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Yousef EH, El-Magd NFA, El Gayar AM. Norcantharidin potentiates sorafenib antitumor activity in hepatocellular carcinoma rat model through inhibiting IL-6/STAT3 pathway. Transl Res 2023; 260:69-82. [PMID: 37257560 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2023.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), sorafenib (Sora) efficacy is limited by primary and/or acquired resistance. Emerging evidence shows that the inflammatory factor interleukin 6 (IL-6) plays a role in Sora resistance. Norcantharidin (NCTD), a derivative of cantharidine, was identified as a potent IL-6 inhibitor. Thus, in this study, we evaluated NCTD ability to improve the Sora efficacy in HCC and its underlying molecular mechanisms. Male Sprague Dawely rats were administered NCTD (0.1 mg/kg/day; orally) or Sora (10 mg/kg day; orally) or combination for 6 weeks after HCC induction using thioacetamide (200 mg/kg; ip; 2 times/wk) for 16 weeks. Our results showed that NCTD greatly enhanced Sora activity against HCC and potentiated Sora-induced oxidative stress. NCTD enhanced Sora-induced tumor immunity reactivation by decreasing both fibrinogen-like protein 1 level and increasing both tumor necrosis factor-α gene expression along with CD8+ T cells number. Also, NCTD augmented Sora attenuation activity against TAA-induced angiogenesis and metastasis by decreasing VEGFA, HIF-1α, serum lactate dehydrogenase enzyme, and vimentin levels. The combined use of NCTD/Sora suppressed drug resistance and stemness by downregulating ATP-binding cassette subfamily G member 2, neurogenic locus notch homolog protein, spalt-like transcription factor 4, and CD133. NCTD boosted Sora antiproliferative and apoptotic activities by decreasing Ccnd1 and BCL2 expressions along with increasing BAX and caspase-3 expressions. To our knowledge, this study represents the first study providing evidence for the potential novel therapeutic use of NCTD/Sora combination for HCC. Moreover, no previous studies have reported the effect of NCTD on FGL1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman H Yousef
- Biochemistry department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt; Biochemistry department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Horus University-Egypt, Damietta, Egypt.
| | - Nada F Abo El-Magd
- Biochemistry department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Amal M El Gayar
- Biochemistry department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.
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2
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Gupta J, Abdulsahib WK, Turki Jalil A, Saadi Kareem D, Aminov Z, Alsaikhan F, Ramírez-Coronel AA, Ramaiah P, Farhood B. Prostate Cancer and microRNAs: New insights into Apoptosis. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 245:154436. [PMID: 37062208 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is known as one of the most prevalent malignancies globally and is not yet curable owing to its progressive nature. It has been well documented that Genetic and epigenetic alterations maintain mandatory roles in PCa development. Apoptosis, a form of programmed cell death, has been shown to be involved in a number of physiological processes. Apoptosis disruption is considered as one of the main mechanism involved in lots of pathological conditions, especially malignancy. There is ample of evidence in support of the fact that microRNAs (miRNAs) have crucial roles in several cellular biological processes, including apoptosis. Escaping from apoptosis is a common event in malignancy progression. Emerging evidence revealed miRNAs capabilities to act as apoptotic or anti-apoptotic factors by altering the expression levels of tumor inhibitor or oncogene genes. In the present narrative review, we described in detail how apoptosis dysfunction could be involved in PCa processes and additionally, the mechanisms behind miRNAs affect the apoptosis pathways in PCa. Identifying the mechanisms behind the effects of miRNAs and their targets on apoptosis can provide scientists new targets for PCa treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jitendra Gupta
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, GLA University, Mathura 281406, U. P., India
| | - Waleed K Abdulsahib
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Al Farahidi University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Abduladheem Turki Jalil
- Medical Laboratories Techniques Department, Al-Mustaqbal University College, Babylon, Hilla, 51001, Iraq.
| | | | - Zafar Aminov
- Department of Public Health and Healthcare management, Samarkand State Medical University, 18 Amir Temur Street, Samarkand, Uzbekistan; Department of Scientific Affairs, Tashkent State Dental Institute, 103 Makhtumkuli Str., Tashkent, Uzbekistan
| | - Fahad Alsaikhan
- College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Andrés Alexis Ramírez-Coronel
- Azogues Campus Nursing Career, Health and Behavior Research Group (HBR), Psychometry and Ethology Laboratory, Catholic University of Cuenca, Ecuador; Epidemiology and Biostatistics Research Group, CES University, Colombia; Educational Statistics Research Group (GIEE), National University of Education, Ecuador
| | | | - Bagher Farhood
- Department of Medical Physics and Radiology, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.
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3
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Hashemi M, Zandieh MA, Talebi Y, Rahmanian P, Shafiee SS, Nejad MM, Babaei R, Sadi FH, Rajabi R, Abkenar ZO, Rezaei S, Ren J, Nabavi N, Khorrami R, Rashidi M, Hushmandi K, Entezari M, Taheriazam A. Paclitaxel and docetaxel resistance in prostate cancer: Molecular mechanisms and possible therapeutic strategies. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 160:114392. [PMID: 36804123 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is among most malignant tumors around the world and this urological tumor can be developed as result of genomic mutations and their accumulation during progression towards advanced stage. Due to lack of specific symptoms in early stages of prostate cancer, most cancer patients are diagnosed in advanced stages that tumor cells display low response to chemotherapy. Furthermore, genomic mutations in prostate cancer enhance the aggressiveness of tumor cells. Docetaxel and paclitaxel are suggested as well-known compounds for chemotherapy of prostate tumor and they possess a similar function in cancer therapy that is based on inhibiting depolymerization of microtubules, impairing balance of microtubules and subsequent delay in cell cycle progression. The aim of current review is to highlight mechanisms of paclitaxel and docetaxel resistance in prostate cancer. When oncogenic factors such as CD133 display upregulation and PTEN as tumor-suppressor shows decrease in expression, malignancy of prostate tumor cells enhances and they can induce drug resistance. Furthermore, phytochemicals as anti-tumor compounds have been utilized in suppressing chemoresistance in prostate cancer. Naringenin and lovastatin are among the anti-tumor compounds that have been used for impairing progression of prostate tumor and enhancing drug sensitivity. Moreover, nanostructures such as polymeric micelles and nanobubbles have been utilized in delivery of anti-tumor compounds and decreasing risk of chemoresistance development. These subjects are highlighted in current review to provide new insight for reversing drug resistance in prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehrdad Hashemi
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence Sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Arad Zandieh
- Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Division of Epidemiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Yasmin Talebi
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence Sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parham Rahmanian
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sareh Sadat Shafiee
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence Sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Melina Maghsodlou Nejad
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran
| | - Roghayeh Babaei
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence Sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farzaneh Hasani Sadi
- General Practitioner, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman 7616913555, Iran
| | - Romina Rajabi
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Shamin Rezaei
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence Sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jun Ren
- Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Noushin Nabavi
- Department of Urologic Sciences and Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, V6H3Z6 Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Ramin Khorrami
- Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Rashidi
- Department Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; The Health of Plant and Livestock Products Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | - Kiavash Hushmandi
- Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Division of Epidemiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Maliheh Entezari
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence Sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Afshin Taheriazam
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence Sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
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4
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Blockage of Autophagy Increases Timosaponin AIII-Induced Apoptosis of Glioma Cells In Vitro and In Vivo. Cells 2022; 12:cells12010168. [PMID: 36611961 PMCID: PMC9818637 DOI: 10.3390/cells12010168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Timosaponin AIII (TSAIII), a saponin isolated from Anemarrhena asphodeloides and used in traditional Chinese medicine, exerts antitumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenesis, and pro-apoptotic activity on a variety of tumor cells. This study investigated the antitumor effects of TSAIII and the underlying mechanisms in human glioma cells in vitro and in vivo. TSAIII significantly inhibited glioma cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner but did not affect the growth of normal astrocytes. We also observed that in both glioma cell lines, TSAIII induces cell death and mitochondrial dysfunction, consistent with observed increases in the protein expression of cleaved-caspase-3, cleaved-caspase-9, cleaved-PARP, cytochrome c, and Mcl-1. TSAIII also activated autophagy, as indicated by increased accumulation of the autophagosome markers p62 and LC3-II and the autolysosome marker LAMP1. LC3 silencing, as well as TSAIII combined with the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3MA), increased apoptosis in GBM8401 cells. TSAIII inhibited tumor growth in xenografts and in an orthotopic GBM8401 mice model in vivo. These results demonstrate that TSAIII exhibits antitumor effects and may hold potential as a therapy for glioma.
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Zheng J, Wang JJ, Ma HM, Shen MQ, Qian ZM, Bao YX. Norcantharidin down-regulates iron contents in the liver and spleen of lipopolysaccharide-treated mice. Redox Rep 2022; 27:119-127. [PMID: 35735222 PMCID: PMC9246006 DOI: 10.1080/13510002.2022.2088011] [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] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The inhibiting effect of Norcantharidin (NCTD) on IL-6 (interleukin-6) and STAT3 and the involvement of the IL-6/STAT3 pathway in hepcidin expression prompted us to speculate that NCTD could affect iron metabolism. Methods We examined the effects of NCTD on serum iron (SI) and transferrin (Tf) saturation, iron and ferritin light chain (FTL), transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1), divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1), ferroportin 1 (Fpn1), iron regulatory protein 1 (IRP1) and hepcidin, as well as IL-6 and STAT3 in the liver, spleen and duodenum of mice treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vivo, using RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunofluorescence analysis. Results NCTD could increase SI and Tf saturation and reduce tissue iron and FTL content by affecting expression of cell-iron transport proteins TfR1, DMT1 and Fpn1. The impact of NCTD on TfR1, DMT1 and Fpn1 expression is mediated by up-regulating IRP1 and down-regulating hepcidin expression, while NCTD-induced down-regulation of hepcidin is mediated by the IL-6/STAT3 signalling pathway in LPS-treated mice. Conclusions NCTD affects iron metabolism by modifying the expression of IL-6/JAK2/STAT3/hepcidin and IRP1 and suggest that the ability of NCTD to reduce tissue iron contents may be a novel mechanism associated with the anti-cancer effects of NCTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zheng
- Research Center for Medicine and Biology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiao-Jiao Wang
- Research Center for Medicine and Biology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui-Min Ma
- Institute of Translational and Precision Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, People's Republic of China
| | - Meng-Qi Shen
- Institute of Translational and Precision Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhong-Ming Qian
- Institute of Translational and Precision Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, People's Republic of China.,National Clinical Research Center for Aging and Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.,Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Fudan University School of Pharmacy, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu-Xin Bao
- Research Center for Medicine and Biology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, People's Republic of China
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6
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Calvo-Martín G, Plano D, Martínez-Sáez N, Aydillo C, Moreno E, Espuelas S, Sanmartín C. Norbornene and Related Structures as Scaffolds in the Search for New Cancer Treatments. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15121465. [PMID: 36558915 PMCID: PMC9780886 DOI: 10.3390/ph15121465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The norbornene scaffold has arisen as a promising structure in medicinal chemistry due to its possible therapeutic application in cancer treatment. The development of norbornene-based derivatives as potential chemotherapeutic agents is attracting significant attention. Here, we report an unprecedented review on the recent advances of investigations into the antitumoral efficacy of different compounds, including the abovementioned bicyclic scaffold in their structure, in combination with chemotherapeutic agents or forming metal complexes. The impact that structural modifications to these bicyclic compounds have on the antitumoral properties and the mechanisms by which these norbornene derivatives act are discussed in this review. In addition, the use of norbornene, and its related compounds, encapsulation in nanosystems for its use in cancer therapies is here detailed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gorka Calvo-Martín
- Departamento de Tecnología y Química Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Navarra, Irunlarrea 1, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Irunlarrea, 3, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Daniel Plano
- Departamento de Tecnología y Química Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Navarra, Irunlarrea 1, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Irunlarrea, 3, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Salud Tropical, Universidad de Navarra, Irunlarrea 1, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Correspondence: (D.P.); (C.A.); Tel.: +34-948425600 (ext. 806358) (D.P.); +34-948425600 (ext. 803183) (C.A.)
| | - Nuria Martínez-Sáez
- Departamento de Tecnología y Química Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Navarra, Irunlarrea 1, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Irunlarrea, 3, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Carlos Aydillo
- Departamento de Tecnología y Química Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Navarra, Irunlarrea 1, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Irunlarrea, 3, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Salud Tropical, Universidad de Navarra, Irunlarrea 1, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Correspondence: (D.P.); (C.A.); Tel.: +34-948425600 (ext. 806358) (D.P.); +34-948425600 (ext. 803183) (C.A.)
| | - Esther Moreno
- Departamento de Tecnología y Química Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Navarra, Irunlarrea 1, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Irunlarrea, 3, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Salud Tropical, Universidad de Navarra, Irunlarrea 1, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Socorro Espuelas
- Departamento de Tecnología y Química Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Navarra, Irunlarrea 1, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Irunlarrea, 3, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Salud Tropical, Universidad de Navarra, Irunlarrea 1, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Carmen Sanmartín
- Departamento de Tecnología y Química Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Navarra, Irunlarrea 1, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Irunlarrea, 3, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Salud Tropical, Universidad de Navarra, Irunlarrea 1, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
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Sancho M, Leiva D, Lucendo E, Orzáez M. Understanding MCL1: from cellular function and regulation to pharmacological inhibition. FEBS J 2022; 289:6209-6234. [PMID: 34310025 PMCID: PMC9787394 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Myeloid cell leukemia-1 (MCL1), an antiapoptotic member of the BCL2 family characterized by a short half-life, functions as a rapid sensor that regulates cell death and other relevant processes that include cell cycle progression and mitochondrial homeostasis. In cancer, MCL1 overexpression contributes to cell survival and resistance to diverse chemotherapeutic agents; for this reason, several MCL1 inhibitors are currently under preclinical and clinical development for cancer treatment. However, the nonapoptotic functions of MCL1 may influence their therapeutic potential. Overall, the complexity of MCL1 regulation and function represent challenges to the clinical application of MCL1 inhibitors. We now summarize the current knowledge regarding MCL1 structure, regulation, and function that could impact the clinical success of MCL1 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica Sancho
- Targeted Therapies on Cancer and Inflammation LaboratoryCentro de Investigación Príncipe FelipeValenciaSpain
| | - Diego Leiva
- Targeted Therapies on Cancer and Inflammation LaboratoryCentro de Investigación Príncipe FelipeValenciaSpain
| | - Estefanía Lucendo
- Targeted Therapies on Cancer and Inflammation LaboratoryCentro de Investigación Príncipe FelipeValenciaSpain
| | - Mar Orzáez
- Targeted Therapies on Cancer and Inflammation LaboratoryCentro de Investigación Príncipe FelipeValenciaSpain
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Wang L, Otkur W, Wang A, Wang W, Lyu Y, Fang L, Shan X, Song M, Feng Y, Zhao Y, Piao HL, Qi H, Liu JW. Norcantharidin overcomes vemurafenib resistance in melanoma by inhibiting pentose phosphate pathway and lipogenesis via downregulating the mTOR pathway. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:906043. [PMID: 36034784 PMCID: PMC9411668 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.906043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is the most aggressive type of skin cancer with a high incidence and low survival rate. More than half of melanomas present the activating BRAF mutations, along which V600E mutant represents 70%–90%. Vemurafenib (Vem) is an FDA-approved small-molecule kinase inhibitor that selectively targets activated BRAF V600E and inhibits its activity. However, the majority of patients treated with Vem develop acquired resistance. Hence, this study aims to explore a new treatment strategy to overcome the Vem resistance. Here, we found that a potential anticancer drug norcantharidin (NCTD) displayed a more significant proliferation inhibitory effect against Vem-resistant melanoma cells (A375R) than the parental melanoma cells (A375), which promised to be a therapeutic agent against BRAF V600E-mutated and acquired Vem-resistant melanoma. The metabolomics analysis showed that NCTD could, especially reverse the upregulation of pentose phosphate pathway and lipogenesis resulting from the Vem resistance. In addition, the transcriptomic analysis showed a dramatical downregulation in genes related to lipid metabolism and mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway in A375R cells, but not in A375 cells, upon NCTD treatment. Moreover, NCTD upregulated butyrophilin (BTN) family genes, which played important roles in modulating T-cell response. Consistently, we found that Vem resistance led to an obvious elevation of the p-mTOR expression, which could be remarkably reduced by NCTD treatment. Taken together, NCTD may serve as a promising therapeutic option to resolve the problem of Vem resistance and to improve patient outcomes by combining with immunomodulatory therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China
- Department of Geriatric Oncology, Dalian Friendship Hospital, Dalian, China
| | - Wuxiyar Otkur
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China
| | - Aman Wang
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Wen Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China
| | - Yitong Lyu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China
| | - Lei Fang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Center of Dalian, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Xiu Shan
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Mingzhou Song
- Department of Computer Science, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, United States
- Graduate Program in Molecular Biology and Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, United States
| | - Yan Feng
- Department of Geriatric Oncology, Dalian Friendship Hospital, Dalian, China
| | - Yi Zhao
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Hai-Long Piao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China
- *Correspondence: Hai-Long Piao, ; Ji-Wei Liu, ; Huan Qi,
| | - Huan Qi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China
- *Correspondence: Hai-Long Piao, ; Ji-Wei Liu, ; Huan Qi,
| | - Ji-Wei Liu
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
- *Correspondence: Hai-Long Piao, ; Ji-Wei Liu, ; Huan Qi,
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9
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Hsieh YH, Yu FJ, Nassef Y, Liu CJ, Chen YS, Lin CY, Feng JL, Wu MH. Targeting of Mcl-1 Expression by MiRNA-3614-5p Promotes Cell Apoptosis of Human Prostate Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23084194. [PMID: 35457012 PMCID: PMC9029607 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23084194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNA (miRNA) acts as a critical regulator of growth in various human malignancies. However, the role of miRNA-3614 in the progression of human prostate cancer remains unknown. In this study, our results demonstrated that miRNA-3614-5p exerts a significant inhibitory effect on cell viability and colony formation and induces sub-G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells. Myeloid cell leukemia-1 (Mcl-1) acts as a master regulator of cell survival. Using the miRNA databases, miRNA-3614-5p was found to regulate Mcl-1 expression by targeting positions of the Mcl-1-3′ UTR. The reduction of Mcl-1 expression by miRNA-3614-5p was further confirmed using an immunoblotting assay. Pro-apoptotic caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) were significantly activated by miRNA-3614-5p to generate cleaved caspase-3 (active caspase-3) and cleaved PARP (active PARP), accompanied by the inhibited Mcl-1 expression. These findings were the first to demonstrate the anti-growth effects of miRNA-3614-5p through downregulating Mcl-1 expression in human prostate cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Hsien Hsieh
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan; (Y.-H.H.); (Y.N.); (Y.-S.C.)
- Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
| | - Fang-Jung Yu
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (F.-J.Y.); (C.-J.L.)
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Yasser Nassef
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan; (Y.-H.H.); (Y.N.); (Y.-S.C.)
| | - Chung-Jung Liu
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (F.-J.Y.); (C.-J.L.)
- Regenetative Medicine and Cell Therapy Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Yong-Syuan Chen
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan; (Y.-H.H.); (Y.N.); (Y.-S.C.)
| | - Ching-Yi Lin
- Division of Chest Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 40705, Taiwan;
| | - Jia-Liang Feng
- Laboratory Department, Chung-Kang Branch, Cheng-Ching General Hospital, Taichung 40764, Taiwan
- Department of Medicinal Botanicals and Health Applications, Da-Yeh University, Chunghua 515006, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (J.-L.F.); (M.-H.W.)
| | - Min-Hua Wu
- Laboratory Department, Chung-Kang Branch, Cheng-Ching General Hospital, Taichung 40764, Taiwan
- Department of Medicinal Botanicals and Health Applications, Da-Yeh University, Chunghua 515006, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (J.-L.F.); (M.-H.W.)
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10
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Huang D, Wang Y, Hu B, Luo Z, Huang J, Wang J, Zhang F. A computational perspective for tailor-made selective Mcl-1 and Bcl-XL inhibitors. J Mol Struct 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2021.132269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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11
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Wu MH, Hui SC, Chen YS, Chiou HL, Lin CY, Lee CH, Hsieh YH. Norcantharidin combined with paclitaxel induces endoplasmic reticulum stress mediated apoptotic effect in prostate cancer cells by targeting SIRT7 expression. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2021; 36:2206-2216. [PMID: 34272796 DOI: 10.1002/tox.23334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa), an extremely common malignancy in males, is the most prevalent disease in several countries. Norcantharidin (NCTD) has antiproliferation, antimetastasis, apoptosis, and autophagy effects in various tumor cells. Nevertheless, the antitumor effect of NCTD combined with paclitaxel (PTX), a chemotherapeutic drug, in PCa remains unknown. The cell growth, proliferative rate, cell cycle distribution, and cell death were determined by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide, colony formation assay, PI staining, and Annexin V/PI staining by flow cytomertry, whereas the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress was evaluated using the MitoPotential assay and ER-ID red assay. We also evaluated the protein and mRNA expression of SIRTs by Western blotting and qRTPCR assay. Overexpression effectivity was measured by DNA transfection assay. Our study showed that cell viability and proliferative PC3 and DU145 rates were effectively inhibited after NCTD-PTX combination. We also found that NCTD-PTX combination treatment significantly enhance G2/M phase arrest, induction of cell death and ER stress, loss of MMP, and ER- or apoptotic-related protein expression. Furthermore, NCTD-PTX combination treatment was significantly decreasing the protein and mRNA expression of SIRT7 in PCa cells. Combination therapy effectively reduced cell viability, ER stress-mediated apoptosis and p-eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP/cleaved-PARP expression inhibition in SIRT7 overexpression of PCa cells. These results indicate that NCTD combined with PTX induces ER stress-mediated apoptosis of PCa cells by regulating the SIRT7 expression axis. Moreover, combination therapy may become a potential therapeutic strategy against human PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Hua Wu
- Laboratory Department, Chung-Kang Branch, Cheng-Ching General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Medicinal Botanicals and Health Applications, Da-Yeh University, Chunghua, Taiwan
| | - Su-Chun Hui
- Laboratory Department, Chung-Kang Branch, Cheng-Ching General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yong-Syuan Chen
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Ling Chiou
- School of Medical Laboratory and Biotechnology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Yi Lin
- Division of Chest Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Hsing Lee
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, China Medical University Children's Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsien Hsieh
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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12
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Norcantharidin induces G2/M arrest and apoptosis via activation of ERK and JNK, but not p38 signaling in human renal cell carcinoma ACHN cells. ACTA PHARMACEUTICA (ZAGREB, CROATIA) 2021; 71:267-278. [PMID: 33151174 DOI: 10.2478/acph-2021-0012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is generally acknowledged as the most resistant primary malignancy unresponsive to conventional radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments. Norcantharidin (NCTD), a therapeutic compound derived from medicinal plants, has been shown to trigger apoptosis, as well as antimetastatic and antioxidant activities in several tumor cells. However, NCTD's mechanism of antitumor activity in the RCC cell line remains unclear. In this study, we report that NCTD led to a time- and dose-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation. It had also markedly induced apoptosis and G2/M phase cell cycle arrest in a dose-dependent manner by decreasing the expressions of pro-caspase-3, pro-caspase-9, cyclin B1, and pCDC25C while increasing active caspase-3, cleaved-PARP, P21, and pCDC2 levels. Interestingly, NCTD treatment provoked the phosphorylation of extracellular-regulated protein kinase (ERK) and c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK), but not of p38 MAPK. Moreover, SCH772984 and SP600125, ERK and JNK inhibitors, respectively, could partially abolish NCTD-induced apoptosis and G2/M phase cell cycle arrest. Collectively, these findings suggest that NCTD might activate JNK and ERK signaling pathways, consequently inducing apoptosis and G2/M arrest through the modulation of related proteins. This study provided evidence that NCTD is a promising therapeutic drug for the treatment of RCC.
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13
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Liang Y, Li S, Tang L. MicroRNA 320, an Anti-Oncogene Target miRNA for Cancer Therapy. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9060591. [PMID: 34071109 PMCID: PMC8224659 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9060591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs are a set of highly conserved non-coding RNAs that control gene expression at the post-transcriptional/translational levels by binding to the 3′-UTR of diverse target genes. Increasing evidence indicates that miRNAs not only play a vital role in many biological processes, but they are also frequently deregulated in pathological conditions, including cancer. The miR-320 family is one of many tumor suppressor families and is composed of five members, which has been demonstrated to be related to the repression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) inhibition, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. Moreover, this family has been shown to regulate drug resistance, and act as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis, prognosis, and prediction of cancer. In this review, we summarized recent research with reference to the tumor suppressor function of miR-320 and the regulation mechanisms of miR-320 expression. The collected evidence shown here supports that miR-320 may act as a novel biomarker for cancer prognosis and therapeutic response to cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Liang
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China;
| | - Shun Li
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu 610500, China
- Non-Coding RNA and Drug Discovery Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu 610500, China
- Correspondence: (S.L.); (L.T.)
| | - Liling Tang
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China;
- Correspondence: (S.L.); (L.T.)
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14
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Norcantharidin combined with 2-deoxy-d-glucose suppresses the hepatocellular carcinoma cells proliferation and migration. 3 Biotech 2021; 11:142. [PMID: 33708465 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-021-02688-w] [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: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Present study aims to investigate the combined effect of anticancer drug, norcantharidin (NCTD) in combination with glycolytic inhibitor, i.e. 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2-DG) in liver cancer (HepG2 and Hepa 1-6) cells. Cell viability of NCTD and 2-DG exposed cells was determined by MTT assay, whereas, colony-forming efficiency and migration rate was determined by clonogenic assay and wound healing assay, respectively. Nuclear DAPI staining and Annexin V FITC-PI staining were used to study the apoptosis induction in cells. Fluorescence microscopy imaging was performed to detect the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and mitochondrial membrane potential by staining with DCFDA and JC-1 dye, respectively. Cell viability assay revealed that NCTD and 2-DG exposure in combination displays more cytotoxic effect than a single drug. Additionally, cells lose their colony formation efficiency, as well as the reduced migration rate ability was also observed upon combined exposure. Increased nuclear condensation and mitochondrial membrane depolarization are considered as key features for apoptosis induction in cancerous cells. Furthermore, oxidative stress produced in cells due to enhanced intracellular ROS generation is also major probability for cellular damage. Thus, from the initial data it can be concluded that further preclinical studies will be needed to prove the efficacy of NCTD and 2-DG in hepatocellular carcinoma therapy.
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15
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Identification of miR-320 family members as potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in myelodysplastic syndromes. Sci Rep 2021; 11:183. [PMID: 33420276 PMCID: PMC7794569 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-80571-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis and the abnormal differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells. An increasing number of researches have demonstrated that microRNAs play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of myelodysplastic syndromes. Herein, we aimed to identify novel potential microRNAs bound up with the diagnosis and prognosis of MDS. MiRNA microarray analysis was used to screen deregulated microRNAs in the bone marrow of MDS patients. qRT-PCR was employed to confirm the microarray results. All members of miR-320 family (miR-320a, miR-320b, miR-320c, miR-320d, and miR-320e) were significantly increased in MDS patients compared to normal control. Although we found no correlation between miR-320 family and most clinical characteristics, high miR-320c and miR-320d expression seemed to be associated with high numbers of bone marrow (BM) blasts and worse karyotype. High expression of all the members of the miR-320 family seemed to be associated with a high prognostic score based on International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS). The areas under the miR-320 family member ROC curves were 0.9037 (P < 0.0001), 0.7515 (P = 0.0002), 0.9647 (P < 0.0001), 0.8064 (P < 0.0001) and 0.9019 (P < 0.0001). Regarding Kaplan-Meier analysis, high miR-320c and miR-320d expression were related to shorter overall survival (OS). Moreover, multivariate analysis revealed the independent prognostic value of miR-320d for OS in MDS. The expression of miR-320 family members was up-regulated in MDS, and miR-320 family members could serve as candidate diagnostic biomarkers for MDS. High expression of miR-320d was an independent prognostic factor for OS in MDS.
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16
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Fazzalari A, Basadonna G, Kucukural A, Tanriverdi K, Koupenova M, Pozzi N, Kakuturu J, Friedrich AKU, Korstanje R, Fowler N, Belant JL, Beyer DE, Brooks MB, Dickson EW, Blackwood M, Mueller C, Palesty JA, Freedman JE, Cahan MA. A Translational Model for Venous Thromboembolism: MicroRNA Expression in Hibernating Black Bears. J Surg Res 2021; 257:203-212. [PMID: 32858321 PMCID: PMC11026106 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2020.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hibernating American black bears have significantly different clotting parameters than their summer active counterparts, affording them protection against venous thromboembolism during prolonged periods of immobility. We sought to evaluate if significant differences exist between the expression of microRNAs in the plasma of hibernating black bears compared with their summer active counterparts, potentially contributing to differences in hemostasis during hibernation. MATERIALS AND METHODS MicroRNA sequencing was assessed in plasma from 21 American black bears in summer active (n = 11) and hibernating states (n = 10), and microRNA signatures during hibernating and active state were established using both bear and human genome. MicroRNA targets were predicted using messenger RNA (mRNA) transcripts from black bear kidney cells. In vitro studies were performed to confirm the relationship between identified microRNAs and mRNA expression, using artificial microRNA and human liver cells. RESULTS Using the bear genome, we identified 15 microRNAs differentially expressed in the plasma of hibernating black bears. Of these microRNAs, three were significantly downregulated (miR-141-3p, miR-200a-3p, and miR-200c-3p), were predicted to target SERPINC1, the gene for antithrombin, and demonstrated regulatory control of the gene mRNA expression in cell studies. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that the hibernating black bears' ability to maintain hemostasis and achieve protection from venous thromboembolism during prolonged periods of immobility may be due to changes in microRNA signatures and possible upregulation of antithrombin expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Fazzalari
- Department of Surgery, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts; The Stanley J. Dudrick Department of Surgery, Saint Mary's Hospital, Waterbury, Connecticut
| | - Giacomo Basadonna
- Department of Surgery, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Alper Kucukural
- Bioinformatics Core, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts; Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Kahraman Tanriverdi
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Milka Koupenova
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Natalie Pozzi
- The Stanley J. Dudrick Department of Surgery, Saint Mary's Hospital, Waterbury, Connecticut
| | - Jahnavi Kakuturu
- The Stanley J. Dudrick Department of Surgery, Saint Mary's Hospital, Waterbury, Connecticut
| | | | - Ron Korstanje
- The Korstanje Lab, The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine
| | - Nicholas Fowler
- Camp Fire Program in Wildlife Conservation, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York
| | - Jerrold L Belant
- Camp Fire Program in Wildlife Conservation, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York
| | - Dean E Beyer
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan; Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Marquette, Michigan
| | - Marjory B Brooks
- Comparative Coagulation Section, Cornell University Animal Health Diagnostic Center, Ithaca, New York
| | - Eric W Dickson
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Meghan Blackwood
- Mueller Lab for Gene Therapy, Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Chris Mueller
- Mueller Lab for Gene Therapy, Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - J Alexander Palesty
- The Stanley J. Dudrick Department of Surgery, Saint Mary's Hospital, Waterbury, Connecticut
| | - Jane E Freedman
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Mitchell A Cahan
- Department of Surgery, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts.
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17
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Norcantharidin: research advances in pharmaceutical activities and derivatives in recent years. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 131:110755. [PMID: 33152920 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cantharidin (CTD) is the main bioactive component of Cantharides, which is called Banmao in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Norcantharidin (NCTD) is a structural modifier of CTD. To compare with CTD, NCTD has lighter side effects and stronger bioactivity in anti-cancer through inhibiting cell proliferation, causing apoptosis and autophagy, overwhelming migration and metastasis, affecting immunity as well as lymphangiogenesis. Examples of these effects include suppressing Protein Phosphatase 2A and modulating Wnt/beta catenin signal, with Caspase family proteins, AMPK pathway and c-Met/EGFR pathway involving respectively. Moreover, NCTD has the effects of immune enhancement, anti-platelet aggregation and inhibition of renal interstitial fibrosis with distinct signaling pathways. The immunological effects induced by NCTD are related to the regulation of macrophage polarization and LPS-mediated immune response. The antiplatelet activity that NCTD induced is relevant to the inhibition of platelet signaling and the downregulation of α2 integrin. Furthermore, some of novel derivatives designed and synthesized artificially show stronger biological activities (e.g., anticancer effect, enzyme inhibition effect, antioxidant effect) and lower toxicity than NCTD itself. Plenty of literatures have reported various pharmacological effects of NCTD, particularly the anticancer effect, which has been widely concerned in clinical application and laboratory research. In this review, the pharmaceutical activities and derivatives of NCTD are discussed, which can be reference for further study.
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18
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Pan MS, Cao J, Fan YZ. Insight into norcantharidin, a small-molecule synthetic compound with potential multi-target anticancer activities. Chin Med 2020; 15:55. [PMID: 32514288 PMCID: PMC7260769 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-020-00338-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Norcantharidin (NCTD) is a demethylated derivative of cantharidin, which is an anticancer active ingredient of traditional Chinese medicine, and is currently used clinically as a routine anti-cancer drug in China. Clarifying the anticancer effect and molecular mechanism of NCTD is critical for its clinical application. Here, we summarized the physiological, chemical, pharmacokinetic characteristics and clinical applications of NCTD. Besides, we mainly focus on its potential multi-target anticancer activities and underlying mechanisms, and discuss the problems existing in clinical application and scientific research of NCTD, so as to provide a potential anticancer therapeutic agent for human malignant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mu-Su Pan
- Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Tongji University, 389 Xincun Road, Shanghai, 200065 People’s Republic of China
| | - Jin Cao
- Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Tongji University, 389 Xincun Road, Shanghai, 200065 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yue-Zu Fan
- Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Tongji University, 389 Xincun Road, Shanghai, 200065 People’s Republic of China
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19
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Lin CL, Ying TH, Yang SF, Wang SW, Cheng SP, Lee JJ, Hsieh YH. Transcriptional Suppression of miR-7 by MTA2 Induces Sp1-Mediated KLK10 Expression and Metastasis of Cervical Cancer. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2020; 20:699-710. [PMID: 32402941 PMCID: PMC7218230 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2020.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2020] [Revised: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
MTA2 is involved in tumor proliferation and metastasis. However, the role of MTA2 in cervical cancer thus far has not been identified. In this study, we report that elevated expression of MTA2 negatively correlates with Kallikrein-10 (KLK10) expression and poor prognosis of cervical cancer patients. Knockdown of MTA2 substantially inhibited tumor cell migration and invasion, and it enhanced KLK10 expression of the cervical cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Functionally, shMTA2-mediated suppression of cell mobility was significantly restored by knockdown of KLK10. We also found that Sp1 (transcription factor specificity protein 1) is critical for shMTA2-induced transcriptional upregulation of KLK10 and subsequent biological functions. Furthermore, we found that the expression of miR-7 is elevated by MTA2 silencing and then by direct inhibition of Sp1 expression. Knockdown of Sp1 additively enhanced KLK10 expression in MTA2-knocked down cervical cancer cells, suggesting that the miR-7/Sp1 axis acts as an effector of MTA2 to impact KLK10 levels and mobility of cervical cancer cells. Taken together, our findings provide new insights into the physiological relationship between MTA2 and KLK10 via regulating the miR-7/Sp1 axis, and they provide a potential therapeutic target in cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Liang Lin
- Institute of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Surgery, MacKay Memorial Hospital and Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Ho Ying
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shun-Fa Yang
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Wei Wang
- Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Ping Cheng
- Department of Surgery, MacKay Memorial Hospital and Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Pharmacology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jie-Jen Lee
- Department of Surgery, MacKay Memorial Hospital and Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Pharmacology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Yi-Hsien Hsieh
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Clinical Laboratory, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
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20
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Liu L, Zhang H, Mao H, Li X, Hu Y. Exosomal miR-320d derived from adipose tissue-derived MSCs inhibits apoptosis in cardiomyocytes with atrial fibrillation (AF). ARTIFICIAL CELLS NANOMEDICINE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY 2020; 47:3976-3984. [PMID: 31591913 DOI: 10.1080/21691401.2019.1671432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a key role in various pathological processes like atrial fibrillation (AF), which is a common cardiac arrhythmia. Exosomes are essential information carrier in the intercellular communication. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of exosomal miR-320d on cardiomyocytes with AF and related mechanisms. To do this, AMSCs were transfected with miR-320d mimics, AMSCs-derived exosomes were co-cultured with cardiomyocytes with AF. MTT, TUNEL staining, flow cytometry, real-time PCR, western blots, and luciferase reporter assays were performed. The results revealed that miR-320d expression was decreased in AF cardiomyocytes. AF increased apoptosis and reduced cell viability in cardiomyocytes. By transfection with miR-320d mimics, the miR-320d level was increased in AMSCs, exosomes and cardiomyocytes, which reversed the effect of AF on cardiomyocytes. STAT3 was down-regulated in AF cardiomyocytes and was a direct target gene of miR-320d. Inhibition of STAT3 abolished the effect of modified exosomes in cardiomyocytes, causing decreased apoptosis and increased cell viability. Taken together, the results suggested that exosomal miR-320d was associated with AF cardiomyocytes apoptosis and cell viability and that the effect of miR-320d on cardiomyocytes is STAT3-dependent. Therefore, this study provides a novel understanding of the molecular basis of AF and provides insight into therapeutic strategies for AF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Cangzhou Central Hospital , Cangzhou , China
| | - Haoran Zhang
- Nephrology Department, Cangzhou Central Hospital , Cangzhou , China
| | - Hongyu Mao
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Cangzhou Central Hospital , Cangzhou , China
| | - Xiaohong Li
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Cangzhou Central Hospital , Cangzhou , China
| | - Yamin Hu
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Cangzhou Central Hospital , Cangzhou , China
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21
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Pervushin NV, Senichkin VV, Zhivotovsky B, Kopeina GS. Mcl-1 as a "barrier" in cancer treatment: Can we target it now? INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 351:23-55. [PMID: 32247581 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2020.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
During the last two decades, the study of Mcl-1, an anti-apoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family, attracted researchers due to its important role in cancer cell survival and tumor development. The significance of Mcl-1 protein in resistance to chemotherapeutics makes it an attractive target in cancer therapy. Here, we discuss the diverse possibilities for indirect Mcl-1 inhibition through its downregulation, for example, via targeting for proteasomal degradation or blockage of translation and transcription. We also provide an overview of the direct blocking of protein-protein interactions with pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins, including examples of the most promising regulators of Mcl-1 and selective BH3-mimetics, which at present are under clinical evaluation. Moreover, several approaches for the co-targeting of Mcl-1 and other proteins (e.g., CDKs) are also presented. In addition, we highlight the broad spectrum of problems that accompanied the discovery and development of effective Mcl-1 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Boris Zhivotovsky
- Faculty of Medicine, MV Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia; Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Gelina S Kopeina
- Faculty of Medicine, MV Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.
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22
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Cordover E, Wei J, Patel C, Shan NL, Gionco J, Sargsyan D, Wu R, Cai L, Kong AN, Jacinto E, Minden A. KPT-9274, an Inhibitor of PAK4 and NAMPT, Leads to Downregulation of mTORC2 in Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells. Chem Res Toxicol 2020; 33:482-491. [PMID: 31876149 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.9b00376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is difficult to treat due to lack of druggable targets. We have found that treatment with the small molecule inhibitor KPT-9274 inhibits growth of TNBC cells and eventually leads to cell death. KPT-9274 is a dual specific inhibitor of PAK4 and Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT). The PAK4 protein kinase is often highly expressed in TNBC cells and has important roles in cell growth, survival, and migration. Previously we have found that inhibition of PAK4 leads to growth inhibition of TNBC cells both in vitro and in vivo. Likewise, NAMPT has been shown to be dysregulated in cancer due to its role in cell metabolism. In order to understand better how treating cells with KPT-9274 abrogates TNBC cell growth, we carried out an RNA sequencing of TNBC cells treated with KPT-9274. As a result, we identified Rictor as an important target that is inhibited in the KPT-9274 treated cells. Conversely, we found that Rictor is predicted to be activated when PAK4 is overexpressed in cells, which suggests a role for PAK4 in the regulation of Rictor. Rictor is a component of mTORC2, one of the complexes formed by the serine/threonine kinase mTOR. mTOR is important for the control of cell growth and metabolism. Our results suggest a new mechanism by which the KPT-9274 compound may block the growth of breast cancer cells, which is via inhibition of mTORC2 signaling. Consistent with this, sequencing analysis of PAK4 overexpressing cells indicates that PAK4 has a role in activation of the mTOR pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Cordover
- Susan Lehman Cullman Laboratory for Cancer Research, Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy , Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , 164 Frelinghuysen Road , Piscataway , New Jersey 08854 , United States
| | - Janet Wei
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School , 683 Hoes Lane , Piscataway , New Jersey 08854 , United States
| | - Chadni Patel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School , 683 Hoes Lane , Piscataway , New Jersey 08854 , United States
| | - Naing Lin Shan
- Susan Lehman Cullman Laboratory for Cancer Research, Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy , Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , 164 Frelinghuysen Road , Piscataway , New Jersey 08854 , United States
| | - John Gionco
- Susan Lehman Cullman Laboratory for Cancer Research, Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy , Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , 164 Frelinghuysen Road , Piscataway , New Jersey 08854 , United States
| | - Davit Sargsyan
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy , Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , 164 Frelinghuysen Road , Piscataway , New Jersey 08854 , United States
| | - Renyi Wu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy , Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , 164 Frelinghuysen Road , Piscataway , New Jersey 08854 , United States
| | - Li Cai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering , Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , 599 Taylor Road , Piscataway , New Jersey 08854 , United States
| | - Ah-Ng Kong
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy , Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , 164 Frelinghuysen Road , Piscataway , New Jersey 08854 , United States
| | - Estela Jacinto
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School , 683 Hoes Lane , Piscataway , New Jersey 08854 , United States
| | - Audrey Minden
- Susan Lehman Cullman Laboratory for Cancer Research, Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy , Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , 164 Frelinghuysen Road , Piscataway , New Jersey 08854 , United States
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Licochalcone A-Induced Apoptosis Through the Activation of p38MAPK Pathway Mediated Mitochondrial Pathways of Apoptosis in Human Osteosarcoma Cells In Vitro and In Vivo. Cells 2019; 8:cells8111441. [PMID: 31739642 PMCID: PMC6912226 DOI: 10.3390/cells8111441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Licochalcone A (LicA) is isolated from the roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra and possesses antitumor and anti-invasive activities against several tumor cells. However, the antitumor effects of LicA on human osteosarcoma cells have yet to be demonstrated either in vitro or in vivo. METHODS Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction were detected with Annexin V/PI staining and JC-1 staining by flow cytometry. The expressions of caspase- or mitochondrial-related proteins were demonstrated by western blotting. Antitumor effect of LicA on 143B xenograft mice in vivo. RESULTS LicA could inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in human osteosarcoma cells, as evidenced by a decrease in cell viability, loss of mitochondrial membrane potentials, and activation of caspases. LicA treatment substantially reduced the expression of Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 and increased the expression of cleaved-caspase-3, cleaved-caspase-9, cleaved-PARP, and Bax in HOS and U2OS cells. Moreover, mitochondrial membrane potential and apoptosis suppression mediated by Z-VAD or tauroursodeoxycholic acid significantly reduced LicA-induced mitochondria-dependent apoptosis. The study also determined that LicA treatment induced p38MAPK phosphorylation, but siRNA-p38 or BIRB796 substantially reversed cell viability through the inhibition of mitochondria-dependent apoptosis pathways. Finally, an in vivo study revealed that LicA significantly inhibited 143B xenograft tumor growth. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate that LicA has antitumor activities against human osteosarcoma cells through p38MAPK regulation of mitochondria-mediated intrinsic apoptotic pathways in vitro and in vivo.
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24
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Tseng TY, Chiou HL, Lin CW, Chen YS, Hsu LS, Lee CH, Hsieh YH. Repression of metastasis-associated protein 2 for inhibiting metastasis of human oral cancer cells by promoting the p-cofilin-1/ LC3-II expression. J Oral Pathol Med 2019; 48:959-966. [PMID: 31359510 DOI: 10.1111/jop.12941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The overexpression of metastasis-associated protein 2 (MTA2) contributes to human tumor progression and metastasis in various tumor cells. However, the role of MTA2 in human oral cancer progression remains unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS MTA2 expression in human oral tumor tissues and cell lines was measured by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Cell proliferation and cell cycle were analyzed using MTT assay and flow cytometry. The effects of MTA2 on oral cell migration and invasion were investigated using migration and invasion assays. The expression of MTA2, p-cofilin-1, and MTA2-induced LC3-II levels were measured using Western blotting and an immunofluorescence assay. RESULTS Based on the human oral cancer tissue array and TCGA database, we found that MTA2 was increased in oral cancer tissues than in non-tumor oral tissues (P < .01). Moreover, MTA2 is significantly associated with tumor grade (P < .01) and the overall survival rate of patients with grade III tumor (P < .05). MTA2 expression in oral cancer cells was markedly higher than that in normal oral cells. Cell proliferation and cell cycle were not significantly changed in the cells inhibited by MTA2. MTA2 knockdown can inhibit cell migration and invasion of human oral cancer cells. Furthermore, we suggest that MTA2 inhibition enhances p-cofilin and LC3-II expression, and the knockdown of LC3-II expression in cells inhibited by MTA2 had the opposite effect. CONCLUSION These results indicate that MTA2 may serve as a candidate prognostic biomarker and that targeting autophagy is a potential therapeutic strategy for treating human oral cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsai-Yi Tseng
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital of China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Ling Chiou
- School of Medical Laboratory and Biotechnology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chiao-Wen Lin
- Graduate Institute of Oral Sciences, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Dentistry, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yong-Syuan Chen
- Institute of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Li-Sung Hsu
- Institute of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Hsing Lee
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital of China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsien Hsieh
- Institute of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Clinical laboratory, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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25
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Contribution of p38 MAPK Pathway to Norcantharidin-Induced Programmed Cell Death in Human Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20143487. [PMID: 31315217 PMCID: PMC6678691 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20143487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Norcantharidin (NCTD), a demethylated analog of cantharidin isolated from blister beetles, has been used as a promising anticancer agent; however, the underlying function of NCTD against human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has not been fully understood. Here, this study was aimed to investigate the apoptotic effect and molecular targets of NCTD in human OSCC in vitro and in vivo. The anticancer effects of NCTD and its related molecular mechanisms were evaluated by trypan blue exclusion assay, live/dead assay, western blotting, 4-6-Diamidino-2-Phenylindole (DAPI) staining, flow cytometric analysis, Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase dUTP Nick end Labeling (TUNEL) assay, and immunohistochemistry. NCTD significantly inhibited cell growth and increased the number of dead cells in HSC-3 and HN22 cell lines. It induced the following apoptotic phenomena: (1) the cleavages of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase and casepase-3; (2) increase in apoptotic morphological changes (nuclear condensation and fragmentation); (3) increase in annexin V-positive cells or sub-G1 population of cells. NCTD significantly activated the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway but inactivated the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3 pathway. A p38 MAPK inhibitor (SB203580) partially attenuated NCTD-induced programmed cell death (apoptosis) in both cell lines, whereas ectopic overexpression of STAT3 did not affect it. NCTD strongly suppressed tumor growth in the tumor xenograft bearing HSC-3 cells, and the number of TUNEL-positive cells increased in NCTD-treated tumor tissues. In addition, NCTD did not cause any histopathological changes in the liver nor the kidney. NCTD induced programmed cell death via the activation of p38 MAPK in OSCC. Therefore, these results suggest that NCTD could be a potential anticancer drug candidate for the treatment of OSCC.
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26
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Liu Y, Xu X, Lin P, He Y, Zhang Y, Cao B, Zhang Z, Sethi G, Liu J, Zhou X, Mao X. Inhibition of the deubiquitinase USP9x induces pre-B cell homeobox 1 (PBX1) degradation and thereby stimulates prostate cancer cell apoptosis. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:4572-4582. [PMID: 30718275 PMCID: PMC6433065 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.006057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2018] [Revised: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemoresistance is a leading obstacle in effective management of advanced prostate cancer (PCa). A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in PCa chemoresistance could improve treatment of patients with PCa. In the present study, using immune histochemical, chemistry, and precipitation assays with cells from individuals with benign or malignant prostate cancer or established PCa cell lines, we found that the oncogenic transcription factor pre-B cell leukemia homeobox-1 (PBX1) promotes PCa cell proliferation and confers to resistance against common anti-cancer drugs such as doxorubicin and cisplatin. We observed that genetic PBX1 knockdown abrogates this resistance, and further experiments revealed that PBX1 stability was modulated by the ubiquitin-proteasomal pathway. To directly probe the impact of this pathway on PBX1 activity, we screened for PBX1-specific deubiquitinases (Dubs) and found that ubiquitin-specific peptidase 9 X-linked (USP9x) interacted with and stabilized the PBX1 protein by attenuating its Lys-48-linked polyubiquitination. Moreover, the USP9x inhibitor WP1130 markedly induced PBX1 degradation and promoted PCa cell apoptosis. The results in this study indicate that PBX1 confers to PCa chemoresistance and identify USP9x as a Dub of PBX1. We concluded that targeting the USP9x/PBX1 axis could be a potential therapeutic strategy for managing advanced prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Liu
- From the Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511436, China
- the Department of Pharmacology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
- Sichuan Kelun Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Chengdu, Sichuan 610071, China
| | - Xiaofeng Xu
- the Department of Urology, Nanjing Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 21002, China
| | - Peng Lin
- the Department of Pharmacology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Yuanming He
- the Department of Pharmacology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Yawen Zhang
- the Department of Pharmacology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Biyin Cao
- the Department of Pharmacology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Zubin Zhang
- From the Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511436, China
- the Department of Pharmacology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Gautam Sethi
- the Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117600 Singapore
| | - Jinbao Liu
- From the Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511436, China
| | - Xiumin Zhou
- the Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, China, and
| | - Xinliang Mao
- From the Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511436, China,
- the Department of Pharmacology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
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27
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Hsueh KC, Lin CL, Tung JN, Yang SF, Hsieh YH. Nimbolide induced apoptosis by activating ERK-mediated inhibition of c-IAP1 expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2018; 33:913-922. [PMID: 29962003 DOI: 10.1002/tox.22576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Revised: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Nimbolide is one of the major compounds from the leaves and flowers of the neem tree and exhibits antitumor properties on various cancer cells. However, no report has shown that nimbolide induces apoptosis in vitro and in vivo in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Our results indicated that it inhibited cell growth in Huh-7 and PLC/PRF/5 cells. We also found that nimbolide induced cell death through the induction of G2/M phase arrest and mitochondrial dysfunction, accompanied by the increased expression of cleaved caspase-7, caspase-9, caspase-3, caspase-PARP, and Bax and decreased expression of Mcl-1 and Bcl-2. A human apoptosis antibody array analysis demonstrated that inhibition of the apoptosis family proteins (XIAP, c-IAP1, and c-IAP2) was one of the major targets of nimbolide. Additionally, nimbolide sustained activation of ERK expression. Moreover, pretreatment with U0126 (MEK inhibitor) markedly abolished nimbolide-inhibited cell viability, induced cell apoptosis, ERK phosphorylation, cleaved caspase-9, caspase-3, cleaved-PARP activation, and increased c-IAP1 expression in Huh-7 cells. An in vivo study showed that nimbolide significantly reduced Huh-7 tumor growth and weight in a xenograft mouse model. This study indicated the antitumor potential of nimbolide in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuan-Chun Hsueh
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Tungs' Taichung MetroHarbour Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Liang Lin
- Institute of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Jai-Nien Tung
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tungs'Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shun-Fa Yang
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsien Hsieh
- Institute of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Clinical Laboratory, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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28
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Mo L, Zhang X, Shi X, Wei L, Zheng D, Li H, Gao J, Li J, Hu Z. Norcantharidin enhances antitumor immunity of GM-CSF prostate cancer cells vaccine by inducing apoptosis of regulatory T cells. Cancer Sci 2018; 109:2109-2118. [PMID: 29770533 PMCID: PMC6029826 DOI: 10.1111/cas.13639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Revised: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Norcantharidin (NCTD) is a promising antitumor drug with low toxicity. It was reported to be able to regulate immunity, but the mechanism is not yet clear. Here we explored whether NCTD could enhance the antitumor immunity induced by prostate cancer cell vaccine. The results of the in vitro study showed that NCTD induced apoptosis and inhibited proliferation of regulatory T cells (Tregs). Mechanistic research showed that NCTD inhibited Akt activation and activated FOXO1 transcription, resulting in a pro‐apoptotic effect. The results of the in vivo study showed that more tumor‐infiltrating Tregs existed within peripheral blood and tumor tissue after treatment with the vaccine. Adding NCTD to vaccine treatment could decrease the number of tumor‐infiltrating Tregs and increase the number of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Combination therapy with NCTD and vaccine was more effective in inhibiting tumor growth than the vaccine alone. In general, this is the first report that NCTD could induce apoptosis of Tregs and enhance the vaccine‐induced immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Mo
- Institute of Biotherapy, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinji Zhang
- Department of Urology, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaojun Shi
- Department of Urology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lili Wei
- Institute of Biotherapy, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dianpeng Zheng
- Institute of Biotherapy, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongwei Li
- Institute of Biotherapy, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jimin Gao
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jinlong Li
- Institute of Biotherapy, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhiming Hu
- Institute of Biotherapy, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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29
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Wang SC, Chow JM, Chien MH, Lin CW, Chen HY, Hsiao PC, Yang SF. Cantharidic acid induces apoptosis of human leukemic HL-60 cells via c-Jun N-terminal kinase-regulated caspase-8/-9/-3 activation pathway. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2018; 33:514-522. [PMID: 29345422 DOI: 10.1002/tox.22537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Revised: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Cantharidin, a natural toxin from blister beetles, has shown potent anticancer activities on many solid tumor cells. Recently, cantharidin and its analogue, norcantharidin, were also shown to suppress nonsolid tumors such as chronic myeloid leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and leukemic stem cells. However, there is no available information to address the effects of cantharidic acid (CAC), a hydrolysis product of cantharidin, on human AML cells. The present study showed that CAC, at a range of concentrations (0-20 μM), concentration-dependently inhibited cell proliferation in the HL-60 AML cell line. Western blot and flow cytometric assays demonstrated that CAC induced several features of apoptosis such as sub G1-phase cell increase, phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization, and significantly activated proapoptotic signaling including caspase-8, -9, and -3 activation and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage in HL-60 AML cells. Moreover, treatment of HL-60 cells with CAC induced concentration- and time- dependent activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Only JNK-, but not p38 MAPK-specific inhibitor can reverse the CAC-induced activation of the caspase-8, -9, and -3. We concluded that CAC can induce apoptosis in human leukemic HL-60 cells via a caspases-dependent pathway, and that the apoptosis-inducing effect of CAC can be regulated by JNK activation signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shih-Chung Wang
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Changhua Christian Children's Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Jyh-Ming Chow
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Hsien Chien
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Education and Research, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chiao-Wen Lin
- Institute of Oral Sciences, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Dentistry, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Yu Chen
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Ching Hsiao
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shun-Fa Yang
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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30
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Feng IC, Hsieh MJ, Chen PN, Hsieh YH, Ho HY, Yang SF, Yeh CB. Cantharidic acid induces apoptosis through the p38 MAPK signaling pathway in human hepatocellular carcinoma. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2018; 33:261-268. [PMID: 29159945 DOI: 10.1002/tox.22513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2017] [Revised: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Cantharidin analogs exhibit anticancer activities, including apoptosis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of cantharidic acid (CA), a cantharidin analog, on apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells are unclear. Thus, in this study, we evaluated the anticancer activities of CA by investigating its ability to trigger apoptosis in SK-Hep-1 cells. Our data demonstrated that CA effectively inhibited the proliferation of SK-Hep-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, CA effectively triggered cell cycle arrest and induced apoptosis, as determined by flow cytometric analysis. Western blotting revealed that CA significantly activated proapoptotic signaling including caspase-3, -8, and -9 in SK-Hep-1 cells. Moreover, treatment of SK-Hep-1 cells with CA induced the activation of ERK, p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase. Moreover, the inhibition of p38 by specific inhibitors abolished CA-induced cell apoptosis. In conclusion, our results indicated that CA induces apoptosis in SK-Hep-1 cells through a p38-mediated apoptotic pathway and could be a new HCC therapeutic agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- I-Che Feng
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chi Mei Medical Center, Yongkang District, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chi Mei Medical Center, Yongkang District, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Ju Hsieh
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Cancer Research Center, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Ni Chen
- Institute of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsien Hsieh
- Institute of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Yu Ho
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shun-Fa Yang
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Bin Yeh
- Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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31
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Wu MH, Chiou HL, Lin CL, Lin CY, Yang SF, Hsieh YH. Induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial dysfunction dependent apoptosis signaling pathway in human renal cancer cells by norcantharidin. Oncotarget 2017; 9:4787-4797. [PMID: 29435141 PMCID: PMC5797012 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.23465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies reported that norcantharidin (NCTD) has anti-tumor effects. We investigated the antitumor effects and underlying mechanism of NCTD on human renal cancer in vitro and in vivo. NCTD significantly decreased renal cancer cell viability by induction of apoptosis, as determined by the MTT assay and annexin V/PI staining. NCTD treatment of 786-O and A-498 cells altered the expression of caspase family proteins and PARP. Moreover, NCTD induced mitochondrial depolarization, which was accompanied by an increased level of Bax and decreased levels of Bcl-2 and Mcl-1. NCTD induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress by increasing the expression of Grp78, p-elF2α, ATF4, and CHOP. Pretreatment with an ER stress inhibitor (salubrinal) significantly attenuated the effect of NCTD. NCTD also induced activation of the AKT pathway in 786-O and A-498 cells. Overexpression of AKT partly reversed the effect of NCTD on apoptosis. NCTD treatment led to decreased expression of Bcl-2 and Mcl-1, and increased expression of Bax, cleaved-caspase-9, cleaved-PARP, and p-elF2α. Our in vivo studies demonstrated that NCTD significantly inhibited tumor growth in a nude mouse xenograft model. Taken together, our results suggest that NCTD is a potential anti-tumor agent for treatment of renal carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Hua Wu
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Laboratory, Chung-Kang Branch, Cheng-Ching General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Ling Chiou
- School of Medical Laboratory and Biotechnology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chu-Liang Lin
- Institute of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Yi Lin
- Division Of Chest Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shun-Fa Yang
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsien Hsieh
- Institute of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Clinical Laboratory, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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