Tyrosine kinase LYN is an oncotarget in human cervical cancer: A quantitative proteomic based study

Cervical cancer is one of the most common malignant tumor in women. The mechanisms of cervical cancer are intricate and have not been fully understood. Therefore, we employed iTRAQ to obtain novel proteins profile which participates in the tumor oncogenesis of cervical cancer. 3300 proteins were identified aberrantly expressed in cervical cancer, and western bolt was performed to validate the results of iTRAQ. Then, we selected LYN for further study. Immunohistochemistry identified that LYN expression was significantly increased in cervical cancer tissues than that in cancer adjacent normal cervical tissues and normal cervical tissues. The increased LYN expression was significantly correlated with cancer differentiation and FIGO stage. Silencing LYN inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion, conversely, overexpression LYN promoted cell proliferation, migration and invasion. In terms of mechanism, LYN could also promote cervical cancer cells metastasis through activating IL-6/STAT3 pathway. In vivo study, overexpression LYN promoted tumor growth, meanwhile knockdown LYN inhibited tumor growth. These results indicate that LYN tyrosine kinase is an oncogenic gene and can serve as a novel target for cervical cancer research and therapy.

High Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid Inhibits Fibrosis of Endometrium

BACKGROUND Elevated fibrosis has been found in patients with intrauterine adhesion, which indicates that fibrotic factors may play a critical role in formation of intrauterine adhesion. The aim of this study was to identify the effect of hyaluronic acid (HA) at high and low molecular weight on fibrosis of the endometrium in a mouse model of Asherman's syndrome. MATERIAL AND METHODS Endometrial fibrosis in a mouse model of Asherman's syndrome was confirmed. Then HA at high and low molecular weight was injected into the uterine cavity. Endometrial fibrosis was compared among the control group, LMW-HA, and HMW-HA group. The extent of endometrial fibrosis was calculated using Masson stain. The fibrosis markers (TGFβ1, CTGF, collagen I, and collagen III) in endometrial tissue were detected using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. RESULTS The ratio of the area with endometrial fibrosis to total endometrial area in the HMW-HA group was significantly decreased compared to the control group (P<0.05). The expression of fibrosis markers (TGFβ1, CTGF, collagen I, and collagen III) in the endometrium was attenuated in the HMW-HA group compared to the control group, but the LMW-HA group had no similar effect. CONCLUSIONS Hyaluronic acid at high molecular weight may attenuate the degree of endometrial fibrosis after endometrial damage, which may contribute to preventing formation of intrauterine adhesions.

Ultrasound as a cancer chemotherapy sensitizer: the gap between laboratory and bedside

INTRODUCTION

The use of ultrasound to sensitize chemotherapy has been explored, a large amount of encouraging preclinical data has been reported, and an increase in drug influx is considered the main mechanism, leading scientists to believe that ultrasonic chemotherapy will change clinical practice.

AREAS COVERED

Here we first outline the clinical efficacy of ultrasonic chemotherapy using data from controlled trials of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)-chemotherapy, and then discuss the gap between laboratory and bedside. Data from clinical trials showed that focused ultrasound enhanced anticancer drugs in only 35.0% (7/20) of trials. Preclinical trials indicate that ultrasound augments the action of drugs via multiple pathways. The effect of a transient increase in the intracellular drug level due to ultrasound can be counteracted by certain cellular factors, causing a lack of chemosensitization. The experimental method used can lead to biases in preclinical trials.

EXPERT OPINION

Chemotherapy should not be recommended in HIFU treatments at present. The use of HIFU-chemotherapy in digestive-tract cancers can provide feedback for preclinical and translational researches in ultrasonic chemotherapy. The clinical relevance of preclinical trials should be improved; the drug-ultrasound interactions, sequence effects, predictiveness of in vivo models, and adjuncts of ultrasonic sensitization should be particularly considered.

Reversal of adriamycin resistance in ovarian carcinoma cell line by combination of verapamil and low-level ultrasound

In order to determine whether ultrasound, alone or combined with verapamil, could reverse resistance in adriamycin resistant human ovarian carcinoma cell line SKOV(3)/ADR in vitro, cells were subjected to a variable concentration of adriamycin. Verapamil, ultrasound exposure and both of the two were used concurrently or sequentially. Survival rates were decreased in groups in which acoustic irradiation was exerted, or verapamil pretreated and both of which applied. Intracellular adriamycin levels were high where cytotoxicity was enhanced. These results revealed that ultrasound reverse drug resistance in ovarian carcinoma cells, and synergism also existed between verapamil and acoustic exposure if administrated sequentially. These effects were ascribed to increase of intracellular adriamycin accumulation.

Efficacy of extracorporeal ultrasound-guided high intensity focused ultrasound: An evaluation based on controlled trials in China

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy of extracorporeal ultrasound-guided high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) based upon data in controlled clinical trials in China.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data in 75 controlled trials involving in 833 cases of benign and 4559 cases of malignant diseases were re-evaluated.

RESULTS

In uterine fibroid, ectopic pregnancy and chyluria, the efficacy of HIFU was similar to that of surgery or drugs. The survival rate of HIFU plus radiotherapy was less than that of radical surgery in operable liver cancer. In inoperable liver cancer, the survival benefit of HIFU was similar to that of radio frequency, transarterial chemoembolization or γ-knife. In pancreatic cancer, HIFU and chemotherapy produced similar survival rates, and HIFU did not improve the effect of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. HIFU did not enhance hormone therapy in prostate cancer. Preoperative HIFU increased rates of complete removal and of survival in retroperitoneal sarcoma, and increased the response rate in breast cancer. The response rate agreed with the survival benefit (κ = 0.71, p = 0.0002).

CONCLUSIONS

HIFU should be curtailed in resectable cases and be an alternative in inoperable cases; a combination regimen should not be recommended. The Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors can be applied to HIFU.

The interaction between a drug and ultrasound in sonochemotherapy against ovarian cancers

PURPOSE

Sonochemotherapy is a promising modality for cancers, but the interaction between an anticancer agent and insonation has not been understood. The interactions in vitro and in vivo were quantified in this study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The combination index (CI) and dose reduction index (DRI) were calculated, thus determining the interaction. Human ovarian cancer cells 3AO, SKOV(3), SKOV(3) /ADR, HO-8910 and HO-8910PM were subjected to a drug or sonochemotherapy (a drug followed by nonlethal insonation but in 3AO cells). SKOV(3) /ADR was an adriamycin-resistant subclone and HO-8910PM was the subline with highly metastatic potential. Adriamycin was used for 3AO, SKOV(3) and SKOV(3) /ADR cells, and cisplatin or paclitaxel employed for HO-8910 and HO-8910PM cells. Effect of the sequence of administration of a drug and insonation on the interaction was investigated in 3AO cells.

RESULTS

A drug followed by ultrasound led to better anticancer effects and higher CI and DRI at each concentration compared with the alternate sequence. Sonochemotherapy resulted in a higher cell-death rate, compared with a drug alone. CIs were > 1.15 in 3AO, SKOV(3) /ADR and HO-8910 cells showing synergisms, and the value in SKOV(3) indicated an addition. In HO-8910PM cells, CI was above 1.15 at ≥ 2.0 µg/ml cisplatin or ≥ 18 µg/ml paclitaxel, and the interaction shifted from a slight antagonism, an addition to a synergism when increasing the level of cisplatin. A noticeable event in HO-8910PM cells was that a slight antagonism occurred but with a higher cell-death rate. DRIs were > 1 in all cells, indicating that the use of ultrasound reduced the required dose of a drug thus decreasing toxicities. In vivo trials resulted in a CI of 1.17 for SKOV(3) tumors and a value of 1.51 for SKOV(3) /ADR ones.

CONCLUSION

Sonochemotherapy was effective against cancers including chemoresistant and metastatic lesions, via a synergy and/or an addition. The interaction depended on both the anticancer drug and cell type. For a specific cell type and a specific drug, modulating the dose resulted in a shift of the interaction.

DR2 blocker thioridazine: A promising drug for ovarian cancer therapy

Dopamine receptor 2 (DR2) may be a biomarker for various types of cancer. Ovarian cancer cells overexpress DR2; therefore, blocking DR2 may be a novel treatment strategy for ovarian cancer. Thioridazine, a DR2 blocker, has antineoplastic activity in a variety of cancer cells. In view of the requirement for novel therapeutic agents in ovarian cancer, the present study aimed to determine the potential effects of thioridazine in vitro and in vivo. It was revealed that the DR2 blocker thioridazine induced cell death in a dose-dependent manner in ovarian cancer cells. Thioridazine treatment induced apoptosis and autophagy, which may be attributed to an increased level of reactive oxygen species and associated DNA damage. Additionally, the expression of various proteins increased with oxidative stress, including nuclear factor E2-related factor 2, which is a pivotal transcriptional factor involved in cellular responses to oxidative stress. Heme oxygenase 1, NAPDH quinone dehydrogenase 1 and hypoxia inducible factor-1α and phosphorylated (p)-protein kinase B expression was significantly decreased, and the expression level of p-extracellular signal-related kinases and p-P38 was increased. Using 3-methyl adenine to inhibit autophagy caused the rate of apoptosis to increase. Thioridazine inhibited the growth of SKOV3 xenografts in nude mice. The present study demonstrated that the DR2 blocker thioridazine exhibited anticancer effects in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that thioridazine may be used as a potential drug in ovarian cancer therapy.

Linc02527 promoted autophagy in Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy

LncRNA plays a crucial role in human disease. However, the expression and function of LncRNA in ICP(Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy) is still not fully elucidated. In this study, we found Linc02527 was increased expression in placenta and serum of ICP patients. Ectopically expression of Linc02527 promoted autophagy and proliferate in HTR8 cells. Silencing Linc02527 suppressed the autophagy and proliferate in HTR8 cells. Mechanically study revealed that Linc02527 regulated the expression of ATG5 and ATG7 by sponging miR-3185. Linc02527 directly binding to YBX1 and activated P21. The growth of C57 mouse was retarded when autophagy was activated. In normal condition, inhibited autophagy using chloroquine did not affect the growth of C57 mouse. However, in the condition of autophagy was activated, inhibited autophagy using chloroquine can improve the growth of C57 mouse. Overall, the results of this study identified Linc02527 as a candidate biomarker in ICP and a potential target for ICP therapy. Chloroquine was a potential drug for ICP therapy.

The correlation between GPR30 and clinicopathologic variables in breast carcinomas

The G-protein-coupled-receptor 30 (GPR30) is a new membrane estrogen receptor. The aim of the present study was to determine the correlations among GPR30, ERalpha, PR, C-erbB-2, p53, TNM stage, and pathologic grade in breast carcinomas. Two hundred forty-one biopsy specimens were evaluated with immunohistochemical assays, and then correlations were analyzed. Low negative correlations of GPR30 with ERalpha (r = -0.144, P<0.05) and PR (r = -0.214, P<0.01) were observed. Associations of GPR30 with C-erbB-2, p53, TNM stage, and pathologic grade were not confirmed. These findings indicated that GPR30 might be an independent prognostic factor in breast carcinomas.

Ultrasound increases DNA damage attributable to cisplatin in cisplatin-resistant human ovarian cancer cells

OBJECTIVE

An increased capacity for DNA repair plays a very important role in cisplatin (DDP) resistance in ovarian cancers. Ultrasound is a potential chemotherapy sensitizer. The aim of this study was to determine whether ultrasound in conjunction with chemotherapy increases DNA damage in chemoresistant human ovarian cancer cells.

METHODS

Ultrasound and/or cyclosporin A were used to overcome chemoresistance in a DDP-resistant human ovarian cancer cell line, COC1/DDP. DNA damage was quantified by comet assay, a form of single-cell gel electrophoresis in which the length of the comet tail reflects the level of DNA damage.

RESULTS

Neither ultrasound nor cyclosporin A alone led to detectable DNA breakage. The use of ultrasound increased DNA breakage due to DDP, while the use of cyclosporin A did not. The addition of ultrasound and cyclosporin A in conjunction with DDP resulted in a 2.55 times increase in the length of comet tail compared with using DDP alone, while their combined use resulted in a 1.73 times increase compared with the combination of just DDP and insonation.

CONCLUSIONS

Insonation increases DNA breakage attributable to DDP in chemoresistant human ovarian cancer cells, and might sensitize cyclosporin A.

Thioridazine Sensitizes Cisplatin Against Chemoresistant Human Lung and Ovary Cancer Cells

Human lung cancer cell lines A549 and A549/DDP, and ovarian cancer cell lines SKOV3 and SKOV3/DDP were subjected to thioridazine (Thio), cisplatin, or the combination; A549/DDP and SKOV3/DDP were the cisplatin-resistant sublines. Cell viability, apoptosis, and cell cycle were detected; the mitochondrial membrane potential and proteins related to mitochondrial apoptosis were determined. Thio induced cell death, and the combination of Thio and cisplatin led to the highest percentage of dead cells in four cells lines. Thio and the combined modality led to cell apoptosis by inducing G0/G1 arrest. The collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential, activation of caspase 9, upregulation of Bax protein, and downregulation of Bcl-2 protein demonstrated that apoptosis was mitochondria dependent. These data indicated that Thio could be used to modulate cisplatin-based chemotherapeutic regimen in lung and ovary cancers.

Biological effects of ultrasound exposure on adriamycin-resistant and cisplatin-resistant human ovarian carcinoma cell lines in vitro

Human ovarian cancer cell lines, SKOV3 and its adriamycin-resistant substrain SKOV3/ADR and COC1 and its cisplatin-resistant substrain COC1/DDP, were subjected to acoustic exposure. The critical levels (LC), which resulted in no immediate cell killing, were determined in four cell lines, respectively. LC were the same in four cell lines. After being insonated by LC, cell proliferation and clone forming of SKOV3/ADR were suppressed but those of SKOV3 were not affected (1); cell reproduction of COC1 was triggered but that of COC1/DDP was not influenced (2); flow cytometry detected sub-G1 peaks in SKOV3/ADR and COC1/DDP (3). These findings suggested that there were differences in the responses to ultrasound exposure between chemosensitive and chemoresistant human ovarian cancer cells.

Complex metabolic interactions between ovary, plasma, urine, and hair in ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the third most common malignant tumor of women accompanied by alteration of systemic metabolism, yet the underlying interactions between the local OC tissue and other system biofluids remain unclear. In this study, we recruited 17 OC patients, 16 benign ovarian tumor (BOT) patients, and 14 control patients to collect biological samples including ovary plasma, urine, and hair from the same patient. The metabolic features of samples were characterized using a global and targeted metabolic profiling strategy based on Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the metabolites display obvious differences in ovary tissue, plasma, and urine between OC and non-malignant groups but not in hair samples. The metabolic alterations in OC tissue included elevated glycolysis (lactic acid) and TCA cycle intermediates (malic acid, fumaric acid) were related to energy metabolism. Furthermore, the increased levels of glutathione and polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic acid) together with decreased levels of saturated fatty acid (palmitic acid) were observed, which might be associated with the anti-oxidative stress capability of cancer. Furthermore, how metabolite profile changes across differential biospecimens were compared in OC patients. Plasma and urine showed a lower concentration of amino acids (alanine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, proline, leucine, and cysteine) than the malignant ovary. Plasma exhibited the highest concentrations of fatty acids (stearic acid, EPA, and arachidonic acid), while TCA cycle intermediates (succinic acid, citric acid, and malic acid) were most concentrated in the urine. In addition, five plasma metabolites and three urine metabolites showed the best specificity and sensitivity in differentiating the OC group from the control or BOT groups (AUC > 0.90) using machine learning modeling. Overall, this study provided further insight into different specimen metabolic characteristics between OC and non-malignant disease and identified the metabolic fluctuation across ovary and biofluids.

Enhancement of the Effect of Methyl Pyropheophorbide-a-Mediated Photodynamic Therapy was Achieved by Increasing ROS through Inhibition of Nrf2-HO-1 or Nrf2-ABCG2 Signaling

BACKGROUND

Emerging evidence indicates that the transcription factor nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) plays an essential role in cellular defense against oxidative stress; its activation has been related to cytoprotection.

OBJECTIVE

Here, we investigated the role of Nrf2 in improving the efficacy of methyl pyropheophorbide-amediated photodynamic therapy (Mppa-PDT) via the downregulation of Nrf2.

METHOD

Human ovarian cancer A2780 cells and SKOV3 cells were treated with Mppa-PDT and siRNA transfection was performed to inhibit Nrf2. After treated with siRNA and Mppa-PDT, the cell viability was examined with CCK-8 assay; cell apoptosis was detected tested by flow cytometry with Annexin V-FITC/PI; the celluar reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential were measured with DCFHDA and JC-1 staining; expression of protein was assessed by western blot analysis.

RESULTS

We found that Nrf2 translocated from the cytoplasm to the nucleus in vitro and in vivo, and the expression of Nrf2 and P-Nrf2 increased through a possible mechanism regulated by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) after Mppa-PDT treatment. Furthermore, cytotoxicity and apoptosis induced by Mppa-PDT increased after Nrf2down-regulation. Nrf2 down -regulation increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels by attenuating antioxidants or pumping Mppa out of cells,which resulted from the inhibition of Nrf2-HO-1 or Nrf2- ABCG2 signaling. In addition, SKOV3 cells exhibited increased resistance to Mppa-PDT, and the expression levels of P-Nrf2 and ABCG2 were higher in SKOV3 cells than in A2780 cells, suggesting that Nrf2-ABCG2 signaling might be involved in the intrinsic resistanceto Mppa-PDT.

CONCLUSION

These results provided evidence that Nrf2 down-regulation can enhance the effect of Mppa-PDT.

Pharmacokinetic profiles of cancer sonochemotherapy

Sonochemotherapy is a promising strategy for the treatment of cancer, however, there is limited understanding of its pharmacokinetics (PK). Area covered: The PK profile of sonochemotherapy is evaluated based on released data. Preclinical investigations suggest that the blood PK of sonochemotherapy is similar to chemotherapy when using free anticancer drugs. When using encapsulated drugs, a lower plasma level usually occurs; however, the ultrasonic release of drugs within a tumor may lead to drugs leaking into circulation, causing a rebound in the plasma drug level; a higher drug level is detected in certain healthy organs, however this depends mostly on the pharmaceutical formulation. Sonochemotherapy increases both the level and retention time of drugs in a tumor. Clinical trials of combined chemotherapy and high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) are evaluated from the perspective of preclinical PK: the intratumoral PK and drug interactions under insonation, and a protocol to set the interval between drug administration and insonation are lacking. Expert opinion: Insonation can alter the PK properties of chemotherapeutics, which may exacerbate the system and/or organ toxicity of anticancer drugs. Directly employing the PK parameters validated in conventional chemotherapy plays an important role in unsatisfactory clinical outcomes of chemotherapy combined with HIFU.

Mechanisms of reversal of adriamycin resistance in human ovarian carcinoma cell line by ultrasound

The aim of this study was to investigate the reversal of adriamycin resistance in human ovarian cancer cells by ultrasound exposure from perspectives of apoptosis and mdr1 gene. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry and mdr1 level by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Apoptosis indexes were improved in groups in which ultrasound exposures were applied. RT-PCR did not support that insonation-decreased mdr1 level. These findings suggested that the ultrasound-enhanced therapeutic efficacy was not mediated via modulating gene expression, and ultrasound maybe lowered thresholds for apoptosis and oncosis in chemoresistant ovarian cancer cells.

Deactivation of cisplatin-resistant human lung/ovary cancer cells with pyropheophorbide-α methyl ester-photodynamic therapy

The aim of this study was to determine whether photodynamic therapy (PDT) alone or combined with cisplatin (DDP), can deactivate cisplatin-resistant cancer cells. Human cancer cell lines A549 and SKOV3, and chemoresistant sublines A549/DDP and SKOV3/DDP, were subjected to PDT, DDP, or PDT combined with DDP. Cell viability and apoptosis were analyzed, and then intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and proteins related to apoptosis were determined. PDT caused cell death, and PDT combined with DDP led to the highest percentage of dead cells in 4 cell lines; similar results were detected in ROS; a quantification evaluation manifested that the combined effect was addition. DDP increased the percentage of apoptotic cells, and the ROS level in A549 and SKOV3 cells, which was not observed in A549/DDP and SKOV3/DDP cells. Western blot revealed an increase of caspase 3 and Bax, and a decrease of Bcl-2, demonstrating the occurrence of apoptosis. The data suggest that PDT can efficiently deactivate resistant cells and enhance the action of DDP against resistant cancer cells.

The use of models in "target" theory to evaluate the survival curves of human ovarian carcinoma cell line exposure to adriamycin combined with ultrasound

The models of "target" theory in radiation biology were used to evaluate the survival curves of human ovarian carcinoma cell line after exposure to adriamycin combined with ultrasound. 3AO cells were exposed to adriamycin in group ADR, to adriamycin after ultrasound exposure in group US+ADR, and to adriamycin prior to insonation in group ADR+US. The cell survival was determined by a clonogenic assay. The dose-response curves were fitted to two models, (1) single-hit, single-target model, (2) single-hit, multi-target model. The single-hit, multi-target model could fit the survival curve in group ADR, but it could only describe the survivals in groups US+ADR and ADR+US while the concentration of adriamycin was less than 0.05 mug/ml. These suggested that the single-hit, multi-target model could be conditionally used to describe the survival while cells were exposed to the combination of adriamycin and acoustic exposure. The models also were tools to understand the potentiation attributable to insonation.

Ultrasound induces contraction of the bladder smooth muscle

PURPOSE

To investigate whether the treatment of overt postpartum urinary retention (PUR) with low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) was clinically effective and whether LIPUS could accelerate bladder smooth muscle (BSM) contraction by opening the L-type calcium channels and activating the Ca(2+) signaling pathway.

METHODS

Records of 136 patients undergoing PUR were retrospectively reviewed in two different groups for LIPUS and neostigmine between from 2014 to July 2015. The rats BSM strips in vitro were irradiated by LIPUS. The contraction frequency and amplitude were recorded with BL-410F biological experimental system. The BSM cells were constructed and identified by α-actin-specific antibody staining, and the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration was analyzed by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

The clinical trial indicated that LIPUS had potential therapeutic effect on PUR (80.6 vs. 64.1 %, p < 0.05), and the BSM strip contractility was increased by LIPUS (p < 0.001), and the concentration of Ca(2+) was markedly enhanced by about twofold than that without LIPUS exposure (p < 0.01). Besides, nimodipine could suppress the contraction of BSM and the concentration of intracellular Ca(2+) which was caused by ultrasound.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggested LIPUS had potential therapeutic effect on PUR and the Ca(2+) signaling pathway was involved in the mechanism. The ultrasound irradiation may provide a new method for PUR therapy.

Ultrastructure alterations in adriamycin-resistant and cisplatin-resistant human ovarian cancer cell lines exposed to nonlethal ultrasound

Human ovarian cancer cell lines, SKOV3 and its adriamycin-resistant substrain SKOV3/ADR and COC1 and its cisplatin-resistant substrain COC1/DDP, were exposed to nonlethal ultrasound. Ultrastructures in sham-insonated and insonated cells were inspected by transmission electron microscopy, and cytochrome C in cytosol was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Ultrasound exposure led to no significant changes in SKOV3/ADR cells, but tumid mitochondria occurred in SKOV3 cells. Mitochondria changes were also detected in some exposed COC1 and COC1/DDP cells. Apoptotic bodies could be detected in either control or insonated COC1/DDP cells. A few exposed COC1/DDP cells became reticular. Cytochrome C in cytosol in exposed SKOV3/ADR cells was increased but that in exposed COC1/DDP cells was decreased. These findings revealed that the bioeffect of ultrasound on chemosensitive cells was not identical to that of chemoresistant ones, and ultrasound was a potential approach for treatment of drug-resistant ovarian cancers.

Ubiquitin Carboxy-Terminal HydrolaseL3 Correlates with Human Sperm Count, Motility and Fertilization

Ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L3 (UCHL3) belongs to the group of deubiquitinating enzymes and plays a part in apoptosis of germ cells and the differentiation of spermatocytes into spermatids. However, the exact role of UCHL3 in human spermatogenesis and sperm function remains unknown. Here we examined the level and activity of UCHL3 in spermatozoa from men with asthenozoospermia (A), oligoasthenozoospermia (OA) or normozoospermia (N). Immunofluorescence indicated that UCHL3 was mainly localized in the acrosome and throughout the flagella, and western blotting revealed a lower level in A or OA compared with N (p < 0.05). The catalytic activity of UCHL3 was decreased in spermatozoa from A or OA (p < 0.05, p < 0.001, respectively). The level and activity of UCHL3 were positively correlated with sperm count, concentration and motility. The UCHL3 level was positively correlated with the normal fertilization rate (FR) and percentage of embryos suitable for transfer/cryopreservation of in vitro fertilization (IVF). The UCHL3 activity was also positively correlated with FR, the percentage of embryos suitable for transfer/cryopreservation and high-quality embryos rate of IVF. Aforementioned correlations were not manifested in intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). These findings suggest that UCHL3 may play a role in male infertility.

Adenovirus‑mediated overexpression of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator enhances invasiveness and motility of serous ovarian cancer cells

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) belongs to the adenosine triphosphate‑binding cassette transporter family, members of which are involved in several types of cancer. Previous studies by our group reported that CFTR was highly expressed in serous ovarian cancer (SOC) tissues, and that knockdown of CFTR suppressed the proliferation of ovarian cancer in vitro and in vivo. Thus, the aim of the present study was to construct a recombinant adenoviral vector for the expression of the human CFTR gene in order to study the role of CFTR overexpression in the malignant invasion and migration of SOC cells in vitro. The present study then focused on the mechanisms of the role of CFTR in the migratory and invasive malignant properties of SOC cells. The CFTR gene was inserted into an adenoviral vector by using the AdEasy system in order to obtain the Ad‑CFTR overexpression vector, which was used to transfect the A2780 SOC cell line. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, western blot analysis and immunofluorescence were performed to detect the expression and localization of CFTR. Cell invasion and motility of the transfected cells compared with those of control cells were observed using Transwell and wound healing assays. A ~4,700 bp fragment of the CFTR gene was confirmed to be correctly cloned in the adenoviral vector and amplification of Ad‑CFTR was observed in HEK293 cells during package. After 48 h of transfection with Ad‑CFTR, ~90% of A2780 cells were red fluorescence protein‑positive. Immunofluorescence showed that following transfection, CFTR expression was increased and CFTR was located in the cell membrane and cytoplasm. CFTR overexpression was shown to enhance the invasion and motility of A2780 cells in vitro. Furthermore, the effects of CFTR overexpression on the activation c‑Src signaling were observed by western blot analysis. CFTR overexpressing cells showed the lowest activity of phospho‑Src (Tyr530), suggesting that CFTR may affect the activation of c‑Src signaling. The results of the present study demonstrated that adenovirus‑mediated CFTR overexpression enhanced cell invasion and motility of SOC cells in vitro. Furthermore, CFTR may be critical for the activation of c‑Src signaling.

IDO1 Modulates the Sensitivity of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Cells to Cisplatin through ROS/p53-Dependent Apoptosis

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) is a heme-containing dioxygenase that may play a part in chemoresistance in ovarian cancer. However, its role in cisplatin (DDP) resistance is unclear. Here, the expression level of IDO1 in tumors in platinum-resistant (n = 22) and -sensitive (n = 46) ovarian cancer patients was determined, and then how IDO1 modulated DDP resistance was explored in vitro and in vivo. The IDO1 expression level in platinum-resistant patients was higher than that in -sensitive patients, and a higher IDO1 level was correlated with poor prognosis in type II cancer patients. Up-regulating IDO1 decreased DDP-induced apoptosis in SKOV3 cells via inhibiting the ROS/p53 cell-death pathway, thereby attenuating cytotoxicity of DDP. Silencing IDO1 enhanced p53-dependent apoptosis by increasing ROS accumulation, thereby enhancing DDP against SKOV3 cells. Down-knocking IDO1 augmented the action of DDP in vivo. These data demonstrated that silencing IDO1 enhanced the efficacy of DDP by intensifying p53-dependent apoptosis, and that targeting IDO1 can be a strategy to modulate DDP-based chemotherapy for epithelial ovarian cancer.

Ultrasound Enhances ZD2767P-Carboxypeptidase G2 against Chemoresistant Ovarian Cancer Cells by Altering the Intracellular Pharmacokinetics of ZD2767D

Prodrug-carboxypeptidase G2 (e.g., ZD2767P+CPG2) can realize a targeted treatment where the specific advantage is a lack of CPG2 analogues in humans, but it is limited by low efficacy. Here ultrasound was employed to enhance ZD2767P+CPG2 (i.e., ZD2767P+CPG2+US) against chemoresistant human ovarian cancer cells. The release dynamics of ZD2767D (activated drug) by CPG2 were investigated. The in vitro efficacy was explored in SKOV3 and SKOV3/DDP (cisplatin-resistant subline) cells; spectrophotometry was established to quantify ZD2767P and ZD2767D, and then intracellular pharmacokinetics were evaluated. The in vivo efficacy was validated in both subcutaneous and orthotopic tumors. With insonation, the ZD2767D concentration was increased during an early period. Insonation synergized ZD2767P+CPG2 to enhance cell death and apoptosis, and efficacies in SKOV3 and SKOV3/DDP cells were similar. Intracellular pharmacokinetics of ZD2767D were nonproportional, and insonation increased the peak level, area under the level vs time curve, and mean residence time. In subcutaneous xenografts, ZD2767P+CPG2 and ZD2767P+CPG2+US resulted in volume-inhibitory rates of 20.4% and 26.5% in SKOV3 tumors and 36.8% and 81.6% in SKOV3/DDP tumors, respectively. In the orthotopic tumor model, the survival time in group ZD2767P+CPG2 or ZD2767P+CPG2+US was prolonged compared with group control, in SKOV3 (33.0 ± 3.5 or 39.2 ± 1.8 vs 25.0 ± 1.6 days, p < 0.0001) and SKOV3/DDP (16.2 ± 4.8 or 22.3 ± 7.3 vs 8.7 ± 3.9 days, p = 0.0015) tumors. These data indicated that ZD2767P+CPG2+US was effective against resistant ovarian cancer cells.

NTNG1 Modulates Cisplatin Resistance in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Cells via the GAS6/AXL/Akt Pathway

Cisplatin resistance is a challenge in the treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer. Here, clinical data showed that the level of netrin-G1 (NTNG1) in cisplatin-resistant cancer was higher than that in cisplatin-sensitive cancer (2.2-fold, p = 0.005); patients with a high NTNG1 level in cancer tissues had shorter progression-free survival (11.0 vs. 25.0 months, p = 0.010) and platinum-free interval (5.0 vs. 20.0 months, p = 0.021) compared with patients with a low level. Category- or stage-adjusted analyses demonstrated that the association between the NTNG1 level and prognosis occurred in type II or FIGO III/IV cancer. The basal level of NTNG1 in SKOV3/DDP cells (a cisplatin-resistant subline) was higher than that in SKOV3 cells; therefore, NTNG1 was overexpressed in SKOV3 cells, or silenced in SKOV3/DDP cells. Knocking in NTNG1 reduced the action of cisplatin to decrease cell death and apoptosis of SKOV3 cells, accompanied by upregulation of p-AXL, p-Akt and RAD51; however, opposite effects were observed in SKOV3/DDP cells after knocking down NTNG1. Co-immunoprecipitation demonstrated that NTNG1 bound GAS6/AXL. Silencing NTNG1 enhanced cisplatin effects in vivo, decreasing tumor volume/mass. These data suggested that a high NTNG1 level can result in cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer cells via the GAS6/AXL/Akt pathway and that NTNG1 may be a useful target to overcome resistance.