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Sarg NH, Zaher DM, Abu Jayab NN, Mostafa SH, Ismail HH, Omar HA. The interplay of p38 MAPK signaling and mitochondrial metabolism, a dynamic target in cancer and pathological contexts. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 225:116307. [PMID: 38797269 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Mitochondria play a crucial role in cellular metabolism and bioenergetics, orchestrating various cellular processes, including energy production, metabolism, adaptation to stress, and redox balance. Besides, mitochondria regulate cellular metabolic homeostasis through coordination with multiple signaling pathways. Importantly, the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway is a key player in the intricate communication with mitochondria, influencing various functions. This review explores the multifaced interaction between the mitochondria and p38 MAPK signaling and the consequent impact on metabolic alterations. Overall, the p38 MAPK pathway governs the activities of key mitochondrial proteins, which are involved in mitochondrial biogenesis, oxidative phosphorylation, thermogenesis, and iron homeostasis. Additionally, p38 MAPK contributes to the regulation of mitochondrial responses to oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by cancer therapies or natural substances by coordinating with other pathways responsible for energy homeostasis. Therefore, dysregulation of these interconnected pathways can lead to various pathologies characterized by aberrant metabolism. Consequently, gaining a deeper understanding of the interaction between mitochondria and the p38 MAPK pathway and their implications presents exciting forecasts for novel therapeutic interventions in cancer and other disorders characterized by metabolic dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadin H Sarg
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates; College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Dana M Zaher
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates; College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Nour N Abu Jayab
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates; College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Salma H Mostafa
- College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hussein H Ismail
- College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hany A Omar
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates; College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates.
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2
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de Oliveira HC, Santos MDM, Camillo-Andrade AC, Castelli RF, Dos Reis FCG, Carvalho PC, Rodrigues ML. Proteomics reveals that the antifungal activity of fenbendazole against Cryptococcus neoformans requires protein kinases. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2024; 63:107157. [PMID: 38548248 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2024.107157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is responsible for over 100 000 deaths annually, and the treatment of this fungal disease is expensive and not consistently effective. Unveiling new therapeutic avenues is crucial. Previous studies have suggested that the anthelmintic drug fenbendazole is an affordable and nontoxic candidate to combat cryptococcosis. However, its mechanism of anticryptococcal activity has been only superficially investigated. In this study, we examined the global cellular response of C. neoformans to fenbendazole using a proteomic approach (data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD047041). Fenbendazole treatment mostly impacted the abundance of proteins related to metabolic pathways, RNA processing, and intracellular traffic. Protein kinases, in particular, were significantly affected by fenbendazole treatment. Experimental validation of the proteomics data using a collection of C. neoformans mutants led to the identification of critical roles of five protein kinases in fenbendazole's antifungal activity. In fact, mutants lacking the expression of genes encoding Chk1, Tco2, Tco3, Bub1, and Sch9 kinases demonstrated greater resistance to fenbendazole compared to wild-type cells. In combination with the standard antifungal drug amphotericin B, fenbendazole reduced the cryptococcal burden in mice. These findings not only contribute to the elucidation of fenbendazole's mode of action but also support its use in combination therapy with amphotericin B. In conclusion, our data suggest that fenbendazole holds promise for further development as an anticryptococcal agent.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marlon D M Santos
- Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Curitiba, Brazil; Analytical Biochemistry and Proteomics Unit. IIBCE/Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Amanda C Camillo-Andrade
- Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Curitiba, Brazil; Analytical Biochemistry and Proteomics Unit. IIBCE/Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Rafael F Castelli
- Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Flavia C G Dos Reis
- Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Curitiba, Brazil; Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Saúde (CDTS), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Paulo C Carvalho
- Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Marcio L Rodrigues
- Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Curitiba, Brazil; Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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3
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Jung H, Kim SY, Joo HG. Fenbendazole Exhibits Differential Anticancer Effects In Vitro and In Vivo in Models of Mouse Lymphoma. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:8925-8938. [PMID: 37998737 PMCID: PMC10670425 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45110560] [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: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Fenbendazole (FBZ) has been safely used as an antiparasitic agent in animals for decades, and the anticancer effects of FBZ have been studied through various mechanisms. However, there is a lack of in vivo studies that include lymphoma. Therefore, this study examined the effects of FBZ on EL-4 cells and a mouse T lymphoma model. FBZ induced G2/M phase arrest in EL-4 cells, resulting in cell death and decreased metabolic activity. However, FBZ had no anticancer effects on an EL-4 mouse lymphoma model in vivo, as evident by rapid weight loss and tumor growth comparable to the control. The FBZ-treated EL-4 cells expressed higher levels of PD-L1 and CD86, which are associated with T cell immunity in the tumor microenvironment (TME), than the controls. Furthermore, the hematoxylin and eosin staining of the FBZ-treated tumor tissues showed a starry sky pattern, which is seen in actively proliferating cancer tissues, and an immunohistochemical analysis revealed a high percentage of immunosuppressive M2 macrophages. These changes in the immune activity in the TME contradict the results of the in vitro experiments, and further studies are needed to determine the detailed mechanisms by which FBZ induces these responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haebeen Jung
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Republic of Korea
| | - Si-Yeon Kim
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong-Gu Joo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Republic of Korea
- Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Republic of Korea
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Chang CS, Ryu JY, Choi JK, Cho YJ, Choi JJ, Hwang JR, Choi JY, Noh JJ, Lee CM, Won JE, Han HD, Lee JW. Anti-cancer effect of fenbendazole-incorporated PLGA nanoparticles in ovarian cancer. J Gynecol Oncol 2023; 34:e58. [PMID: 37170725 PMCID: PMC10482585 DOI: 10.3802/jgo.2023.34.e58] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Fenbendazole (FZ) has potential anti-cancer effects, but its poor water solubility limits its use for cancer therapy. In this study, we investigated the anti-cancer effect of FZ with different drug delivery methods on epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) in both in vitro and in vivo models. METHODS EOC cell lines were treated with FZ and cell proliferation was assessed. The effect of FZ on tumor growth in cell line xenograft mouse model of EOC was examined according to the delivery route, including oral and intraperitoneal administration. To improve the systemic delivery of FZ by converting fat-soluble drugs to hydrophilic, we prepared FZ-encapsulated poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) acid (PLGA) nanoparticles (FZ-PLGA-NPs). We investigated the preclinical efficacy of FZ-PLGA-NPs by analyzing cell proliferation, apoptosis, and in vivo models including cell lines and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) of EOC. RESULTS FZ significantly decreased cell proliferation of both chemosensitive and chemoresistant EOC cells. However, in cell line xenograft mouse models, there was no effect of oral FZ treatment on tumor reduction. When administered intraperitoneally, FZ was not absorbed but aggregated in the intraperitoneal space. We synthesized FZ-PLGA-NPs to obtain water solubility and enhance drug absorption. FZ-PLGA-NPs significantly decreased cell proliferation in EOC cell lines. Intravenous injection of FZ-PLGA-NP in xenograft mouse models with HeyA8 and HeyA8-MDR significantly reduced tumor weight compared to the control group. FZ-PLGA-NPs showed anti-cancer effects in PDX model as well. CONCLUSION FZ-incorporated PLGA nanoparticles exerted significant anti-cancer effects in EOC cells and xenograft models including PDX. These results warrant further investigation in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Son Chang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ji-Yoon Ryu
- Research Institute for Future Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - June-Kuk Choi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Uijeongbu Eulji Medical Center, Eulji University, Uijeongbu, Korea
| | - Young-Jae Cho
- Research Institute for Future Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jung-Joo Choi
- Research Institute for Future Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae Ryoung Hwang
- Research Institute for Future Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ju-Yeon Choi
- Research Institute for Future Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Joseph J Noh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chan Mi Lee
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Chungju, Korea
| | - Ji Eun Won
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Chungju, Korea
| | - Hee Dong Han
- Innovative Discovery Center, Prestige Biopharma Korea, Busan, Korea
| | - Jeong-Won Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences & Technology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
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Chien HJ, Liu CJ, Ying TH, Wu PJ, Wang JW, Ting YH, Hsieh YH, Wang SC. Timosaponin AIII Inhibits Migration and Invasion Abilities in Human Cervical Cancer Cells through Inactivation of p38 MAPK-Mediated uPA Expression In Vitro and In Vivo. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 15:cancers15010037. [PMID: 36612038 PMCID: PMC9817900 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer is one of the most common gynecologic cancers globally that require novel approaches. Timosaponin AIII (TSAIII) is a steroidal saponin that displays beneficial effects in antitumor activities. However, the effect of TSAIII on human cervical cancer remains unknown. In this study, we found that TSAIII showed no influence on cell viability, cytotoxicity, cell cycle distribution and apoptosis induction in human cervical cancer cells. TSAIII was revealed to have a significant inhibitory effect on cell migration and invasion through the downregulation of invasion-related uPA expression and p38 MAPK activation in both human cervical cancer cells and cervical cancer stem cells (CCSCs), indicating that the p38 MAPK-uPA axis mediated the TSAIII-inhibited capacity of cellular migration and invasion. In a synergistic inhibition assay, a TSAIII plus p38 siRNA cotreatment revealed a greater inhibition of uPA expression, migration and invasion in human cervical cancer cells. In an immunodeficient mouse model, TSAIII significantly inhibited lung metastases from human cervical cancer SiHa cells without TSAIII-induced toxicity. These findings first revealed the inhibitory effects of TSAIII on the progression of human cervical cancer through its downregulation of p38 MAPK-uPA axis activation. Therefore, TSAIII might provide a potential strategy for auxiliary therapy in human cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung-Ju Chien
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua 50006, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Jung Liu
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807378, Taiwan
- Regenetative Medicine and Cell Therapy Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807378, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Ho Ying
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Ju Wu
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
| | - Jiunn-Wei Wang
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807378, Taiwan
- Regenetative Medicine and Cell Therapy Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807378, Taiwan
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807378, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsuan Ting
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsien Hsieh
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (Y.-H.H.); (S.-C.W.)
| | - Shih-Chiang Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chung-Kang Branch, Cheng Ching Hospital, Taichung 40764, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (Y.-H.H.); (S.-C.W.)
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Fenbendazole Attenuates Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis in Mice via Suppression of Fibroblast-to-Myofibroblast Differentiation. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214088. [PMID: 36430565 PMCID: PMC9693227 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive, and fatal interstitial lung disease with unknown etiology. Despite substantial progress in understanding the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis and drug development, there is still no cure for this devastating disease. Fenbendazole (FBZ) is a benzimidazole compound that is widely used as an anthelmintic agent and recent studies have expanded the scope of its pharmacological effects and application prospect. This study demonstrated that FBZ treatment blunted bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in mice. In vitro studies showed that FBZ inhibited the proliferation and migration of human embryo lung fibroblasts. Further studies showed that FBZ significantly inhibited glucose consumption, moderated glycolytic metabolism in fibroblasts, thus activated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and reduced the activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, thereby inhibiting transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β1)-induced fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation and collagen synthesis. In summary, our data suggested that FBZ has potential as a novel treatment for pulmonary fibrosis.
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Sultana T, Jan U, Lee H, Lee H, Lee JI. Exceptional Repositioning of Dog Dewormer: Fenbendazole Fever. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2022; 44:4977-4986. [PMID: 36286053 PMCID: PMC9600184 DOI: 10.3390/cimb44100338] [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] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Fenbendazole (FZ) is a benzimidazole carbamate drug with broad-spectrum antiparasitic activity in humans and animals. The mechanism of action of FZ is associated with microtubular polymerization inhibition and glucose uptake blockade resulting in reduced glycogen stores and decreased ATP formation in the adult stages of susceptible parasites. A completely cured case of lung cancer became known globally and greatly influenced the cancer community in South Korea. Desperate Korean patients with cancer began self-administering FZ without their physician’s knowledge, which interfered with the outcome of the cancer treatment planned by their oncologists. On the basis of presented evidence, this review provides valuable information from PubMed, Naver, Google Scholar, and Social Network Services (SNS) on the effects of FZ in a broad range of preclinical studies on cancer. In addition, we suggest investigating the self-administration of products, including supplements, herbs, or bioactive compounds, by patients to circumvent waiting for long and costly FZ clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Sultana
- Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Center for Stem Cell Research, Department of Biomedical Science and Technology, Institute of Biomedical Science and Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
| | - Umair Jan
- Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Center for Stem Cell Research, Department of Biomedical Science and Technology, Institute of Biomedical Science and Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
| | - Hyunsu Lee
- Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Center for Stem Cell Research, Department of Biomedical Science and Technology, Institute of Biomedical Science and Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
| | - Hyejin Lee
- Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Center for Stem Cell Research, Department of Biomedical Science and Technology, Institute of Biomedical Science and Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
| | - Jeong Ik Lee
- Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Center for Stem Cell Research, Department of Biomedical Science and Technology, Institute of Biomedical Science and Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
- Department of Veterinary Obstetrics and Theriogenology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-2-2049-6234
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