Identification of NV-F virus DNA in hepatocellular carcinoma

Nitidine chloride inhibits hepatic cancer growth via modulation of multiple signaling pathways

Background

The development of hepatic cancer is tightly regulated by multiple intracellular signaling pathways. Therefore, most currently-used anti-tumor agents, which typically target single intracellular pathway, might not always be therapeutically effective. Additionally, long-term use of these agents probably generates drug resistance and unacceptable adverse effects. These problems increase the necessity for the development of new chemotherapeutic approaches. Nitidine chloride (NC), a natural benzophenanthridine alkaloid, has been shown to inhibit cancer growth via induction of cell apoptosis and suppression of cancer angiogenesis. But the precise mechanisms of its tumorcidal activity are not well understood.

Methods

To further elucidate the precise mechanisms of its anti-tumor activity, using a hepatic cancer mouse xenograft model, the human hepatic cancer cell lines (HepG2, HCCLM3, Huh7), and umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), here we evaluate the effect of NC on tumor growth in vivo and in vitro and investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Results

We found that NC treatment resulted in significant decrease in tumor volume and tumor weight respectively, but didn’t affect body weight changes. Additionally, NC treatment dose- and time-dependently reduced the cell viability of all three hepatic cell lines. Moreover, NC suppressed the activation of STAT3, ERK and SHH pathways; and altered the expression of critical target genes including Bcl-2, Bax, Cyclin D1, CDK4, VEGF-A and VEGFR2. These molecular effects resulted in the promotion of apoptosis, inhibition of cell proliferation and tumor angiogenesis.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that NC possesses a broad range of anti-cancer activities due to its ability to affect multiple intracellular targets, suggesting that NC could be a novel multi-potent therapeutic agent for the treatment of hepatic cancer and other cancers.

Livistona chinensis seed suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma growth through promotion of mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis

The Livistona chinensis seed has been used for centuries to clinically treat various types of cancer. However, the precise mechanism of its anticancer activity remains to be elucidated. In the present study, we evaluated the efficacy of the ethanol extract of Livistona chinensis seed (EELC) against tumor growth using a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) mouse xenograft model and an HCC cell line, HepG2, and investigated the molecular mechanisms mediating its biological activities. We found that EELC inhibited HCC growth both in vivo and in vitro, without apparent signs of toxicity. In addition, EELC treatment resulted in the induction of HCC cell apoptosis. Moreover, EELC-induced apoptosis was accompanied by the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, and increase in the pro-apoptotic Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Our findings suggest that promotion of mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis in cancer cells may be one of the mechanisms by which the Livistona chinensis seed is effective in cancer treatment.

[History of viral hepatitis]

INTRODUCTION

The history of viral hepatitis goes back thousands of years and is a fascinating one. When humans were first infected by such agents, a natural repetitive cycle began, with the capacity to infect billions of humans, thus decimating the population and causing sequelae in thousands of lives.

METHODS

This article reviews the available scientific information on the history of viral hepatitis. All the information was obtained through extensive bibliographic review, including original and review articles and consultations on the internet.

RESULTS

There are reports on outbreaks of jaundice epidemics in China 5,000 years ago and in Babylon more than 2,500 years ago. The catastrophic history of great jaundice epidemics and pandemics is well known and generally associated with major wars. In the American Civil War, 40,000 cases occurred among Union troops. In 1885, an outbreak of catarrhal jaundice affected 191 workers at the Bremen shipyard (Germany) after vaccination against smallpox. In 1942, 28,585 soldiers became infected with hepatitis after inoculation with the yellow fever vaccine. The number of cases of hepatitis during the Second World War was estimated to be 16 million. Only in the twentieth century were the main agents causing viral hepatitis identified. The hepatitis B virus was the first to be discovered.

CONCLUSIONS

In this paper, through reviewing the history of major epidemics caused by hepatitis viruses and the history of discovery of these agents, singular peculiarities were revealed. Examples of this include the accidental or chance discovery of the hepatitis B and D viruses.

Splicing diversity of the human OCLN gene and its biological significance for hepatitis C virus entry

Persistent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a primary etiological factor for the development of chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis and cancer. A recent study identified occludin (OCLN), an integral tight junction protein, as one of the key factors for HCV entry into cells. We explored the splicing diversity of OCLN in normal human liver and observed variable expression of alternative splice variants, including two known forms (WT-OCLN and OCLN-ex4del) and six novel forms (OCLN-ex7ext, OCLN-ex3pdel, OCLN-ex3del, OCLN-ex3-4del, OCLN-ex3p-9pdel, and OCLN-ex3p-7pdel). Recombinant protein isoforms WT-OCLN and OCLN-ex7ext, which retained the HCV-interacting MARVEL domain, were expressed on the cell membrane and were permissive for HCV infection in in vitro infectivity assays. All other forms lacked the MARVEL domain, were expressed in the cytoplasm, and were nonpermissive for HCV infection. Additionally, we observed variable expression of OCLN splicing forms across human tissues and cell lines. Our study suggests that the remarkable natural splicing diversity of OCLN might contribute to HCV tissue tropism and possibly modify the outcome of HCV infection in humans. Genetic factors crucial for regulation of OCLN expression and susceptibility to HCV infection remain to be elucidated.

Impact of the novel hepatotropic viruslike agent NV-F during chronic hepatitis C virus infection

NV-F is a novel hepatotropic viruslike agent. To investigate the impact of the NV-F agent during chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, 101 consecutive patients with chronic HCV infection were evaluated. NV-F DNA in serum samples and NV-F antigen expression in liver tissues were assessed. All patients subsequently received a 6-month course of interferon-based antiviral therapy. Of the 101 patients, 30 (29.7%) were positive for serum NV-F DNA. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed positive NV-F antigen expression in the liver in 14 of these 30 patients. Patients positive for serum NV-F DNA had significantly higher serum aminotransferase levels (P < .001) and higher Knodell histology activity index values (P < .001). The sustained virological response rate for HCV clearance was not significantly different between patients with and those without detectable serum NV-F DNA. In conclusion, coinfection of the NV-F agent in chronic HCV infection is associated with more severe hepatitis activity.

Hepatocellular carcinoma: epidemiology, risk factors and pathogenesis

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the commonest primary malignant cancer of the liver in the world. Given that the burden of chronic liver disease is expected to rise owing to increasing rates of alcoholism, hepatitis B and C prevalence and obesity-related fatty liver disease, it is expected that the incidence of HCC will also increase in the foreseeable future. This article summarizes the international epidemiology, the risk factors and the pathogenesis of HCC, including the roles of viral hepatitis, toxins, such as alcohol and aflatoxin, and insulin resistance.

Hepatocellular carcinoma: Epidemiology, risk factors and pathogenesis

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the commonest primary malignant cancer of the liver in the world. Given that the burden of chronic liver disease is expected to rise owing to increasing rates of alcoholism, hepatitis B and C prevalence and obesity-related fatty liver disease, it is expected that the incidence of HCC will also increase in the foreseeable future. This article summarizes the international epidemiology, the risk factors and the pathogenesis of HCC, including the roles of viral hepatitis, toxins, such as alcohol and aflatoxin, and insulin resistance.