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Matellan C, Lachowski D, Cortes E, Chiam KN, Krstic A, Thorpe SD, Del Río Hernández AE. Retinoic acid receptor β modulates mechanosensing and invasion in pancreatic cancer cells via myosin light chain 2. Oncogenesis 2023; 12:23. [PMID: 37130839 PMCID: PMC10154384 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-023-00467-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most common and lethal form of pancreatic cancer, characterised by stromal remodelling, elevated matrix stiffness and high metastatic rate. Retinoids, compounds derived from vitamin A, have a history of clinical use in cancer for their anti-proliferative and differentiation effects, and more recently have been explored as anti-stromal therapies in PDAC for their ability to induce mechanical quiescence in cancer associated fibroblasts. Here, we demonstrate that retinoic acid receptor β (RAR-β) transcriptionally represses myosin light chain 2 (MLC-2) expression in pancreatic cancer cells. As a key regulatory component of the contractile actomyosin machinery, MLC-2 downregulation results in decreased cytoskeletal stiffness and traction force generation, impaired response to mechanical stimuli via mechanosensing and reduced ability to invade through the basement membrane. This work highlights the potential of retinoids to target the mechanical drivers of pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Matellan
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Dariusz Lachowski
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Ernesto Cortes
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Madrid, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Kai Ning Chiam
- UCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Aleksandar Krstic
- UCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Systems Biology Ireland, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Stephen D Thorpe
- UCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
- UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular & Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
- Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Armando E Del Río Hernández
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.
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Hassan S, Peluso J, Chalhoub S, Idoux Gillet Y, Benkirane-Jessel N, Rochel N, Fuhrmann G, Ubeaud-Sequier G. Quercetin potentializes the respective cytotoxic activity of gemcitabine or doxorubicin on 3D culture of AsPC-1 or HepG2 cells, through the inhibition of HIF-1α and MDR1. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0240676. [PMID: 33052979 PMCID: PMC7556446 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The impact of cancer on lifespan is significantly increasing worldwide. Enhanced activity of drug efflux pumps and the incidences of the tumor microenvironment such as the apparition of a hypoxic gradient inside of the bulk tumor, are the major causes of chemotherapy failure. For instance, expression of Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α) has been associated with metastasis, resistance to chemotherapy and reduced survival rate. One of the current challenges to fight against cancer is therefore to find new molecules with therapeutic potential that could overcome this chemoresistance. In the present study, we focused on the bioactive plant flavonoid quercetin, which has strong antioxidant and anti-proliferative properties. We examined the efficacy of combined treatments of quercetin and the anti-cancer drugs gemcitabine and doxorubicin, known to specifically act on human pancreatic and hepatic cancer cells, respectively. Moreover, our study aimed to investigate more in-depth the implication of the multidrug transporter MDR1 and HIF-1α n chemoresistance and if quercetin could act on the activity of the drug efflux pumps and the hypoxia-associated effects. We observed that the anti-cancer drugs, were more effective when administered in combination with quercetin, as shown by an increased percentage of dead cells up to 60% in both 2D and 3D cultures. In addition, our results indicated that the combination of anti-cancer drugs and quercetin down-regulated the expression of HIF-1α and increased the expression levels of the regulator of apoptosis p53. Moreover, we observed that quercetin could inhibit the efflux activity of MDR1. Finally, our in vitro study suggests that the efficiency of the chemotherapeutic activity of known anti-cancer drugs might be significantly increased upon combination with quercetin. This flavonoid may therefore be a promising pharmacological agent for novel combination therapy since it potentializes the cytotoxic activity of gemcitabine and doxorubicin on by targeting the chemoresistance developed by the pancreatic and liver cancer cells respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Hassan
- Regenerative Nanomedicine, INSERM UMR 1260, FMTS, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Platform eBiocyt-UPS1401, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- * E-mail:
| | - Jean Peluso
- Platform eBiocyt-UPS1401, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Sandra Chalhoub
- Department of Integrative Structural Biology, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, INSERM, U964 CNRS UMR 7104, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Ysia Idoux Gillet
- Regenerative Nanomedicine, INSERM UMR 1260, FMTS, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Nadia Benkirane-Jessel
- Regenerative Nanomedicine, INSERM UMR 1260, FMTS, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Natacha Rochel
- Department of Integrative Structural Biology, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, INSERM, U964 CNRS UMR 7104, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Guy Fuhrmann
- Regenerative Nanomedicine, INSERM UMR 1260, FMTS, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Genevieve Ubeaud-Sequier
- Regenerative Nanomedicine, INSERM UMR 1260, FMTS, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Platform eBiocyt-UPS1401, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Department of Pharmacy, Strasbourg University Hospital, Strasbourg, France
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Dobrotkova V, Chlapek P, Mazanek P, Sterba J, Veselska R. Traffic lights for retinoids in oncology: molecular markers of retinoid resistance and sensitivity and their use in the management of cancer differentiation therapy. BMC Cancer 2018; 18:1059. [PMID: 30384831 PMCID: PMC6211450 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-018-4966-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
For decades, retinoids and their synthetic derivatives have been well established anticancer treatments due to their ability to regulate cell growth and induce cell differentiation and apoptosis. Many studies have reported the promising role of retinoids in attaining better outcomes for adult or pediatric patients suffering from several types of cancer, especially acute myeloid leukemia and neuroblastoma. However, even this promising differentiation therapy has some limitations: retinoid toxicity and intrinsic or acquired resistance have been observed in many patients. Therefore, the identification of molecular markers that predict the therapeutic response to retinoid treatment is undoubtedly important for retinoid use in clinical practice. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on candidate markers, including both genetic alterations and protein markers, for retinoid resistance and sensitivity in human malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viera Dobrotkova
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 61137 Brno, Czech Republic
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Pekarska 53, 65691 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Chlapek
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 61137 Brno, Czech Republic
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Pekarska 53, 65691 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Mazanek
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Cernopolni 9, 61300 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jaroslav Sterba
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Pekarska 53, 65691 Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Cernopolni 9, 61300 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Renata Veselska
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 61137 Brno, Czech Republic
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Pekarska 53, 65691 Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Cernopolni 9, 61300 Brno, Czech Republic
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES Retinoic acid (RA) has important functions during embryonic development being involved in cell growth and differentiation. Although approved for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia, it is still under investigation for different solid tumors including pancreatic cancer. The objective of this study was to analyze how RA affects pancreatic cancer stem cells and how its combination with chemotherapy could impact cell growth. METHODS Using different pancreatic cancer cell lines, we evaluated the effect of RA alone or in combination with chemotherapy regulating cancer stem cells properties and pathways. RESULTS Retinoic acid treatment reduces the expression of pancreatic stem cell markers CD24, CD44, CD133, and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 but not c-Met. Although gemcitabine treatment increases the expression of some of these markers especially CD44 when it is combined with RA, a notable reduction in all of them is observed. Retinoic acid induces a G0/G1 arrest and combined with gemcitabine increases the apoptotic effect produced by chemotherapy probably as a consequence of a regulation of specific stem cell transcription factors. CONCLUSIONS Retinoic acid regulates self-renewal capacity of cells in pancreatic tumors and should be further investigated in combination with chemotherapy as therapeutic strategy in pancreatic cancer.
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Guan HB, Nie YZ, Zheng YW, Takiguchi K, Yu HW, Zhang RR, Li B, Tsuchida T, Taniguchi H. Acyclic retinoid induces differentiation and apoptosis of murine hepatic stem cells. Stem Cell Res Ther 2015; 6:51. [PMID: 25881300 PMCID: PMC4417297 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-015-0046-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2014] [Revised: 11/04/2014] [Accepted: 03/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The therapeutic potential of acyclic retinoid (ACR), a synthetic retinoid, has been confirmed in experimental and clinical studies. Therapeutic targets include precancerous and cancer stem cells. As ACR is also involved in developmental processes, its effect on normal hepatic stem cells (HpSCs) should be investigated for understanding the underlying mechanisms. Here, we examined effects of the acyclic retinoid peretinoin on fresh isolated murine HpSCs. Methods We isolated c-kit−CD29+CD49f+/lowCD45−Ter119− cells from murine fetal livers using flow cytometry. To evaluate the effect of ACR, we traced clonal expansion and analyzed cell differentiation as well as apoptosis during the induction process by immunofluorescent staining and marker gene expression. Results ACR dose-dependently inhibited HpSCs expansion. Stem cell clonal expansion was markedly inhibited during the culture period. Moreover, ACR showed a significant promotion of HpSC differentiation and induction of cellular apoptosis. The expression of stem cell marker genes, Afp, Cd44, and Dlk, was downregulated, while that of mature hepatocyte genes, Alb and Tat, and apoptosis-related genes, Annexin V and Caspase-3, were upregulated. Flow cytometry showed that the proportion of Annexin V-positive cells increased after ACR incubation compared with the control. Data obtained by immunofluorescent staining for albumin and Caspase-3 corroborated the data on gene expression. Finally, we found that ACR directly regulates the expression of retinoic acid receptors and retinoid X receptors. Conclusions These findings indicate that ACR inhibits the clonal expansion of normal HpSCs in vitro and promotes the differentiation of immature cells by regulating receptors of retinoic acid. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13287-015-0046-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Bin Guan
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 236-0004, Japan.
| | - Yun-Zhong Nie
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 236-0004, Japan.
| | - Yun-Wen Zheng
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 236-0004, Japan. .,Department of Advanced Gastroenterological Surgical Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, 305-8575, Japan.
| | - Kazuya Takiguchi
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 236-0004, Japan.
| | - Hong-Wei Yu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China.
| | - Ran-Ran Zhang
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 236-0004, Japan.
| | - Bin Li
- Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.
| | - Tomonori Tsuchida
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 236-0004, Japan.
| | - Hideki Taniguchi
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 236-0004, Japan. .,Advanced Medical Research Center, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 236-0004, Japan.
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Ishijima N, Kanki K, Shimizu H, Shiota G. Activation of AMP-activated protein kinase by retinoic acid sensitizes hepatocellular carcinoma cells to apoptosis induced by sorafenib. Cancer Sci 2015; 106:567-75. [PMID: 25683251 PMCID: PMC4452157 DOI: 10.1111/cas.12633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2014] [Revised: 01/12/2015] [Accepted: 02/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
To improve the outcome of cancer chemotherapy, strategies to enhance the efficacy of anticancer drugs are required. Sorafenib is the only drug to prolong overall survival of the patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), however, the outcome is still not satisfactory. Retinoids, vitamin A derivatives, have been known to exhibit inhibitory effects on various cancers including HCC. In this study, we investigated the effects of combined treatment using sorafenib and retinoids including all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), NIK-333, and Am80 on HCC cells. Cell viability assays in six HCC cell lines, HepG2, PLC/PRF/5, HuH6, HLE, HLF, and Hep3B, revealed that 5 and 10 μM ATRA, concentrations that do not exert cytotoxic effects, enhanced the cytotoxicity of sorafenib, being much more effective than NIK-333 and Am80. We found that ATRA induced AMP-activated protein kinase activation, which was followed by reduced intracellular ATP level. Gene expression analysis revealed that ATRA decreased the expression of glycolytic genes such as GLUT-1 and LDHA. In the combination treatment using ATRA and sorafenib, increased apoptosis, followed by the activation of p38 MAPK and JNK, the upregulation and translocation of Bax to mitochondria, and the activation of caspase-3, was observed. Suppression of AMP-activated protein kinase by siRNA restored the viability of the cells treated with ATRA and sorafenib. Our results thus indicate that ATRA is useful for enhancing the cytotoxicity of sorafenib against HCC cells by regulating the energy metabolism of HCC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Ishijima
- Division of Molecular and Genetic Medicine, Department of Genetic Medicine and Regenerative Therapeutics, Graduate School of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Japan
| | - Keita Kanki
- Division of Molecular and Genetic Medicine, Department of Genetic Medicine and Regenerative Therapeutics, Graduate School of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Japan
| | - Hiroki Shimizu
- Division of Molecular and Genetic Medicine, Department of Genetic Medicine and Regenerative Therapeutics, Graduate School of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Japan
| | - Goshi Shiota
- Division of Molecular and Genetic Medicine, Department of Genetic Medicine and Regenerative Therapeutics, Graduate School of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Japan
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di Masi A, Leboffe L, De Marinis E, Pagano F, Cicconi L, Rochette-Egly C, Lo-Coco F, Ascenzi P, Nervi C. Retinoic acid receptors: from molecular mechanisms to cancer therapy. Mol Aspects Med 2015; 41:1-115. [PMID: 25543955 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2014.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 243] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2014] [Accepted: 12/15/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Retinoic acid (RA), the major bioactive metabolite of retinol or vitamin A, induces a spectrum of pleiotropic effects in cell growth and differentiation that are relevant for embryonic development and adult physiology. The RA activity is mediated primarily by members of the retinoic acid receptor (RAR) subfamily, namely RARα, RARβ and RARγ, which belong to the nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily of transcription factors. RARs form heterodimers with members of the retinoid X receptor (RXR) subfamily and act as ligand-regulated transcription factors through binding specific RA response elements (RAREs) located in target genes promoters. RARs also have non-genomic effects and activate kinase signaling pathways, which fine-tune the transcription of the RA target genes. The disruption of RA signaling pathways is thought to underlie the etiology of a number of hematological and non-hematological malignancies, including leukemias, skin cancer, head/neck cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, renal cell carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, glioblastoma and neuroblastoma. Of note, RA and its derivatives (retinoids) are employed as potential chemotherapeutic or chemopreventive agents because of their differentiation, anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, and anti-oxidant effects. In humans, retinoids reverse premalignant epithelial lesions, induce the differentiation of myeloid normal and leukemic cells, and prevent lung, liver, and breast cancer. Here, we provide an overview of the biochemical and molecular mechanisms that regulate the RA and retinoid signaling pathways. Moreover, mechanisms through which deregulation of RA signaling pathways ultimately impact on cancer are examined. Finally, the therapeutic effects of retinoids are reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra di Masi
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Viale Guglielmo Marconi 446, Roma I-00146, Italy
| | - Loris Leboffe
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Viale Guglielmo Marconi 446, Roma I-00146, Italy
| | - Elisabetta De Marinis
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of Roma "La Sapienza", Corso della Repubblica 79, Latina I-04100
| | - Francesca Pagano
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of Roma "La Sapienza", Corso della Repubblica 79, Latina I-04100
| | - Laura Cicconi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Roma "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, Roma I-00133, Italy; Laboratory of Neuro-Oncohematology, Santa Lucia Foundation, Via Ardeatina, 306, Roma I-00142, Italy
| | - Cécile Rochette-Egly
- Department of Functional Genomics and Cancer, IGBMC, CNRS UMR 7104 - Inserm U 964, University of Strasbourg, 1 rue Laurent Fries, BP10142, Illkirch Cedex F-67404, France.
| | - Francesco Lo-Coco
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Roma "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, Roma I-00133, Italy; Laboratory of Neuro-Oncohematology, Santa Lucia Foundation, Via Ardeatina, 306, Roma I-00142, Italy.
| | - Paolo Ascenzi
- Interdepartmental Laboratory for Electron Microscopy, Roma Tre University, Via della Vasca Navale 79, Roma I-00146, Italy.
| | - Clara Nervi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of Roma "La Sapienza", Corso della Repubblica 79, Latina I-04100.
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Barcelos RC, Pelizzaro-Rocha KJ, Pastre JC, Dias MP, Ferreira-Halder CV, Pilli RA. A new goniothalamin N-acylated aza-derivative strongly downregulates mediators of signaling transduction associated with pancreatic cancer aggressiveness. Eur J Med Chem 2014; 87:745-58. [PMID: 25305718 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2014.09.085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2014] [Revised: 09/05/2014] [Accepted: 09/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In this study, a novel concise series of molecules based on the structure of goniothalamin (1) was synthesized and evaluated against a highly metastatic human pancreatic cancer cell line (Panc-1). Among them, derivative 8 displayed a low IC50 value (2.7 μM) and its concentration for decreasing colony formation was 20-fold lower than goniothalamin (1). Both compounds reduced the levels of the receptor tyrosine kinase (AXL) and cyclin D1 which are known to be overexpressed in pancreatic cancer cells. Importantly, despite the fact that goniothalamin (1) and derivative 8 caused pancreatic cancer cell cycle arrest and cell death, only derivative 8 was able to downregulate pro-survival and proliferation pathways mediated by mitogen activated protein kinase ERK1/2. Another interesting finding was that Panc-1 cells treated with derivative 8 displayed a strong decrease in the transcription factor (c-Myc), hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein levels. Notably, the molecular effects caused by derivative 8 might not be related to ROS generation, since no significant production of ROS was observed in low concentrations of this compound (from 1.5 up to 3 μM). Therefore, the downregulation of important mediators of pancreatic cancer aggressiveness by derivative 8 reveals its great potential for the development of new chemotherapeutic agents for pancreatic cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosimeire Coura Barcelos
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Chemistry Institute, University of Campinas, CP 6154, 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Julio Cezar Pastre
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Chemistry Institute, University of Campinas, CP 6154, 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Marina Pereira Dias
- Department of Biochemistry, Biology Institute, University of Campinas, 13083-862, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Ronaldo Aloise Pilli
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Chemistry Institute, University of Campinas, CP 6154, 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
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Thani NAA, Keshavarz S, Lwaleed BA, Cooper AJ, Rooprai HK. Cytotoxicity of gemcitabine enhanced by polyphenolics from Aronia melanocarpa in pancreatic cancer cell line AsPC-1. J Clin Pathol 2014; 67:949-54. [PMID: 25232128 DOI: 10.1136/jclinpath-2013-202075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Extending work with brain tumours, the hypothesis that micronutrients may usefully augment anticancer regimens, chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) extract was tested to establish whether it has pro-apoptotic effects in AsPC-1, an established human pancreatic cell line, and whether it potentiates cytotoxicity in combination with gemcitabine. Pancreatic cancer was chosen as a target, as its prognosis remains dismal despite advances in therapy. METHODS An MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide) assay was used to assess the growth of the single pancreatic cancer cell line AsPC-1, alone and in comparison or combination with gemcitabine. This was backed up by flow cytometric DRAQ7 cell viability analysis. TUNEL assays were also carried out to investigate pro-apoptotic properties as responsible for the effects of chokeberry extract. RESULTS Chokeberry extract alone and its IC75 value (1 µg/mL) in combination with gemcitabine were used to assess the growth of the AsPC-1 cell line. Gemcitabine in combination with chokeberry extract was more effective than gemcitabine alone. TUNEL assays showed apoptosis to be a mechanism occurring at 1 µg/mL concentration of chokeberry, with apoptotic bodies detected by both colourimetric and fluorometric methods. CONCLUSIONS The implication of this study, using single cancer cell line, is that chemotherapy (at least with gemcitabine) might be usefully augmented with the use of micronutrients such as chokeberry extract.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sholeh Keshavarz
- School of Science and Technology, Middlesex University, The Burroughs, London, UK
| | - Bashir A Lwaleed
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, UK
| | - Alan J Cooper
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Portsmouth University, Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK
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Shimizu M, Shirakami Y, Hanai T, Imai K, Suetsugu A, Takai K, Shiraki M, Moriwaki H. Pharmaceutical and nutraceutical approaches for preventing liver carcinogenesis: chemoprevention of hepatocellular carcinoma using acyclic retinoid and branched-chain amino acids. Mol Nutr Food Res 2013; 58:124-35. [PMID: 24273224 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.201300538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2013] [Revised: 09/10/2013] [Accepted: 09/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The poor prognosis for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is associated with its high rate of recurrence in the cirrhotic liver. Therefore, more effective strategies need to be urgently developed for the chemoprevention of this malignancy. The malfunction of retinoid X receptor α, a retinoid receptor, due to phosphorylation by Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase is closely associated with liver carcinogenesis and may be a promising target for HCC chemoprevention. Acyclic retinoid (ACR), a synthetic retinoid, can prevent HCC development by inhibiting retinoid X receptor α phosphorylation and improve the prognosis for this malignancy. Supplementation with branched-chain amino acids (BCAA), which are used to improve protein malnutrition in patients with liver cirrhosis, can also reduce the risk of HCC in obese cirrhotic patients. In experimental studies, both ACR and BCAA exert suppressive effects on HCC development and the growth of HCC cells. In particular, combined treatment with ACR and BCAA cooperatively inhibits the growth of HCC cells. Furthermore, ACR and BCAA inhibit liver tumorigenesis associated with obesity and diabetes, both of which are critical risk factors for HCC development. These findings suggest that pharmaceutical and nutraceutical approaches using ACR and BCAA may be promising strategies for preventing HCC and improving the prognosis of this malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahito Shimizu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
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11
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Baba A, Shimizu M, Ohno T, Shirakami Y, Kubota M, Kochi T, Terakura D, Tsurumi H, Moriwaki H. Synergistic growth inhibition by acyclic retinoid and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor in human hepatoma cells. BMC Cancer 2013; 13:465. [PMID: 24103747 PMCID: PMC3852533 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-13-465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2013] [Accepted: 10/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A malfunction of RXRα due to phosphorylation is associated with liver carcinogenesis, and acyclic retinoid (ACR), which targets RXRα, can prevent the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Activation of PI3K/Akt signaling plays a critical role in the proliferation and survival of HCC cells. The present study examined the possible combined effects of ACR and LY294002, a PI3K inhibitor, on the growth of human HCC cells. METHODS This study examined the effects of the combination of ACR plus LY294002 on the growth of HLF human HCC cells. RESULTS ACR and LY294002 preferentially inhibited the growth of HLF cells in comparison with Hc normal hepatocytes. The combination of 1 μM ACR and 5 μM LY294002, in which the concentrations used are less than the IC₅₀ values of these agents, synergistically inhibited the growth of HLF, Hep3B, and Huh7 human HCC cells. These agents when administered in combination acted cooperatively to induce apoptosis in HLF cells. The phosphorylation of RXRα, Akt, and ERK proteins in HLF cells were markedly inhibited by treatment with ACR plus LY294002. Moreover, this combination also increased RXRE promoter activity and the cellular levels of RARβ and p21(CIP1), while decreasing the levels of cyclin D1. CONCLUSION ACR and LY294002 cooperatively increase the expression of RARβ, while inhibiting the phosphorylation of RXRα, and that these effects are associated with the induction of apoptosis and the inhibition of cell growth in human HCC cells. This combination might therefore be effective for the chemoprevention and chemotherapy of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Baba
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1194, Japan.
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Wei WT, Lin SZ, Liu DL, Wang ZH. The distinct mechanisms of the antitumor activity of emodin in different types of cancer (Review). Oncol Rep 2013; 30:2555-62. [PMID: 24065213 DOI: 10.3892/or.2013.2741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2013] [Accepted: 08/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Emodin, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is a natural anthraquinone derivative found in the roots and rhizomes of numerous plants. The inhibitory effect of emodin on mammalian cell cycle modulation in specific oncogene-overexpressing cells has formed the basis for using this compound as an anticancer drug. Previous reviews have summarized the antitumor properties of emodin. However, the specific molecular mechanisms of emodin-mediated tumor inhibition have not been completely elucidated over the last 5 years. Recently, there has been great progress in the preclinical study of the anticancer mechanisms of emodin. Our recent study revealed that emodin has therapeutic effects on pancreatic cancer through various antitumor mechanisms. Notably, the therapeutic efficacy of emodin in combination with chemotherapy was found to be higher than the comparable single chemotherapeutic regime, and the combination therapy also exhibited fewer side-effects. Despite these encouraging results, further investigation is warranted as emodin has been shown to modulate one or more key regulators of cancer growth. This review provides an overview of the distinct mechanisms of anticancer action of emodin in different body systems identified over the past 5 years. These new breakthrough findings may have important implications for targeted cancer therapy and for the future clinical use of emodin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Tian Wei
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou 310005, P.R. China
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Shimizu M, Shirakami Y, Imai K, Takai K, Moriwaki H. Acyclic retinoid in chemoprevention of hepatocellular carcinoma: Targeting phosphorylated retinoid X receptor-α for prevention of liver carcinogenesis. J Carcinog 2012; 11:11. [PMID: 23230390 PMCID: PMC3515920 DOI: 10.4103/1477-3163.100398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2012] [Accepted: 07/15/2012] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the key features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the high rate of intrahepatic recurrence that correlates with poor prognosis. Therefore, in order to improve the clinical outcome for patients with HCC, development of a chemopreventive agent that can decrease or delay the incidence of recurrence is a critical issue for urgent investigation. Acyclic retinoid (ACR), a synthetic retinoid, successfully improves HCC patient survival by preventing recurrence and the formation of secondary tumors. A malfunction of the retinoid X receptor-α (RXRα) due to phosphorylation by the Ras-MAPK signaling pathway plays a critical role in liver carcinogenesis, and ACR exerts chemopreventive effects on HCC development by inhibiting RXRα phosphorylation. Here, we review the relationship between retinoid signaling abnormalities and liver disease, the mechanisms of how RXRα phosphorylation contributes to liver carcinogenesis, and the detailed effects of ACR on preventing HCC development, especially based on the results of our basic and clinical research. We also outline the concept of “clonal deletion and inhibition” therapy, which is defined as the removal and inhibition of latent malignant clones from the liver before they expand into clinically detectable HCC, because ACR prevents the development of HCC by implementing this concept. Looking toward the future, we discuss “combination chemoprevention” using ACR as a key drug since it can generate a synergistic effect, and may thus be an effective new strategy for the prevention of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahito Shimizu
- Department of Medicine, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1194, Japan
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14
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Wei J, Liu H, Liu M, Wu N, Zhao J, Xiao L, Han L, Chu E, Lin X. Oleanolic acid potentiates the antitumor activity of 5-fluorouracil in pancreatic cancer cells. Oncol Rep 2012; 28:1339-45. [PMID: 22825128 DOI: 10.3892/or.2012.1921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2012] [Accepted: 04/26/2012] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The antitumor activity of oleanolic (OA) has attracted attention due to its marked antitumor effects and pharmacological safety. In the present study, the effects of the combination of OA and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on Panc-28 human pancreatic cells were studied. The results showed that combined use of OA and 5-FU synergistically potentiated cell death effects on Panc-28 cells, and the pro-apoptotic effects were also increased. Further study revealed that the combined treatment could enhance mitochondrial depolarization, lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP) and leakage of cathepin D, while the release of cytochrome C did not display significant changes. The expression of apoptosis related proteins was also affected in cells treated with the combination of OA and 5-FU, including activation of caspases-3 and the expression of Bcl-2/Bax, survivin and NF-κB. Our results provide evidence that combination of OA and 5-FU may serve as a novel strategy for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianteng Wei
- Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, PR China
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Gupta S, Pramanik D, Mukherjee R, Campbell NR, Elumalai S, de Wilde RF, Hong SM, Goggins MG, De Jesus-Acosta A, Laheru D, Maitra A. Molecular determinants of retinoic acid sensitivity in pancreatic cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2011; 18:280-9. [PMID: 22010213 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-11-2165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To identify a predictive molecular "signature" for sensitivity to retinoic acid in pancreatic cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Fourteen patient-derived, low-passage pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) lines with varied expression of fatty acid-binding protein 5 (FABP5) and cellular retinoic acid-binding protein 2 (CRABP2) were used to evaluate the response to all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). Cell proliferation, apoptosis, and migration/invasion assays were used to measure the in vitro response. Tumor growth was monitored in subcutaneous xenografts in athymic nude mice for 4 weeks. RESULTS Response to ATRA was observed to be dependent upon differential expression of FABP5 versus CRABP2. Thus, elevated FABP5 expression was associated with minimal cytotoxicity and tumor growth inhibition and a paradoxical increase in migration and invasion. Conversely, CRABP2 expression in the absence of FABP5 was associated with significant tumor growth inhibition with ATRA, even in gemcitabine-resistant tumors. The ATRA-resistant phenotype of FABP5(high)CRABP2(null) cells could be circumvented by ectopic expression of CRABP2. Alternatively, reexpression of endogenous CRABP2 could be enabled in FABP5(high)CRABP2(null) PDAC lines by exposure to decitabine and trichostatin A, thereby relieving epigenetic silencing of the CRABP2 gene promoter. Immunohistochemical staining for FABP5 in archival human tissue microarrays identifies a subset of cases (13 of 63, ~20%) which are negative for FABP5 expression and might be candidates for ATRA therapy. CONCLUSIONS The widely used agent ATRA deserves a "second look" in PDAC, but needs to be targeted to patient subsets with biopsy-proven FABP5-negative tumors, or be combined with a chromatin-modifying agent to reexpress endogenous CRABP2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonal Gupta
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Froeling FEM, Feig C, Chelala C, Dobson R, Mein CE, Tuveson DA, Clevers H, Hart IR, Kocher HM. Retinoic acid-induced pancreatic stellate cell quiescence reduces paracrine Wnt-β-catenin signaling to slow tumor progression. Gastroenterology 2011; 141:1486-97, 1497.e1-14. [PMID: 21704588 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2011.06.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 326] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2010] [Revised: 06/01/2011] [Accepted: 06/13/2011] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma are deficient in vitamin A, resulting in activation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs). We investigated whether restoration of retinol to PSCs restores their quiescence and affects adjacent cancer cells. METHODS PSCs and cancer cell lines (AsPc1 and Capan1) were exposed to doses and isoforms of retinoic acid (RA) in 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional culture conditions (physiomimetic organotypic culture). The effects of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) were studied in LSL-KrasG12D/+;LSL-Trp53R172H/+;Pdx-1-Cre mice, a model of human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. RESULTS After incubation with ATRA, PSCs were quiescent and had altered expression of genes that regulate proliferation, morphology, and motility; genes that encode cytoskeletal proteins and cytokines; and genes that control other functions, irrespective of culture conditions or dosage. In the organotypic model, and in mice, ATRA induced quiescence of PSCs and thereby reduced cancer cell proliferation and translocation of β-catenin to the nucleus, increased cancer cell apoptosis, and altered tumor morphology. ATRA reduced the motility of PSCs, so these cells created a "wall" at the junction between the tumor and the matrix that prevented cancer cell invasion. Restoring secreted frizzled-related protein 4 (sFRP4) secretion to quiescent PSCs reduced Wnt-β-catenin signaling in cancer cells and their invasive ability. Human primary and metastatic pancreatic tumor tissues stained strongly for cancer cell nuclear β-catenin but had low levels of sFRP4 (in cancer cells and PSCs). CONCLUSIONS RA induces quiescence and reduces motility of PSCs, leading to reduced proliferation and increased apoptosis of surrounding pancreatic cancer cells. RA isoforms might be developed as therapeutic reagents for pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fieke E M Froeling
- Centre for Tumor Biology, Barts Cancer Institute-a CR-UK Centre of Excellence, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Science Centre, London, England
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