Our previous study has demonstrated that tissue factor-factor VIIa (TF/FVIIa) complex promotes the proliferation and migration of colon cancer cell line SW620 through the activation of protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2). In the current study, the underlying molecular mechanisms of TF/FVIIa/PAR2 signaling in SW620 cells were further explored, with the focus on the role of activator protein-1 (AP-1) subunit c-Jun. The results revealed that PAR2-AP and FVIIa could upregulate c-Jun expression and c-Jun phosphorylation in SW620 cells in a time-dependent manner. The effect of FVIIa was significantly blocked by anti-TF and anti-PAR2 antibodies. Protein kinase Cα (PKCα) inhibitor safingol and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) inhibitor U0126 abrogated the activation of c-Jun. In contrast, Ca(2+) chelators EGTA and thapsigargin, and p38MAPK inhibitor SB203580 had no effect. Suppression of c-Jun/AP-1 activation using a natural inhibitor curcumin decreased the expression of caspase-3, MMP-9, and TF, as well as the proliferation and migration of SW620 cells induced by PAR2-AP or FVIIa. Collectively, our findings suggest that c-Jun/AP-1 activation is required for TF/FVIIa/PAR2-induced SW620 cell proliferation and migration. PKCα and ERK1/2 are located upstream of c-Jun/AP-1 in this signaling pathway. Pharmacological inhibition of this pathway might be a novel strategy for colon cancer therapy.

Our previous study has demonstrated that protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) activation mediated by tissue factor (TF)/VIIa complex triggers the ERK1/2/NF-κB signaling pathway, which further contributes to the proliferation and migration of colon cancer cell line SW620. However, the detailed mechanisms remain unclear. This study was to investigate whether protein kinase Cα (PKCα) is involved in these events and the possible mechanism. The results revealed that PAR2-activating peptide or VIIa could induce time-dependent upregulation of PKCα phosphorylation in SW620 cells and PKCα translocation from the cytoplasm to the perinuclear region and nucleus. The activation of PKCα was sufficient to induce ERK1/2 and NF-κB phosphorylation. The VIIa effect was obviously blocked by both anti-TF and anti-PAR2 antibodies. The PKCα inhibitor, safingol, inhibited ERK1/2 phosphorylation and NF-κB activation that is induced by VIIa and abrogated the enhanced proliferation, migration, and survival of SW620 cells by VIIa treatment. Both safingol and PDTC (NF-κB inhibitor) could apparently rescue the effects of VIIa on expression of MMP-9, caspase-3, TF, and Bcl-2/bax in SW620 cells. Collectively, the data in this study suggest that TF/VIIa/PAR2-induced SW620 cell proliferation, migration, and survival are ascribed to the activation of PKCα, and these effects are achieved through PKCα downstream signaling pathways, ERK1/2 and NF-κB.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is defined as a process in which differentiated epithelial cells undergo phenotypic transformation into myofibroblasts capable of producing extracellular matrix, and is generally regarded as an integral part of fibrogenesis after tissue injury. Although there is evidence that the complete EMT of tubular epithelial cells (TECs) is not a major contributor to interstitial myofibroblasts in kidney fibrosis, the partial EMT, a status that damaged TECs remain inside tubules, and co-express both epithelial and mesenchymal markers, has been demonstrated to be a crucial stage for intensifying fibrogenesis in the interstitium. The process of tubular EMT is governed by multiple intracellular pathways, among which Wnt/β-catenin signaling is considered to be essential mainly because it controls the transcriptome associated with EMT, making it a potential therapeutic target against kidney fibrosis. A growing body of data suggest that reducing the hyperactivity of Wnt/β-catenin by natural compounds, specific inhibitors, or manipulation of genes expression attenuates tubular EMT, and interstitial fibrogenesis in the TECs cultured under profibrotic environments and in animal models of kidney fibrosis. These emerging therapeutic strategies in basic researches may provide beneficial ideas for clinical prevention and treatment of chronic kidney disease.

Our previous data has demonstrated that Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and its signalling pathway can contribute to anti-β2-glycoprotein I/β2-glycoprotein I (anti-β2GPI/β2GPI) -induced tissue factor (TF) expression in human blood monocytes and acute monocytic leukaemia cell line THP-1. However, its downstream nuclear transcription factors have not been well explored. In the current study, we further investigated whether nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and activator protein (AP-1) were activated and their roles in anti-β2GPI/β2GPI complex stimulating TF expression. The results showed that treatment of the cells with anti-β2GPI (10μg/ml)/β2GPI (100 mg/ml) complex could markedly increase the levels of phosphorylated NF-κB (p-NF-κB p65) and c-Jun/AP-1 (p-c-Jun), as well as TF expression. Both NF-κB inhibitor PDTC (20 μM) and AP-1 inhibitor curcumin (25 mM) could attenuate TF expression induced by anti-β2GPI/β2GPI or APS-IgG/β2GPI complex. Combination of any two inhibitors of MAPKs (SB203580/U0126 or SB203580/SP600125 or U0126/SP600125) could decrease activation of NF-κB. SB203580/SP600125 or U0126/SP600125, but not SB203580/U0126, could reduce the phosphorylation of c-Jun/AP-1. Neither NF-κB nor c-Jun/AP-1 activation caused by anti-β2GPI/β2GPI complex could be affected by TLR4 inhibitor TAK-242. In conclusion, our results indicate that both NF-κB and c-Jun/AP-1 can be activated and play important roles in the process of anti-β2GPI/β2GPI-induced TF expression in monocytes, thereby contributing to the pathological processes of antiphospholipid syndrome.

No abstract

Tissue factor (TF)/VIIa/protease‑activated receptor 2 (PAR2) has been shown to trigger the ERK1/2 signaling pathway. This was shown to be closely associated with the proliferation and migration of SW620 colon cancer cells; however, the detailed mechanisms remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the effects of calcium signaling on the proliferation and migration of SW620 cells induced by coagulation factor VIIa. The results demonstrated that VIIa and PAR2 agonist PAR2‑AP increased [Ca2+]i in SW620 cells. In addition, VIIa‑and PAR2‑AP‑induced ERK1/2 activation was inhibited by thapsigargin (TG)‑induced depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores and EGTA‑mediated removal of extracellular Ca2+. It was also identified that VIIa and PAR2‑AP‑induced proliferation and migration of SW620 cells was modulated by EGTA and TG. Taken together, the present results indicate that VIIa triggers calcium signaling in SW620 cells, in a TF‑dependent manner, which is critical for VIIa‑induced ERK1/2 activation in SW620 cells. These results suggested that calcium signaling had a vital role in the proliferation and migration of SW620 cells.

MicroRNA-206 (miR-206), the homolog of which in mice is termed miR-206-3p, is a muscle-specific miRNA known to be important in the development of skeletal muscle, and is involved in smooth muscle innervation of the airway through the post‑transcriptional suppression of brain‑derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf). miR‑206‑3p is also expressed at significant levels in adult and embryonic skin; however, its functional roles in adult skin and during skin development remain to be fully elucidated. In the present study, the spatiotemporal expression of miR‑206‑3p and its target‑gene, Bdnf, during mouse skin development were investigated. The expression level of miR‑206‑3p increased from 13.5 days postcoitus (dpc), peaked at 17.5 dpc and declined following birth. The observed temporal profile of the expression of miR‑206‑3p was accompanied by an inverse change in the protein expression levels of BDNF. However, the mRNA expression levels of Bdnf did not parallel those of BDNF protein. The localization of the expression of miR‑206‑3p was similar, or located near that of ubiquitin carboxyl‑terminal hydrolase L1 during skin development. An in vitro keratinocyte model demonstrated no significant differences between primary and differentiated keratinocytes in the expression levels of either miR‑206‑3p (P=0.227) or Bdnf (mRNA, P=0.118; mature BDNF, P=0.106; pro‑BDNF, P=0.905). These findings indicate a potential role for miR‑206‑3p in cutaneous innervation, which largely relies on BDNF neurotrophic support and is independent of keratinocyte differentiation. The results of the present study suggested that this novel mechanism may be targeted for developing potential therapeutic approaches.

No abstract