Objective: To investigate the expression of LncRNA MNX1-AS1 in NSCLC and its effect on NSCLC cell lines. Methods: In this experiment, the expression of LncRNA MNX1-AS1 was detected by qRT-PCR in 116 NSCLC samples, and the correlation between MNX1-AS1 and NSCLC patients was further analyzed by chi-square test. The prognostic value of MNX1-AS1 was assessed by Kaplan-Meier survival curve. The expression of MNX1-AS1 in NSCLC cell line A549 was knocked down, and the effects of MNX1-AS1 on proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of NSCLC cells were evaluated. Results: Compared with normal lung tissue, the expression of MNX1-AS1 was significantly increased in lung cancer tissues ( p <0.05). The expression level of MNX1-AS1 in NSCLC cell line A549 was significantly higher than that in human normal lung epithelial cell line Beas-2B ( p <0.05). MNX1-AS1 expression was significantly associated with TNM stage and lymph node metastasis ( p <0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that high expression of MNX1-AS1 was associated with a poor prognosis in NSCLC. In addition, knockdown of MNX1-AS1 inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion of the NSCLC cell line A549 and promoted apoptosis. Conclusion: The up-regulation of LncRNA MNX1-AS1 is associated with the progression and prognosis of NSCLC. Knockdown of LncRNA MNX1-AS1 inhibits proliferation, migration and invasion of NSCLC cells and promotes apoptosis.

No abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of trigonelline (TRG) on Echinococcus granulosus, and to explore the inhibition impact of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway on E. granulosus protoscoleces. Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces were incubated with various concentrations of TRG, and then Nrf2 protein expression and its localization in protoscoleces were detected by western blot analysis and immunofluorescence assay, respectively. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in protoscoleces was measured using ROS detection kit. Caspase-3 activity was measured using a caspase-3 activity assay kit, and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase (NQO)-1 and heme oxygenase (HO)-1 activities in protoscoleces were measured by ELISA. The effect of TRG on protoscoleces viability was investigated using 0.1% eosin staining, and ultrastructural alterations in protoscoleces were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Immunolocalization experiment clearly showed that Nrf2 protein was predominantly present in cells of protoscoleces. TRG treatment reduced NQO-1 and HO-1 activities in protoscoleces, but could increase ROS level at early time. Protoscoleces could not survive when treated with 250 μM TRG for 12 days. SEM results showed that TRG-treated protoscoleces presented damage in the protoscoleces region, including hook deformation, lesions, and digitiform protuberance. Nrf2 protein expression was significantly decreased and caspase-3 activity was clearly increased in protoscoleces treated with TRG for 24 and 48 h, respectively, when compared with that in controls (P< 0.05). Our results demonstrated that TRG had scolicidal activity against E. granulosus protoscoleces. Nrf2 protein was mainly expressed in the cells and TRG could efficiently inhibit the Nrf2 signaling pathway in E. granulosus.

Introduction The aims of this study were to investigate the role of the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway in Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces, and to examine the effects of PIK-75 inhibition on Nrf2 activity. Methods Nrf2 protein expression and localization in protoscoleces were examined via confocal immunofluorescence microscopy. Reactive oxygen species (ROS detection kit) was used to detect ROS level in protoscoleces. The effects of PIK-75 on activity of heme oxygenase1(HO-1), NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and thioredoxin peroxidase (TPx) were characterized using ELISA. Evidence of parasite damage and death was observed by scanning electron microscopy(SEM). Western bolting was used to detect the expression level of Nrf2 protein. In addition, caspase-3 activity was detected using an assay kit. Results The study found that Nrf2 is primarily localized in the protoscoleces cytoplasm, and PIK-75 treatment could increased ROS level(P<0.05) in the early time, and reduced NQO-1, HO-1, GSH-Px and TPx (P<0.05) activity in protoscoleces. SEM showed that PIK-75-treated protoscoleces presented damage in the protoscoleces region. Western-blot showed that the Nrf2 protein expression had decreased significantly. Caspase-3 activity clearly increased in protoscoleces treated for 24 and 48 h with PIK-75 compared with that in controls (P<0.05). Conclusion The present investigation demonstrated that PIK-75 had an inhibitory effect on the Nrf2 signaling pathway. We also provide evidence that PIK-75 may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of protoscoleces. The use of PIK-75 as a treatment for protoscoleces, however, requires further research.