Young Whan Kim

Platelet-derived growth factor regulates vascular smooth muscle phenotype via mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1.

Mammalian target of rapamycin complex (mTORC) regulates various cellular processes including proliferation, growth, migration and differentiation. In this study, we showed that mTORC1 regulates platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced phenotypic conversion of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Stimulation of contractile VSMCs with PDGF significantly reduced the expression of contractile marker proteins in a time- and dose-dependent manner. In addition, angiotensin II (AngII)-induced contraction of VSMCs was completely blocked by the stimulation of VSMCs with PDGF. PDGF-dependent suppression of VSMC marker gene expression was significantly blocked by inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and mTOR whereas inhibition of p38 MAPK had no effect. In particular, inhibition of mTORC1 by rapamycin or by silencing of Raptor significantly blocked the PDGF-dependent phenotypic change of VSMCs whereas silencing of Rictor had no effect. In addition, loss of AngII-dependent contraction by PDGF was significantly retained by silencing of Raptor. Inhibition of mTORC1 by rapamycin or by silencing of Raptor significantly blocked PDGF-induced proliferation of VSMCs. Taken together, we suggest that mTORC1 plays an essential role in PDGF-dependent phenotypic changes of VSMCs.

Mechanical stretch enhances the expression and activity of osteopontin and MMP-2 via the Akt1/AP-1 pathways in VSMC

Hemodynamic forces causing mechanical stretch (MS) of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) play an important role in vascular remodeling, but the underlying mechanism involved is not fully understood. Thus, this study investigated whether osteopontin (OPN) expression in VSMC was induced by MS, and identified the intracellular signaling pathways involved in OPN production. The plasma level of OPN and its expression in aortic tissue were increased in various animal models of hypertension including spontaneous hypertensive rats and hypertensive mice induced by angiotensin II or L-NAME. When aortic VSMC was stimulated with MS, OPN production was increased, which was markedly attenuated in VSMC treated with PI3K/Akt inhibitor as well as in Akt1-depleted cells, but not in Akt2-depleted cells, suggesting a pivotal role of Akt1 isoform in OPN expression in VSMC. In the promoter assay, MS increased OPN promoter activity, which was attenuated when the region harboring AP-1 binding sites was mutated. The MS-enhanced promoter activity and OPN expression were also decreased in cells treated with AP-1 siRNA or inhibitor. Moreover, MS-induced MMP-2 production was attenuated in cells treated with OPN siRNA or anti-OPN antibody as well as in OPN-deficient VSMC cultured from aorta of OPN deficient mice. In in vivo experiments, the expressions of OPN and MMP-2 were increased in the aortic tissues from hypertensive mice, but these increases were markedly attenuated in OPN-deficient mice with hypertension. In conclusion, these results suggested that OPN expression in the hypertensive vasculature was increased via signaling pathways that involve Akt1/AP-1, leading to vascular remodeling by increasing the production of MMP-2.

Akt1 isoform modulates phenotypic conversion of vascular smooth muscle cells.

In this study, we investigated the role of Akt1 isoform in phenotypic change of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and neointima formation. Laminin-induced conversion of synthetic VSMCs into contractile VSMCs was measured by expression of marker proteins for contractile VSMCs and collagen gel contraction assay. Culture of synthetic VSMCs on laminin-coated plates induced expression of marker proteins for contractile VSMCs and showed contraction in response to angiotensin II (AngII) stimulation. Silencing integrin-linked kinase attenuated activation of Akt and blocked phenotypic conversion of VSMCs resulting in the loss of AngII-dependent contraction. Laminin-induced phenotypic conversion of VSMCs was abrogated by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor or in cells silencing Akt1 but not Akt2. Proliferation of contractile VSMCs on laminin-coated plate was enhanced in cells silencing Akt1 whereas silencing Akt2 did not affect. Promoter activity of myocardin and SM22α was enhanced in contractile phenotype and overexpression of myocardin stimulated promoter activity of SM22α in synthetic phenotype. Promoter activity of myocardin and SM22α was reduced in cells silencing Akt1 and promoter activity of SM22α was restored by overexpression of myocardin in cells silencing Akt1. However, silencing of Akt2 affected neither promoter activity of myocardin nor SM22α. Finally, neointima formation in carotid artery ligation and high fat-diet-induced atherosclerosis was facilitated in mice lacking Akt1. This study demonstrates that Akt1 isoform stimulates laminin-induced phenotypic conversion of synthetic VSMCs by regulating the expression of myocardin. VSMCs become susceptible to shifting from contractile to synthetic phenotype by the loss of Akt1 in pathological conditions.

Reactive oxygen species and PI3K/Akt signaling in cancer

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are chemically reactive molecules containing oxygen and associates with multiple cellular functions such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. In the present study, we showed that Insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1) modulates SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cell by regulation of generation of ROS. Akt mediates cellular signaling pathways in association with mammalian target of rapamycin complex (mTOR) and Rac small G protein. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1)-induced generation of ROS was completely abolished by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) (LY294002, 10?µM) or Akt inhibitors (SH-5, 50?µM), whereas inhibition of extracellular-regulated kinase by an ERK inhibitor (PD98059, 10?µM) or inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) by an mTORC1 inhibitor (Rapamycin, 100?nM) did not affect IGF-1-induced generation of ROS. Inactivation of mTORC2 by silencing Rapamycin-insensitive companion of mTOR (Rictor), abolished IGF-1-induced SKOV-3 cell migration as well as activation of Akt. However, inactivation of mTORC1 by silencing of Raptor had no effect. Silencing of Akt1 but not Akt2 attenuated IGF-1-induced generation of ROS. Expression of PIP3-dependent Rac exchanger1 (P-Rex1), a Rac guanosine exchange factor and a component of the mTOR complex. Silencing of P-Rex1 abolished IGF-1-induced generation of ROS. Finally, inhibition of NADPH oxidase system completely blunted IGF-1-induced generation of ROS, whereas inhibition of xanthine oxiase,cyclooxygenase, and mitochondrial respiratory chain complex was not effective. Given these results, we suggest that IGF-1 induces ROS generation through the PI3K/Akt/ mTOR2/NADPH oxidase signaling axis.

The Traditional Herbal Medicine, Dangkwisoo-San, Prevents Cerebral Ischemic Injury through Nitric Oxide-Dependent Mechanisms.

Dangkwisoo-San (DS) is an herbal extract that is widely used in traditional Korean medicine to treat traumatic ecchymosis and pain by promoting blood circulation and relieving blood stasis. However, the effect of DS in cerebrovascular disease has not been examined experimentally. The protective effects of DS on focal ischemic brain were investigated in a mouse model. DS stimulated nitric oxide (NO) production in human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs). DS (10–300 μg/mL) produced a concentration-dependent relaxation in mouse aorta, which was significantly attenuated by the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor L-NAME, suggesting that DS causes vasodilation via a NO-dependent mechanism. DS increased resting cerebral blood flow (CBF), although it caused mild hypotension. To investigate the effect of DS on the acute cerebral injury, C57/BL6J mice received 90 min of middle cerebral artery occlusion followed by 22.5 h of reperfusion. DS administered 3 days before arterial occlusion significantly reduced cerebral infarct size by 53.7% compared with vehicle treatment. However, DS did not reduce brain infarction in mice treated with the relatively specific endothelial NOS (eNOS) inhibitor, N5-(1-iminoethyl)-L-ornithine, suggesting that the neuroprotective effect of DS is primarily endothelium-dependent. This correlated with increased phosphorylation of eNOS in the brains of DS-treated mice. DS acutely improves CBF in eNOS-dependent vasodilation and reduces infarct size in focal cerebral ischemia. These data provide causal evidence that DS is cerebroprotective via the eNOS-dependent production of NO, which ameliorates blood circulation.

Synergistic induction of cancer cell migration regulated by Gβγ and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) is essential for both G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)- and receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK)-mediated cancer cell migration. Here, we have shown that maximum migration is achieved by full activation of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate-dependent Rac exchanger 1 (P-Rex1) in the presence of Gβγ and PI3K signaling pathways. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA)-induced migration was higher than that of epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced migration; however, LPA-induced activation of Akt was lower than that stimulated by EGF. LPA-induced migration was partially blocked by either Gβγ or RTK inhibitor and completely blocked by both inhibitors. LPA-induced migration was synergistically increased in the presence of EGF and vice versa. In correlation with these results, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P)-induced migration was also synergistically induced in the presence of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Finally, silencing of P-Rex1 abolished the synergism in migration as well as in Rac activation. Moreover, synergistic activation of MMP-2 and cancer cell invasion was attenuated by silencing of P-Rex1. Given these results, we suggest that P-Rex1 requires both Gβγ and PI3K signaling pathways for synergistic activation of Rac, thereby inducing maximum cancer cell migration and invasion.

Inhibitory role of polyunsaturated fatty acids on lysophosphatidic acid-induced cancer cell migration and adhesion

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have important pharmacological effects on mammalian cells. Here, we show that carboxyl group‐containing PUFAs inhibit lysophosphatidic acid (LPA)‐induced focal adhesion formation, thereby inhibiting migration and adhesion. Carboxyl group‐containing PUFAs inhibit LPA‐induced calcium mobilization, whereas ethyl ester‐group containing PUFAs have no effect. In addition, carboxyl group‐containing PUFAs functionally inhibit LPA‐dependent RhoA activation. Given these results, we suggest that PUFAs may inhibit LPA‐induced calcium/RhoA signaling pathways leading to focal adhesion formation. Carboxyl group‐containing PUFAs may have a functional role in this regulatory mechanism.

Androgen Receptor-dependent Expression of Low-density Lipoprotein Receptor-related Protein 6 is Necessary for Prostate Cancer Cell Proliferation.

Androgen receptor (AR) signaling is important for prostate cancer (PCa) cell proliferation. Here, we showed that proliferation of hormone-sensitive prostate cancer cells such as LNCaP was significantly enhanced by testosterone stimulation whereas hormone-insensitive prostate cancer cells such as PC3 and VCaP did not respond to testosterone stimulation. Blocking of AR using bicalutamide abolished testosterone-induced proliferation of LNCaP cells. In addition, knockdown of AR blocked testosterone-induced proliferation of LNCaP cells. Basal expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6) was elevated in VCaP cells whereas stimulation of testosterone did not affect the expression of LRP6. However, expression of LRP6 in LNCaP cells was increased by testosterone stimulation. In addition, knockdown of LRP6 abrogated testosterone-induced proliferation of LNCaP cells. Given these results, we suggest that androgen-dependent expression of LRP6 plays a crucial role in hormone-sensitive prostate cancer cell proliferation.

Inhibition of Cancer Cell Migration by Compounds from Garlic Extracts

Cell migration plays a fundamental role in cancer cell invasion and metastasis as well as in many physiological responses. Here, we screened four different sources of garlic - water extract of normal and black garlic, as well as dried normal and black garlic - for the identification of anti-invasive and anti-metastatic activity on cancer cells. Inhibition of cancer cell migration was observed in the hexane extract of dried-garlic. Inhibitory activity was further purified to near homogeneity by thin layer chromatography and named inhibitor of cancer metastasis from garlic #27 (ICMG-27). ICMG-27 completely blocked insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1)-induced OVCAR-3 cell migration at 6 ㎍/㎖. ICMG-27 completely blocked IGF-1-induced OVCAR-3 and NIH-3T3 cell migration whereas IGF-1-induced mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cell migration was not affected byICMG-27. ICMG-27 inhibited all the tested IGF-1-induced cancer cell migration such as OVCAR-3, SKOV-3, and MDA-MB-231 cells. Finally, ICMG-27 could inhibit IGF-1-, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA)-, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P)-, leukotriene B4 (LTB4)-, and angiotensin Ⅱ (AngⅡ)-induced OVCAR-3 cell migration. These results indicate that ICMG-27 inhibits cancer cell migration by blocking essential steps in many agonists-induced cancer cell migrations. Unveiling an anti-invasive mechanism of ICMG-27 on cancer cells will provide a basis for cancer therapy.

Erratum to: Regulation of arterial blood pressure by Akt1-dependent vascular relaxation

In Fig. 2a, reporting data from immunohistochemistry, the image of total eNOS staining in the NT condition was published incorrectly. Specifically, it was duplicated from the PDGF condition by mistake. In the corrected version of Fig. 2a, the image was replaced appropriately. The authors claim that this correction does not affect the message and conclusion of this study, and would like to apologize for this oversight.