Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 23, 2025
Protection of H9c2 Myocardial Cells from Oxidative Stress by Crocetin via PINK1/Parkin Pathway-Mediated Mitophagy
Published on: May 26, 2023
Protein from Hylocereus polyrhizus protects MRC-5 cells against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced damage
Haomiao Ding1, Yuzhe Zhang1, Yue Zha1
1College of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Wanli University, 8 Qianhu South Road, Ningbo, 315100 China.
Abstract:
The cytoprotective and potential molecular mechanisms of Hylocereus polyrhizus protein (RFPP) were investigated on the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-triggered damage in normal human embryonic lung (MRC-5) cells. An MTT assay was conducted to assess the MRC-5 cell viability after exposure to H2O2 or RFPP. Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were explored via flow cytometry. The contents of related proteins were assessed via western blot. MRC-5 cells exhibited markedly decreased cellular viability after treatment with H2O2; however, treatment with RFPP suppressed this decrease. Additionally, RFPP interference dampened H2O2-triggered intracellular apoptosis levels and increased H2O2-triggered intracellular S phase. In these processes, the contents of phosphorylated (p)-AKT along with p-mTOR proteins were downregulated in 120 µM H2O2-treated cells compared with vehicle-treated cells. Nevertheless, in MRC-5 cells inoculated with RFPP, the levels expression of these proteins were reversed. To conclude, RFPP protected MRC-5 cells from H2O2-triggered damage via activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR cascade.
Insights
Hylocereus polyrhizus protein (RFPP) protects lung cells from oxidative stress. RFPP activates the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, reducing apoptosis and preserving cell viability against hydrogen peroxide damage.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) induces oxidative stress and cellular damage.
- Hylocereus polyrhizus protein (RFPP) is investigated for its protective effects.
- Normal human embryonic lung (MRC-5) cells are used as a model system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cytoprotective effects of RFPP against H2O2-induced damage in MRC-5 cells.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying RFPP's protective action.
- To determine RFPP's impact on cell cycle and apoptosis pathways.
Main Methods:
- MTT assay for cell viability assessment.
- Flow cytometry for cell cycle distribution and apoptosis analysis.
- Western blot to evaluate protein expression levels (p-AKT, p-mTOR).
Main Results:
- H2O2 significantly decreased MRC-5 cell viability, which was restored by RFPP treatment.
- RFPP suppressed H2O2-induced apoptosis and increased the S phase population.
- RFPP reversed the downregulation of phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT) and phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR) caused by H2O2.
Conclusions:
- RFPP exhibits significant cytoprotective properties against H2O2-induced oxidative stress in lung cells.
- RFPP exerts its protective effects through the activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.
- RFPP holds potential for therapeutic applications in conditions involving oxidative lung damage.
