Naphtho[1,2-b]furan-4,5-dione inactivates EGFR and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells

The role of inflammation in cadmium nephrotoxicity: NF-κB comes into view

Kidney diseases are major health problem and understanding the underlined mechanisms that lead to kidney diseases are critical research points with a marked potential impact on health. Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal that occurs naturally and can be found in contaminated food. Kidneys are the most susceptible organ to heavy metal intoxication as it is the main route of waste excretion. The harmful effects of Cd were previously well proved. Cd induces inflammatory responses, oxidative injury, mitochondrial dysfunction and disturbs Ca²⁺ homeostasis. The nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) is a cellular transcription factor that regulates inflammation and controls the expression of many inflammatory cytokines. Therefore, great therapeutic benefits can be attained from NF-κB inhibition. In this review we focused on certain compounds including cytochalasin D, mangiferin, N-acetylcysteine, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, roflumilast, rosmarinic acid, sildenafil, sinapic acid, telmisartan and wogonin and certain plants as Astragalus Polysaccharide, Ginkgo Biloba and Thymus serrulatus that potently inhibit NF-κB and effectively counteracted Cd-associated renal intoxication. In conclusion, the proposed NF-κB involvement in Cd-renal intoxication clarified the underlined inflammation associated with Cd-nephropathy and the beneficial effects of NF-κB inhibitors that make them the potential to substantially optimize treatment protocols for Cd-renal intoxication.

Chemical constituents from basidiomycete Basidioradulum radula culture medium and their cytotoxic effect on human prostate cancer DU-145 cells

Eight new naphtho[1,2-c]furan derivatives (1-8) along with six known analogues (9-14) were isolated from culture medium of the basidiomycete Basidioradulum radula. The structures of these compounds were identified using spectroscopic analysis, and their absolute configurations were resolved using X-ray diffraction, ECD, and VCD. Compounds 7 and 14 inhibited the cell viability of human prostate cancer DU-145 cells with IC₅₀ values of 7.54 ± 0.03 μM and 5.04 ± 0.03 μM, respectively. At 8 μM, compounds 7 and 14 increased the percentage of apoptotic cells and upregulated the protein expression related to the apoptosis caspase pathways in DU-145 cells. Furthermore, the hallmarks of cells undergoing apoptosis, such as chromatin condensation, were also observed at this concentration. However, compound 7 and 14 showed no effect on the proliferation of splenocytes isolated from cyclophosphamide-induce immunosuppressed mice.

Transcriptome Changes in Colorectal Cancer Cells upon Treatment with Avicequinone B

Purpose: Naphtho[2,3-b]furan-4,9-dione (Avicequinone B), a natural naphthoquinone isolated from the mangrove tree Avicennia alba , is recognized as a valuable synthetic precursor with anti-proliferative effect. However, the molecular mechanism involved in its bioactivity has not been investigated. This study aimed to determine the selectivity of avicequinone B against cancer cells and the transcriptomic changes induced in colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods: The cytotoxic effect against adenocarcinoma-derived cells or fibroblasts was evaluated using MTT assay. In addition, CRC cells were treated with avicequinone B in different settings to evaluate colony-forming ability, cell cycle progression, apoptosis/necrosis induction, and transcriptome response by RNA-seq.

Results: Avicequinone B effectively reduced the viability of breast, colorectal, and lung adenocarcinoma cells with IC₅₀ lower than 10 μM, while fibroblasts were less affected. The induction of G2/M arrest and necrosis-like cell death were observed in avicequinone B-treated HT-29 cells. Furthermore, RNA-seq revealed 490 differentially expressed genes, highlighting the reduction of interferon stimulated genes and proliferative signaling pathways (JAK-STAT, MAPK, and PI3K-AKT), as well as the induction of ferroptosis and miR-21 expression.

Conclusion: In short, these results demonstrated the therapeutic potential of avicequinone B and paved the foundation for elucidating its mechanisms in the context of CRC.

BIRC5 Expression is Regulated in Uterine Epithelium During the Estrous Cycle

Baculoviral inhibitor of apoptosis repeat-containing 5 (Birc5), also known as survivin, is a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) family of proteins and regulates the size of tissues through cell division control. The uterus is the most dynamically sized organ among tissues during the estrous cycle. Although Birc5 is expressed in some terminally differentiated cells, the regulation of its expression in the uterus remains unknown. We investigated the regulation of Birc5 expression in the mouse uterus. RT-PCR analysis showed that Birc5 was expressed in various tissues, including the uterus; the expression level of Birc5 was significantly higher at the diestrus stage. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting analysis revealed that Birc5 was more active in luminal and glandular epithelium than in endometrial stroma. In ovariectomized mice, Birc5 expression in the uterus was gradually increased by estrogen treatment; however, progesterone injection decreased its expression. Estrogen-induced Birc5 expression was blocked by treatment with estrogen receptor antagonist, ICI 182, 780 and progesterone-reduced Birc5 expression was inhibited by the progesterone receptor antagonist RU486. These results suggest that Birc5 expression is dynamically regulated by a combination of estrogen and progesterone via their receptor-mediated signaling.

Rosmarinic Acid Analogue-11 Induces Apoptosis of Human Gastric Cancer SGC-7901 Cells via the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR)/Akt/Nuclear Factor kappa B (NF-κB) Pathway

BACKGROUND According to the latest statistics from the American Cancer Society, there will be 1.73 million cancer cases and more than 600 000 cancer deaths in the United States in 2018, among which there will be 26 240 new cases of gastric cancer and around 10 800 deaths arising from gastric cancer. The objective of this study was to use RAA-11 to intervene in SGC-7901 cells to understand its effects on cell proliferation and apoptosis, and to explore the apoptosis mechanism. MATERIAL AND METHODS MTT assay was used to detect the survival of human gastric mucosal epithelial GES-1 cells and human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells. Colony formation assay was used to observe the colony forming ability in SGC-7901 cells. The apoptotic rate of SGC-7901 cells was evaluated by Hoechst33258 staining and flow cytometry. qRT-PCR was used to analyze the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mRNA expression level in SGC-7901 cells. Western blot was used to examine the expression levels of caspase-3, Bcl-2, BAX, EGFR, Akt, p-Akt, and NF-κB in SGC-7901 cells. RESULTS RAA-11 is capable of inhibiting the proliferation and inducing the apoptosis of SGC-7901 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Western blot showed that the expression levels of caspase-3 and BAX were upregulated, while the expression levels of Bcl-2, EGFR, Akt, p-Akt, and NF-κB in the SGC-7901 cells were downregulated. CONCLUSIONS Apoptosis can be induced in SGC-7901 cells by RAA-11, potentially via the EGFR/Akt/NF-κB pathway, indicating that RAA-11 might be a potent agent for cancer treatment.

Effect of TW37 on the growth of H1975 EGFR‑TKI‑resistant lung cancer cells and its underlying mechanisms

Previous studies have suggested that the B‑cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl‑2) inhibitor, TW37, may induce apoptosis of the non‑small cell lung cancer cell line, H1975/epidermal growth factor receptor‑tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR‑TKI), which exhibits secondary resistance to EGFR‑TKI. However, the effects of TW37 on H1975/EGFR‑TKI cells remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of TW37 on the growth of H1975/EGFR‑TKI cells and explore the underlying mechanisms. An in vitro study was performed, whereby H1975/EGFR‑TKI cells were treated with serially increasing concentrations of TW37. MTT, flow cytometry, migration and transwell invasion assays were preformed to investigate the proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of H1975/EGFR‑TKI cells, respectively. In addition, reverse transcription‑polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses were performed to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of apoptosis‑associated factors, respectively. An enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay was performed to detect phosphatidylinositol [3,4,5] tris‑phosphate (PIP3) expression. The results suggested that the mRNA and protein expression levels of Bcl‑2 were significantly decreased in TW37‑treated cells when compared with the untreated control group. Following treatment with TW37, the proliferation, migration and invasion ability of H1975/EGFR‑TKI cells decreased in a dose‑dependent manner, while the percentage of apoptotic cells increased. In addition, the results demonstrated that TW37 reduced the expression of PIP3 and the phosphorylation of AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT) in H1975/EGFR‑TKI cells in a dose‑dependent manner. In conclusion, TW37 inhibited H1975/EGFR‑TKI cell growth and induced cell apoptosis potentially via suppression of AKT signaling pathway activation.

Role of PIK3CA in cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell line Ecal09

AIM: To explore the role of PIK3CA in cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cell line Eca109.

METHODS: Eca109 cells were divided into three groups: a blank control group (non-transfected cells), a negative control group (transfected with a scramble siRNA) and an experimental group (transfected with a specific siRNA against PIK3CA). After transfection using Lipofectamin 2000, the protein expression of PIK3CA was detected by Western blot. Cell proliferation and migration were examined by MTT assay and wound healing assay, respectively. Cell apoptosis and cell cycle progression were analyzed by flow cytometry.

RESULTS: After transfection with the specific siRNA against PIK3CA, PIK3CA protein expression was significantly decreased compared with the blank control group and negative control group (P < 0.05). After successful knock-down of PIK3CA, both cell proliferation and migration were significantly reduced (P < 0.05), the cell cycle was arrested at S phase (P < 0.05), and the apoptosis rate was significantly increased (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: PIK3CA plays an important role in promoting cell proliferation and migration and suppressing apoptosis, which may become a new potential target in the therapy of metastasis of ESCC.

Plasma RANTES, IL-10, and IL-8 levels in non-small-cell lung cancer patients treated with EGFR-TKIs

Background

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), routinely used to treat advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with activated EGFR mutations, are associated with excellent response and improved performance status. Recently, pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-8 have been proposed as mediators of cancer development. EGFR-TKIs have been found to affect this network of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Methods

EGFR-TKIs (erlotinib, 150 mg/day; and gefitinib, 250 mg/day) were administered once per day. Treatment was continued until disease progressed or the patient developed intolerable symptoms of toxicity, or withdrew his/her consent for study participation. The treatment was a part of standard care. We investigated the correlation between plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines (including plasma RANTES, IL-10, and IL-8) levels and clinical outcomes following EGFR-TKI treatment in lung cancer patients. Pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were evaluated at diagnosis and on treatment day 30 after the first administration of EGFR-TKIs.

Results

Overall, 33 patients were enrolled. Plasma pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were determined for all patients at diagnosis. Plasma samples from 26 patients were obtained on treatment day 30. High level of RANTES at diagnosis was associated with severe general fatigue (P = .026). Low level of RANTES at diagnosis was significantly associated with long-term survival (P = .0032). Percent decrease change of IL-10 was associated with severity of rash (P = .037). The plasma IL-8 level on treatment day 30 (median, 5.48 pg/mL; range, 0.49–26.13 pg/mL) was significantly lower than the level at diagnosis (median 10.45 pg/mL; 3.04–54.86 pg/mL; P = .021).

Conclusions

These results suggest that EGFR-TKIs may suppress systemic inflammation and promote tumor shrinkage. The network of pro-inflammatory cytokines was affected by EGFR-TKI treatment for NSCLC. In addition, the clinical outcomes of EGFR-TKI treatment were influenced by the status of the plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines at diagnosis.

Trilinolein Inhibits Proliferation of Human Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma A549 Through the Modulation of PI3K/Akt Pathway

Trilinolein has been identified as one of the active constituents isolated from Panax notoginseng used widely in traditional Chinese medicine. Protective actions of Panax notoginseng against cerebral ischemia, beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system, and hemostatic, antioxidant, hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective, renoprotective and estrogen-like activities have been illustrated. In the present study, the effects of trilinolein on the growth of non-small cell lung carcinoma A549 were investigated. It was found that the exposure of A549 cells to trilinolein resulted in the growth inhibition and the induction of apoptosis in a dose- and time- dependent manner. Trilinolein treatment induced the upregulation of pro-apoptotic Bax, downregulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression, which was associated with the proteolytic activation of caspases and the concomitant degradation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) protein. Intracellular reactive oxygen species seem to play a role in the trilinolein-induced apoptosis, since ROS were produced early in the trilinolein treatment. Moreover, the activity of PI3K/Akt was downregulated in trilinolein-treated cells. Our results demonstrated that the most important regulators of trilinolein-induced apoptosis are Bcl-2 family and caspase-3, which are associated with cytochrome c release and dephosphorylation on the Akt signaling pathway.

Potential mechanism of interleukin-8 production from lung cancer cells: an involvement of EGF-EGFR-PI3K-Akt-Erk pathway

Tumor inflammatory microenvironment is considered to play the role in the sensitivity of tumor cells to therapies and prognosis of lung cancer patients. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is one of critical chemo-attractants responsible for leukocyte recruitment, cancer proliferation, and angiogenesis. The present study aimed at investigating potential mechanism of IL-8 production from human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) SPC-A1 cells. We initially found that EGF could directly stimulate IL-8 production, proliferation, and bio-behaviors of lung cancer cells through the activation of EGFR, PI3K, Akt, and Erk signal pathway. EGF-stimulated IL-8 production, phosphorylation of Akt and Erk, and cell proliferation and movement could be inhibited by EGFR inhibitor (Erlotinib), PI3K inhibitor (GDC-0941 BEZ-235 and SHBM1009), and ERK1/2 inhibitor (PD98059). Our data indicate that IL-8 production from lung cancer cells could be initiated by their own produced factors, leading to the recruitment of inflammatory cells in the cancer tissue, and the formation of inflammatory microenvironment. Thus, it seems that the signal pathway of EGFR-PI3K-Akt-Erk can be the potential target of therapies for inflammatory microenvironment in lung cancer.

An essential role for the Id1/PI3K/Akt/NFkB/survivin signalling pathway in promoting the proliferation of endothelial progenitor cells in vitro

The enhancement of re-endothelialisation is a critical therapeutic option for repairing injured blood vessels. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are the major source of cells that participate in endothelium repair and contribute to re-endothelialisation by reducing neointima formation after vascular injury. The over-expression of the inhibitor of differentiation or DNA binding 1 (Id1) significantly improved EPC proliferation. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Id1 on the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB)/survivin signalling pathway and its significance in promoting EPC proliferation in vitro. Spleen-derived EPCs were cultured as previously described. Id1 was presented at low levels in EPCs, and was rapidly up-regulated by stimulation with vascular endothelial growth factor. We demonstrated that transient transfection of Id1 into EPCs activated the PI3K/Akt/NFκB/survivin signalling pathway and promoted EPC proliferation. The proliferation of EPCs was extensively inhibited by silencing of endogenous Id1, and knockdown of Id1 expression led to suppression of PI3K/Akt/NFκB/survivin signalling pathway in EPCs. In addition, blockade by the PI3K-specific inhibitor LY294002, Akt inhibitor, the NFκB inhibitor BAY 11-7082, the survivin inhibitor Curcumin, or the survivin inhibitor YM155 reduced the effects of Id1 transfection. These results suggest that the Id1/PI3K/Akt/NFκB/survivin signalling pathway plays a critical role in EPC proliferation. The Id1/PI3K/Akt/NFκB/survivin signalling pathway may represent a novel therapeutic target in the prevention of restenosis after vascular injury.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor LY294002 suppresses proliferation and sensitizes doxorubicin chemotherapy in bladder cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT signaling is a well-characterized pathway involved in the control of cell proliferation, apoptosis and oncogenesis. LY294002 is a commonly used pharmacologic inhibitor which acts at the ATP-binding site of the PI3K enzyme, thus selectively inhibiting the PI3K-AKT nexus. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether PI3K inhibited by LY294002 had an effect on human bladder cancer cells.

METHODS

After treatment with LY294002, MTT assay, chemosensitivity test, colony formation assay, apoptosis assay and Western blot analysis were conducted in EJ cells.

RESULT

EJ cells treated with LY294002 showed significant AKT phosphorylation suppression in a dose-response manner. Also, PI3K/AKT signaling inhibitor LY294002 suppressed cell proliferation and enhanced the chemosensitivity of doxorubicin in human bladder cancer EJ cells. Furthermore, LY294002 increased cell apoptosis to doxorubicin.

CONCLUSION

The augmentation of doxorubicin with PI3K inhibitor LY294002 may resolve the multidrug resistance of bladder cancer, and this may be a new strategy for achieving tolerance for chemotherapeutic agents in bladder cancer therapy.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor LY294002 suppresses proliferation and sensitizes doxorubicin chemotherapy in bladder cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT signaling is a well-characterized pathway involved in control of cell proliferation, apoptosis and oncogenesis. LY294002 is a commonly used pharmacologic inhibitor which acts at the ATP-binding site of the PI3K enzyme, and thus selectively inhibits the PI3K-AKT nexus. The purpose of the study was to examine whether PI3K inhibited by LY294002 had effects in human bladder cancer cells.

METHODS

After treatment with LY294002, MTT assay, a chemosensitivity test, colony formation assay, apoptosis assay and Western blot analysis were conducted in EJ cells.

RESULT

EJ cells treated with LY294002 showed significant AKT phosphorylation suppressing in a dose-response manner. Additionally, the PI3K/AKT signaling inhibitor LY294002 suppressed cell proliferation and enhanced chemosensitivity to doxorubicin in human bladder cancer EJ cells. Furthermore, LY294002 increased cell apoptosis to doxorubicin.

CONCLUSION

The augmentation of doxorubicin with the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 may resolve the multidrug resistance of bladder cancer, and this may be a new strategy for achieving tolerance for chemotherapeutic agents in bladder cancer therapy.

Phosphoproteome profile of human lung cancer cell line A549

As an in vitro model for type II human lung cancer, A549 cells resist cytotoxicity via phosphorylation of proteins as demonstrated by many studies. However, to date, no large-scale phosphoproteome investigation has been conducted on A549. Here, we performed a systematical analysis of the phosphoproteome of A549 by using mass spectrometry (MS)-based strategies. This investigation led to the identification of 337 phosphorylation sites on 181 phosphoproteins. Among them, 67 phosphoproteins and 230 phosphorylation sites identified appeared to be novel with no previous characterization in lung cancer. Based on their known functions as reported in the literature, these phosphoproteins were functionally organized into highly interconnected networks. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry analyses were performed to validate the expression of a bottleneck phosphoprotein YAP1 in cancer cell lines and tissues. This dataset provides a valuable resource for further studies on phosphorylation and lung carcinogenesis.

Effects of bufalin on the proliferation of human lung cancer cells and its molecular mechanisms of action

Bufalin, a naturally occurring small-molecule compound from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Chansu showed inhibitory effects against human prostate, hepatocellular, endometrial and ovarian cancer cells, and leukemia cells. However, whether or not bufalin has inhibitory activity against the proliferation of human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells is unclear. The aim of this study is to study the effects of bufalin on the proliferation of NSCLC and its molecular mechanisms of action. The cancer cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay. The apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were analyzed by flow cytometry. The protein expressions and phosphorylation in the cancer cells were detected by Western blot analysis. In the present study, we have demonstrated that bufalin suppressed the proliferation of human NSCLC A549 cell line in time- and dose-dependent manners. Bufalin induced the apoptosis and cell cycle arrest by affecting the protein expressions of Bcl-2/Bax, cytochrome c, caspase-3, PARP, p53, p21WAF1, cyclinD1, and COX-2 in A549 cells. In addition, bufalin reduced the protein levels of receptor expressions and/or phosphorylation of VEGFR1, VEGFR2, EGFR and/or c-Met in A549 cells. Furthermore, bufalin inhibited the protein expressions and phosphorylation of Akt, NF-κB, p44/42 MAPK (ERK1/2) and p38 MAPK in A549 cells. Our results suggest that bufalin inhibits the human lung cancer cell proliferation via VEGFR1/VEGFR2/EGFR/c-Met-Akt/p44/42/p38-NF-κB signaling pathways; bufalin may have a wide therapeutic and/or adjuvant therapeutic application in the treatment of human NSCLC.