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Muñoz JP, Calaf GM. Acetylcholine, Another Factor in Breast Cancer. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1418. [PMID: 37998017 PMCID: PMC10669196 DOI: 10.3390/biology12111418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Acetylcholine (ACh) is a neurotransmitter that regulates multiple functions in the nervous system, and emerging evidence indicates that it could play a role in cancer progression. However, this function is controversial. Previously, we showed that organophosphorus pesticides decreased the levels of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase in vivo, increasing ACh serum levels and the formation of tumors in the mammary glands of rats. Furthermore, we showed that ACh exposure in breast cancer cell lines induced overexpression of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), a key protein described as the master regulator in breast cancer. Therefore, here, we hypothesize that ACh alters the ERα activity through a ligand-independent mechanism. The results here reveal that the physiological concentration of ACh leads to the release of Ca+2 and the activity of MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways. These changes are associated with an induction of p-ERα and its recruitment to the nucleus. However, ACh fails to induce overexpression of estrogen-responsive genes, suggesting a different activation mechanism than that of 17ß-estradiol. Finally, ACh promotes the viability of breast cancer cell lines in an ERα-dependent manner and induces the overexpression of some EMT markers. In summary, our results show that ACh promotes breast cancer cell proliferation and ERα activity, possibly in a ligand-independent manner, suggesting its putative role in breast cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan P. Muñoz
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica, Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Tarapacá, Arica 1000007, Chile;
| | - Gloria M. Calaf
- Instituto de Alta Investigación, Universidad de Tarapacá, Arica 1000000, Chile
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2
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Crosstalk between the peripheral nervous system and breast cancer influences tumor progression. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188828. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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3
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Aronowitz AL, Ali SR, Glaun MDE, Amit M. Acetylcholine in Carcinogenesis and Targeting Cholinergic Receptors in Oncology. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2022; 6:e2200053. [PMID: 35858206 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202200053] [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: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Tumor cells modulate and are modulated by their microenvironments, which include the nervous system. Accumulating evidence links the overexpression and activity of nicotinic and muscarinic cholinergic receptor subtypes to tumorigenesis in breast, ovarian, prostate, gastric, pancreatic, and head and neck cancers. Nicotinic and muscarinic receptors have downstream factors are associated with angiogenesis, cell proliferation and migration, antiapoptotic signaling, and survival. Clinical trials analyzing the efficacy of various therapies targeting cholinergic signaling or downstream pathways of acetylcholine have shed promising light on novel cancer therapeutics. Although the evidence for cholinergic signaling involvement in tumor development is substantial, a more detailed understanding of the acetylcholine-induced mechanisms of tumorigenesis remains to be unlocked. Such an understanding would enable the development of clinical applications ranging from the identification of novel biomarkers to the utilization of existing drugs to modulate cholinergic signaling to the development of novel cancer therapies, as discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra L Aronowitz
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, Houston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Shahrukh R Ali
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Mica D E Glaun
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Department of Otolaryngology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Moran Amit
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
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4
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Español A, Salem A, Sanchez Y, Sales ME. Breast cancer: Muscarinic receptors as new targets for tumor therapy. World J Clin Oncol 2021; 12:404-428. [PMID: 34189066 PMCID: PMC8223712 DOI: 10.5306/wjco.v12.i6.404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of breast cancer is a complex process that involves the participation of different factors. Several authors have demonstrated the overexpression of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) in different tumor tissues and their role in the modulation of tumor biology, positioning them as therapeutic targets in cancer. The conventional treatment for breast cancer involves surgery, radiotherapy, and/or chemotherapy. The latter presents disadvantages such as limited specificity, the appearance of resistance to treatment and other side effects. To prevent these side effects, several schedules of drug administration, like metronomic therapy, have been developed. Metronomic therapy is a type of chemotherapy in which one or more drugs are administered at low concentrations repetitively. Recently, two chemotherapeutic agents usually used to treat breast cancer have been considered able to activate mAChRs. The combination of low concentrations of these chemotherapeutic agents with muscarinic agonists could be a useful option to be applied in breast cancer treatment, since this combination not only reduces tumor cell survival without affecting normal cells, but also decreases pathological neo-angiogenesis, the expression of drug extrusion proteins and the cancer stem cell fraction. In this review, we focus on the previous evidences that have positioned mAChRs as relevant therapeutic targets in breast cancer and analyze the effects of administering muscarinic agonists in combination with conventional chemotherapeutic agents in a metronomic schedule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Español
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology and Tumor Biology, CEFYBO CONICET University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1121ABG, Argentina
| | - Agustina Salem
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology and Tumor Biology, CEFYBO CONICET University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1121ABG, Argentina
| | - Yamila Sanchez
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology and Tumor Biology, CEFYBO CONICET University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1121ABG, Argentina
| | - María Elena Sales
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology and Tumor Biology, CEFYBO CONICET University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1121ABG, Argentina
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5
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Español AJ, Salem A, Di Bari M, Cristofaro I, Sanchez Y, Tata AM, Sales ME. The metronomic combination of paclitaxel with cholinergic agonists inhibits triple negative breast tumor progression. Participation of M2 receptor subtype. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0226450. [PMID: 32911509 PMCID: PMC7482849 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple negative tumors are more aggressive than other breast cancer subtypes and there is a lack of specific therapeutic targets on them. Since muscarinic receptors have been linked to tumor progression, we investigated the effect of metronomic therapy employing a traditional anti-cancer drug, paclitaxel plus muscarinic agonists at low doses on this type of tumor. We observed that MDA-MB231 tumor cells express muscarinic receptors, while they are absent in the non-tumorigenic MCF-10A cell line, which was used as control. The addition of carbachol or arecaidine propargyl ester, a non-selective or a selective subtype 2 muscarinic receptor agonist respectively, plus paclitaxel reduces cell viability involving a down-regulation in the expression of ATP “binding cassette” G2 drug transporter and epidermal growth factor receptor. We also detected an inhibition of tumor cell migration and anti-angiogenic effects produced by those drug combinations in vitro and in vivo (in NUDE mice) respectively. Our findings provide substantial evidence about subtype 2 muscarinic receptors as therapeutic targets for the treatment of triple negative tumors.
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MESH Headings
- ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2/metabolism
- Administration, Metronomic
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/administration & dosage
- Arecoline/administration & dosage
- Arecoline/analogs & derivatives
- Carbachol/administration & dosage
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Movement/drug effects
- Cell Proliferation/drug effects
- Cell Survival/drug effects
- Cholinergic Agonists/administration & dosage
- Down-Regulation/drug effects
- ErbB Receptors/metabolism
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects
- Humans
- Mice
- Neoplasm Proteins/metabolism
- Neovascularization, Pathologic/drug therapy
- Neovascularization, Pathologic/pathology
- Paclitaxel/administration & dosage
- RNA, Small Interfering/metabolism
- Receptor, Muscarinic M2/agonists
- Receptor, Muscarinic M2/genetics
- Receptor, Muscarinic M2/metabolism
- Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms/blood supply
- Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms/pathology
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro J. Español
- Center of Pharmacological and Botanical Studies (CEFYBO), CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentine
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentine
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- * E-mail: (AJE); (AMT)
| | - Agustina Salem
- Center of Pharmacological and Botanical Studies (CEFYBO), CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentine
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentine
| | - María Di Bari
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Cristofaro
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Yamila Sanchez
- Center of Pharmacological and Botanical Studies (CEFYBO), CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentine
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentine
| | - Ada M. Tata
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Center of Neurobiology Daniel Bovet, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- * E-mail: (AJE); (AMT)
| | - María E. Sales
- Center of Pharmacological and Botanical Studies (CEFYBO), CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentine
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentine
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Zárate LV, Pontillo CA, Español A, Miret NV, Chiappini F, Cocca C, Álvarez L, de Pisarev DK, Sales ME, Randi AS. Angiogenesis signaling in breast cancer models is induced by hexachlorobenzene and chlorpyrifos, pesticide ligands of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2020; 401:115093. [PMID: 32526215 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2020.115093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer incidence is increasing globally and pesticides exposure may impact risk of developing this disease. Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and chlorpyrifos (CPF) act as endocrine disruptors, inducing proliferation in breast cancer cells. Vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and nitric oxide (NO) are associated with angiogenesis. Our aim was to evaluate HCB and CPF action, both weak aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) ligands, on angiogenesis in breast cancer models. We used: (1) in vivo xenograft model with MCF-7 cells, (2) in vitro breast cancer model with MCF-7, and (3) in vitro neovasculogenesis model with endothelial cells exposed to conditioned medium from MCF-7. Results show that HCB (3 mg/kg) and CPF (0.1 mg/kg) stimulated vascular density in the in vivo model. HCB and CPF low doses enhanced VEGF-A and COX-2 expression, accompanied by increased levels of nitric oxide synthases (NOS), and NO release in MCF-7. HCB and CPF high doses intensified VEGF-A and COX-2 levels but rendered different effects on NOS, however, both pesticides reduced NO production. Moreover, our data indicate that HCB and CPF-induced VEGF-A expression is mediated by estrogen receptor and NO, while the increase in COX-2 is through AhR and NO pathways in MCF-7. In conclusion, we demonstrate that HCB and CPF environmental concentrations stimulate angiogenic switch in vivo. Besides, pesticides induce VEGF-A and COX-2 expression, as well as NO production in MCF-7, promoting tubulogenesis in endothelial cells. These findings show that pesticide exposure could stimulate angiogenesis, a process that has been demonstrated to contribute to breast cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena V Zárate
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Laboratorio de Efectos Biológicos de Contaminantes Ambientales, Paraguay 2155, 5to piso, (CP1121), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Carolina A Pontillo
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Laboratorio de Efectos Biológicos de Contaminantes Ambientales, Paraguay 2155, 5to piso, (CP1121), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Alejandro Español
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFYBO), Paraguay 2155, 16 piso, (CP1121), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Noelia V Miret
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Laboratorio de Efectos Biológicos de Contaminantes Ambientales, Paraguay 2155, 5to piso, (CP1121), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Florencia Chiappini
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Laboratorio de Efectos Biológicos de Contaminantes Ambientales, Paraguay 2155, 5to piso, (CP1121), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Claudia Cocca
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Laboratorio de Radioisótopos, Junín 954, subsuelo, (CP1113), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Laura Álvarez
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Laboratorio de Efectos Biológicos de Contaminantes Ambientales, Paraguay 2155, 5to piso, (CP1121), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Diana Kleiman de Pisarev
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Laboratorio de Efectos Biológicos de Contaminantes Ambientales, Paraguay 2155, 5to piso, (CP1121), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - María E Sales
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFYBO), Paraguay 2155, 16 piso, (CP1121), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Andrea S Randi
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Laboratorio de Efectos Biológicos de Contaminantes Ambientales, Paraguay 2155, 5to piso, (CP1121), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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7
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Role of the parasympathetic nervous system in cancer initiation and progression. Clin Transl Oncol 2020; 23:669-681. [PMID: 32770391 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-020-02465-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The nervous system plays an important role in cancer initiation and progression. Accumulated evidences clearly show that the sympathetic nervous system exerts stimulatory effects on carcinogenesis and cancer growth. However, the role of the parasympathetic nervous system in cancer has been much less elucidated. Whereas retrospective studies in vagotomized patients and experiments employing vagotomized animals indicate the parasympathetic nervous system has an inhibitory effect on cancer, clinical studies in patients with prostate cancer indicate it has stimulatory effects. Therefore, the aim of this paper is a critical evaluation of the available data related to the role of the parasympathetic nervous system in cancer.
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Salem A, Martínez Pulido P, Sanchez F, Sanchez Y, Español A, Sales M. Effect of low dose metronomic therapy on MCF-7 tumor cells growth and angiogenesis. Role of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 84:106514. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.106514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
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Grando SA, Kawashima K, Wessler I. A historic perspective on the current progress in elucidation of the biologic significance of non-neuronal acetylcholine. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 81:106289. [PMID: 32113128 PMCID: PMC10612399 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.106289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The "5th International Symposium on Non-neuronal Acetylcholine: from bench to bedside" was held on September 27-29, 2019 in Hyatt Regency, Long Beach, CA, USA. Approximately 50 scientists from 11 countries over 6 continents participated in this meeting. The major topics included an overall biologic significance of non-neuronal acetylcholine (ACh) and the roles of the non-neuronal cholinergic systems in mucocutaneous, respiratory, digestive, immunologic, endocrine, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and kidney diseases, and cancer. This meeting facilitated continued work to advance the fundamental science and translational aspects of the interdisciplinary studies on non-neuronal ACh. The progress made has opened a new chapter in the field of cholinergic pharmacology, and advanced our knowledge beyond regulation of individual cell- and tissue-types, defining a new paradigm of selective pharmacological regulation of vital function of practically all types of non-neuronal cells. It is now clear that the autocrine and paracrine control of non-neuronal cells by non-neuronal ACh is implemented through synergistic, additive, and reciprocal effects triggered by two different cholinergic receptor classes. Each biologic effect of ACh is determined by a unique combination of cholinergic receptors subtype expressed at each stage of cell development and differentiation. The plasticity of the non-neuronal cholinergic system helps adjust homeostasis to new environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergei A Grando
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Koichiro Kawashima
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Kitasato University School of Pharmacy, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Ignaz Wessler
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz D-55101, Germany
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Chen J, Cheuk IWY, Shin VY, Kwong A. Acetylcholine receptors: Key players in cancer development. Surg Oncol 2019; 31:46-53. [PMID: 31536927 DOI: 10.1016/j.suronc.2019.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Revised: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Acetylcholine (ACh) was first identified as a classic neuromodulator and transmit signals through two subgroups of receptors, namely muscarinic receptors (mAChRs) and nicotinic receptors (nAChRs). Apart from its well-established physiological role in central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS), autonomic nervous system and neuromuscular junction, the widely distributed expression of AChRs in different human organs suggests roles in other biological processes in addition to synaptic transmission. Accumulating evidence revealed that cancer cell processes such as proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis and even epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) are mediated by overexpression of AChRs in different kinds of tumors. In breast cancer, α7-nAChR and α9-nAChR were reported to be oncogenic. On the other hand, research on the role of mAChRs in breast cancer tumorgenesis is limited and confined to M3 receptor only. Since AChRs distributed in both CNS and PNS even non-neuronal tissues, there is an urgent need for the development of subtype-specific AChR antagonist which inhibits cancer cell progression with minimal intervention on the normal acetylcholine-regulated system within human body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Chen
- Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | | | | | - Ava Kwong
- Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; Department of Surgery, Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital, Hong Kong; Centre of Cancer Genetics Centre, Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital, Hong Kong.
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Sales ME, Español AJ, Salem AR, Pulido PM, Sanchez Y, Sanchez F. Role of Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors in Breast Cancer: Design of Metronomic Chemotherapy. CURRENT CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY 2019; 14:91-100. [PMID: 30501602 PMCID: PMC7011678 DOI: 10.2174/1574884714666181203095437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Revised: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) have attracted interest as targets for therapeutic interventions in different illnesses like Alzheimer´s disease, viral infections and different tumors. Regarding the latter, many authors have studied each subtype of mAChRs, which seem to be involved in the progression of distinct types of malignancies. METHODS We carefully revised research literature focused on mAChRs expression and signaling as well as in their involvement in cancer progression and treatment. The characteristics of screened papers were described using the mentioned conceptual framework. RESULTS Muscarinic antagonists and agonists have been assayed for the treatment of tumors established in lung, brain and breast with beneficial effects. We described an up-regulation of mAChRs in mammary tumors and the lack of expression in non-tumorigenic breast cells and normal mammary tissues. We and others demonstrated that muscarinic agonists can trigger anti-tumor actions in a dose-dependent manner on tumors originated in different organs like brain or breast. At pharmacological concentrations, they exert similar effects to traditional chemotherapeutic agents. Metronomic chemotherapy refers to the administration of anti-cancer drugs at low doses with short intervals among them, and it is a different regimen applied in cancer treatment reducing malignant growth and angiogenesis, and very low incidence of adverse effects. CONCLUSION The usage of subthreshold concentrations of muscarinic agonists combined with conventional chemotherapeutic agents could be a promising tool for breast cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- María E. Sales
- Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFYBO)-CONICET. 2da Cátedra de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandro J. Español
- Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFYBO)-CONICET. 2da Cátedra de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Agustina R. Salem
- Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFYBO)-CONICET. 2da Cátedra de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paola M. Pulido
- Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFYBO)-CONICET. 2da Cátedra de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Y. Sanchez
- Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFYBO)-CONICET. 2da Cátedra de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Francisco Sanchez
- Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFYBO)-CONICET. 2da Cátedra de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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12
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The Involvement of Arginase and Nitric Oxide Synthase in Breast Cancer Development: Arginase and NO Synthase as Therapeutic Targets in Cancer. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 2018:8696923. [PMID: 29854802 PMCID: PMC5952510 DOI: 10.1155/2018/8696923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
It is well established that, during development of malignancies, metabolic changes occur, including alterations of enzyme activities and isoenzyme expression. Arginase and nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) are two of those enzymes considered to be involved in tumorigenesis. The goal of this article was to study the involvement of arginase and NOS in the development of different stages of breast cancer. Our results have shown that human serum arginase activity and NO (resp., and NOS activity) and polyamines quantities increased in parallel with cancer stage progression and decreased after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. For breast cancer, the only isoenzyme of arginase expressed in serum before and after chemotherapy was in a cationic form. The data of Lineweaver-Burk plot with a Km value of 2 mM was calculated, which is characteristic for human liver type isoform of arginase. During electrophoresis at pH 8.9, the enzyme exhibited high electrophoretic mobility and was detected near the anode. The presented results demonstrated that arginase in human serum with breast cancer and after chemotherapy is not polymorphic. We suggest that arginase and NOS inhibition has antitumor effects on cancer development, as it can inhibit polyamines and NO levels, a precursor of cancer cell proliferation, metastasis, and tumor angiogenesis.
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Reichrath S, Reichrath J, Moussa AT, Meier C, Tschernig T. Targeting the non-neuronal cholinergic system in macrophages for the management of infectious diseases and cancer: challenge and promise. Cell Death Discov 2016; 2:16063. [PMID: 27785369 PMCID: PMC5066265 DOI: 10.1038/cddiscovery.2016.63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2016] [Revised: 06/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Macrophages represent key players of the immune system exerting highly effective defense mechanisms against microbial infections and cancer that include phagocytosis and programmed cell removal. Recent findings highlight the relevance of the non-neuronal cholinergic system for the regulation of macrophage function that opens promising new concepts for the treatment of infectious diseases and cancer. This mini review summarizes our present knowledge on this topic and gives an outlook on future developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Reichrath
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Saarland University , 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Jörg Reichrath
- Department of Dermatology, Saarland University , 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Amira-Talaat Moussa
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Saarland University , 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Carola Meier
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Saarland University , 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Tschernig
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Saarland University , 66421 Homburg, Germany
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14
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Grando SA, Kawashima K, Kirkpatrick CJ, Kummer W, Wessler I. Recent progress in revealing the biological and medical significance of the non-neuronal cholinergic system. Int Immunopharmacol 2015; 29:1-7. [PMID: 26362206 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2015.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2015] [Accepted: 08/17/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
This special issue of International Immunopharmacology is the proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium on Non-neuronal Acetylcholine that was held on August 28-30, 2014 at the Justus Liebig University of Giessen in Germany. It contains original contributions of meeting participants covering the significant progress in understanding of the biological and medical significance of the non-neuronal cholinergic system extending from exciting insights into molecular mechanisms regulating this system via miRNAs over the discovery of novel cholinergic cellular signaling circuitries to clinical implications in cancer, wound healing, immunity and inflammation, cardiovascular, respiratory and other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergei A Grando
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Koichiro Kawashima
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Kitasato University School of Pharmacy, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Charles J Kirkpatrick
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz D-55101, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Kummer
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen D-35385, Germany
| | - Ignaz Wessler
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz D-55101, Germany
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