniques and instruments are being developed which allow exploration of the complex biological relationships and signaling pathways involved in response to metal exposure at the molecular level. The 2nd Conference on Molecular Mechanisms of Metal Toxicity and Carcinogenesis was held at NIOSH in Morgantown, West Virginia, Sept. 8-11, 2002. One hundred thirty scientist from sixteen countries presented their novel findings and investigations of metal-induced carcinogenesis. The conference focused on state-of-the-art research and developments in metal toxicity and carcinogenesis. Emphasis was placed on delineating molecular mechanisms involved in free radical effects, cellular uptake, signaling pathways/interaction, dose response, biomarkers, and resistance mechanisms. This article reviews some of the novel information presented at the conference and discusses future avenues of research in this field.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Arsenite induces p70S6K1 activation and HIF-1alpha expression in prostate cancer cells.

Arsenite is ubiquitous in the environment, particularly in the form of contaminated water. Although this metal is a known human carcinogen, its exact mechanism of action remains unclear. P70S6K1 phosphorylates the ribosomal 40S protein leading to increased protein translation, and is an important regulator of cell growth and proliferation. Hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor composed of two subunits, HIF-1alpha and HIF-1beta. HIF-1 activates the transcription of a number of genes that mediate angiogenesis and tumor formation. In this study we demonstrated that arsenite treatment increased levels of p70S6K1 phosphorylation and p70S6K1 activity in a PI3K and mTOR sensitive manner. We have also shown that arsenite specifically induces HIF-1alpha, but not HIF-1beta, protein levels in prostate cancer cells in a mTOR-dependent manner.

Arsenites↗

PubMed2004

Arsenite induces HIF-1alpha and VEGF through PI3K, Akt and reactive oxygen species in DU145 human prostate carcinoma cells.

Arsenite is widely distributed environmental toxicant in water, food and air. It is a known human carcinogen, which is strongly associated with human cancers originated from liver, nasal cavity, lung, skin, bladder, kidney, and prostate. In this study, we investigated whether arsenite induces expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1). HIF-1 is a heterodimeric basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, composed of HIF-1alpha and HIF-1beta/ARNT subunits; and is involved in tumor growth and angiogenesis. Here we demonstrate that arsenite induces the expression of HIF-1alpha but not HIF-1beta subunit in DU145 human prostate carcinoma cells. Arsenite also increases the expression of VEGF through the induction of HIF-1. We also found that arsenite activates PI3K and Akt that are required for arsenite-induced expression of HIF-1alpha and VEGF. The induction of HIF-1 and VEGF by arsenite can not be inhibited by MAP kinase inhibitors. Arsenite causes production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The major species of ROS required for the induction of HIF-1 and VEGF is H2O2. These data indicate that the arsenite-induced activation of PI3K/Akt signaling and the expression of HIF-1 and VEGF through the generation of ROS could be an important mechanism in the arsenite-induced carcinogenesis.

Androstadienes↗

PubMed2004

Molecular mechanisms of arsenic carcinogenesis.

Arsenic is a metalloid compound that is widely distributed in the environment. Human exposure of this compound has been associated with increased cancer incidence. Although the exact mechanisms remain to be investigated, numerous carcinogenic pathways have been proposed. Potential carcinogenic actions for arsenic include oxidative stress, genotoxic damage, DNA repair inhibition, epigenetic events, and activation of certain signal transduction pathways leading to abberrant gene expression. In this article, we summarize current knowledge on the molecular mechanisms of arsenic carcinogenesis with an emphasis on ROS and signal transduction pathways.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Oxidative mechanism of arsenic toxicity and carcinogenesis.

Arsenic is a known toxin and carcinogen that is present in industrial settings and in the environment. The mechanisms of disease initiation and progression are not fully understood. In the last a few years, there has been increasing evidence of the correlation between the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), DNA damage, tumor promotion, and arsenic exposure. This article summarizes the current literature on the arsenic mediated generation of ROS and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) in various biological systems. This article also discusses the role of ROS and RNS in arsenic-induced DNA damage and activation of oxidative sensitive gene expression.

Animals↗