Rabbit Anti-Human TIMP2 monoclonal antibody, clone KN98-21

Aim: Chinese medicine CGA formula consists of polysaccharide from Cordyceps sinensis mycelia (CS-PS), gypenosides and amygdalin, which is derived from Fuzheng Huayu (FZHY) capsule for treating liver fibrosis. In this study we attempted to confirm the therapeutic effects of CGA formula in dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced liver fibrosis in rats, and to identify the mechanisms of anti-fibrotic actions. Methods: Rats were injected with DMN (10 mg.kg(-1).d(-1), ip) for 3 consecutive days per week over a 4-week period. The rats then were orally administered with CGA formula (CS-PS 60 mg.kg(-1).d(-1), gypenosides 50 mg.kg(-1).d(-1) and amygdalin 80 mg.kg(-1).d(-1)) daily in the next 2 weeks. CS-PS, gypenosides or amygdalin alone were administered as individual component controls, whereas colchicine and FZHY were used as positive controls. Serum biomarkers were measured. Hepatic injury, collagen deposition and stellate cell activation were examined. The MMP activities, expression of TIMP protein and proteins involved in the TGF-beta 1/Smad signaling pathways in liver tissues were assayed. Results: In DMN-treated rats, administration of CGA formula significantly decreased serum ALT, AST and total bilirub n and hepatic hydroxyproline levels, increased serum albumin level, and attenuated liver fibrosis as shown by histological examination. Furthermore, these effects were comparable to those caused by administration of FZHY, and superior to those caused by administration of colchicine or the individual components of CGA formula. Moreover, administration of CGA formula significantly decreased the protein levels of cc-SMA, TGF-beta 1, TGF-beta 1 receptor (T beta R-I), p-T beta R-I, p-T beta R-II, p-Smad2, p-Smad3, TIMP1 and TIMP2, as well as MMP2 and MMP9 activities in liver tissues of DMN-treated rats. Conclusion: Chinese medicine CGA formula ameliorates DMN-induced liver fibrosis in rats, and this effect was likely associated with the down-regulation of MMP2/9 activities, TIMP1/2 protein expression and the TGF-beta 1/Smad signaling pathways in the liver.

Background/Aims: Previous studies demonstrated the oncogenic roles of lncRNA UCA1 in osteosarcoma. This study aimed to explore the internal molecular mechanism of UCA1 on promoting osteosarcoma cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Methods: qRT-PCR was conducted to measure the expression levels of UCA1, miR-182 and TIMP2. Cell transfection was used to change the expression levels of UCA1, miR-182 and TIMP2. Cell viability, migration, invasion and apoptosis were measured using CCK-8 assay, two-chamber migration (invasion) assay and Guava Nexin assay, respectively. The associations between UCA1, miR-182 and iASPP were analyzed by dual luciferase activity assay. The protein expression levels of key factors involved in cell apoptosis, PI3K/AKT/GSK3 beta pathway and NF-kappa B pathway, as well as p53, Rb, RECQ family and iASPP were evaluated by western blotting. Results: UCA1 was highly expressed in osteosarcoma MG63 and OS-732 cells. Knockdown of UCA1 inhibited OS-732 cell viability, migration and invasion, but promoted cell apoptosis. miR-182 was up-regulated in OS-732 cells after UCA1 knockdown and participated in the effects of UCA1 on OS-732 cells. TIMP2 was downstream factor of miR-182 and involved in the regulatory roles of miR182 on OS-732 cell viability, migration, invasion, apoptosis, as well as PI3K/AKT/GSK3 beta and NF-kappa B pathways. UCA1 knockdown up-regulated p53, Rb and RECQL5 levels in OS-732 cells, while down-regulated the expression of iASPP. TGF-beta or TNF-alpha treatment could enhance the expression of UCA1 in OS-732 cells. Conclusion: Our research verified that UCA1 exerted oncogenic roles in osteosarcoma cells by regulating miR-182 and TIMP2, as well as PI3K/AKT/GSK3 beta and NF-kappa B pathways. (C) 2018 The Author(s) Published by S. Karger AG, Basel