Notch 1 is a key component of the Notch pathway, which performs a crucial role in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) development. The present study aimed to investigate whether Notch 1 could serve as a potential target for CCRCC treatment. Firstly, an association analysis was performed using 52 CCRCC cases and 30 normal controls. The results indicated that Notch 1 protein expression in renal tissues was closely associated with the incidence of CCRCC. In addition, higher Notch 1 expression in CCRCC tissues was positively associated with higher tumor-node-metastasis stage and Fuhrman grade, in addition to larger tumor size. Subsequently, an in vitro study was conducted to examine the biological functions of Notch 1 in CCRCC 786-O cells through inhibiting the Notch 1 expression with Notch 1-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA). As a result, the inhibition of Notch 1 expression by increasing concentrations of Notch 1-specific siRNA dose-dependently decreased cell proliferation and increased cell apoptosis in 786-O cells. Furthermore, B-cell lymphoma-2 and procaspase-3 expression exhibited a dose-dependent decrease accompanied with a dose-dependent inactivation of the Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway in Notch 1 siRNA-treated 786-O cells. These findings demonstrated that Notch 1 was associated with CCRCC carcinogenesis and progression, the underlying mechanism of which was that Notch 1 acted as an activator for cell proliferation and a suppressor for cell apoptosis through the Akt/mTOR signaling-dependent pathway in CCRCC. In conclusion, the present study confirmed that Notch 1 is a valuable target against cell survival and proliferation in CCRCC treatment.

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Purpose: To probe the effect and mechanism of androgen receptor antagonist MDV3100 on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) of ratsMethods: BPH rat model was induced by testosterone propionate. Then antagomir-miR-21-3p or agomir-miR-21-3p was injected into rats before MDV3100 treatment. The prostate index was measured by weighing the wet weight of the rat prostate. The structural morphology of rat prostate was observed after hematoxylin & eosin staining. Immunohistochemistry was applied to evaluate the expression levels of Ki-6 and inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-6, IL-18, and tumor necrosis factor-α) in rat prostate tissues. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was utilized for assessment of miR-21-3p expression, and Western blot for the performance of the phosphorylation levels of IKKα and p65.Results: Injection of testosterone propionate caused increased prostate gland hyperplasia, heightened miR-21-3p level, and activated nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Additionally, BPH was accompanied by inflammatory response, as evidenced by enhanced expressions of Ki-67 and inflammatory cytokines. MDV3100 exposure ameliorated BPH and suppressed miR-21-3p expression. Overexpression of miR-21-3p intensified BPH and inflammation level, while knockdown of miR-21-3p relieved BPH. The coeffect of miR-21-3p upregulation and MDV3100 subjection led to higher inflammatory response, elevated phosphorylation levels of IKKα and p65 than MDV3100 treatment alone.Conclusions: Androgen receptor antagonist MDV3100 alleviates BPH and inflammatory response through miR-21-3p downregulation and NF-κB signaling pathway blockade.