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ERK: A Double-Edged Sword in Cancer. ERK-Dependent Apoptosis as a Potential Therapeutic Strategy for Cancer. Cells 2021; 10:cells10102509. [PMID: 34685488 PMCID: PMC8533760 DOI: 10.3390/cells10102509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The RAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathway regulates diverse cellular processes as exemplified by cell proliferation, differentiation, motility, and survival. Activation of ERK1/2 generally promotes cell proliferation, and its deregulated activity is a hallmark of many cancers. Therefore, components and regulators of the ERK pathway are considered potential therapeutic targets for cancer, and inhibitors of this pathway, including some MEK and BRAF inhibitors, are already being used in the clinic. Notably, ERK1/2 kinases also have pro-apoptotic functions under certain conditions and enhanced ERK1/2 signaling can cause tumor cell death. Although the repertoire of the compounds which mediate ERK activation and apoptosis is expanding, and various anti-cancer compounds induce ERK activation while exerting their anti-proliferative effects, the mechanisms underlying ERK1/2-mediated cell death are still vague. Recent studies highlight the importance of dual-specificity phosphatases (DUSPs) in determining the pro- versus anti-apoptotic function of ERK in cancer. In this review, we will summarize the recent major findings in understanding the role of ERK in apoptosis, focusing on the major compounds mediating ERK-dependent apoptosis. Studies that further define the molecular targets of these compounds relevant to cell death will be essential to harnessing these compounds for developing effective cancer treatments.
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SPRY4 acts as an indicator of osteoarthritis severity and regulates chondrocyte hypertrophy and ECM protease expression. NPJ Regen Med 2021; 6:56. [PMID: 34535669 PMCID: PMC8448831 DOI: 10.1038/s41536-021-00165-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) causes serious changes in the metabolic and signaling pathways of chondrocytes, including the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. However, the role of sprouty RTK signaling antagonist 4 (SPRY4), an inhibitor of MAPK, in the human cartilage tissues and chondrocytes remains to be understood. Here, using SPRY4 gene delivery into healthy and degenerated chondrocytes, we elucidated the role of SPRY4 in preventing chondrocyte hypertrophy. In addition to using the human cartilage tissues with the destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) model in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, the role of SPRY4 in cartilage tissues and chondrocytes was explored through their molecular and histological analyses. In order to determine the effects of SPRY4 on healthy human chondrocyte hypertrophy, small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used to knock down SPRY4. Lentiviral transduction of SPRY4 into degenerated human chondrocytes allowed us to investigate its ability to prevent hypertrophy. SPRY4 expression levels were higher in healthy human cartilage tissue and chondrocytes than in degenerated human cartilage tissues and hypertrophy-induced chondrocytes. The knockdown of SPRY4 in healthy chondrocytes caused an increase in hypertrophy, senescence, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and extracellular matrix (ECM) protease expression. However, all these factors decreased upon overexpression of SPRY4 in degenerated chondrocytes via regulation of the MAPK signaling pathway. We conclude that SPRY4 is a crucial indicator of osteoarthritis (OA) severity and could play an important role in preventing OA in the cartilage by inhibiting chondrocyte hypertrophy.
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Novel Nitrogen-Based Chalcone Analogs Provoke Substantial Apoptosis in HER2-Positive Human Breast Cancer Cells via JNK and ERK1/ERK2 Signaling Pathways. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179621. [PMID: 34502529 PMCID: PMC8431802 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural chalcones possess antitumor properties and play a role as inducers of apoptosis, antioxidants and cytotoxic compounds. We recently reported that novel nitrogen chalcone-based compounds, which were generated in our lab, have specific effects on triple-negative breast cancer cells. However, the outcome of these two new compounds on human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer remains nascent. Thus, we herein investigated the effects of these compounds (DK-13 and DK-14) on two HER2-positive breast cancer cell lines, SKBR3 and ZR75. Our data revealed that these compounds inhibit cell proliferation, deregulate cell-cycle progression and significantly induce cell apoptosis in both cell lines. Furthermore, the two chalcone compounds cause a significant reduction in the cell invasion ability of SKBR3 and ZR75 cancer cells. In parallel, we found that DK-13 and DK-14 inhibit colony formation of both cell lines in comparison to their matched controls. On the other hand, we noticed that these two compounds can inhibit angiogenesis in the chorioallantoic membrane model. The molecular pathway analysis of chalcone compounds exposed cells revealed that these compounds inhibit the expression of both JNK1/2/3 and ERK1/2, the major plausible molecular pathways behind these events. Our findings implicate that DK-13 and DK-14 possess effective chemotherapeutic outcomes against HER2-positive breast cancer via the ERK1/2 and JNK1/2/3 signaling pathways.
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Yang DL, Zhang YJ, He LJ, Hu CS, Gao LX, Huang JH, Tang Y, Luo J, Tang DY, Chen ZZ. Demethylzeylasteral (T-96) initiates extrinsic apoptosis against prostate cancer cells by inducing ROS-mediated ER stress and suppressing autophagic flux. Biol Res 2021; 54:27. [PMID: 34488902 PMCID: PMC8420005 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-021-00350-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Demethylzeylasteral (T-96) is a pharmacologically active triterpenoid monomer extracted from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TWHF) that has been reported to exhibit anti-neoplastic effects against several types of cancer cells. However, the potential anti-tumour effects of T-96 against human Prostate cancer (CaP) cells and the possible underlying mechanisms have not been well studied. Results In the current study, T-96 exerted significant cytotoxicity to CaP cells in vitro and induced cell cycle arrest at S-phase in a dose-dependent manner. Mechanistically, T-96 promoted the initiation of autophagy but inhibited autophagic flux by inducing ROS-mediated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress which subsequently activated the extrinsic apoptosis pathway in CaP cells. These findings implied that T-96-induced ER stress activated the caspase-dependent apoptosis pathway to inhibit proliferation of CaP cells. Moreover, we observed that T-96 enhances the sensitivity of CaP cells to the chemotherapeutic drug, cisplatin. Conclusions Taken together, our data demonstrated that T-96 is a novel modulator of ER stress and autophagy, and has potential therapeutic applications against CaP in the clinic. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40659-021-00350-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Lin Yang
- College of Pharmacy, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Targeted and Innovative Therapeutics, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Kinase Modulators as Innovative Medicine, Chongqing University of Arts and Sciences, Chongqing, 402160, China. .,College of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chinese Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
| | - Ya-Jun Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Targeted and Innovative Therapeutics, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Kinase Modulators as Innovative Medicine, Chongqing University of Arts and Sciences, Chongqing, 402160, China
| | - Liu-Jun He
- College of Pharmacy, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Targeted and Innovative Therapeutics, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Kinase Modulators as Innovative Medicine, Chongqing University of Arts and Sciences, Chongqing, 402160, China
| | - Chun-Sheng Hu
- College of Pharmacy, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Targeted and Innovative Therapeutics, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Kinase Modulators as Innovative Medicine, Chongqing University of Arts and Sciences, Chongqing, 402160, China
| | - Li-Xia Gao
- College of Pharmacy, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Targeted and Innovative Therapeutics, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Kinase Modulators as Innovative Medicine, Chongqing University of Arts and Sciences, Chongqing, 402160, China
| | - Jiu-Hong Huang
- College of Pharmacy, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Targeted and Innovative Therapeutics, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Kinase Modulators as Innovative Medicine, Chongqing University of Arts and Sciences, Chongqing, 402160, China.,College of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chinese Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Yan Tang
- College of Pharmacy, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Targeted and Innovative Therapeutics, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Kinase Modulators as Innovative Medicine, Chongqing University of Arts and Sciences, Chongqing, 402160, China
| | - Jie Luo
- College of Pharmacy, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Targeted and Innovative Therapeutics, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Kinase Modulators as Innovative Medicine, Chongqing University of Arts and Sciences, Chongqing, 402160, China
| | - Dian-Yong Tang
- College of Pharmacy, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Targeted and Innovative Therapeutics, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Kinase Modulators as Innovative Medicine, Chongqing University of Arts and Sciences, Chongqing, 402160, China.
| | - Zhong-Zhu Chen
- College of Pharmacy, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Targeted and Innovative Therapeutics, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Kinase Modulators as Innovative Medicine, Chongqing University of Arts and Sciences, Chongqing, 402160, China.
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Schisanhenol improves early porcine embryo development by regulating the phosphorylation level of MAPK. Theriogenology 2021; 175:34-43. [PMID: 34481228 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2021.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Schisanhenol (SAL), a biphenyl cyclooctene-type lignin compound which can be extracted and isolated from many plants of the Schisandra family, exhibits a variety of biological activities including anti chronic cough, night sweating, thirst, diabetes, and obesity. However, its effects on the female reproductive system are unclear. Previous studies showed that SAL had potential antioxidant activity in heart, liver, and brain. Therefore, we hypothesized that SAL could improve porcine early development by reducing oxidative stress. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of SAL on preimplantation porcine embryos and the potential mechanisms. In this study, we analyzed the effects of SAL on embryo quality, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, mitochondrial function, cell proliferation and apoptosis, and the activation of MAPK pathway. The results showed that 10 μM SAL significantly increased the blastocyst formation rate, proliferation ability, and mitochondrial activity while reducing ROS accumulation and apoptosis level. During this process, the phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2, JNK1/2/3, and p38 were decreased. In summary, 10 μM SAL improves porcine preimplantation embryo development by reducing ROS accumulation.
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206
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Dash BS, Lu YJ, Chen HA, Chuang CC, Chen JP. Magnetic and GRPR-targeted reduced graphene oxide/doxorubicin nanocomposite for dual-targeted chemo-photothermal cancer therapy. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2021; 128:112311. [PMID: 34474862 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2021.112311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we design a rGO-based magnetic nanocomposite by decorating rGO with citrate-coated magnetic nanoparticles (CMNP). The magnetic rGO (mrGO) was modified by phospholipid-polyethylene glycol to prepare PEGylated mrGO, for conjugating with gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR)-binding peptide (mrGOG). The anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) was bound to mrGO (mrGOG) by π-π stacking for drug delivery triggered by the low pH value in the endosome. The mrGOG showed enhanced photothermal effect under NIR irradiation, endorsing its role for dual targeted DOX delivery. With efficient DOX release in the endosomal environment and heat generation from light absorption in the NIR range, mrGOG/DOX could be used for combination chemo-photothermal therapy after intracellular uptake by cancer cells. We characterized the physico-chemical as well as biological properties of the synthesized nanocomposites. The mrGOG is stable in biological buffer solution, showing high biocompatibility and minimum hemolytic properties. Using U87 glioblastoma cells, we confirmed the magnetic drug targeting effect in vitro for selective cancer cell killing. The peptide ligand-mediated targeted delivery increases the efficiency of intracellular uptake of both nanocomposite and DOX up to ~3 times due to the over-expressed GRPR on U87 surface, leading to higher cytotoxicity. The increased cytotoxicity using mrGOG over mrGO was shown from a decreased IC50 value (0.70 to 0.48 μg/mL) and an increased cell apoptosis rate (19.8% to 47.1%). The IC50 and apoptosis rate changed further to 0.19 μg/mL and 76.8% in combination with NIR laser irradiation, with the photothermal effect supported from upregulation of heat shock protein HSP70 expression. Using U87 tumor xenograft model created in nude mice, we demonstrated that magnetic guidance after intravenous delivery of mrGOG/DOX could significantly reduce tumor size and prolong animal survival over free DOX and non-magnetic guided groups. Augmented with NIR laser treatment for 5 min, the anti-cancer efficacy significantly improves with elevated cell apoptosis and reduced cell proliferation. Together with safety profiles from hematological as well as major organ histological analysis of treated animals, the mrGOG nanocomposite is an effective nanomaterial for combination chemo-photothermal cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Banendu Sunder Dash
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Chang Gung University, Kwei-San, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Jen Lu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Kwei-San, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kwei-San, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
| | - Huai-An Chen
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Chang Gung University, Kwei-San, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Cheng Chuang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Kwei-San, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kwei-San, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
| | - Jyh-Ping Chen
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Chang Gung University, Kwei-San, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan; Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Craniofacial Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Kwei-San, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan; Research Center for Food and Cosmetic Safety, Research Center for Chinese Herbal Medicine, College of Human Ecology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan; Department of Materials Engineering, Ming Chi University of Technology, Tai-Shan, New Taipei City 24301, Taiwan.
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207
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Takaishi K, Kudo Y, Kawahito S, Kitahata H. Clinically relevant concentration of propofol and benzodiazepines did not affect in vitro angiogenesis. J Anesth 2021; 35:870-878. [PMID: 34460008 DOI: 10.1007/s00540-021-02993-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Angiogenesis, one of regenerative medicine, is essential in the process of wound healing. The detailed effects of intravenous anesthetics and sedatives used during perioperative period have not yet been clarified. We investigated the effects of benzodiazepines and propofol on in vitro capillary tube formation. METHODS The effects of midazolam, diazepam and propofol (1, 10, 50 µM each) on proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and normal human diploid fibroblasts (NHDF) were determined. Quantitation of migration was achieved by measuring the fluorescence of migrating HUVEC using angiogenesis system. The effects of midazolam, diazepam and propofol on in vitro angiogenesis were investigated in co-cultured HUVEC and NHDF incubated. The effects of midazolam on activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases were examined by Western blot analysis using phospho-specific antibodies. Parametric data were analyzed with one-way repeated measures analysis of variance followed by the Scheffé test. A value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS Fifty µM of midazolam significantly impaired endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and in vitro capillary tube formation. Propofol, diazepam or lower dose midazolam did not show any enhancing or suppressive effects on in vitro angiogenesis. Fifty µM of midazolam remarkably activated ERK, but not p38 MAPK in HUVEC. CONCLUSION Propofol and benzodiazepines except high-dose midazolam did not affect in vitro angiogenesis. High-dose midazolam may impair in vitro capillary tube formation due to by suppressing proliferation and migration of endothelial cells via activation of ERK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazumi Takaishi
- Department of Dental Anesthesiology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Hospital, 3-18-15, Kuramoto, Tokushima, 770-8504, Japan.
| | - Yasusei Kudo
- Department of Oral Bioscience, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 3-18-15, Kuramoto, Tokushima, 770-8504, Japan
| | - Shinji Kawahito
- Department of Community Medicine and Human Resource Development, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 3-18-15, Kuramoto, Tokushima, 770-8504, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kitahata
- Department of Dental Anesthesiology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Hospital, 3-18-15, Kuramoto, Tokushima, 770-8504, Japan
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208
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Zhu Z, Jiang T, Suo H, Xu S, Zhang C, Ying G, Yan Z. Metformin Potentiates the Effects of Anlotinib in NSCLC via AMPK/mTOR and ROS-Mediated Signaling Pathways. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:712181. [PMID: 34421608 PMCID: PMC8373262 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.712181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Anlotinib is a novel multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor with activity against soft tissue sarcoma, small cell lung cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Potentiating the anticancer effect of anlotinib in combination strategies remains a clinical challenge. Metformin is an oral agent that is used as a first-line therapy for type 2 diabetes. Interesting, metformin also exerts broad anticancer effects through the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Here, we evaluated the possible synergistic effect of anlotinib and metformin in NSCLC cells. The results showed that metformin enhanced the antiproliferative effect of anlotinib. Moreover, anlotinib combined with metformin induced apoptosis and oxidative stress, which was associated with the activation of AMPK and inhibition of mTOR. Reactive oxygen species (ROS)- mediated p38/JNK MAPK and ERK signaling may be involved in the anticancer effects of this combination treatment. Our results show that metformin potentiates the efficacy of anlotinib in vivo by increasing the sensitivity of NSCLC cells to the drug. These data provide a potential rationale for the combination of anlotinib and metformin for the treatment of patients with NSCLC or other cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongling Zhu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Teng Jiang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Huirong Suo
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shan Xu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Cai Zhang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Guoguang Ying
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhao Yan
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Department of Continuing Education and Science and Technology Service, China Anti-cancer Association, Tianjin, China
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209
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Zhang M, Dai Z, Zhao X, Wang G, Lai R. Anticarin β Inhibits Human Glioma Progression by Suppressing Cancer Stemness via STAT3. Front Oncol 2021; 11:715673. [PMID: 34408983 PMCID: PMC8366317 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.715673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioma is the most common form of malignant brain cancer. It is very difficult to cure malignant glioma because of the presence of glioma stem cells, which are a barrier to cure, have high tumorigenesis, associated with drug resistance, and responsible for relapse by regulating stemness genes. In this study, our results demonstrated that anticarin β, a natural compound from Antiaris toxicaria, can effectively and selectively suppress proliferation and cause apoptosis in glioma cells, which has an IC50 that is 100 times lower than that in mouse normal neural stem cells. Importantly, cell sphere formation assay and real time-quantitative analysis reveal that anticarin β inhibits cancer stemness by modulating related stemness gene expression. Additionally, anticarin β induces DNA damage to regulate the oncogene expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), Akt, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and eventually leading to apoptosis. Furthermore, anticarin β effectively inhibits glioma growth and prolongs the lifts pan of tumor-bearing mice without systemic toxicity in the orthotopic xenograft mice model. These results suggest that anticarin β is a promising candidate inhibitor for malignant glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology - The Chinese University of Hong Kong (KIZ-CUHK) Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, and National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, China.,Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi Dai
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology - The Chinese University of Hong Kong (KIZ-CUHK) Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, and National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, China
| | - Xudong Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology - The Chinese University of Hong Kong (KIZ-CUHK) Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, and National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, China
| | - Gan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology - The Chinese University of Hong Kong (KIZ-CUHK) Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, and National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, China
| | - Ren Lai
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology - The Chinese University of Hong Kong (KIZ-CUHK) Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, and National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, China
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210
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de Paiva REF, Peterson EJ, Du Z, Farrell NP. The leaving group in Au(I)-phosphine compounds dictates cytotoxic pathways in CEM leukemia cells and reactivity towards a Cys 2His 2 model zinc finger. Dalton Trans 2021; 49:16319-16328. [PMID: 32432260 DOI: 10.1039/d0dt01136c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Gold(i)-phosphine "auranofin-like" compounds have been extensively explored as anticancer agents in the past decade. Although potent cytotoxic agents, the lack of selectivity towards tumorigenic vs. non-tumorigenic cell lines often hinders further application. Here we explore the cytotoxic effects of a series of (R3P)AuL compounds, evaluating both the effect of the basicity and bulkiness of the carrier phosphine (R = Et or Cy), and the leaving group L (Cl-vs. dmap). [Au(dmap)(Et3P)]+ had an IC50 of 0.32 μM against the CEM cell line, with good selectivity in relation to HUVEC. Flow cytometry indicates reduced G1 population and slight accumulation in G2, as opposed to auranofin, which induces a high population of cells with fragmented DNA. Protein expression profile sets [Au(dmap)(Et3P)]+ further apart from auranofin, with proteolytic degradation of caspase-3 and poly(ADP-ribose)-polymerase (PARP), DNA strand-break induced phosphorylation of Chk2 Thr68 and increased p53 ser15 phosphorylation. The cytoxicity and observable biological effects correlate directly with the reactivity trend observed when using the series of gold(i)-phosphine compounds for targeting a model zinc finger, Sp1 ZnF3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael E F de Paiva
- Department of Fundamental Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Sao Paulo (USP), Sao Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil.
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Al-Hussaini H, Kittaneh RS, Kilarkaje N. Effects of trans-resveratrol on type 1 diabetes-induced up-regulation of apoptosis and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling in retinal pigment epithelium of Dark Agouti rats. Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 904:174167. [PMID: 33974882 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.174167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Microvascular changes and retinal degeneration precede diabetic retinopathy. Oxidative stress alters several intracellular signaling pathways, which form the basis of diabetic retinopathy. Many antioxidants have been investigated as possible preventive and therapeutic remedies for diabetic retinopathy. The current study investigated the modulatory effects of trans-resveratrol on streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes mediated changes in the transcription and levels of apoptosis-related proteins and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) of adult male dark Agouti rats. In control rats, 5 mg/kg/d trans-resveratrol administration for 30 days increased gene expressions of tumor suppressor protein 53, Bcl2-associated X protein, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl2), Caspase-3 (CASP3), CASP8 and CASP9, p38αMAPK, c-Jun N-terminal kinase-1 (JNK1), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1 (ERK1). On the other hand, diabetes decreased gene expressions of CASP3, CASP8, p38αMAPK, JNK, and ERK1. Trans-resveratrol reversed the inhibited gene expressions of CASP8, p38αMAPK, JNK, and ERK1 to normal control levels in diabetic rats. Trans-resveratrol normalized diabetes-induced upregulation of CASP3 and -9, cytochrome-c, Bcl-2, and ERK1 proteins. In conclusion, Trans-resveratrol-induced alterations in gene expressions do not seem to affect RPE functions as they do not reflect as altered protein functions. Trans-resveratrol imparts its protective effects by normalizing apoptosis-related proteins and ERK1 but does not affect JNK proteins. Trans-resveratrol causes cytostasis in RPE of normal rats by upregulating Bcl2 protein and apoptotic proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heba Al-Hussaini
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Kuwait.
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Huang Y, Xu J, Wang Y, Lei Y, Mai Y, He X. Q43, a new triterpenoid extracted from Chinese acorn, exhibits pronounced anti-neuroinflammatory activity through the MAPK and NF-κB pathways. J Funct Foods 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2021.104566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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Baumgarten N, Schmidt F, Wegner M, Hebel M, Kaulich M, Schulz MH. Computational prediction of CRISPR-impaired non-coding regulatory regions. Biol Chem 2021; 402:973-982. [PMID: 33660495 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2020-0392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Genome-wide CRISPR screens are becoming more widespread and allow the simultaneous interrogation of thousands of genomic regions. Although recent progress has been made in the analysis of CRISPR screens, it is still an open problem how to interpret CRISPR mutations in non-coding regions of the genome. Most of the tools concentrate on the interpretation of mutations introduced in gene coding regions. We introduce a computational pipeline that uses epigenomic information about regulatory elements for the interpretation of CRISPR mutations in non-coding regions. We illustrate our analysis protocol on the analysis of a genome-wide CRISPR screen in hTERT-RPE1 cells and reveal novel regulatory elements that mediate chemoresistance against doxorubicin in these cells. We infer links to established and to novel chemoresistance genes. Our analysis protocol is general and can be applied on any cell type and with different CRISPR enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Baumgarten
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Partner site Rhein-Main, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence MMCI, Saarland University, and Max Planck Institute for Informatics, Saarland Informatics Campus, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
- Cardiopulmonary Institute (CPI), Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Florian Schmidt
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Partner site Rhein-Main, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence MMCI, Saarland University, and Max Planck Institute for Informatics, Saarland Informatics Campus, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
- Laboratory of Systems Biology and Data Analytics, Genome Institute of Singapore, 60 Biopolis Street, 138672, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Martin Wegner
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Goethe University - Medical Faculty, University Hospital, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Marie Hebel
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Goethe University - Medical Faculty, University Hospital, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Manuel Kaulich
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Goethe University - Medical Faculty, University Hospital, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Marcel H Schulz
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Partner site Rhein-Main, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence MMCI, Saarland University, and Max Planck Institute for Informatics, Saarland Informatics Campus, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
- Cardiopulmonary Institute (CPI), Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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214
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Voss L, Guttek K, Reddig A, Reinhold A, Voss M, Simeoni L, Schraven B, Reinhold D. Pitavastatin Is a Highly Potent Inhibitor of T-Cell Proliferation. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14080727. [PMID: 34451823 PMCID: PMC8399298 DOI: 10.3390/ph14080727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Repositioning of approved drugs is an alternative time- and cost-saving strategy to classical drug development. Statins are 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG CoA) reductase inhibitors that are usually used as cholesterol-lowering medication, and they also exhibit anti-inflammatory effects. In the present study, we observed that the addition of Pitavastatin at nanomolar concentrations inhibits the proliferation of CD3/CD28 antibody-stimulated human T cells of healthy donors in a dose-dependent fashion. The 50% inhibition of proliferation (IC50) were 3.6 and 48.5 nM for freshly stimulated and pre-activated T cells, respectively. In addition, Pitavastatin suppressed the IL-10 and IL-17 production of stimulated T cells. Mechanistically, we found that treatment of T cells with doses <1 µM of Pitavastatin induced hyperphosphorylation of ERK1/2, and activation of caspase-9, -3 and -7, thus leading to apoptosis. Mevalonic acid, cholesterol and the MEK1/2 inhibitor U0126 reversed this Pitavastatin-mediated ERK1/2 activation and apoptosis of T cells. In summary, our results suggest that Pitavastatin is a highly potent inhibitor of T-cell proliferation, which induces apoptosis via pro-apoptotic ERK1/2 activation, thus representing a potential repositioning candidate for the treatment of T-cell-mediated autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Voss
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany; (L.V.); (K.G.); (A.R.); (A.R.); (M.V.); (L.S.); (B.S.)
| | - Karina Guttek
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany; (L.V.); (K.G.); (A.R.); (A.R.); (M.V.); (L.S.); (B.S.)
| | - Annika Reddig
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany; (L.V.); (K.G.); (A.R.); (A.R.); (M.V.); (L.S.); (B.S.)
| | - Annegret Reinhold
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany; (L.V.); (K.G.); (A.R.); (A.R.); (M.V.); (L.S.); (B.S.)
- Health Campus Immunology, Infection and Inflammation (GC-I3), Medical Fakulty, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Martin Voss
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany; (L.V.); (K.G.); (A.R.); (A.R.); (M.V.); (L.S.); (B.S.)
| | - Luca Simeoni
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany; (L.V.); (K.G.); (A.R.); (A.R.); (M.V.); (L.S.); (B.S.)
- Health Campus Immunology, Infection and Inflammation (GC-I3), Medical Fakulty, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Burkhart Schraven
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany; (L.V.); (K.G.); (A.R.); (A.R.); (M.V.); (L.S.); (B.S.)
- Health Campus Immunology, Infection and Inflammation (GC-I3), Medical Fakulty, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Dirk Reinhold
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany; (L.V.); (K.G.); (A.R.); (A.R.); (M.V.); (L.S.); (B.S.)
- Health Campus Immunology, Infection and Inflammation (GC-I3), Medical Fakulty, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-391-6715857
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215
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Komissarov AA, Karaseva MA, Roschina MP, Shubin AV, Lunina NA, Kostrov SV, Demidyuk IV. Individual Expression of Hepatitis A Virus 3C Protease Induces Ferroptosis in Human Cells In Vitro. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:7906. [PMID: 34360671 PMCID: PMC8348068 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22157906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulated cell death (RCD) is a fundamental process common to nearly all living beings and essential for the development and tissue homeostasis in animals and humans. A wide range of molecules can induce RCD, including a number of viral proteolytic enzymes. To date, numerous data indicate that picornaviral 3C proteases can induce RCD. In most reported cases, these proteases induce classical caspase-dependent apoptosis. In contrast, the human hepatitis A virus 3C protease (3Cpro) has recently been shown to cause caspase-independent cell death accompanied by previously undescribed features. Here, we expressed 3Cpro in HEK293, HeLa, and A549 human cell lines to characterize 3Cpro-induced cell death morphologically and biochemically using flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. We found that dead cells demonstrated necrosis-like morphological changes including permeabilization of the plasma membrane, loss of mitochondrial potential, as well as mitochondria and nuclei swelling. Additionally, we showed that 3Cpro-induced cell death was efficiently blocked by ferroptosis inhibitors and was accompanied by intense lipid peroxidation. Taken together, these results indicate that 3Cpro induces ferroptosis upon its individual expression in human cells. This is the first demonstration that a proteolytic enzyme can induce ferroptosis, the recently discovered and actively studied type of RCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexey A. Komissarov
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of National Research Centre “Kurchatov Institute”, 123182 Moscow, Russia; (M.A.K.); (M.P.R.); (A.V.S.); (N.A.L.); (S.V.K.)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ilya V. Demidyuk
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of National Research Centre “Kurchatov Institute”, 123182 Moscow, Russia; (M.A.K.); (M.P.R.); (A.V.S.); (N.A.L.); (S.V.K.)
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216
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Amino Acids in Autophagy: Regulation and Function. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1332:51-66. [PMID: 34251638 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-74180-8_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Autophagy is a dynamic process in which the eukaryotic cells break down intracellular components by lysosomal degradation. Under the normal condition, the basal level of autophagy removes damaged organelles, misfolded proteins, or protein aggregates to keep cells in a homeostatic condition. Deprivation of nutrients (e.g., removal of amino acids) stimulates autophagy activity, promoting lysosomal degradation and the recycling of cellular components for cell survival. Importantly, insulin and amino acids are two main inhibitors of autophagy. They both activate the mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling pathway to inhibit the autophagy upstream of the uncoordinated-51 like kinase 1/2 (ULK1/2) complex that triggers autophagosome formation. In particular, insulin activates mTORC1 via the PI3K class I-AKT pathway; while amino acids activate mTORC1 either through the PI3K class III (hVps34) pathway or through a variety of amino acid sensors located in the cytosol or lysosomal membrane. These amino acid sensors control the translocation of mTORC1 from the cytosol to the lysosomal surface where mTORC1 is activated by Rheb GTPase, therefore regulating autophagy and the lysosomal protein degradation.
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217
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Implication of integrin α2β1 in senescence of SK-Mel-147 human melanoma cells. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:18006-18017. [PMID: 34257160 PMCID: PMC8351665 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
This investigation addressed the impact of integrin-initiated signaling pathways on senescence of tumor cells. In a model of human SK-Mel-147 melanoma cells, the silencing of integrin α2β1 strongly reduced cell proliferation and enhanced the percentage of SA-β-Gal-positive cells, a phenotypic feature of cellular senescence. These changes were accompanied by a significant increase in the activity of Akt and mTOR protein kinases and also in the expression of p53 and p21 oncosuppressors. Pharmacological inhibition of Akt and mTORC1 and genetic inhibition of p53 and p21 reduced the senescence of α2β1-depleted SK-Mel-147 cells to the level of control cells. Based on our earlier data on the non-canonical functions of Akt isomers in the invasion and anoikis of SK-Mel-147 cells, we investigated the role of Akt isomers in senescence induced by α2β1 suppression. The inhibition of Akt1 strongly reduced the percentage of SA-β-Gal-positive cells in the α2β1-depleted cell population, while the inhibition of Akt2 did not have a noticeable effect. Our data demonstrated for the first time that α2β1 is involved in the protection of tumor cells against senescence and that senescence, which is induced by the downregulation of α2β, is based on a signaling mechanism in which Akt1 performs a non-canonical function.
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218
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Farghadani R, Naidu R. Curcumin: Modulator of Key Molecular Signaling Pathways in Hormone-Independent Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13143427. [PMID: 34298639 PMCID: PMC8307022 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13143427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death among females worldwide. It is a highly heterogeneous disease, classified according to hormone and growth factor receptor expression. Patients with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) (estrogen receptor-negative/progesterone receptor-negative/human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2)-negative) and hormone-independent HER2 overexpressing subtypes still represent highly aggressive behavior, metastasis, poor prognosis, and drug resistance. Thus, new alternative anticancer agents based on the use of natural products have been receiving enormous attention. In this regard, curcumin is a promising lead in cancer drug discovery due its ability to modulate a diverse range of molecular targets and signaling pathways. The current review has emphasized the underlying mechanism of curcumin anticancer action mediated through the modulation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR, JAK/STAT, MAPK, NF-ĸB, p53, Wnt/β-catenin, apoptosis, and cell cycle pathways in hormone-independent breast cancer, providing frameworks for future studies and insights to improve its efficiency in clinical practice. Abstract Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death among women worldwide. Despite the overall successes in breast cancer therapy, hormone-independent HER2 negative breast cancer, also known as triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), lacking estrogens and progesterone receptors and with an excessive expression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), along with the hormone-independent HER2 positive subtype, still remain major challenges in breast cancer treatment. Due to their poor prognoses, aggressive phenotype, and highly metastasis features, new alternative therapies have become an urgent clinical need. One of the most noteworthy phytochemicals, curcumin, has attracted enormous attention as a promising drug candidate in breast cancer prevention and treatment due to its multi-targeting effect. Curcumin interrupts major stages of tumorigenesis including cell proliferation, survival, angiogenesis, and metastasis in hormone-independent breast cancer through the modulation of multiple signaling pathways. The current review has highlighted the anticancer activity of curcumin in hormone-independent breast cancer via focusing on its impact on key signaling pathways including the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, JAK/STAT pathway, MAPK pathway, NF-ĸB pathway, p53 pathway, and Wnt/β-catenin, as well as apoptotic and cell cycle pathways. Besides, its therapeutic implications in clinical trials are here presented.
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219
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NELL2 modulates cell proliferation and apoptosis via ERK pathway in the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Clin Sci (Lond) 2021; 135:1591-1608. [PMID: 34195782 DOI: 10.1042/cs20210476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a quite common illness but its etiology and mechanism remain unclear. Neural epidermal growth factor-like like 2 (NELL2) plays multifunctional roles in neural cell growth and is strongly linked to the urinary tract disease. Current study aims to determine the expression, functional activities and underlying mechanism of NELL2 in BPH. Human prostate cell lines and tissues from normal human and BPH patients were utilized. Immunohistochemical staining, immunofluorescent staining, RT-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blotting were performed. We further generated cell models with NELL2 silenced or overexpressed. Subsequently, proliferation, cycle, and apoptosis of prostate cells were determined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and flow cytometry analysis. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and fibrosis process were also analyzed. Our study revealed that NELL2 was up-regulated in BPH samples and localized in the stroma and the epithelium compartments of human prostate tissues. NELL2 deficiency induced a mitochondria-dependent cell apoptosis, and inhibited cell proliferation via phosphorylating extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) activation. Additionally, suppression of ERK1/2 with U0126 incubation could significantly reverse NELL2 deficiency triggered cell apoptosis. Consistently, overexpression of NELL2 promoted cell proliferation and inhibited cell apoptosis. However, NELL2 interference was observed no effect on EMT and fibrosis process. Our novel data demonstrated that up-regulation of NELL2 in the enlarged prostate could contribute to the development of BPH through enhancing cell proliferation and inhibited a mitochondria-dependent cell apoptosis via the ERK pathway. The NELL2-ERK system might represent an important target to facilitate the development of future therapeutic approaches in BPH.
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220
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Yang S, Yang S, Zhang H, Hua H, Kong Q, Wang J, Jiang Y. Targeting Na + /K + -ATPase by berbamine and ouabain synergizes with sorafenib to inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 178:4389-4407. [PMID: 34233013 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The multikinase inhibitor sorafenib is a first-line drug for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. The response to sorafenib varies among hepatocellular carcinoma patients and many of the responders suffer from reduced sensitivity after long-term treatment. This study aims to explore a novel strategy to potentiate or maximize the anti-hepatocellular carcinoma effects of sorafenib. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We used hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines, western blotting, various antagonists, siRNA and tumour xenografts mouse model to determine the anti- hepatocellular carcinoma effects of sorafenib in combination with berbamine or other Na+ /K+ -ATPase ligands. KEY RESULTS Berbamine and the cardiotonic steroid, ouabain, synergize with sorafenib to inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma cells growth. Mechanistically, berbamine induces Src phosphorylation in Na+ /K+ -ATPase-dependent manner, leading to the activation of p38MAPK and EGFR-ERK pathways. The Na+ /K+ -ATPase ligand ouabain also induces Src, EGFR, type I insulin-like growth factor receptor, ERK1/2 and p38MAPK phosphorylation in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma cells with Src or EGFR inhibitor inhibits the induction of ERK1/2 phosphorylation by berbamine. Moreover, sorafenib inhibits the induction of Src, p38MAPK, EGFR and ERK1/2 phosphorylation by berbamine and ouabain. Importantly, combination of sorafenib with berbamine or ouabain synergistically inhibits both sorafenib-naïve and sorafenib-resistant hepatocellular carcinoma cells growth. Co-treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma cells with berbamine and sorafenib significantly induces cell death and significantly inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma xenografts growth in vivo. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Berbamine or other Na+ /K+ -ATPase ligands have a potential for improving sorafenib responsiveness in hepatocellular carcinoma. Targeting Na+ /K+ -ATPase represents a novel strategy to potentiate the anti- hepatocellular carcinoma effects of sorafenib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songpeng Yang
- Laboratory of Oncogene, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shu Yang
- Laboratory of Oncogene, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hongying Zhang
- Laboratory of Oncogene, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hui Hua
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qingbin Kong
- Laboratory of Oncogene, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiao Wang
- School of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yangfu Jiang
- Laboratory of Oncogene, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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221
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Kuzma-Hunt AG, Truong VB, Favetta LA. Glucocorticoids, Stress and Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) during Early Embryonic Development. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:7289. [PMID: 34298908 PMCID: PMC8307766 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Elevated molecular stress in women is known to have negative impacts on the reproductive development of oocytes and the embryos prior to implantation. In recent years, the prevalence of cannabis use among women of reproductive age has risen due to its ability to relieve psychological stress and nausea, which are mediated by its psychoactive component, ∆-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Although cannabis is the most popular recreational drug of the 21st century, much is unknown about its influence on molecular stress in reproductive tissues. The current literature has demonstrated that THC causes dose- and time-dependent alterations in glucocorticoid signaling, which have the potential to compromise morphology, development, and quality of oocytes and embryos. However, there are inconsistencies across studies regarding the mechanisms for THC-dependent changes in stress hormones and how either compounds may drive or arrest development. Factors such as variability between animal models, physiologically relevant doses, and undiscovered downstream gene targets of both glucocorticoids and THC could account for such inconsistencies. This review evaluates the results of studies which have investigated the effects of glucocorticoids on reproductive development and how THC may alter stress signaling in relevant tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Laura A. Favetta
- Reproductive Health and Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; (A.G.K.-H.); (V.B.T.)
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222
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Advanced maternal age perturbs mouse embryo development and alters the phenotype of derived embryonic stem cells. J Dev Orig Health Dis 2021; 13:395-405. [PMID: 34193331 DOI: 10.1017/s2040174421000325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Advanced maternal age (AMA) is known to reduce fertility, increases aneuploidy in oocytes and early embryos and leads to adverse developmental consequences which may associate with offspring lifetime health risks. However, investigating underlying effects of AMA on embryo developmental potential is confounded by the inherent senescence present in maternal body systems further affecting reproductive success. Here, we describe a new model for the analysis of early developmental mechanisms underlying AMA by the derivation and characterisation of mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC-like) lines from naturally conceived embryos. Young (7-8 weeks) and Old (7-8 months) C57BL/6 female mice were mated with young males. Preimplantation embryos from Old dams displayed developmental retardation in blastocyst morphogenesis. mESC lines established from these blastocysts using conventional techniques revealed differences in genetic, cellular and molecular criteria conserved over several passages in the standardised medium. mESCs from embryos from AMA dams displayed increased incidence of aneuploidy following Giemsa karyotyping compared with those from Young dams. Moreover, AMA caused an altered pattern of expression of pluripotency markers (Sox2, OCT4) in mESCs. AMA further diminished mESC survival and proliferation and reduced the expression of cell proliferation marker, Ki-67. These changes coincided with altered expression of the epigenetic marker, Dnmt3a and other developmental regulators in a sex-dependent manner. Collectively, our data demonstrate the feasibility to utilise mESCs to reveal developmental mechanisms underlying AMA in the absence of maternal senescence and with reduced animal use.
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223
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Atmaca H, Ilhan S, Yilmaz ES, Zora M. 4-Propargyl-substituted 1H-pyrroles induce apoptosis and autophagy via extracellular signal-regulated signaling pathway in breast cancer. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2021; 354:e2100170. [PMID: 34165807 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202100170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Novel pyrrole derivatives (PDs) with propargyl units (1-7) were investigated for their anticancer activity on breast cancer cells. The MTT assay was used to assess the cell viability. Morphological changes in human breast cancer cells were visualized under a phase-contrast microscope. Apoptosis and autophagy were detected using the DNA fragmentation assay and staining by autophagic vacuoles, respectively. The levels of apoptosis- and autophagy-related proteins such as cytochrome c, Bcl-2, LC3-I/II were investigated by Western blot analysis. The effect of PDs on the ERK1/2 signaling pathway was investigated using specific inhibitors. All the tested PDs were found to be active in the range of 36.7 ± 0.2 to 459.7 ± 4.2 µM. Compounds 3 and 4 showed cytotoxic activity in breast cancer cells, but were found to be safer with lower cytotoxicity on human nontumorigenic epithelial breast cells. Compound 4 induced apoptosis, whereas compound 3 induced autophagy. Both compounds inhibited the ERK signaling pathway in breast cancer cells. The present study revealed that both synthesized PDs induced different programmed cell death types by inhibiting the ERK signaling pathway in two genotypically different breast cancer cells. Therefore, novel PDs might be promising anticancer agents for breast cancer therapy and further structural modifications of PDs may yield promising anticancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harika Atmaca
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Letters, Manisa Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey
| | - Suleyman Ilhan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Letters, Manisa Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey
| | - Elif Serel Yilmaz
- Department of Chemistry, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Metin Zora
- Department of Chemistry, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
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224
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Lamango NS, Nkembo AT, Ntantie E, Tawfeeq N. Polyisoprenylated Cysteinyl Amide Inhibitors: A Novel Approach to Controlling Cancers with Hyperactive Growth Signaling. Curr Med Chem 2021; 28:3476-3489. [PMID: 33176634 DOI: 10.2174/0929867327666201111140825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant activation of monomeric G-protein signaling pathways drives some of the most aggressive cancers. Suppressing these hyperactivities has been the focus of efforts to obtain targeted therapies. Polyisoprenylated methylated protein methyl esterase (PMPMEase) is overexpressed in various cancers. Its inhibition induces the death of cancer cells that harbor the constitutively active K-Ras proteins. Furthermore, the viability of cancer cells driven by factors upstream of K-Ras, such as overexpressed growth factors and their receptors or the mutationally-activated receptors, is also susceptible to PMPMEase inhibition. Polyisoprenylated cysteinyl amide inhibitors (PCAIs) were thus designed to target cancers with hyperactive signaling pathways involving the G-proteins. The PCAIs were, however, poor inhibitors of PMPMEase, with Ki values ranging from 3.7 to 20 μM. On the other hand, they inhibited cell viability, proliferation, colony formation, induced apoptosis in cells with mutant K-Ras and inhibited cell migration and invasion with EC50 values of 1 to 3 μM. HUVEC tube formation was inhibited at submicromolar concentrations through their disruption of actin filament organization. At the molecular level, the PCAIs at 2 to 5 μM depleted monomeric G-proteins such as K-Ras, RhoA, Cdc42 and Rac1. The PCAIs also deplete vinculin and fascin that are involved in actin organization and function while disrupting vinculin punctates in the process. These demonstrate a polyisoprenylation-dependent mechanism that explains the observed PCAIs' inhibition of the proliferative, invasive and angiogenic processes that promote both tumor growth and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazarius S Lamango
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Institute of Public Health, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee FL32307, United States
| | - Augustine T Nkembo
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Institute of Public Health, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee FL32307, United States
| | - Elizabeth Ntantie
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Institute of Public Health, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee FL32307, United States
| | - Nada Tawfeeq
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Institute of Public Health, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee FL32307, United States
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225
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Liu H, Lee SM, Joung H. 2-D08 treatment regulates C2C12 myoblast proliferation and differentiation via the Erk1/2 and proteasome signaling pathways. J Muscle Res Cell Motil 2021; 42:193-202. [PMID: 34142311 PMCID: PMC8332585 DOI: 10.1007/s10974-021-09605-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
SUMOylation is one of the post-translational modifications that involves the covalent attachment of the small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) to the substrate. SUMOylation regulates multiple biological processes, including myoblast proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. 2-D08 is a synthetically available flavone, which acts as a potent cell-permeable SUMOylation inhibitor. Its mechanism of action involves preventing the transfer of SUMO from the E2 thioester to the substrate without influencing SUMO-activating enzyme E1 (SAE-1/2) or E2 Ubc9-SUMO thioester formation. However, both the effects and mechanisms of 2-D08 on C2C12 myoblast cells remain unclear. In the present study, we found that treatment with 2-D08 inhibits C2C12 cell proliferation and differentiation. We confirmed that 2-D08 significantly hampers the viability of C2C12 cells. Additionally, it inhibited myogenic differentiation, decreasing myosin heavy chain (MHC), MyoD, and myogenin expression. Furthermore, we confirmed that 2-D08-mediated anti-myogenic effects impair myoblast differentiation and myotube formation, reducing the number of MHC-positive C2C12 cells. In addition, we found that 2-D08 induces the activation of ErK1/2 and the degradation of MyoD and myogenin in C2C12 cells. Taken together, these results indicated that 2-D08 treatment results in the deregulated proliferation and differentiation of myoblasts. However, further research is needed to investigate the long-term effects of 2-D08 on skeletal muscles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyunju Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chosun University College of Medicine, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Su-Mi Lee
- Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, Republic of Korea. .,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chonnam National University Medical School,, 42, Jebong-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju, 61469, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hosouk Joung
- Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, Republic of Korea. .,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chonnam National University Medical School,, 42, Jebong-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju, 61469, Republic of Korea.
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226
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Bi H, Shang J, Zou X, Xu J, Han Y. Palbociclib induces cell senescence and apoptosis of gastric cancer cells by inhibiting the Notch pathway. Oncol Lett 2021; 22:603. [PMID: 34188705 PMCID: PMC8227472 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.12864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Palbociclib (PD0332991), a selective cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibitor, has been reported to exert anticancer activity in some cancers, including gastric cancer (GC). However, the role of palbociclib in GC remains largely unknown. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of palbociclib on the progression of GC and the potential mechanisms underlying its effects. The colony formation, proliferation, senescence, as well as apoptosis and cell cycle progression of AGS and HGC-27 cells following treatment with palbociclib were analyzed using colony formation assays, MTT assays, senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining and flow cytometry, respectively. The protein expression levels of Bax, Caspase-3, Bcl-2, p16, p21, p53, Notch1, Notch2 and hairy and enhancer of split 1 (Hes1) were measured in AGS and HGC-27 cells using western blotting. Moreover, the mRNA expression levels of Notch1, Notch2 and Hes1 in AGS and HGC-27 cells were determined by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. In the present study, palbociclib significantly inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell senescence, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in both cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, palbociclib significantly increased the expression levels of Bax, Caspase-3, p16, p21 and p53, whilst decreasing the expression of Bcl-2, Notch1, Notch2 and Hes1 in AGS and HGC-27 cells. Furthermore, the Notch pathway activator Jagged-1/FC reversed the effects of palbociclib on cell proliferation, apoptosis, senescence and cell cycle progression. These findings demonstrated that palbociclib could inhibit proliferation and induce senescence, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in GC cells by inhibiting the Notch pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hengtai Bi
- Department of Pharmacy, Weifang People's Hospital, Weifang, Shandong 261041, P.R. China
| | - Juan Shang
- Department of Pharmacy, The People's Hospital of Bin Zhou, Bin Zhou, Shandong 256600, P.R. China
| | - Xiao Zou
- Department of Oncology, The First People's Hospital of Tai'an, Tai'an, Shandong 271000, P.R. China
| | - Jing Xu
- Department of Neurology, The First People's Hospital of Tai'an, Tai'an, Shandong 271000, P.R. China
| | - Yumei Han
- Department of General Surgery, Weifang People's Hospital, Weifang, Shandong 261041, P.R. China
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227
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Czarnomysy R, Muszyńska A, Rok J, Rzepka Z, Bielawski K. Mechanism of Anticancer Action of Novel Imidazole Platinum(II) Complex Conjugated with G2 PAMAM-OH Dendrimer in Breast Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:5581. [PMID: 34070401 PMCID: PMC8197546 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Transition metal coordination compounds play an important role in the treatment of neoplastic diseases. However, due to their low selectivity and bioavailability, as well as the frequently occurring phenomenon of drug resistance, new chemical compounds that could overcome these phenomena are still being sought. The solution seems to be the synthesis of new metal complexes conjugated with drug carriers, e.g., dendrimers. Numerous literature data have shown that dendrimers improve the bioavailability of the obtained metal complexes, solving the problem of their poor solubility and stability in an aqueous environment and also breaking down inborn and acquired drug resistance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to synthesize a novel imidazole platinum(II) complex conjugated with and without the second-generation PAMAM dendrimer (PtMet2-PAMAM and PtMet2, respectively) and to evaluate its antitumor activity. Cell viability studies indicated that PtMet2-PAMAM exhibited higher cytotoxic activity than PtMet2 in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells at relatively low concentrations. Moreover, our results indicated that PtMet2-PAMAM exerted antiproliferative effects in a zebrafish embryo model. Treatment with PtMet2-PAMAM substantially increased apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner via caspase-9 (intrinsic pathway) and caspase-8 (extrinsic pathway) activation along with pro-apoptotic protein expression modulation. Additionally, we showed that apoptosis can be induced by activating POX, which induces ROS production. Furthermore, our results also clearly showed that the tested compounds trigger autophagy through p38 pathway activation and increase Beclin-1, LC3, AMPK, and mTOR inhibition. The high pro-apoptotic activity and the ability to activate autophagy by the imidazole platinum(II) complex conjugated with a dendrimer may be due to its demonstrated ability to reverse multidrug resistance (MDR) and thereby increase cellular accumulation in breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Czarnomysy
- Department of Synthesis and Technology of Drugs, Medical University of Bialystok, Kilinskiego 1, 15-089 Bialystok, Poland; (A.M.); (K.B.)
| | - Anna Muszyńska
- Department of Synthesis and Technology of Drugs, Medical University of Bialystok, Kilinskiego 1, 15-089 Bialystok, Poland; (A.M.); (K.B.)
| | - Jakub Rok
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland; (J.R.); (Z.R.)
| | - Zuzanna Rzepka
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland; (J.R.); (Z.R.)
| | - Krzysztof Bielawski
- Department of Synthesis and Technology of Drugs, Medical University of Bialystok, Kilinskiego 1, 15-089 Bialystok, Poland; (A.M.); (K.B.)
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228
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Liu D, Du J, Sun J, Li M. Parathyroid hormone-related protein inhibits nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate-induced apoptosis of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts by activating MKP1 phosphatase. Bioengineered 2021; 12:1997-2006. [PMID: 34024253 PMCID: PMC8806876 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2021.1928930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Massive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (HPdLFs) by nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (BPs) is the main factor causing BP-related osteonecrosis of the jaw. Further, oxidative stress and apoptosis of fibroblasts induced by ROS are closely associated with the activation of MAPK. Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) can block the activity of MAPK by regulating the levels of MAPK phosphatase 1 (MKP1). Therefore, it is speculated that PTHrP can inhibit the apoptosis of HPdLFs caused by nitrogen-containing BP via regulating the expression levels of MKP1. Herein, alendronate sodium salt trihydrate (nitrogen-containing BP, FOS) and HPdLFs were co-cultured for 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h, and the levels of ROS and apoptosis were determined, respectively. After 48 h co-culture, FOS significantly increased the levels of ROS and apoptosis, and high phosphorylation levels of p38, ERK1/2 and p66Shc were found in this study. However, the inhibitors of p38 and ERK1/2 significantly reduced the apoptosis of HPdLFs. Interestingly, PTHrP pre-treatment significantly reduced the phosphorylation levels of p38, ERK1/2, and p66Shc. More importantly, MKP1 inhibitor sanguinarine inhibited the dephosphorylation levels of p38, ERK1/2, and p66Shc caused by PTHrP. Altogether, PTHrP can inhibit nitrogen-containing BP-induced apoptosis of HPdLFs by activating MKP1 phosphatase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Liu
- Department of Bone Metabolism, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University & Shandong Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration & Shandong Engineering Laboratory for Dental Materials and Oral Tissue Regeneration, Jinan China.,Department of Prosthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University & Shandong Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration & Shandong Engineering Laboratory for Dental Materials and Oral Tissue Regeneration, Jinan China
| | - Juan Du
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan China
| | - Jing Sun
- Department of Periodontology, Jinan Stomatological Hospital, Jinan China
| | - Minqi Li
- Department of Bone Metabolism, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University & Shandong Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration & Shandong Engineering Laboratory for Dental Materials and Oral Tissue Regeneration, Jinan China
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229
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Bai HY, Min LJ, Shan BS, Iwanami J, Kan-no H, Kanagawa M, Mogi M, Horiuchi M. Angiotensin II and Amyloid-β Synergistically Induce Brain Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Senescence. Am J Hypertens 2021; 34:552-562. [PMID: 33349854 DOI: 10.1093/ajh/hpaa218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amyloid-β (Aβ) induces cerebrovascular damage and is reported to stimulate endothelial cell senescence. We previously demonstrated that angiotensin II (Ang II)-promoted vascular senescence. We examined the possible cross-talk between Ang II and Aβ in regulating brain vascular smooth muscle cell (BVSMC) senescence. METHODS BVSMCs were prepared from adult male mice and stimulated with Ang II (0, 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 nmol/l) and/or Aβ 1-40 (0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 1, 3, and 5 µmol/l) for the indicated times. Cellular senescence was evaluated by senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining. RESULTS Treatment with Ang II (100 nmol/l) or Aβ (1 µmol/l) at a higher dose increased senescent cells compared with control at 6 days. Treatment with Ang II (10 nmol/l) or Aβ (0.5 µmol/l) at a lower dose had no effect on senescence whereas a combined treatment with lower doses of Ang II and Aβ significantly enhanced senescent cells. This senescence enhanced by lower dose combination was markedly blocked by valsartan (Ang II type 1 receptor inhibitor) or TAK-242 (Aβ receptor TLR4 inhibitor) treatment. Moreover, lower dose combination caused increases in superoxide anion levels and p-ERK expression for 2 days, NF-κB activity, p-IκB, p-IKKα/β, p16 and p53 expression for 4 days, and an obvious decrease in pRb expression. These changes by lower dose combination, except in p-IκB expression and NF-κB activity, were significantly inhibited by pretreatment with U0126 (ERK inhibitor). CONCLUSIONS Ang II and Aβ synergistically promoted BVSMC senescence at least due to enhancement of the p-ERK-p16-pRb signaling pathway, oxidative stress, and NF-κB/IκB activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Yu Bai
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Ehime University, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohon, Ehime, Japan
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Li-Juan Min
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Ehime University, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohon, Ehime, Japan
| | - Bao-Shuai Shan
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Ehime University, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohon, Ehime, Japan
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jun Iwanami
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Ehime University, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohon, Ehime, Japan
| | - Harumi Kan-no
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Ehime University, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohon, Ehime, Japan
| | - Motoi Kanagawa
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Ehime University, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohon, Ehime, Japan
| | - Masaki Mogi
- Department of Pharmacology, Ehime University, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohon, Ehime, Japan
| | - Masatsugu Horiuchi
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Ehime University, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohon, Ehime, Japan
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230
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Xie Y, Ma J, Yang M, Fan L, Chen W. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling pathway and silicosis. Toxicol Res (Camb) 2021; 10:487-494. [PMID: 34141162 DOI: 10.1093/toxres/tfaa109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Silicosis is a scarring lung disease caused by inhaling fine particles of crystalline silica in the workplace of many industries. Due to the lack of effective treatment and management, the continued high incidence of silicosis remains a major public health concern worldwide, especially in the developing countries. Till now, related molecular mechanisms underlying silicosis are still not completely understood. Multiple pathways have been reported to be participated in the pathological process of silicosis, and more complex signaling pathways are receiving attention. The activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway has been recognized to control some functions in the cell. Recent studies have identified that the ERK signaling pathway contributes to the formation and development of silicosis through regulating the processes of oxidative stress, inflammatory response, proliferation and activation of fibroblasts, epithelial-mesenchymal transformation, autophagy, and apoptosis of cells. In this review article, we summarize the latest findings on the role of ERK signaling pathway in silica-induced experimental models of silicosis, as well as clinical perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujia Xie
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.,Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Jixuan Ma
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.,Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Meng Yang
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.,Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Lieyang Fan
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.,Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Weihong Chen
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.,Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
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231
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Wen D, Liu WL, Lu ZW, Cao YM, Ji QH, Wei WJ. SNHG9, a Papillary Thyroid Cancer Cell Exosome-Enriched lncRNA, Inhibits Cell Autophagy and Promotes Cell Apoptosis of Normal Thyroid Epithelial Cell Nthy-ori-3 Through YBOX3/P21 Pathway. Front Oncol 2021; 11:647034. [PMID: 34017682 PMCID: PMC8129558 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.647034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Thyroid cancer is the most common type of endocrine malignancy. Although the general prognosis is good, the treatment of advanced disease is still challenging. Exosomes are vesicle units containing specific components that transmit information between cells. In order to explore its role in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), our study screened exosome enriched lncRNA SNHG9 by lncRNA chip and explored its biological function. We used lncRNA chips combined with bioinformatics analysis to screen lncRNA SNHG9 enriched in exosomes. GO analysis suggested its relationship with autophagy and apoptosis. Quantitative PCR showed SNHG9 was highly expressed in PTC cells and exosomes and its correlation with PTC tumor size was analyzed by clinical characteristics. SNHG9 could inhibit the protective cell autophagy induced by starvation of human normal thyroid epithelial cell line Nthy-ori-3 and promote its apoptosis through PTC cell exosomes. RNA-pull down combined with protein spectrum showed that SNHG9 could interact with YBOX3. Western blot and RNA immunoprecipitation further confirmed their interaction. Western blot showed that SNHG9 could induce degradation of YBOX3, thus interfering with the stability of P21 mRNA and inducing cell apoptosis. In conclusion, our study identified SNHG9 as a PTC cell exosome-enriched lncRNA. SNHG9 could inhibit cell autophagy and promote apoptosis of Nthy-ori-3 cell through YBOX3/P21 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duo Wen
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wan-Lin Liu
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhong-Wu Lu
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi-Ming Cao
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qing-Hai Ji
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen-Jun Wei
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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232
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Zhu T, Liu X, Song J, Li D, Pang XJ, Wang SH, Li QR, Fu DJ, Zhang SY, Xie HZ. Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway axis mediated neurotoxicity induced by high-risk pesticide residue-Avermectin. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2021; 36:984-993. [PMID: 33381906 DOI: 10.1002/tox.23086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Pesticide residues have become a healthy threaten of human beings. Among the pesticides, many of them have neurotoxicity. Extracellular Regulated Protein Kinases (ERK) pathway is an important signaling pathway that regulates a variety of downstream progress. In this work, peach (PRUNUS persica) and cherry (PRUNUS cerasus) were sampled from over 300 plantations in China and assessed for the residue risk. In mechanism studies, high-risk pesticide Avermectin showed a high activity inhibiting three neurotoxicity models, SH-SY5Y, PC-12 and SK-N-SH cells. At protein levels, ERK pathway proteins and their downstream proteins were obviously down-regulated. Moreover, the effects of low-dose Avermectin can be accumulated at protein levels in the low-dose long-term chronic toxicology detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Zhu
- Zhengzhou Fruit Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Drug Discovery & Development, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies (Ministry of Education), Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Xiangyang Central Hospital, Xiangyang, China
| | - Xu Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Drug Discovery & Development, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies (Ministry of Education), Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jian Song
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Drug Discovery & Development, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies (Ministry of Education), Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Dong Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Drug Discovery & Development, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies (Ministry of Education), Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Jing Pang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Drug Discovery & Development, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies (Ministry of Education), Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Sheng-Hui Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Qing-Rong Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Dong-Jun Fu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Drug Discovery & Development, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies (Ministry of Education), Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Sai-Yang Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Drug Discovery & Development, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies (Ministry of Education), Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Institute of Advanced Technology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Han-Zhong Xie
- Zhengzhou Fruit Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Fruit Breeding Technology,Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhengzhou, China
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233
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Ma X, Zhang Y, Guan M, Zhang W, Tian H, Jiang C, Tan X, Kang W. Genotoxicity of chloroacetamide herbicides and their metabolites in vitro and in vivo. Int J Mol Med 2021; 47:103. [PMID: 33907828 PMCID: PMC8054635 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2021.4936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The toxicity of chloroacetamide herbicide in embryo development remains unclear. Acetochlor (AC) is a chloroacetamide that metabolizes into 2‑ethyl‑6‑methyl-2-chloroacetanilide (CMEPA) and 6‑ethyl‑o‑toluidine (MEA). The present study determined the potential effect of AC and its metabolites on embryo development. Both HepG2 cells and zebrafish embryos were exposed to AC, CMEPA and MEA in the presence or absence of co‑treatment with anti‑reactive oxygen species (ROS) reagent N‑acetylcysteine. The generation of ROS, levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) in HepG2 cells and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage from HepG2 cells were investigated. The effects of AC, CMEPA and MEA on DNA breakage, MAPK/ERK pathway activity, viability and apoptosis of HepG2 cells were examined by comet assay, western blotting, MTT assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Levels of LDH, SOD and GSH in zebrafish embryos exposed to AC, CMEPA and MEA were measured. The hatching and survival rates of zebrafish embryos exposed to AC, CMEPA and MEA, were determined, and apoptosis of hatched fish was investigated using acridine orange staining. The present data showed AC, CMEPA and MEA induced generation of ROS and decreased levels of SOD and GSH in HepG2 cells, which in turn promoted DNA breakage and LDH leakage from cells, ultimately inhibiting cell viability and inducing apoptosis, as well as phosphorylation of JNK and P38. However, co‑treatment with N‑acetylcysteine alleviated the pro‑apoptosis effect of AC and its metabolites. Moreover, exposure to AC, CMEPA and MEA lead to toxicity of zebrafish embryos with decreased SOD and GSH and increased LDH levels and cell apoptosis, ultimately decreasing the hatching and survival rates of zebrafish, all of which was attenuated by treatment with N‑acetylcysteine. Therefore, AC and its metabolites (CMEPA and MEA) showed cytotoxicity and embryo development toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyan Ma
- School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050017, P.R. China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Shijiazhuang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050011, P.R. China
| | - Mingyang Guan
- Shijiazhuang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050011, P.R. China
| | - Weidong Zhang
- The First Hospital of Qinhuangdao, Qinhuangdao, Hebei 066000, P.R. China
| | - Huifang Tian
- Shijiazhuang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050011, P.R. China
| | - Caixiao Jiang
- Hebei Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050021, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoxin Tan
- School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050017, P.R. China
| | - Weijun Kang
- School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050017, P.R. China
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Ren LR, Yao RB, Wang SY, Gong XD, Xu JT, Yang KS. MiR-27a-3p promotes the osteogenic differentiation by activating CRY2/ERK1/2 axis. Mol Med 2021; 27:43. [PMID: 33902432 PMCID: PMC8077963 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-021-00303-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Osteoporosis seriously disturbs the life of people. Meanwhile, inhibition or weakening of osteogenic differentiation is one of the important factors in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. It was reported that miR-27a-3p reduced the symptoms of osteoporosis. However, the mechanism by which miR-27a-3p in osteogenic differentiation remains largely unknown. Methods To induce the osteogenic differentiation in MC3T3-E1 cells, cells were treated with osteogenic induction medium (OIM). RT-qPCR was used to evaluate the mRNA expression of miR-27a-3p and CRY2 in cells. The protein levels of CRY2, Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), osteopontin (OPN), osteocalcin (OCN) and the phosphorylation level of extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK) 1/2 in MC3T3-E1 cells were evaluated by western blotting. Meanwhile, calcium nodules and ALP activity were tested by alizarin red staining and ALP kit, respectively. Luciferase reporter gene assay was used to analyze the correlation between CRY2 and miR-27a-3p. Results The expression of miR-27a-3p and the phosphorylation level of ERK1/2 were increased by OIM in MC3T3-E1 cells, while CRY2 expression was decreased. In addition, OIM-induced increase of calcified nodules, ALP content and osteogenesis-related protein expression was significantly reversed by downregulation of miR-27a-3p and overexpression of CRY2. In addition, miR-27a-3p directly targeted CRY2 and negatively regulated CRY2. Meanwhile, the inhibitory effect of miR-27a-3p inhibitor on osteogenic differentiation was reversed by knockdown of CRY2 or using honokiol (ERK1/2 signal activator). Furthermore, miR-27a-3p significantly inhibited the apoptosis of MC3T3-E1 cells treated by OIM. Taken together, miR-27a-3p/CRY2/ERK axis plays an important role in osteoblast differentiation. Conclusions MiR-27a-3p promoted osteoblast differentiation via mediation of CRY2/ERK1/2 axis. Thereby, miR-27a-3p might serve as a new target for the treatment of osteoporosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Rong Ren
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dali University, No.32, Jiashibo Avenue, Dali, 671000, Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Ru-Bin Yao
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dali University, No.32, Jiashibo Avenue, Dali, 671000, Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Shi-Yong Wang
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dali University, No.32, Jiashibo Avenue, Dali, 671000, Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiang-Dong Gong
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dali University, No.32, Jiashibo Avenue, Dali, 671000, Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Ji-Tao Xu
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dali University, No.32, Jiashibo Avenue, Dali, 671000, Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Kai-Shun Yang
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dali University, No.32, Jiashibo Avenue, Dali, 671000, Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China.
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Chronic unpredictable stress negatively regulates hippocampal neurogenesis and promote anxious depression-like behavior via upregulating apoptosis and inflammatory signals in adult rats. Brain Res Bull 2021; 172:164-179. [PMID: 33895271 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2021.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Psychological and physical stress play a pivotal role in etiology of anxiety and depression. Chronic psychological and physical stress modify various physiological phenomena, as a consequence of which oxidative stress, decreased neurotransmitter level, elevated corticosterone level and altered NSC homeostasis is observed. However, the precise mechanism by which chronic stress induce anxious depression and modify internal milieu is still unknown. Herein, we show that exposure to CUS increase oxidative stress, microgliosis, astrogliosis while it reduces hippocampal NSC proliferation, neuronal differentiation and maturation in adult rats. CUS exposure in rats reduce dopamine and serotonin level in cortex and hippocampus, which result in increased anxiety and depression-like phenotypes. We also found elevated level of NF-κB and TNF-α while decreased anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 level, that led to increased expression of Bax and cleaved Caspase-3 whereas down regulation of antiapoptotic protein Bcl2. Additionally, CUS altered adult hippocampal neurogenesis, increased gliosis and neuronal apoptosis in cerebral cortex and hippocampus which might be associated with reduced AKT and increased ERK signaling, as seen in the rat brain tissue. Taken together, these results indicate that CUS induce oxidative stress and neuroinflammation which directly affects NSC dynamics, monoamines levels and behavioral functions in adult rats.
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Liu J, Liu S, Pan W, Li Y. Wogonoside attenuates the articular cartilage injury and the infiltration of Th1/Th2-type cytokines in papain-induced osteoarthritis in rat model via inhibiting the NF-κB and ERK1/2 activation. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2021; 43:343-352. [PMID: 33881378 DOI: 10.1080/08923973.2021.1913503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTS Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease and a major cause of functional limitation and pain in adults. This study aims to investigate the effect of wogonoside (WOG) on the progression of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in model rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS Rats KOA models were established and treated with different doses of WOG (10 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg). The degree of cartilage injury was detected by Mankin scores via HE/Alcian blue staining. The levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 in peripheral blood and synovial fluid and the Th1/Th2 ratio were detected by flow cytometry. The model mice were injected with NF-κB p65 or ERK1/2 inhibitors or activators to further investigate the effect of WOG on KOA. RESULTS WOG significantly improved cartilage tissue damage and reduced the Mankins score. WOG down-regulated the level of IFN-γ while up-regulated the expression of IL-4, which maintained the balance of Th1/Th2 cells. Further studies showed that the expression of NF-κB p65, phosphorylated p65, cytoplasmic ERK1/2 and nuclear ERK1/2 were all inhibited by WOG. The results of reverse verification experiments showed that the activator of NF-κB p65 and ERK1/2 weakened the protective effect of WOG on KOA, and the inhibitor of NF-κB p65ERK1/2 enhanced the protective effect of WOG on KOA. CONCLUSIONS WOG inhibited the activation of NF-κB and ERK1/2 to alleviate the articular cartilage injury and Th1/th2 cytokine infiltration in KOA rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Liu
- Department of Rheumatology, The Affiliated Huai'an NO.1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, China
| | - Shanshan Liu
- Department of Rheumatology, The Affiliated Huai'an NO.1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, China
| | - Wenyou Pan
- Department of Rheumatology, The Affiliated Huai'an NO.1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, China
| | - Yongsheng Li
- Department of Rheumatology, The Affiliated Huai'an NO.1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, China
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Šrámek J, Němcová-Fürstová V, Kovář J. Molecular Mechanisms of Apoptosis Induction and Its Regulation by Fatty Acids in Pancreatic β-Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:4285. [PMID: 33924206 PMCID: PMC8074590 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22084285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic β-cell failure and death contribute significantly to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. One of the main factors responsible for β-cell dysfunction and subsequent cell death is chronic exposure to increased concentrations of FAs (fatty acids). The effect of FAs seems to depend particularly on the degree of their saturation. Saturated FAs induce apoptosis in pancreatic β-cells, whereas unsaturated FAs are well tolerated and are even capable of inhibiting the pro-apoptotic effect of saturated FAs. Molecular mechanisms of apoptosis induction by saturated FAs in β-cells are not completely elucidated. Saturated FAs induce ER stress, which in turn leads to activation of all ER stress pathways. When ER stress is severe or prolonged, apoptosis is induced. The main mediator seems to be the CHOP transcription factor. Via regulation of expression/activity of pro- and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members, and potentially also through the increase in ROS production, CHOP switches on the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis induction. ER stress signalling also possibly leads to autophagy signalling, which may activate caspase-8. Saturated FAs activate or inhibit various signalling pathways, i.e., p38 MAPK signalling, ERK signalling, ceramide signalling, Akt signalling and PKCδ signalling. This may lead to the activation of the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis, as well. Particularly, the inhibition of the pro-survival Akt signalling seems to play an important role. This inhibition may be mediated by multiple pathways (e.g., ER stress signalling, PKCδ and ceramide) and could also consequence in autophagy signalling. Experimental evidence indicates the involvement of certain miRNAs in mechanisms of FA-induced β-cell apoptosis, as well. In the rather rare situations when unsaturated FAs are also shown to be pro-apoptotic, the mechanisms mediating this effect in β-cells seem to be the same as for saturated FAs. To conclude, FA-induced apoptosis rather appears to be preceded by complex cross talks of multiple signalling pathways. Some of these pathways may be regulated by decreased membrane fluidity due to saturated FA incorporation. Few data are available concerning molecular mechanisms mediating the protective effect of unsaturated FAs on the effect of saturated FAs. It seems that the main possible mechanism represents a rather inhibitory intervention into saturated FA-induced pro-apoptotic signalling than activation of some pro-survival signalling pathway(s) or metabolic interference in β-cells. This inhibitory intervention may be due to an increase of membrane fluidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Šrámek
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology & Center for Research of Diabetes, Metabolism and Nutrition, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruská 87, 100 00 Prague, Czech Republic;
| | - Vlasta Němcová-Fürstová
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology & Center for Research of Diabetes, Metabolism and Nutrition, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruská 87, 100 00 Prague, Czech Republic;
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Hydroxychloroquine Potentiates Apoptosis Induced by PPAR α Antagonist in 786-O Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Cells Associated with Inhibiting Autophagy. PPAR Res 2021; 2021:6631605. [PMID: 33959154 PMCID: PMC8075691 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6631605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Revised: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the major pathological pattern of renal cell carcinoma. The ccRCC cells exhibit a certain degree of inherent drug resistance due to some genetic mutations. In recent years, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα) antagonists have been reported as a targeted therapeutic drug capable of inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in the ccRCC cell line. Autophagy, which can be induced by stress in eukaryotic cells, plays a complex role in the proliferation, survival, and death of tumor cells. In our study, we found that the expression of PPARα was low in highly differentiated ccRCC tissues and 786-O cell line but high in poorly differentiated ccRCC tissues. The level of PPARα expression in ccRCC tissues is correlated to the grade of differentiation, but not to the sex or age of ccRCC patients. The findings also revealed that the PPARα antagonist GW6471 can lower cell viability and induce autophagy in the 786-O ccRCC cell line. This autophagy can be inhibited by hydroxychloroquine. When treated with a combination of hydroxychloroquine and GW6471, the viability of the 786-O cells was decreased further when compared to the treatment with GW6471 or hydroxychloroquine alone, and apoptosis was promoted. Meanwhile, when human kidney 2 cells were cotreated with hydroxychloroquine and GW6471, cell viability was only slightly influenced. Hence, our finding indicates that the combination of GW6471 and hydroxychloroquine may constitute a novel and potentially effective treatment for ccRCC. Furthermore, this approach is likely to be safe owing to its minimal effects on normal renal tissues.
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239
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Dora NO, Blackburn E, Boles JE, Williams GT, White LJ, Turner SEG, Hothersall JD, Askwith T, Doolan JA, Mulvihill DP, Garrett MD, Hiscock JR. Supramolecular self-associating amphiphiles (SSAs) as nanoscale enhancers of cisplatin anticancer activity. RSC Adv 2021; 11:14213-14217. [PMID: 35423951 PMCID: PMC8697675 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra02281d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Many chemotherapeutic drugs have a narrow therapeutic window due to inefficient tumour cell permeation. Supramolecular self-associating amphiphilic salts (SSAs) are a unique class of small molecules that offer potential as next generation cancer drugs and/or therapeutic enhancement agents. Herein, we demonstrate the cytotoxicity of seven SSAs towards both ovarian and glioblastoma cancer cells. We also utilize the intrinsic fluorescent properties of one of these lead SSAs to provide evidence for this class of compound to both bind to the exterior cancer cell surface and permeate the cell membrane, to become internalized. Furthermore, we demonstrate synergistic effects of two lead SSAs on cisplatin-mediated cytotoxicity of ovarian cancer cells and show that this correlates with increased DNA damage and apoptosis versus either agent alone. This work provides the first evidence that SSAs interact with and permeate cancer cell membranes and enhance the cytotoxic activity of a chemotherapeutic drug in human cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nova O Dora
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent Canterbury Kent CT2 7NJ UK
| | - Edith Blackburn
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent Canterbury Kent CT2 7NJ UK
| | - Jessica E Boles
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent Canterbury Kent CT2 7NJ UK
- School of Physical Sciences, University of Kent Canterbury Kent CT2 7NH UK
| | - George T Williams
- School of Physical Sciences, University of Kent Canterbury Kent CT2 7NH UK
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham Edgbaston Birmingham West Midlands B15 2TT UK
| | - Lisa J White
- School of Physical Sciences, University of Kent Canterbury Kent CT2 7NH UK
| | | | | | - Trevor Askwith
- Domainex, Chesterford Research Park Saffron Walden CB10 1XL UK
| | - Jack A Doolan
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent Canterbury Kent CT2 7NJ UK
- School of Physical Sciences, University of Kent Canterbury Kent CT2 7NH UK
| | | | | | - Jennifer R Hiscock
- School of Physical Sciences, University of Kent Canterbury Kent CT2 7NH UK
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Nakajima W, Miyazaki K, Asano Y, Kubota S, Tanaka N. Krüppel-Like Factor 4 and Its Activator APTO-253 Induce NOXA-Mediated, p53-Independent Apoptosis in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12040539. [PMID: 33918002 PMCID: PMC8068402 DOI: 10.3390/genes12040539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Inducing apoptosis is an effective treatment for cancer. Conventional cytotoxic anticancer agents induce apoptosis primarily through activation of tumor suppressor p53 by causing DNA damage and the resulting regulation of B-cell leukemia/lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) family proteins. Therefore, the effects of these agents are limited in cancers where p53 loss-of-function mutations are common, such as triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Here, we demonstrate that ultraviolet (UV) light-induced p53-independent transcriptional activation of NOXA, a proapoptotic factor in the BCL-2 family, results in apoptosis induction. This UV light-induced NOXA expression was triggered by extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activity. Moreover, we identified the specific UV light-inducible DNA element of the NOXA promoter and found that this sequence is responsible for transcription factor Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4)-mediated induction. In p53-mutated TNBC cells, inhibition of KLF4 by RNA interference reduced NOXA expression. Furthermore, treatment of TNBC cells with a KLF4-inducing small compound, APTO-253, resulted in the induction of NOXA expression and NOXA-mediated apoptosis. Therefore, our results help to clarify the molecular mechanism of DNA damage-induced apoptosis and provide support for a possible treatment method for p53-mutated cancers.
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241
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Zimmermann T, Gebhardt LA, Kreiss L, Schneider C, Arndt S, Karrer S, Friedrich O, Fischer MJM, Bosserhoff AK. Acidified Nitrite Contributes to the Antitumor Effect of Cold Atmospheric Plasma on Melanoma Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073757. [PMID: 33916572 PMCID: PMC8038463 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is partially ionized gas near room temperature with previously reported antitumor effects. Despite extensive research and growing interest in this technology, active components and molecular mechanisms of CAP are not fully understood to date. We used Raman spectroscopy and colorimetric assays to determine elevated nitrite and nitrate levels after treatment with a MiniFlatPlaster CAP device. Previously, we demonstrated CAP-induced acidification. Cellular effects of nitrite and strong extracellular acidification were assessed using live-cell imaging of intracellular Ca2+ levels, cell viability analysis as well as quantification of p21 and DNA damage. We further characterized these observations by analyzing established molecular effects of CAP treatment. A synergistic effect of nitrite and acidification was found, leading to strong cytotoxicity in melanoma cells. Interestingly, protein nitration and membrane damage were absent after treatment with acidified nitrite, thereby challenging their contribution to CAP-induced cytotoxicity. Further, phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was increased after treatment with both acidified nitrite and indirect CAP. This study characterizes the impact of acidified nitrite on melanoma cells and supports the importance of RNS during CAP treatment. Further, it defines and evaluates important molecular mechanisms that are involved in the cancer cell response to CAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Zimmermann
- Emil-Fischer-Center, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Erlangen-Nuernberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (T.Z.); (C.S.)
| | - Lisa A. Gebhardt
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of Erlangen-Nuernberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (L.A.G.); (M.J.M.F.)
| | - Lucas Kreiss
- Department of Medicine I, University Clinics Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany;
- Institute of Medical Biotechnology, University of Erlangen-Nuernberg, 91052 Erlangen, Germany;
| | - Christin Schneider
- Emil-Fischer-Center, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Erlangen-Nuernberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (T.Z.); (C.S.)
| | - Stephanie Arndt
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (S.A.); (S.K.)
| | - Sigrid Karrer
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (S.A.); (S.K.)
| | - Oliver Friedrich
- Institute of Medical Biotechnology, University of Erlangen-Nuernberg, 91052 Erlangen, Germany;
| | - Michael J. M. Fischer
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of Erlangen-Nuernberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (L.A.G.); (M.J.M.F.)
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Anja-Katrin Bosserhoff
- Emil-Fischer-Center, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Erlangen-Nuernberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (T.Z.); (C.S.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) Erlangen-EMN, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Correspondence:
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242
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Amrenova A, Suzuki K, Saenko V, Yamashita S, Mitsutake N. Cell competition between anaplastic thyroid cancer and normal thyroid follicular cells exerts reciprocal stress response defining tumor suppressive effects of normal epithelial tissue. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0249059. [PMID: 33793628 PMCID: PMC8016217 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The microenvironment of an early-stage tumor, in which a small number of cancer cells is surrounded by a normal counterpart milieu, plays a crucial role in determining the fate of initiated cells. Here, we examined cell competition between anaplastic thyroid cancer cells and normal thyroid follicular cells using co-culture method. Cancer cells were grown until they formed small clusters, to which normal cells were added to create high-density co-culture condition. We found that co-culture with normal cells significantly suppressed the growth of cancer cell clusters through the activation of Akt-Skp2 pathway. In turn, cancer cells triggered apoptosis in the neighboring normal cells through local activation of ERK1/2. A bi-directional cell competition provides a suppressive mechanism of anaplastic thyroid cancer progression. Since the competitive effect was negated by terminal growth arrest caused by radiation exposure to normal cells, modulation of reciprocal stress response in vivo could be an intrinsic mechanism associated with tumor initiation, propagation, and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aidana Amrenova
- Life Sciences and Radiation Research, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Radiation Medical Sciences, Nagasaki University Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Keiji Suzuki
- Life Sciences and Radiation Research, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Radiation Medical Sciences, Nagasaki University Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Vladimir Saenko
- Department of Radiation Medical Sciences, Nagasaki University Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Shunichi Yamashita
- Department of Radiation Medical Sciences, Nagasaki University Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki, Japan
- Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
- Center for Advanced Radiation Emergency Medicine at the National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
| | - Norisato Mitsutake
- Life Sciences and Radiation Research, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Radiation Medical Sciences, Nagasaki University Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki, Japan
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Kiss E, Forika G, Mohacsi R, Nemeth Z, Krenacs T, Dank M. Methyl-Donors Can Induce Apoptosis and Attenuate Both the Akt and the Erk1/2 Mediated Proliferation Pathways in Breast and Lung Cancer Cell Lines. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073598. [PMID: 33808426 PMCID: PMC8036837 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Dietary methyl-donors play important roles in physiological processes catalyzed by B vitamins as coenzymes, and are used for complementary support in oncotherapy. Our hypothesis was that methyl-donors can not only assist in tolerating cancer treatment but may also directly interfere with tumor growth and proliferation. Therefore, we investigated the proposed cancer inhibitory effects of methyl-donors (in a mixture of L-methionine, choline chloride, folic acid, and vitamin B12) on MCF7 and T47D breast cancer as well as A549 and H1650 lung cancer cell lines. Indeed, methyl-donor treatment significantly reduced the proliferation in all cell lines, possibly through the downregulation of MAPK/ERK and AKT signaling. These were accompanied by the upregulation of the pro-apoptotic Bak and Bax, both in MCF7 and H1650 cells, at reduced anti-apoptotic Mcl-1 and Bcl-2 levels in MCF7 and H1650 cells, respectively. The treatment-induced downregulation of p-p53(Thr55) was likely to contribute to protecting the nuclear localization and apoptosis inducing functions of p53. The presented features are known to improve the sensitivity of cancer therapy. Therefore, these data support the hypothesis, i.e., that methyl-donors may promote apoptotic signaling by protecting p53 functions through downregulating both the MAPK/ERK and the AKT pathways both in breast and lung adenocarcinoma cell lines. Our results can emphasize the importance and benefits of the appropriate dietary supports in cancer treatments. However, further studies are required to confirm these effects without any adverse outcome in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Kiss
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine and Oncology, Oncology Profile, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary; (E.K.); (R.M.); (M.D.)
| | - Gertrud Forika
- 1st Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary; (G.F.); (T.K.)
| | - Reka Mohacsi
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine and Oncology, Oncology Profile, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary; (E.K.); (R.M.); (M.D.)
| | - Zsuzsanna Nemeth
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine and Oncology, Oncology Profile, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary; (E.K.); (R.M.); (M.D.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +36-20-670-1025
| | - Tibor Krenacs
- 1st Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary; (G.F.); (T.K.)
| | - Magdolna Dank
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine and Oncology, Oncology Profile, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary; (E.K.); (R.M.); (M.D.)
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Huang CF, Liu SH, Su CC, Fang KM, Yen CC, Yang CY, Tang FC, Liu JM, Wu CC, Lee KI, Chen YW. Roles of ERK/Akt signals in mitochondria-dependent and endoplasmic reticulum stress-triggered neuronal cell apoptosis induced by 4-methyl-2,4-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)pent-1-ene, a major active metabolite of bisphenol A. Toxicology 2021; 455:152764. [PMID: 33771661 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2021.152764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA) is recognized as a harmful pollutant in the worldwide. Growing studies have reported that BPA can cause adverse effects and diseases in human, and link to a potential risk factor for development of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). 4-methyl-2,4-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)pent-1-ene (MBP), which generated in the mammalian liver after BPA exposure, is a major active metabolite of BPA. MBP has been suggested to exert greater toxicity than BPA. However, the molecular mechanism of MBP on the neuronal cytotoxicity remains unclear. In this study, MBP exposure significantly reduced Neuro-2a cell viability and induced apoptotic events that MBP (5-15 μM) exhibited greater neuronal cytotoxicity than BPA (50-100 μM). The mitochondria-dependent apoptotic signals including the decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and the increase in cytosolic apoptosis-induced factor (AIF), cytochrome c release, and Bax protein expression were involved in MBP (10 μM)-induced Neuro-2a cell death. Exposure of Neuro-2a cells to MBP (10 μM) also triggered endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress through the induction of several key molecules including glucose-regulated protein (GRP)78, C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), X-box binding protein (XBP)-1, protein kinase R-like ER kinase (PERK), eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α), inositol-requiring enzyme(IRE)-1, activation transcription factor(AFT)4 and ATF6, and caspase-12. Pretreatment with 4-PBA (an ER stress inhibitor) and specific siRNAs for GRP78, CHOP, and XBP-1 significantly suppressed the expression of these ER stress-related proteins and the activation of caspase-12/-3/-7 in MBP-exposed Neuro-2a cells. Furthermore, MBP (10 μM) exposure dramatically increased the activation of extracellular regulated protein (ERK)1/2 and decreased Akt phosphorylation. Pretreatment with PD98059 (an ERK1/2 inhibitor) and transfection with the overexpression of activation of Akt1 (myr-Akt1) effectively suppressed MBP-induced apoptotic and ER stress-related signals. Collectively, these results demonstrate that MBP exposure exerts neuronal cytotoxicity via the interplay of ERK activation and Akt inactivation-regulated mitochondria-dependent and ER stress-triggered apoptotic pathway, which ultimately leads to neuronal cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Fa Huang
- School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 404, Taiwan; Department of Nursing, College of Medical and Health Science, Asia University, Taichung, 413, Taiwan
| | - Shing-Hwa Liu
- Institute of Toxicology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100, Taiwan
| | - Chin-Chuan Su
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua County, 500, Taiwan; School of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan
| | - Kai-Min Fang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, 220, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Chieh Yen
- Department of Occupational Safety and Health, College of Health Care and Management, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, 402, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Yao Yang
- Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, and Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100, Taiwan
| | - Feng-Cheng Tang
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua County, 500, Taiwan
| | - Jui-Ming Liu
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Taoyuan General Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taoyuan, 330, Taiwan
| | - Chin-Ching Wu
- Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, 404, Taiwan
| | - Kuan-I Lee
- Department of Emergency, Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Taichung, 427, Taiwan.
| | - Ya-Wen Chen
- Department of Physiology and Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Science, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 404, Taiwan.
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245
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Pterostilbene promotes mitochondrial apoptosis and inhibits proliferation in glioma cells. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6381. [PMID: 33737656 PMCID: PMC7973728 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85908-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioma is the most general primary and lethal intracranial malignant tumor. Pterostilbene (PTE), an analog of stilbene and resveratrol, has attracted attention in recent years due to its significant antitumor activity in multiple solid tumors; however, its effect on drug-resistant glioma cells and the underlying mechanism have not yet been reported. In this study, we found that pterostilbene inhibited proliferation, induced intrinsic mitochondria-mediated apoptosis and caused S phase arrest, inhibited migration and excessive invasion in glioma cells. Pretreatment with the pan-caspase-inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK attenuated the PTE-induced apoptosis of glioma cells. Moreover, PTE significantly increased the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduce the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Inhibition of ROS with N-acetyl-l-cysteine not only rescued PTE-induced reduction of cellular viability but also prevented glioma cell apoptosis. We also discovered ERK 1/2 and JNK signaling pathways were activated by PTE and contributed to induce glioma cell apoptosis. In addition, specific inhibitors of ERK 1/2 and JNK attenuated PTE-induced apoptosis. Besides, PTE significantly reduced tumor volume and prolonged median survival of tumor-bearing rats in vivo. In summary, the results of this study indicate that the anti-tumor effect of PTE on glioma cells may provide a new treatment option for glioma patients.
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246
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Characterization of Biological Pathways Regulating Acute Cold Resistance of Zebrafish. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22063028. [PMID: 33809683 PMCID: PMC8001686 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22063028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Low temperature stress represents a major threat to the lives of both farmed and wild fish species. However, biological pathways determining the development of cold resistance in fish remain largely unknown. Zebrafish larvae at 96 hpf were exposed to lethal cold stress (10 °C) for different time periods to evaluate the adverse effects at organism, tissue and cell levels. Time series RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) experiments were performed to delineate the transcriptomic landscape of zebrafish larvae under cold stress and during the subsequent rewarming phase. The genes regulated by cold stress were characterized by progressively enhanced or decreased expression, whereas the genes associated with rewarming were characterized by rapid upregulation upon return to normal temperature (28 °C). Genes such as trib3, dusp5 and otud1 were identified as the representative molecular markers of cold-induced damages through network analysis. Biological pathways involved in cold stress responses were mined from the transcriptomic data and their functions in regulating cold resistance were validated using specific inhibitors. The autophagy, FoxO and MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) signaling pathways were revealed to be survival pathways for enhancing cold resistance, while apoptosis and necroptosis were the death pathways responsible for cold-induced mortality. Functional mechanisms of the survival-enhancing factors Foxo1, ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) and p38 MAPK were further characterized by inhibiting their activities upon cold stress and analyzing gene expression though RNA-seq. These factors were demonstrated to determine the cold resistance of zebrafish through regulating apoptosis and p53 signaling pathway. These findings have provided novel insights into the stress responses elicited by lethal cold and shed new light on the molecular mechanisms underlying cold resistance of fish.
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247
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Ferreira-Marques M, Carvalho A, Cavadas C, Aveleira CA. PI3K/AKT/MTOR and ERK1/2-MAPK signaling pathways are involved in autophagy stimulation induced by caloric restriction or caloric restriction mimetics in cortical neurons. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:7872-7882. [PMID: 33714946 PMCID: PMC8034898 DOI: 10.18632/aging.202805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Caloric restriction has been shown to robustly ameliorate age-related diseases and to prolong lifespan in several model organisms, and these beneficial effects are dependent on the stimulation of autophagy. Autophagy dysfunction contributes to the accumulation of altered macromolecules, and is a key mechanism of promoting aging and age-related disorders, as neurodegenerative ones. We have previously shown that caloric restriction (CR), and CR mimetics Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and ghrelin, stimulate autophagy in rat cortical neurons, however by unknown molecular mechanisms. Overall, we show that CR, NPY, and ghrelin stimulate autophagy through PI3K/AKT/MTOR inhibition and ERK1/2-MAPK activation. The knowledge of these kinases in autophagy regulation and the contribution to the understanding of molecular mechanism facilitates the discovery of more targeted therapeutic strategies to stimulate autophagy, which is relevant in the context of age-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa Ferreira-Marques
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - André Carvalho
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Cláudia Cavadas
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Célia A Aveleira
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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248
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Ahmad B, Gamallat Y, Khan MF, Din SR, Israr M, Ahmad M, Tahir N, Azam N, Rahman KU, Xin W, Zexu W, Linjie P, Su P, Liang W. Natural Polyphyllins (I, II, D, VI, VII) Reverses Cancer Through Apoptosis, Autophagy, Mitophagy, Inflammation, and Necroptosis. Onco Targets Ther 2021; 14:1821-1841. [PMID: 33732000 PMCID: PMC7956893 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s287354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality worldwide. Conventional therapies, including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, have limited success because of secondary resistance. Therefore, safe, non-resistant, less toxic, and convenient drugs are urgently required. Natural products (NPs), primarily sourced from medicinal plants, are ideal for cancer treatment because of their low toxicity and high success. NPs cure cancer by regulating different pathways, such as PI3K/AKT/mTOR, ER stress, JNK, Wnt, STAT3, MAPKs, NF-kB, MEK-ERK, inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, autophagy, mitophagy, and necroptosis. Among the NPs, steroid saponins, including polyphyllins (I, II, D, VI, and VII), have potent pharmacological, analgesic, and anticancer activities for the induction of cytotoxicity. Recent research has demonstrated that polyphyllins (PPs) possess potent effects against different cancers through apoptosis, autophagy, inflammation, and necroptosis. This review summarizes the available studies on PPs against cancer to provide a basis for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bashir Ahmad
- Department of Biology, University of Haripur, KPK, I. R. Pakistan.,College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaser Gamallat
- Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | | | - Syed Riaz Din
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, People's Republic of China
| | - Muhammad Israr
- Department of Biology, University of Haripur, KPK, I. R. Pakistan.,Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Science, Hebei Normal University, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Manzoor Ahmad
- Department of Chemistry, Malakand University, Chakdara, KPK, I. R. Pakistan
| | - Naeem Tahir
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, People's Republic of China
| | - Nasir Azam
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, People's Republic of China
| | - Khalil Ur Rahman
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, People's Republic of China
| | - Wang Xin
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, People's Republic of China
| | - Wang Zexu
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, People's Republic of China
| | - Peng Linjie
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, People's Republic of China
| | - Pengyu Su
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, People's Republic of China
| | - Wang Liang
- Stem Cell Clinical Research Center, National Joint Engineering Laboratory, Regenerative Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical, Dalian City, Liaoning Province, 116011, People's Republic of China
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249
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Brown CN, Atwood D, Pokhrel D, Holditch SJ, Altmann C, Skrypnyk NI, Bourne J, Klawitter J, Blaine J, Faubel S, Thorburn A, Edelstein CL. Surgical procedures suppress autophagic flux in the kidney. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:248. [PMID: 33674554 PMCID: PMC7935862 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-03518-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Many surgical models are used to study kidney and other diseases in mice, yet the effects of the surgical procedure itself on the kidney and other tissues have not been elucidated. In the present study, we found that both sham surgery and unilateral nephrectomy (UNX), which is used as a model of renal compensatory hypertrophy, in mice resulted in increased mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1/2 (mTORC1/2) in the remaining kidney. mTORC1 is known to regulate lysosomal biogenesis and autophagy. Genes associated with lysosomal biogenesis and function were decreased in sham surgery and UNX kidneys. In both sham surgery and UNX, there was suppressed autophagic flux in the kidney as indicated by the lack of an increase in LC3-II or autophagosomes seen on immunoblot, IF and EM after bafilomycin A1 administration and a concomitant increase in p62, a marker of autophagic cargo. There was a massive increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are known to activate ERK1/2, in the serum after sham surgery and UNX. There was a large increase in ERK1/2 in sham surgery and UNX kidneys, which was blocked by the MEK1/2 inhibitor, trametinib. Trametinib also resulted in a significant decrease in p62. In summary, there was an intense systemic inflammatory response, an ERK-mediated increase in p62 and suppressed autophagic flux in the kidney after sham surgery and UNX. It is important that researchers are aware that changes in systemic pro-inflammatory cytokines, ERK1/2 and autophagy can be caused by sham surgery as well as the kidney injury/disease itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn N Brown
- Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Colorado at Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Daniel Atwood
- Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Colorado at Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Deepak Pokhrel
- Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Colorado at Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Sara J Holditch
- Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Colorado at Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Christopher Altmann
- Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Colorado at Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Nataliya I Skrypnyk
- Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Colorado at Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jennifer Bourne
- Electron Microscopy Center, University of Colorado at Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jelena Klawitter
- Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Colorado at Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado at Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Judith Blaine
- Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Colorado at Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Sarah Faubel
- Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Colorado at Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Andrew Thorburn
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado at Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Charles L Edelstein
- Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Colorado at Denver, Aurora, CO, USA.
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250
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Zearalenone Induces Endothelial Cell Apoptosis through Activation of a Cytosolic Ca 2+/ERK1/2/p53/Caspase 3 Signaling Pathway. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13030187. [PMID: 33806711 PMCID: PMC8001463 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13030187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Zearalenone (ZEN) is a mycotoxin that has been reported to damage various types of cells/tissues, yet its effects on endothelial cells (ECs) have never been investigated. Therefore, this study investigates the potential effects of ZEN using bovine aortic ECs (BAECs). In this study, we found that ZEN induced apoptosis of BAECs through increased cleavage of caspase 3 and poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP). ZEN also increased phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p53, and treatment with the ERK1/2 or p53 inhibitor reversed ZEN-induced EC apoptosis. Transfection of BAECs with small interfering RNA against ERK1/2 or p53 revealed ERK1/2 as an upstream target of p53 in ZEN-stimulated apoptosis. ZEN increased the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), yet treatment with the antioxidant did not prevent EC apoptosis. Similarly, blocking of estrogen receptors by specific inhibitors also did not prevent ZEN-induced apoptosis. Finally, chelation of cytosolic calcium (Ca2+) using BAPTA-AM or inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ channel using 2-APB reversed ZEN-induced EC apoptosis, but not by inhibiting ER stress using 4-PBA. Together, our findings demonstrate that ZEN induces EC apoptosis through an ERK1/2/p53/caspase 3 signaling pathway activated by Ca2+ release from the ER, and this pathway is independent of ROS production and estrogen receptor activation.
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