Aspirin induces oncosis in tumor cells

Arnicolide D induces endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated oncosis via ATF4 and CHOP in hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress can trigger various cell death mechanisms beyond apoptosis, providing promise in cancer treatment. Oncosis, characterized by cellular swelling and increased membrane permeability, represents a non-apoptotic form of cell death. In our study, we discovered that Arnicolide D (AD), a natural sesquiterpene lactone compound, induces ER stress-mediated oncosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, and this process is reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent. Furthermore, we identified the activation of the PERK-eIF2α-ATF4-CHOP pathway during ER stress as a pivotal factor in AD-induced oncosis. Notably, the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide (CHX) was found to effectively reverse AD-induced oncosis, suggesting ATF4 and CHOP may hold crucial roles in the induction of oncosis by AD. These proteins play a vital part in promoting protein synthesis during ER stress, ultimately leading to cell death. Subsequent studies, in where we individually or simultaneously knocked down ATF4 and CHOP in HCC cells, provided further confirmation of their indispensable roles in AD-induced oncosis. Moreover, additional animal experiments not only substantiated AD's ability to inhibit HCC tumor growth but also solidified the essential role of ER stress-mediated and ROS-dependent oncosis in AD's therapeutic potential. In summary, our research findings strongly indicate that AD holds promise as a therapeutic agent for HCC by its ability to induce oncosis.

Dihydrotanshinone Triggers Porimin-Dependent Oncosis by ROS-Mediated Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death. Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for the majority of lung cancer diagnoses. Dihydrotanshinone (DHT) is a compound extract from Salvia miltiorrhiza, which has favorable anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities. However, the role of DHT in NSCLC has not been fully studied. The anti-cancer drugs used for treating lung cancer often lead to apoptosis; however, the drug resistance of apoptosis restricts the effect of these drugs. Oncosis is a passive form of cell death that is different from apoptosis. It is characterized by cell swelling, and Porimin is a specific marker for oncosis. In this study, the role of DHT in mediating oncosis in A549 cells was investigated. In vitro, the MTS assay was used to detect cell activity after DHT treatment. Microscopy and electron microscopy were used to observe cell morphology changes. Western blotting was used to detect protein expression. Flow cytometry was used to detect intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, calcium ion (Ca2+) level, and cell mortality. The intracellular Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) level was detected by an LDH detection kit after DHT treatment. The ATP level was detected using an ATP detection kit. In vivo, Lewis lung cancer (LLC) xenograft mice were used to evaluate the anti-tumor effect of DHT. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to detect the pathology of lung cancer tumors. The detection of Porimin in the tumor tissues of the mice after DHT administration was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The results of this study showed that DHT treatment changed the cell morphology; destroyed the mitochondrial structure; increased the expression of Porimin; increased the levels of LDH, ROS, and Ca2+; decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP level; and played an anti-tumor role in vitro by mediating oncosis in A549 cells. The in vivo studies showed that DHT could effectively inhibit tumor growth. The results of protein detection and IHC detection in the tumor tissues showed that the expression of Porimin was increased and that oncosis occurred in the tumor tissues of mice. DHT triggered Porimin-dependent oncosis by ROS-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction in NSCLC. The in vivo studies showed that DHT could inhibit tumor growth in LLC xenograft mice by triggering oncosis. This study indicates the potential for DHT to treat NSCLC.

Histomorphological study of hepatic lobules of adult Wistar rats administered with aqueous extracts of leaves of cassia singueana

OBJECTIVES

Cassia singueana is widely used in northern Nigeria as an herb for the treatment of enamors ailments. Nevertheless the toxicity of the herb on liver architecture; the hepatic lobule and body weight is yet to be authenticated.

METHODS

A total of 24 male Wistar rats with an average weight of 150 g were randomly placed into four groups. Each group consisted of 6 rats. Group A served as the control group while groups B, C and D were given 150, 300, and 450 mg of Cassia singueana leaves extract respectively for 14 days. The animals were weighed before, during and after the treatment phase subsequently, they were sacrificed and the liver tissues were processed and stained using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain, Masson's and Trichrome Stain, Gordon and Sweet's Stain, and Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS)Stain.

RESULTS

There was no significant change in the animal's body weight of in all the groups when compared to the control group. Our histology result showed that Cassia singueana induced vascular lesion and hepatocytes degeneration putatively though mechanism of cell death (apoptosis and necrosis). It was also found that Cassia singueana has no toxic effect on the reticular fibers of the liver. High dose of Cassia singueana was found to induce the deposition of PAS positive materials in hepatocytes.

CONCLUSIONS

The Cassia singueana leaves extract induce hepatocyte degeneration and vascular lesion in the hepatic lobules of the wistar rats, without affecting the animals' body weight.

Polystyrene nanoplastics promote the apoptosis in Caco-2 cells induced by okadaic acid more than microplastics

Microplastics (MPs) are widespread in the environment and can be ingested through food, water, and air, posing a threat to human health. In addition, MPs can have a potential combined effect with other toxic compounds. Polystyrene (PS) has been shown to enhance the cytotoxicity of okadaic acid (OA). However, it remains unclear whether this enhancement effect is related to the size of PS particles. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of the combined effect of PS microplastics (PS-MPs) or PS nanoplastics (PS-NPs) and OA on Caco-2 cells. The results indicated that PS-NPs enhanced the cytotoxicity of OA and induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-mediated apoptosis in Caco-2 cells, compared to PS-MPs. Specifically, PS-NPs and OA cause more severe oxidative stress, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, and mitochondrial membrane depolarization. Furthermore, it induced intracellular calcium overload through store-operated channels (SOCs) and activated the PERK/ATF-4/CHOP pathway to cause ER stress. ER stress promoted mitochondrial damage and finally activated the caspase family to induce apoptosis. This study provided an indirect basis for the assessment of the combined toxicity of MPs or NPs with OA.

Construction and validation of a novel algorithm based on oncosis-related lncRNAs comprising the immune landscape and prediction of colorectal cancer prognosis

Colorectal cancer (CRC) has high morbidity and mortality, particularly if diagnosed at an advanced stage. Although there have been several studies on CRC, few have investigated the relationship between oncosis and CRC. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to identify oncosis-related long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and to establish a clinical prognostic model. Original data were acquired from The Cancer Genome Atlas database and PubMed. Differentially expressed oncosis-related lncRNAs (DEorlncRNAs) were identified and were subsequently formed into pairs. Next, a series of tests and analyses, including both univariate and multivariate analyses, as well as Lasso and Cox regression analyses, were performed to establish a receiver operating characteristic curve. A cut-off point was subsequently used to divide the samples into groups labelled as high- or low-risk. Thus, a model was established and evaluated in several dimensions. Six pairs of DEorlncRNAs associated with prognosis according to the algorithm were screened out and the CRC cases were divided into high- and low-risk groups. Significant differences between patients in the different risk groups were observed for several traits, including survival outcomes, clinical pathology characteristics, immune cell infiltration status and drug sensitivity. In addition, PCR and flow cytometry were performed to further verify the model. In summary, a new risk model algorithm based on six pairs of DEorlncRNAs in CRC, which does not require specific data regarding the level of gene expression, was established and validated. This algorithm may be used to predict patient prognosis, immune cell infiltration and drug sensitivity.

Effects of Non-Opioid Analgesics on the Cell Membrane of Skin and Gastrointestinal Cancers

Skin and gastrointestinal cancer cells are the target of research by many scientists due to the increasing morbidity and mortality rates around the world. New indications for drugs used in various conditions are being discovered. Non-opioid analgesics are worth noting as very popular, widely available, relatively cheap medications. They also have the ability to modulate the membrane components of tumor cells. The aim of this review is to analyze the impact of diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen, acetylsalicylic acid and paracetamol on skin and gastrointestinal cancers cell membrane. These drugs may affect the membrane through topical application, at the in vitro and in vivo level after oral or parenteral administration. They can lead to up- or downregulated expression of receptors, transporters and other molecules associated with plasma membrane. Medications may also alter the lipid bilayer composition of membrane, resulting in changes in its integrity and fluidity. Described modulations can cause the visualization of cancer cells, enhanced response of the immune system and the initiation of cell death. The outcome of this is inhibition of progression or reduction of tumor mass and supports chemotherapy. In conclusion, non-opioid analgesics may be used in the future as adjunctive therapy for the treatment of these cancers.

Non-apoptotic cell death-based cancer therapy: Molecular mechanism, pharmacological modulators, and nanomedicine

As an emerging cancer therapeutic target, non-apoptotic cell death such as ferroptosis, necroptosis and pyroptosis, etc., has revealed significant potential in cancer treatment for bypassing apoptosis to enhance the undermined therapeutic efficacy triggered by apoptosis resistance. A variety of anticancer drugs, synthesized compounds and natural products have been proven recently to induce non-apoptotic cell death and exhibit excellent anti-tumor effects. Moreover, the convergence of nanotechnology with functional materials and biomedicine science has provided tremendous opportunities to construct non-apoptotic cell death-based nanomedicine for innovative cancer therapy. Nanocarriers are not only employed in targeted delivery of non-apoptotic inducers, but also used as therapeutic components to induce non-apoptotic cell death to achieve efficient tumor treatment. This review first introduces the main characteristics, the mechanism and various pharmacological modulators of different non-apoptotic cell death forms, including ferroptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, paraptosis, lysosomal-dependent cell death, and oncosis. Second, we comprehensively review the latest progresses of nanomedicine that induces various forms of non-apoptotic cell death and focus on the nanomedicine targeting different pathways and components. Furthermore, the combination therapies of non-apoptotic cell death with photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, immunotherapy and other modalities are summarized. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives in this regard are also discussed.

An evaluation of the inhibition effects of cell migration of Aspirin soaking 360°square-edge intraocular lens in an in vitro lens capsule model

PURPOSE

This study performs to evaluate the Hydrophobic and Hydrosmart 360°square-edge intraocular lens drug delivery of Aspirin using an in vitro lens capsular model.

METHODS

Cell counting kit-8 assay was used to calculate 50% inhibiting concentration values in both SRA01/04 and HLE-B3 cells. Hoechst staining and transwell assay were used to detect cell proliferation and cell migration. The in vitro lens capsule model was established mainly with a special transwell-col and cell climbing sheet, in which an intraocular lens and the TGF-β2 were added. The ultraviolet spectrophotometer was used to measure the drug concentrations released in vitro. Cell-exclusion zone assay was used to detect the cell migration in the in vitro capsular model.

RESULTS

It shows that cell morphology and distribution of SRA01/04 in the in vitro lens capsular model were closer to those in vivo. The results revealed that there could be significant inhibiting effects on cell migration of the hydrosmart intraocular lens with a sustained drug release in vitro in 7 days, while the hydrophobic intraocular lens drug delivery of Aspirin was mainly performed only from day 1 to day 3.

CONCLUSIONS

Results showed the developed hydrosmart intraocular lens could release Aspirin continuously in vitro to inhibit the cell migration of lens epithelial cells.

Role of AMPK mediated pathways in autophagy and aging

AMPK is an important kinase regulating energy homeostasis and also a key protein involved in a variety of signal transduction pathways. It plays a vitally regulatory role in cellular senescence. Activation of AMPK can delay or block the aging process, which is of great significance in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and other aging related diseases, and provides a potential target for new indications such as Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, AMPK signaling pathway plays an important role in aging research. The in-depth study of AMPK activators will provide more new directions for the treatment of age-related maladies and the development of innovative drugs. Autophagy is a process that engulfs and degrades own cytoplasm or organelles. Thereby, meeting the metabolic demands and updating certain organelles of the cell has become a hotspot in the field of anti-aging in recent years. AMPK plays an important role between autophagy and senescence. In our review, the relationship among AMPK signaling, autophagy and aging will be clarified through the interaction between AMPK and mTOR, ULK1, FOXO, p53, SIRT1, and NF -κB.

A Continuous Add-On Probe Reveals the Nonlinear Enlargement of Mitochondria in Light-Activated Oncosis

Oncosis, depending on DNA damage and mitochondrial swelling, is an important approach for treating cancer and other diseases. However, little is known about the behavior of mitochondria during oncosis, due to the lack of probes for in situ visual illumination of the mitochondrial membrane and mtDNA. Herein, a mitochondrial lipid and mtDNA dual-labeled probe, MitoMN, and a continuous add-on assay, are designed to image the dynamic process of mitochondria in conditions that are unobservable with current mitochondrial probes. Meanwhile, the MitoMN can induce oncosis in a light-activated manner, which results in the enlargement of mitochondria and the death of cancer cells. Using structured illumination microscopy (SIM), MitoMN-stained mitochondria with a dual-color response reveals, for the first time, how swelled mitochondria interacts and fuses with each other for a nonlinear enlargement to accelerate oncosis into an irreversible stage. With this sign of irreversible oncosis revealed by MitoMN, oncosis can be segregated into three stages, including before oncosis, initial oncosis, and accelerated oncosis.

Mitofusin 2 but not mitofusin 1 mediates Bcl-XL-induced mitochondrial aggregation

Bcl-2 family proteins, as central players of the apoptotic program, participate in regulation of the mitochondrial network. Here, a quantitative live-cell fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) two-hybrid assay was used to confirm the homo-/hetero-oligomerization of mitofusins 2 and 1 (MFN2 and MFN1), and also demonstrate the binding of MFN2 to MFN1 with 1:1 stoichiometry. A FRET two-hybrid assay for living cells co-expressing CFP-labeled Bcl-XL (an anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family protein encoded by BCL2L1) and YFP-labeled MFN2 or MFN1 demonstrated the binding of MFN2 or MFN1 to Bcl-XL with 1:1 stoichiometry. Neither MFN2 nor MFN1 bound with monomeric Bax in healthy cells, but both MFN2 and MFN1 bind to punctate Bax (pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family protein) during apoptosis. Oligomerized Bak (also known as BAK1; a pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family protein) only associated with MFN1 but not MFN2. Moreover, co-expression of Bcl-XL with MFN2 or MFN1 had the same anti-apoptotic effect as the expression of Bcl-XL alone to staurosporine-induced apoptosis, indicating the Bcl-XL has its full anti-apoptotic ability when complexed with MFN2 or MFN1. However, knockdown of MFN2 but not MFN1 reduced mitochondrial aggregation induced by overexpression of Bcl-XL, indicating that MFN2 but not MFN1 mediates Bcl-XL-induced mitochondrial aggregation.

Co-expression of Mcl-1 and Bak induces mitochondrial swelling

We here used fluorescence imaging to explore the effect of co-overexpression of Mcl-1 and Bak/BH3-only proteins on mitochondrial morphology. The cells co-expressing CFP-Mcl-1 and YFP-Bak/BimL/Puma/tBid showed co-localization of Mcl-1 with Bak/Puma/BimL/tBid and also showed the inhibitory action of Mcl-1 on the Bak-, BimL-, Puma- or tBid-mediated cell death. Co-expression of Mcl-1 and Bak but not BH3-only proteins induced time-dependent mitochondrial swelling. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) imaging proved the direct binding of Mcl-1 to Bak, BimL, Puma and tBid, respectively. In addition, Mcl-1 prevented Bak oligomerization by retrotranslocating Bak from mitochondria into cytoplasm. Moreover, Mcl-1-Bak complex exhibited a good co-localization with mitochondria, and co-expression of Mcl-1 and Bak for more than 24 h not only induced mitochondrial swelling but also impaired mitochondrial membrane potential. Collectively, co-expression of Mcl-1 and Bak but not BH3-only proteins significantly induced mitochondrial swelling and subsequent loss of mitochondrial membrane potential.

Anti-apoptotic capacity of Mcl-1Δ127

The anti-apoptotic ability of Mcl-1Δ127, a caspase cleavage product of Mcl-1, is debated. We here used fluorescence imaging to assess the anti-apoptotic capacity of Mcl-1Δ127 in living cells. Fluorescence imaging of living cells expressing CFP-Mcl-1Δ127 showed that Mcl-1Δ127 existed mainly in cytoplasm. Fluorescence imaging of living cells co-expressing CFP-Mcl-1Δ127 and YFP-Bak, CFP-Mcl-1Δ127 and YFP-BimL, CFP-Mcl-1Δ127 and YFP-Puma or CFP-Mcl-1Δ127 and YFP-tBid showed that Mcl-1Δ127 markedly inhibited the oligomerization of Bak, BimL, Puma and tBid on mitochondria and also inhibited the Bak-, BimL-, Puma- or tBid-mediated cell death, resulting in their partial localization in cytoplasm. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) imaging proved that Mcl-1Δ127 bound to Bak, BimL, Puma and tBid, respectively. Fluorescence loss in photobleaching (FLIP) analyses showed that Mcl-1Δ127 did prevent Bak oligomerization by retrotranslocating Bak from mitochondria into cytoplasm. Collectively, Mcl-1Δ127 has the same anti-apoptotic capacity as Mcl-1, and prevents apoptosis by sequestering BH3-only or Bak proteins, thus inhibiting their oligomerization on mitochondria.

Mcl-1 inhibits Mff-mediated mitochondrial fragmentation and apoptosis

Myeloid cell leukemia-1 (Mcl-1) is involved in the regulation of mitochondrial fission and fusion. This report aims to explore whether Mcl-1 can interact with mitochondrial fission factor (Mff) and regulate Mff-mediated mitochondrial fragmentation and apoptosis. Fluorescence images of living cells coexpressing YFP-Mff and CFP-Mcl-1 showed that Mcl-1 markedly inhibited Mff-mediated mitochondrial fragmentation and apoptosis, suggesting that Mcl-1 played a key role in inhibiting mitochondrial fission. The cells coexpressing YFP-Mff and CFP-Mcl-1 exhibited consistent fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) efficiency with that of the cells coexpressing CFP-Mcl-1 and YFP, demonstrating that Mcl-1 did not directly bind to Mff on mitochondria. Collectively, Mcl-1 inhibits Mff-mediated mitochondrial fission and apoptosis not via directly binding to Mff on mitochondria.

Bcl-xL inhibits PINK1/Parkin-dependent mitophagy by preventing mitochondrial Parkin accumulation

This report aims to explore how Bcl-xL, a Bcl-2 family protein, regulates PINK1/Parkin-dependent mitophagy. Compared with the Hela cells expressing Parkin alone, co-expression of Bcl-xL significantly inhibited CCCP (Carbonyl cyanide 3- chlorophenylhydrazone)-induced mitochondrial Parkin accumulation and mitophagy. Western blotting analysis illustrated that over-expressed Bcl-xL inhibited CCCP-induced decrease of mitochondrial proteins in Parkin over-expressed cells. Fluorescence loss in photobleaching (FLIP) analyses demonstrated that Bcl-xL inhibited the CCCP-induced translocation of Parkin into mitochondria not by retrotranslocating Parkin from mitochondria to cytoplasm. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) imaging revealed in Hela cells that Bcl-xL physically bound with Parkin to form oligomer in cytoplasm, and that Bcl-xL also directly interacted with PINK1 on mitochondria. analysis for HEK293 T cells verified that endogenous Bcl-xL interacted with both endogenous Parkin and PINK1. Collectively, Bcl-xL inhibits PINK1/Parkin- dependent mitophagy by preventing the accumulation of Parkin on mitochondria via two regulation ways: directly binds to Parkin in cytoplasm to prevent the translocation of Parkin from cytoplasm to mitochondria and directly binds to PINK1 on mitochondria to inhibit the Parkin from cytoplasm to mitochondria by PINK1.