Easy stable transfection of a human cancer cell line by electrogene transfer with an Epstein–Barr virus-based plasmid vector

Identification of a novel aromatic-turmerone analog that activates chaperone-mediated autophagy through the persistent activation of p38

Introduction: Aromatic (Ar)-turmerone is a bioactive component of turmeric oil obtained from Curcuma longa. We recently identified a novel analog (A2) of ar-turmerone that protects dopaminergic neurons from toxic stimuli by activating nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). D-cysteine increases Nrf2, leading to the activation of chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA), a pathway in the autophagy-lysosome protein degradation system, in primary cultured cerebellar Purkinje cells. In this study, we attempted to identify novel analogs of ar-turmerone that activate Nrf2 more potently and investigated whether these analogs activate CMA. Methods: Four novel analogs (A4-A7) from A2 were synthesized. We investigated the effects of A2 and novel 4 analogs on Nrf2 expression via immunoblotting and CMA activity via fluorescence observation. Results: Although all analogs, including A2, increased Nrf2 expression, only A4 activated CMA in SH-SY5Y cells. Additionally, A4-mediated CMA activation was not reversed by Nrf2 inhibition, indicating that A4 activated CMA via mechanisms other than Nrf2 activation. We focused on p38, which participates in CMA activation. Inhibition of p38 significantly prevented A4-mediated activation of CMA. Although all novel analogs significantly increased the phosphorylation of p38 6 h after drug treatment, only A4 significantly increased phosphorylation 24 h after treatment. Finally, we revealed that A4 protected SH-SY5Y cells from the cytotoxicity of rotenone, and that this protection was reversed by inhibiting p38. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the novel ar-turmerone analog, A4, activates CMA and protects SH-SY5Y cells through the persistent activation of p38.

Wild-type and pathogenic forms of ubiquilin 2 differentially modulate components of the autophagy-lysosome pathways

Missense mutations of ubiquilin 2 (UBQLN2) have been identified to cause X-linked amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Proteasome-mediated protein degradation is reported to be impaired by ALS-associated mutations of UBQLN2. However, it remains unknown how these mutations affect autophagy-lysosome protein degradation, which consists of macroautophagy (MA), microautophagy (mA), and chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA). Using a CMA/mA fluorescence reporter we found that overexpression of wild-type UBQLN2 impairs CMA. Conversely, knockdown of endogenous UBQLN2 increases CMA activity, suggesting that normally UBQLN2 negatively regulates CMA. ALS-associated mutant forms of UBQLN2 exacerbate this impairment of CMA. Using cells stably transfected with wild-type or ALS-associated mutant UBQLN2, we further determined that wild-type UBQLN2 increased the ratio of LAMP2A (a CMA-related protein) to LAMP1 (a lysosomal protein). This could represent a compensatory reaction to the impairment of CMA by wild-type UBQLN2. However, ALS-associated mutant UBQLN2 failed to show this compensation, exacerbating the impairment of CMA by mutant UBQLN2. We further demonstrated that ALS-associated mutant forms of UBQLN2 also impair MA, but wild-type UBQLN2 does not. These results support the view that ALS-associated mutant forms of UBQLN2 impair both CMA and MA which may contribute to the neurodegeneration observed in patients with UBQLN2-mediated ALS.

Application of Coiled Coil Peptides in Liposomal Anticancer Drug Delivery Using a Zebrafish Xenograft Model

The complementary coiled coil forming peptides E4 [(EIAALEK)4] and K4 [(KIAALKE)4] are known to trigger liposomal membrane fusion when tethered to lipid vesicles in the form of lipopeptides. In this study, we examined whether these coiled coil forming peptides can be used for drug delivery applications. First, we prepared E4 peptide modified liposomes containing the far-red fluorescent dye TO-PRO-3 iodide (E4-Lipo-TP3) and confirmed that E4-liposomes could deliver TP3 into HeLa cells expressing K4 peptide on the membrane (HeLa-K) under cell culture conditions in a selective manner. Next, we prepared doxorubicin-containing E4-liposomes (E4-Lipo-DOX) and confirmed that E4-liposomes could also deliver DOX into HeLa-K cells. Moreover, E4-Lipo-DOX showed enhanced cytotoxicity toward HeLa-K cells compared to free doxorubicin. To prove the suitability of E4/K4 coiled coil formation for in vivo drug delivery, we injected E4-Lipo-TP3 or E4-Lipo-DOX into zebrafish xenografts of HeLa-K. As a result, E4-liposomes delivered TP3 to the implanted HeLa-K cells, and E4-Lipo-DOX could suppress cancer proliferation in the xenograft when compared to nontargeted conditions (i.e., zebrafish xenograft with free DOX injection). These data demonstrate that coiled coil formation enables drug selectivity and efficacy in vivo. It is envisaged that these findings are a step forward toward biorthogonal targeting systems as a tool for clinical drug delivery.

Transcription Factors and Medium Suitable for Initiating the Differentiation of Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells to the Hepatocyte Lineage

Transcription factors and culture media were investigated to determine the condition to initiate the differentiation of human-induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells most efficiently. The expression of genes in human adult liver was compared with that in 201B7 cells (iPS cells) using cDNA microarray analysis. Episomal plasmids expressing transcription factors were constructed. 201B7 cells were transfected with the episomal plasmids and cultured in ReproFF (feeder-free media maintaining pluripotency), Leibovitz-15 (L15), William's E (WE), or Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium/Nutrient F-12 Ham (DF12) for 7 days. RNA was isolated and subjected to real-time quantitative PCR to analyze the expression of alpha-feto protein (AFP) and albumin. cDNA microarray analysis revealed 16 transcription factors that were upregulated in human adult liver relative to that in 201B7 cells. Episomal plasmids expressing these 16 genes were transfected into 201B7 cells. CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (CEBPA), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta (CEBPB), forkhead box A1 (FOXA1), and forkhead box A3 (FOXA3) up-regulated AFP and down-regulated Nanog. These four genes were further analyzed. The expression of AFP and albumin was the highest in 201B7 cells transfected with the combination of CEBPA, CEBPB, FOXA1, and FOXA3 and cultured in WE. The combination of CEBPA, CEBPB, FOXA1, and FOXA3 was suitable for 201B7 cells to initiate differentiation to the hepatocyte lineage and WE was the most suitable medium for culture after transfection. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 2001-2009, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Dual gene expression in embryoid bodies derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells using episomal vectors

Transcription factors are essential for the differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) into specialized cell types. Embryoid body (EB) formation promotes the differentiation of iPS cells. We sought to establish an efficient method of transfection and rotary culture to generate EBs that stably express two genes. The pMetLuc2-Reporter vector was transfected using FuGENE HD (FuGENE), Lipofectamine LTX (LTX), X-tremeGENE, or TransIT-2020 transfection reagents. The media was analyzed using a Metridia luciferase (MetLuc) assay. Transfections were performed on cells adherent to plates/dishes (adherent method) or suspended in the media (suspension method). The 201B7 cells transfected with episomal vectors were selected using G418 (200 μg/mL) or hygromycin B (300 μg/mL). Rotary culture was performed at 2.5 or 9.9 rpm. Efficiency of EB formation was compared among plates and dishes. Cell density was compared at 1.6×10(3),×10(4), and×10(5) cells/mL. The suspended method of transfection using the FuGENE HD reagent was the most efficient. The expression of pEBMulti/Met-Hyg was detected 11 days posttransfection. Double transformants were selected 6 days posttransfection with pEBNK/EGFP-Neo and pEBNK/Cherry-Hyg. Both EGFP and CherryPicker were expressed in all of the surviving cells. EBs were formed most efficiently from cells cultured at a density of 1.6×10(5) cells/mL in six-well plates or 6 cm dishes. The selected cells formed EBs. FuGENE-mediated transfection of plasmids using the suspension method was effective in transforming iPS cells. Furthermore, the episomal vectors enabled us to perform a stable double transfection of EB-forming iPS cells.

CpG site-specific alteration of hydroxymethylcytosine to methylcytosine beyond DNA replication

Hydroxymethylcytosines (hmC), one of several reported cytosine modifications, was recently found to be enriched in embryonic stem cells and neuronal cells, and thought to play an important role in regulating gene expression and cell specification. However, unlike methylcytosines (mC), the fate of hmC beyond DNA replication is not well understood. Here, to monitor the status of hmC during DNA replication, we prepared a stable episomal vector-based monitoring system called MoCEV in 293T cells. The MoCEV system containing fully hydroxymethylated-cytosine fragments revealed a significant modification towards mC after several rounds of DNA replication. Strikingly this modification was specifically observed at the CpG sites (71.9% of cytosines), whereas only 1.1% of modified cytosines were detected at the non-CpG sites. Since the unmodified MoCEV did not undergo any DNA methylation during cell division, the results strongly suggest that somatic cells undergo hmC to mC specifically at the CpG sites during cell division.

Alterations in cell cycle and induction of apoptotic cell death in breast cancer cells treated with α-mangostin extracted from mangosteen pericarp

The development of molecularly targeted drugs has greatly advanced cancer therapy, despite these drugs being associated with some serious problems. Recently, increasing attention has been paid to the anticancer effects of natural products. α-Mangostin, a xanthone isolated from the pericarp of mangosteen fruit, has been shown to induce apoptosis in various cancer cell lines and to exhibit antitumor activity in a mouse mammary cancer model. In this study, we investigated the influence of α-mangostin on apoptosis and cell cycle in the human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB231 (carrying a p53 mutation, and HER2, ER, and PgR negative) in order to elucidate its anticancer mechanisms. In α-mangostin-treated cells, induction of mitochondria-mediated apoptosis was observed. On cell-cycle analysis, G1-phase arrest, increased p21(cip1) expression and decreases in cyclins, cdc(s), CDKs and PCNA were observed. In conclusion, α-mangostin may be useful as a therapeutic agent for breast cancer carrying a p53 mutation and having HER2- and hormone receptor-negative subtypes.

α-Mangostin extracted from the pericarp of the mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana Linn) reduces tumor growth and lymph node metastasis in an immunocompetent xenograft model of metastatic mammary cancer carrying a p53 mutation

BACKGROUND

The mangosteen fruit has a long history of medicinal use in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. Recently, the compound α-mangostin, which is isolated from the pericarp of the fruit, was shown to induce cell death in various types of cancer cells in in vitro studies. This led us to investigate the antitumor growth and antimetastatic activities of α-mangostin in an immunocompetent xenograft model of mouse metastatic mammary cancer having a p53 mutation that induces a metastatic spectrum similar to that seen in human breast cancers.

METHODS

Mammary tumors, induced by inoculation of BALB/c mice syngeneic with metastatic BJMC3879luc2 cells, were subsequently treated with α-mangostin at 0, 10 and 20 mg/kg/day using mini-osmotic pumps and histopathologically examined. To investigate the mechanisms of antitumor ability by α-mangostin, in vitro studies were also conducted.

RESULTS

Not only were in vivo survival rates significantly higher in the 20 mg/kg/day α-mangostin group versus controls, but both tumor volume and the multiplicity of lymph node metastases were significantly suppressed. Apoptotic levels were significantly increased in the mammary tumors of mice receiving 20 mg/kg/day and were associated with increased expression of active caspase-3 and -9. Other significant effects noted at this dose level were decreased microvessel density and lower numbers of dilated lymphatic vessels containing intraluminal tumor cells in mammary carcinoma tissues. In vitro, α-mangostin induced mitochondria-mediated apoptosis and G1-phase arrest and S-phase suppression in the cell cycle. Since activation by Akt phosphorylation plays a central role in a variety of oncogenic processes, including cell proliferation, anti-apoptotic cell death, angiogenesis and metastasis, we also investigated alterations in Akt phosphorylation induced by α-mangostin treatment both in vitro and in vivo. Quantitative analysis and immunohistochemistry showed that α-mangostin significantly decreased the levels of phospho-Akt-threonine 308 (Thr308), but not serine 473 (Ser473), in both mammary carcinoma cell cultures and mammary carcinoma tissues in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

Since lymph node involvement is the most important prognostic factor in breast cancer patients, the antimetastatic activity of α-mangostin as detected in mammary cancers carrying a p53 mutation in the present study may have specific clinical applications. In addition, α-mangostin may have chemopreventive benefits and/or prove useful as an adjuvant therapy, or as a complementary alternative medicine in the treatment of breast cancer.

Expression of GABAergic system in pulmonary neuroendocrine cells and airway epithelial cells in GAD67-GFP knock-in mice

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, is also located in many peripheral nonneuronal tissues. The glutamate decarboxylase 67-green fluorescent protein (GAD67-GFP) knock-in mouse is a useful model for studying the distribution of GABAergic cells in many tissues and organs. The lungs of these mice contain cells with an intense GFP signal exclusively in the airway epithelium. We aimed to characterize the GFP-positive cells and to clarify their relationship with the GABAergic system. We identified the GFP-positive cells as pulmonary neuroendocrine cells (PNECs) by immunohistochemistry for the protein gene product 9.5 and calcitonin gene-related peptide and by ultrastructural analysis. Immunohistochemistry for GADs and GABA revealed GAD65/67 and GABA in GFP-positive PNECs. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analyses revealed mRNAs encoding the GABA(B) receptor subunits necessary for the assembly of functional receptors, R1 and R2, in the lung. GABA(B) receptor subunit R1 and R2 proteins were expressed in many airway epithelial cells including alveolar epithelial cells other than GFP-positive PNECs. The present findings demonstrated that PNECs in the airway epithelium have a GABA production system and indicated that GABA plays functional roles in airway epithelial cells through GABA(B) receptors.