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Pessino G, Lonati L, Scotti C, Calandra S, Cazzalini O, Iaria O, Previtali A, Baiocco G, Perucca P, Tricarico A, Vetro M, Stivala LA, Ganini C, Cancelliere M, Zucchetti M, Guardamagna I, Maggi M. Differential effect of asparagine and glutamine removal on three adenocarcinoma cell lines. Heliyon 2024; 10:e35789. [PMID: 39170541 PMCID: PMC11337022 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e35789] [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: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 07/26/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Asparagine and glutamine depletion operated by the drug Asparaginase (ASNase) has revolutionized therapy in pediatric patients affected by Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), bringing remissions to a remarkable 90 % of cases. However, the knowledge of the proproliferative role of asparagine in adult and solid tumors is still limited. We have here analyzed the effect of ASNase on three adenocarcinoma cell lines (A549, lung adenocarcinoma, MCF-7, breast cancer, and 786-O, kidney cancer). In contrast to MCF-7 cells, 786-O and A549 cells proved to be a relevant target for cell cycle perturbation by asparagine and glutamine shortage. Indeed, when the cell-cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry, A549 showed a canonical response to asparaginase, 786-O cells, instead, showed a reduction of the percentage of cells in the G1 phase and an increase of those in the S-phase. Despite an increased number of PCNA and RPA70 positive nuclear foci, BrdU and EdU incorporation was absent or strongly delayed in treated 786-O cells, thus indicating a readiness of replication forks unmatched by DNA synthesis. In 786-O asparagine synthetase was reduced following treatment and glutamine synthetase was totally absent. Interestingly, DNA synthesis could be recovered by adding Gln to the medium. MCF-7 cells showed no significant changes in the cell cycle phases, in DNA-bound PCNA and in total PCNA, but a significant increase in ASNS and GS mRNA and protein expression. The collected data suggest that the effect observed on 786-O cells following ASNase treatment could rely on mechanisms which differ from those well-known and described for leukemic blasts, consisting of a complete block in the G1/S transition in proliferating cells and on an increase on non-proliferative (G0) blasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta Pessino
- Unit of Immunology and General Pathology, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Leonardo Lonati
- Laboratory of Radiation Biophysics and Radiobiology, Department of Physics, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Claudia Scotti
- Unit of Immunology and General Pathology, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Silvia Calandra
- Unit of Immunology and General Pathology, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapy, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Ornella Cazzalini
- Unit of Immunology and General Pathology, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Ombretta Iaria
- Laboratory of Radiation Biophysics and Radiobiology, Department of Physics, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Andrea Previtali
- Laboratory of Radiation Biophysics and Radiobiology, Department of Physics, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Giorgio Baiocco
- Laboratory of Radiation Biophysics and Radiobiology, Department of Physics, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Paola Perucca
- Unit of Immunology and General Pathology, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Anna Tricarico
- Unit of Immunology and General Pathology, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Martina Vetro
- Unit of Immunology and General Pathology, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Lucia Anna Stivala
- Unit of Immunology and General Pathology, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Carlo Ganini
- Division of Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Consorziale Policlinico di Bari, Bari, Italy
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, A. Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Marta Cancelliere
- Laboratory of Cancer Pharmacology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Zucchetti
- Laboratory of Cancer Pharmacology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, Milan, Italy
| | - Isabella Guardamagna
- Laboratory of Radiation Biophysics and Radiobiology, Department of Physics, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Maristella Maggi
- Unit of Immunology and General Pathology, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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Cheikh IA, El-Baba C, Youssef A, Saliba NA, Ghantous A, Darwiche N. Lessons learned from the discovery and development of the sesquiterpene lactones in cancer therapy and prevention. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2022; 17:1377-1405. [PMID: 36373806 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2147920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Sesquiterpene lactones (SLs) are one of the most diverse bioactive secondary metabolites found in plants and exhibit a broad range of therapeutic properties . SLs have been showing promising potential in cancer clinical trials, and the molecular mechanisms underlying their anticancer potential are being uncovered. Recent evidence also points to a potential utility of SLs in cancer prevention. AREAS COVERED This work evaluates SLs with promising anticancer potential based on cell, animal, and clinical models: Artemisinin, micheliolide, thapsigargin dehydrocostuslactone, arglabin, parthenolide, costunolide, deoxyelephantopin, alantolactone, isoalantolactone, atractylenolide 1, and xanthatin as well as their synthetic derivatives. We highlight actionable molecular targets and biological mechanisms underlying the anticancer therapeutic properties of SLs. This is complemented by a unique assessment of SL mechanisms of action that can be exploited in cancer prevention. We also provide insights into structure-activity and pharmacokinetic properties of SLs and their potential use in combination therapies. EXPERT OPINION We extract seven major lessons learned and present evidence-based solutions that can circumvent some scientific limitations or logistic impediments in SL anticancer research. SLs continue to be at the forefront of cancer drug discovery and are worth a joint interdisciplinary effort in order to leverage their potential in cancer therapy and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Israa A Cheikh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Chirine El-Baba
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ali Youssef
- Department of Chemistry, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Najat A Saliba
- Department of Chemistry, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Akram Ghantous
- Epigenomics and Mechanisms Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France
| | - Nadine Darwiche
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
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Shi Q, Xia F, Wang Q, Liao F, Guo Q, Xu C, Wang J. Discovery and repurposing of artemisinin. Front Med 2022; 16:1-9. [PMID: 35290595 PMCID: PMC8922983 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-021-0898-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Malaria is an ancient infectious disease that threatens millions of lives globally even today. The discovery of artemisinin, inspired by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has brought in a paradigm shift and been recognized as the “best hope for the treatment of malaria” by World Health Organization. With its high potency and low toxicity, the wide use of artemisinin effectively treats the otherwise drug-resistant parasites and helps many countries, including China, to eventually eradicate malaria. Here, we will first review the initial discovery of artemisinin, an extraordinary journey that was in stark contrast with many drugs in western medicine. We will then discuss how artemisinin and its derivatives could be repurposed to treat cancer, inflammation, immunoregulation-related diseases, and COVID-19. Finally, we will discuss the implications of the “artemisinin story” and how that can better guide the development of TCM today. We believe that artemisinin is just a starting point and TCM will play an even bigger role in healthcare in the 21st century.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaoli Shi
- Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Fei Xia
- Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Qixin Wang
- Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Fulong Liao
- Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Qiuyan Guo
- Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China.
| | - Chengchao Xu
- Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China. .,Department of Geriatrics, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518020, China.
| | - Jigang Wang
- Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China. .,Central People's Hospital of Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang, 524045, China. .,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China. .,Department of Geriatrics, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518020, China.
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Hu J, Wang Z, Yang S, Lu Y, Li G. The edited UPF1 is correlated with elevated asparagine synthetase in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:3713-3720. [PMID: 35129766 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07211-9] [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: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs) is a malignant disorder and is the most common pancreatic cancer type. The malignant cells depend on the uptake of asparagine (Asn) for growth. The synthesis of Asn occurs through the enzyme asparagine synthetase (ASNS). Interestingly, ASNS is known as is direct target of nonsense-mediated RNA decay (NMD). We have previously reported that NMD major factor UPF1 mutations in the pancreatic tumors. However, the relationship between NMD and the level of ASNS is unknown. METHOD We constructed point mutations by site-specific mutagenesis. To evaluate NMD magnitude, we assessed the expression ratio of an exogenously expressed wild-type and mutated β-globin mRNA with N39 allele, and five known NMD targets. Then, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), RT-qPCR and western bolt to determine RNA or protein levels, after knockdown of endogenous UPF1 by small RNA interference in the cells. RESULTS An RNA editing event (c.3101 A > G) at UPF1 transcripts resulting in an Asparagine (p.1034) changed to a Serine is found in one primary PDAC patient. The edited UPF1 increases the ability of degrading of NMD provoking transcripts, such as β-globin mRNA with N39 allele and 5 out of 5 known endogenous NMD substrate mRNAs, including ASNS. In addition, ASNS mRNA is subjected to NMD degradation by virtue of its possessing uORFs at the 5'UTR. A reduction of endogenous ASNS RNA and the increased protein expression level is found either in the PDAC patient or in the cells with edited UPF1 at c.3101 A > G relative to the controls. CONCLUSIONS This edited UPF1 found in the PDAC results in hyperactivated NMD, which is tightly correlation to elevated expression level of ASNS. The targeting of knockdown of ASNS may improve the antitumor potency in PDACs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayang Hu
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Shunchao Yang
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Yanjun Lu
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
| | - Gang Li
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
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Li J, Ma A, Lan W, Liu Q. Platycodon D-induced A549 cell apoptosis through RRM1-regulated p53/VEGF/MMP2 pathway. Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2022; 22:2458-2467. [PMID: 35088678 DOI: 10.2174/1871520622666220128095355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Platycodin D (PD), a major pharmacological constituent from the Chinese medicinal herb named Platycodonis Radix, has shown potent anti-tumor activity. Also, it is also reported that PD could inhibit cellular growth in the non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) A549 cell line. However, the underlying mechanism is not fully clarified. METHODS Cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay. Annexin V and propidium iodide (PI) assay were employed to study the apoptosis effects of PD on A549 cells. Western blot analysis was used to evaluate protein expression. Also, we used a siRNA against p53, as well as a plasmid-based RRM1 over-expression to investigate their functions. RESULTS It demonstrated PD inhibited A549 cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Further investigations showed that PD induced cell apoptosis, which was supported by dose-dependent and time-dependent caspase-3 activation and p53/VEGF/MMP2 pathway regulation. Also, PD demonstrated the inhibition effect of ribonucleotide reductase M1 (RRM1), whose role in various tumors is contradictory. Remarkably, in this work, RRM1 overexpression in A549 cells could have a negative impact on the regulation of the p53/VEGF/MMP2 pathway induced by PD treatment. Note as well that RRM1 overexpression also attenuated cell apoptosis and inhibition of cell proliferation of A549 treated with PD. CONCLUSION The results suggested that PD could inhibit A549 cell proliferation and induce cell apoptosis by regulating p53/VEGF/MMP2 pathway, in which RRM1 plays an important role directly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiurong Li
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361003, P. R. of China
| | - Aiping Ma
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361003, P. R. of China
| | - Wenbin Lan
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361003, P. R. of China
| | - Qun Liu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361003, P. R. of China
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Santarpia M, Aguilar A, Chaib I, Cardona AF, Fancelli S, Laguia F, Bracht JWP, Cao P, Molina-Vila MA, Karachaliou N, Rosell R. Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Signaling Pathways, Metabolism, and PD-1/PD-L1 Antibodies. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E1475. [PMID: 32516941 PMCID: PMC7352732 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment of advanced (metastatic) non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is currently mainly based on immunotherapy with antibodies against PD-1 or PD-L1, alone, or in combination with chemotherapy. In locally advanced NSCLC and in early resected stages, immunotherapy is also employed. Tumor PD-L1 expression by immunohistochemistry is considered the standard practice. Response rate is low, with median progression free survival very short in the vast majority of studies reported. Herein, numerous biological facets of NSCLC are described involving driver genetic lesions, mutations ad fusions, PD-L1 glycosylation, ferroptosis and metabolic rewiring in NSCLC and lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Novel concepts, such as immune-transmitters and the effect of neurotransmitters in immune evasion and tumor growth, the nascent relevance of necroptosis and pyroptosis, possible new biomarkers, such as gasdermin D and gasdermin E, the conundrum of K-Ras mutations in LUADs, with the growing recognition of liver kinase B1 (LKB1) and metabolic pathways, including others, are also commented. The review serves to charter diverse treatment solutions, depending on the main altered signaling pathways, in order to have effectual immunotherapy. Tumor PDCD1 gene (encoding PD-1) has been recently described, in equilibrium with tumor PD-L1 (encoded by PDCD1LG1). Such description explains tumor hyper-progression, which has been reported in several studies, and poises the fundamental criterion that IHC PD-L1 expression as a biomarker should be revisited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariacarmela Santarpia
- Department of Human Pathology “G. Barresi”, Medical Oncology Unit, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy;
| | - Andrés Aguilar
- Instituto Oncológico Dr Rosell, Hospital Universitario Quirón-Dexeus, 08028 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Imane Chaib
- Institut d’Investigació en Ciències de la Salut Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (I.C.); (S.F.); (F.L.)
| | - Andrés Felipe Cardona
- Foundation for Clinical and Applied Cancer Research-FICMAC Translational Oncology, Bogotá 100110, Colombia;
| | - Sara Fancelli
- Institut d’Investigació en Ciències de la Salut Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (I.C.); (S.F.); (F.L.)
| | - Fernando Laguia
- Institut d’Investigació en Ciències de la Salut Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (I.C.); (S.F.); (F.L.)
| | | | - Peng Cao
- College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China;
| | - Miguel Angel Molina-Vila
- Pangaea Oncology, Hospital Universitario Quirón-Dexeus, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (J.W.P.B.); (M.A.M.-V.)
| | | | - Rafael Rosell
- Institut d’Investigació en Ciències de la Salut Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (I.C.); (S.F.); (F.L.)
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