β-Elemonic acid inhibits the growth of human Osteosarcoma through endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-mediated PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP activation and Wnt/β-catenin signal suppression

Chemical Constituents and Pharmacological Properties of Frankincense: Implications for Anticancer Therapy

The discovery of novel antitumor agents derived from natural plants is a principal objective of anticancer drug research. Frankincense, a widely recognized natural antitumor medicine, has undergone a systematic review encompassing its species, chemical constituents, and diverse pharmacological activities and mechanisms. The different species of frankincense include Boswellia serrata, Somali frankincense, Boswellia frereana, and Boswellia arabica. Various frankincense extracts and compounds exhibit antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective properties and antioxidation, memory enhancement, and immunological regulation capabilities. They also have comprehensive effects on regulating flora. Frankincense and its principal chemical constituents have demonstrated promising chemoprophylactic and therapeutic abilities against tumors. This review provides a systematic summary of the mechanism of action underlying the antitumor effects of frankincense and its major constituents, thus laying the foundations for developing effective tumor-combating targets.

Targeting PERK-ATF4-P21 axis enhances the sensitivity of osteosarcoma HOS cells to Mppα-PDT

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most prevalent type of malignant bone tumor in adolescents. The overall survival of OS patients has reached a plateau recently. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop approaches to improve the sensitivity of OS to therapies. Pyropheophorbide-α methyl ester-mediated photodynamic therapy (MPPα-PDT) is a new type of tumor therapy, and elucidating its mechanism is helpful to improve its anti-tumor efficacy. Here, we investigated how PERK signaling promotes the human OS (HOS) cell survival induced by MPPα-PDT, as overcoming this may enhance sensitivity to MPPα-PDT. We found that MPPα-PDT combined with PERK inhibitor GSK2656157 enhanced HOS cell apoptosis by suppressing autophagy and p21. Autophagy inhibition and p21 depletion enhanced cell death, indicating pro-survival effects in MPPα-PDT. Notably, p21 was found to be an effector of the PERK-Atf4 pathway, which could positively regulate autophagy mediated by MPPα-PDT. In conclusion, we found that the combination of MPPα-PDT and GSK2656157 enhanced apoptosis in HOS cells by inhibiting autophagy. Mechanistically, this autophagy is p21-dependent and can be suppressed by GSK2656157, thereby enhancing sensitivity to MPPα-PDT.

Protocadherin 20 maintains intestinal barrier function to protect against Crohn's disease by targeting ATF6

BACKGROUND

Intestinal barrier dysfunction plays a central role in the pathological onset of Crohn's disease. We identify the cadherin superfamily member protocadherin 20 (PCDH20) as a crucial factor in Crohn's disease. Here we describe the function of PCDH20 and its mechanisms in gut homeostasis, barrier integrity, and Crohn's disease development.

RESULTS

PCDH20 mRNA and protein expression is significantly downregulated in the colonic epithelium of Crohn's disease patients and mice with induced colitis compared with controls. In mice, intestinal-specific Pcdh20 knockout causes defects in enterocyte proliferation and differentiation, while causing morphological abnormalities. Specifically, the deletion disrupts barrier integrity by unzipping adherens junctions via β-catenin regulation and p120-catenin phosphorylation, thus aggravating colitis in DSS- and TNBS-induced colitis mouse models. Furthermore, we identify activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6), a key chaperone of endoplasmic reticulum stress, as a functional downstream effector of PCDH20. By administering a selective ATF6 activator, the impairment of intestinal barrier integrity and dysregulation of CHOP/β-catenin/p-p120-catenin pathway was reversed in Pcdh20-ablated mice with colitis and PCDH20-deficient colonic cell lines.

CONCLUSIONS

PCDH20 is an essential factor in maintaining intestinal epithelial homeostasis and barrier integrity. Specifically, PCDH20 helps to protect against colitis by tightening adherens junctions through the ATF6/CHOP/β-catenin/p-p120-catenin axis.

A risk score model based on endoplasmic reticulum stress related genes for predicting prognostic value of osteosarcoma

BACKGROUND

We aimed to establish an osteosarcoma prognosis prediction model based on a signature of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related genes.

METHODS

Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between osteosarcoma with and without metastasis from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database were mapped to ERS genes retrieved from Gene Set Enrichment Analysis to select endoplasmic reticulum stress-related DEGs. Subsequently, we constructed a risk score model based on survival-related endoplasmic reticulum stress DEGs and a nomogram of independent survival prognostic factors. Based on the median risk score, we stratified the samples into high- and low-risk groups. The ability of the model was assessed by Kaplan-Meier, receiver operating characteristic curve, and functional analyses. Additionally, the expression of the identified prognostic endoplasmic reticulum stress-related DEGs was verified using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR).

RESULTS

In total, 41 endoplasmic reticulum stress-related DEGs were identified in patients with osteosarcoma with metastasis. A risk score model consisting of six prognostic endoplasmic reticulum stress-related DEGs (ATP2A3, ERMP1, FBXO6, ITPR1, NFE2L2, and USP13) was established, and the Kaplan-Meier and receiver operating characteristic curves validated their performance in the training and validation datasets. Age, tumor metastasis, and the risk score model were demonstrated to be independent prognostic clinical factors for osteosarcoma and were used to establish a nomogram survival model. The nomogram model showed similar performance of one, three, and five year-survival rate to the actual survival rates. Nine immune cell types in the high-risk group were found to be significantly different from those in the low-risk group. These survival-related genes were significantly enriched in nine Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways, including cell adhesion molecule cascades, and chemokine signaling pathways. Further, RT-qPCR results demonstrated that the consistency rate of bioinformatics analysis was approximately 83.33%, suggesting the relatively high reliability of the bioinformatics analysis.

CONCLUSION

We established an osteosarcoma prediction model based on six prognostic endoplasmic reticulum stress-related DEGs that could be helpful in directing personalized treatment.

Xihuang pill in the treatment of cancer: TCM theories, pharmacological activities, chemical compounds and clinical applications

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Xihuang pill as a famous traditional Chinese formula has long been used as an adjuvant therapy for cancer.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study is aimed at summarizing recent advances in research of Xihuang pill's anti-cancer efficacies from the theoretical basis of traditional Chinese medicine, pharmacological activities, chemical components and its clinical application.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The literature information was obtained from several authoritative databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI and Wan Fang before April 30, 2023. We also analyzed the representatively chemical compounds of Xihuang pill in vivo experiments using HPLC-Q/TOF-MS.

RESULTS

The present study indicated that Xihuang pill, a classic anti-tumor prescription, had efficacies of strengthening body resistance, clearing heat and detoxification, and promoting blood circulation for removing blood stasis. Modern basic researches showed that Xihuang pill played anti-cancer roles through inducing cancer cell apoptosis, inhibiting cell proliferation, migration, invasion and angiogenesis, improving immune function and tumor microenvironment, and regulating related signaling pathways. Its chemical components are primarily consisted of amino acids, terpenoids, fatty acids, fatty acid esters, phenolics, bile acids, bile pigments and volatile oil. Clinically, Xihuang pill, as an adjuvant drug for cancer treatment, was mostly combined with chemotherapy, which could prolong survival, enhance response rate, improve patients' life quality, regulate immune function and alleviate chemotherapy-induced toxicities.

CONCLUSIONS

This present study suggests that Xihuang pill may be a promising adjuvant therapy for cancer, and proposes the possibility of future research directions for Xihuang pill based on the current research status.

STAT3 signaling in prostate cancer progression and therapy resistance: An oncogenic pathway with diverse functions

The categorization of cancers demonstrates that prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in men and it causes high death annually. Prostate cancer patients are diagnosed mainly via biomarkers such as PSA test and patients show poor prognosis. Prostate cancer cells rapidly diffuse into different parts of body and their metastasis is also a reason for death. Current therapies for prostate cancer patients include chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy as well as targeted therapy. The progression of prostate cancer cells is regulated by different factors that STAT3 signaling is among them. Growth factors and cytokines such as IL-6 can induce STAT3 signaling and it shows carcinogenic impact. Activation of STAT3 signaling occurs in prostate cancer and it promotes malignant behavior of tumor cells. Induction of STAT3 signaling increases glycolysis and proliferation of prostate cancer cells and prevents apoptosis. Furthermore, STAT3 signaling induces EMT mechanism in increasing cancer metastasis. Activation of STAT3 signaling stimulates drug resistance and the limitation of current works is lack of experiment related to role of STAT3 signaling in radio-resistance in prostate tumor. Calcitriol, capsazepine and β-elemonic are among the compounds capable of targeting STAT3 signaling and its inhibition in prostate cancer therapy. In addition to natural products, small molecules targeting STAT3 signaling have been developed in prostate cancer therapy.

A Mulberry Diels-Alder-Type Adduct, Kuwanon M, Triggers Apoptosis and Paraptosis of Lung Cancer Cells through Inducing Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress

The mulberry tree (Morus alba) has been cultivated in China for thousands of years. Mulberry Diels-Alder-type adducts (MDAAs) are characteristic constituents of the genus Morus. The unique structure and diverse bioactivities of MDAAs have attracted the attention of researchers. Kuwanon M (KWM) is an MDAA isolated from the root bark of Morus alba. This research reports the growth inhibitory effects of KWM on human lung cancer cells and its possible mechanism. In A549 and NCI-H292 cells, KWM treatment induced suppression of cell proliferation and migration. The appearance of chromatin condensation, phosphatidyl serine exposure and caspase cleavage indicated the arising of apoptosis. The loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), release of cytochrome c and dysregulation of Bax/Bcl-2 demonstrated that the KWM-induced apoptosis was through the mitochondrial pathway. Paraptosis was simultaneously detected under KWM treatment, as evidenced by the exhibition of cytoplasmic vacuolation, down-regulation of Alix and up-regulation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related proteins. Mechanistically, ER stress induced activation of unfolded protein response (UPR) pathways and activation of the MAPK (JNK and ERK) pathway, all of which were critical for KWM-induced apoptosis and paraptosis. These findings suggested the possibility that KWM might be considered as a potential lung cancer therapeutic agent.

Propofol Regulates ER Stress to Inhibit Tumour Growth and Sensitize Osteosarcoma to Doxorubicin

Osteosarcoma is the most common malignant bone tumour affecting children and young adults. The antitumour role of propofol, a widely used intravenous sedative-hypnotic agent, has been recently reported in different cancer types. In this study, we aimed to assess the role of propofol on osteosarcoma and explore the possible mechanisms. Propofol of increasing concentrations (2.5, 5, 10, and 20 μg/ml) was used to treat the MG63 and 143B cells for 72 hours, and the CCK8 assay was applied to evaluate the tumour cell proliferation. Tumour cell migration and invasion were assessed with the transwell assay. The tumour cells were also treated with doxorubicin single agent or in combination with propofol to explore their synergic role. Differential expressed genes after propofol treatment were obtained and functionally assessed with bioinformatic tools. Expression of ER stress markers CHOP, p-eIF2α, and XBP1s was evaluated to validate the activation of ER stress response with western blot and qRT-PCR. The statistical analyses were performed with R v4.2.1. Propofol treatment led to significant growth inhibition in MG63 and 143B cells in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05). Osteosarcoma migration (MG63 91.4 (82-102) vs. 56.8 (49-65), p < 0.05; 143B 96.6 (77-104) vs. 45.4 (28-54), p < 0.05) and invasion (MG63 68.6 (61-80) vs. 32 (25-39), p < 0.05; 143B 90.6 (72-100) vs. 39.2 (26-55), p < 0.05) were reduced after propofol treatment. Doxorubicin sensitivity was increased after propofol treatment compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Bioinformatic analysis showed significant functional enrichment in ER stress response after propofol treatment. Upregulation of CHOP, p-eIF2α, and XBP1s was detected in MG63 and 143B secondary to propofol treatment. In conclusion, we found that propofol treatment suppressed osteosarcoma proliferation and invasion and had a synergic role with doxorubicin by inducing ER stress. Our findings provided a novel option in osteosarcoma therapy.

Mechanism and Role of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is the most common malignant bone tumor, often occurring in children and adolescents. The etiology of most patients is unclear, and the current conventional treatment methods are chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgical resection. However, the sensitivity of osteosarcoma to radiotherapy and chemotherapy is low, and the prognosis is poor. The development of new and useful treatment strategies for improving patient survival is an urgent need. It has been found that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress (ERS) affects tumor angiogenesis, invasion, etc. By summarizing the literature related to osteosarcoma and ERS, we found that the unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway activated by ERS has a regulatory role in osteosarcoma proliferation, apoptosis, and chemoresistance. In osteosarcoma, the UPR pathway plays an important role by crosstalk with autophagy, oxidative stress, and other pathways. Overall, this article focuses on the relationship between ERS and osteosarcoma and reviews the potential of drugs or gene targets associated with ERS for the treatment of osteosarcoma.

In Vitro and In Silico Evaluations of Boswellia carterii Resin Dermocosmetic Activities

Boswellia carterii is a plant species belonging to the Burseraceae family. It grows up in trees or shrubs, and it is known for producing an aromatic resin commonly named frankincense or olibanum. This resin has been used in traditional medicine to treat various conditions such as inflammations, gastrointestinal disorders and traumatic injuries. Virtual screening and molecular docking are two in silico approaches used to predict potential interactions between ligands and the active site of a protein. These approaches are mainly used in natural product chemistry and pharmacology as a screening tool to select plant extracts or fractions for in vitro testing, as well as for the prediction of mechanisms of action. The aim of this research is the in silico and in vitro evaluations of the potential collagenase and elastase inhibitory activities of Boswellia carterii resin organic extracts (viz., methanol, n-hexane and ethyl acetate). The obtained results revealed that methanol and n-hexane exhibited the best collagenase inhibitory activity with values superior to 85%, whereas the methanol and ethyl acetate showed the highest elastase inhibition activity with inhibition values ranging between 40 and 60%. The molecular docking prediction confirmed the experimental results; moreover, the visualization of the ligand–protein interactions showed that the main compounds of the organic extracts may have mechanisms of action similar to the positive controls. Those findings are very promising and open new perspectives for the exploitation of Boswellia carterii resin as active agents for the development of anti-aging cosmeceuticals.

Pseudorabies virus infection induces endoplasmic reticulum stress and unfolded protein response in suspension-cultured BHK-21 cells

Viral infections cause endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and subsequently unfolded protein response (UPR) which restores ER homeostasis. In this study, levels of proteins or transcription of three UPR pathways were examined in suspension-cultured BHK-21 cells to investigate Pseudorabies virus (PRV) infection-induced ER stress, in which glucose-related proteins 78 kD and 94 kD (GRP78 and GRP94) were upregulated. The downstream double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase-like ER kinase (PERK) pathway was activated with upregulation of ATF4, CHOP, and GADD34, and the inositol requiring kinase 1 (IRE1) pathway was triggered by the splicing of X box-binding protein 1 (XBP1) mRNA and the enhanced expression of p58^IPK and EDEM. Furthermore, our results showed that the ER stress, induced by 0.005 µM thapsigargin, promoted PRV replication in suspension-cultured BHK-21 cells, and that PRV glycoprotein B (gB) overexpression triggered the PERK and IRE1 pathways.

Comprehensive analysis of potential cellular communication networks in advanced osteosarcoma using single-cell RNA sequencing data

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a common bone cancer in children and adolescents, and metastasis and recurrence are the major causes of poor treatment outcomes. A better understanding of the tumor microenvironment is required to develop an effective treatment for OS. In this paper, a single-cell RNA sequencing dataset was taken to a systematic genetic analysis, and potential signaling pathways linked with osteosarcoma development were explored. Our findings revealed 25 clusters across 11 osteosarcoma tissues, with 11 cell types including “Chondroblastic cells”, “Osteoblastic cells”, “Myeloid cells”, “Pericytes”, “Fibroblasts”, “Proliferating osteoblastic cells”, “Osteoclasts”, “TILs”, “Endothelial cells”, “Mesenchymal stem cells”, and “Myoblasts”. The results of Cell communication analysis showed 17 potential cellular communication networks including “COLLAGEN signaling pathway network”, “CD99 signaling pathway network”, “PTN signaling pathway network”, “MIF signaling pathway network”, “SPP1 signaling pathway network”, “FN1 signaling pathway network”, “LAMININ signaling pathway network”, “FGF signaling pathway network”, “VEGF signaling pathway network”, “GALECTIN signaling pathway network”, “PERIOSTIN signaling pathway network”, “VISFATIN signaling pathway network”, “ITGB2 signaling pathway network”, “NOTCH signaling pathway network”, “IGF signaling pathway network”, “VWF signaling pathway network”, “PDGF signaling pathway network”. This research may provide novel insights into the pathophysiology of OS’s molecular processes.

Cisplatin and Exogenous Hydrogen Sulfide Inhibit the Progression of Osteosarcoma via EGFR/P13K/Akt Signaling Pathway

We attempted to analyze the effects of cisplatin and exogenous hydrogen on the invasion and proliferation of human osteosarcoma cells through EGFR/P13K/Akt signaling pathway. The effects of exogenous hydrogen sulfide and cisplatin on the invasion, apoptosis and proliferation of MG-63 cells were detected by transwell chamber invasion experiment, flow cytometry and CCK-8 method. After 24 and 48 hours of drug action, the inhibition rate of cell proliferation was significantly higher than in the combined treatment. The number of cells decreased significantly, compared with the control group. Western blotting and qRT-PCR showed that the expression of Akt mRNA in MG-63 cells treated with cisplatin+hydrogen sulfide at different concentrations for 48 hours decreased. The expression of Akt, P13K and EGFR were decreased Flow cytometry analysis showed that after the drug treatment of MG-63 cells, the S phase of cisplatin and cisplatin+exogenous hydrogen concentrations with different prolonged concentrations was significantly shortened phase and the G0/G1 was significantly, and the apoptosis rate of each group was significantly increased. Cisplatin and exogenous hydrogen sulfide can synergistically inhibit the proliferation and invasion of human osteosarcoma MG-63 cells, and regulate the apoptosis mechanism of MG-63 cells through EGFR/P13K/Akt signaling pathway.

Molecular pathogenesis of Japanese encephalitis and possible therapeutic strategies

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a single-stranded, enveloped RNA virus, is a health concern across Asian countries, associated with severe neurological disorders, especially in children. Primarily, pigs, bats, and birds are the natural hosts for JEV, but humans are infected incidentally. JEV requires a few host proteins for its entry and replication inside the mammalian host cell. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) plays a significant role in JEV genome replication and assembly. During this process, the ER undergoes stress due to its remodelling and accumulation of viral particles and unfolded proteins, leading to an unfolded protein response (UPR). Here, we review the overall strategy used by JEV to infect the host cell and various cytopathic effects caused by JEV infection. We also highlight the role of JEV structural proteins (SPs) and non-structural proteins (NSPs) at various stages of the JEV life cycle that are involved in up- and downregulation of different host proteins and are potentially relevant for developing efficient therapeutic drugs.

Pentagalloylglucose suppresses the growth and migration of human nasopharyngeal cancer cells via the GSK3β/β-catenin pathway in vitro and in vivo

BACKGROUND

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a type of malignant squamous cell tumour originating from the nasopharynx epithelium. Pentagalloylglucose (PGG) is a natural polyphenolic compound that exerts anticancer effects in many types of tumours. However, the role and underlying mechanism of PGG in NPC cells have not been fully defined.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the anticancer activity of PGG as well as the potential mechanism in NPC cells.

METHODS

The effects of PGG on the proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle distribution of CNE1 and CNE2 cells were assessed by MTT and flow cytometry assays. Cell migration was evaluated using wound healing and transwell assays. The expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta (LC3B) was observed by immunofluorescence staining. Western blotting was used to explore the levels of related proteins and signalling pathway components. Furthermore, the effects of PGG on NPC cell growth were analysed in a xenograft mouse model in vivo using cisplatin as a positive control.

RESULTS

PGG dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation of CNE1 and CNE2 cells. PGG regulated the cell cycle by altering p53, cyclin D1, CDK2, and cyclin E1 protein levels. PGG induced apoptosis and autophagy in NPC cells and elevated the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and the protein levels of LC3B. Moreover, PGG decreased NPC cell migration by increasing E-cadherin and decreasing N-cadherin, vimentin and CD44 protein levels. Mechanistically, PGG treatment downregulated p-mTOR and β-catenin expression but upregulated p-p38 MAPK and p-GSK3β expression. In addition, PGG significantly inhibited NPC cell tumour growth and lung metastasis in vivo.

CONCLUSION

PGG may suppress cell proliferation, induce apoptosis and autophagy, and decrease the metastatic capacity of NPC cells through the p38 MAPK/mTOR and Wnt/β-catenin pathways. The present study provides evidence for PGG as a potential therapy for NPC.

Glaucocalyxin A impairs tumor growth via amplification of the ATF4/CHOP/CHAC1 cascade in human oral squamous cell carcinoma

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The natural extract glaucocalyxin A (GLA), purified from the aboveground sections of the Chinese traditional medicinal herb Rabdosia japonica (Burm. f.) Hara var. glaucocalyx (Maxim.) Hara, has various pharmacological benefits, such as anti-bacterial, anti-coagulative, anti-neoplastic, and anti-inflammatory activities. Although GLA has shown anti-tumor activity against various cancers, the therapeutic potential and biological mechanisms of GLA remain to be further explored in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to elucidate the therapeutic potential and regulatory mechanisms of GLA in OSCC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The cell proliferation and apoptosis effects of GLA were analyzed by CCK-8, clone formation, Annexin V/PI staining, and apoptotic protein expression in vitro. An OSCC xenograft model was applied to confirm the anti-neoplastic effect in vivo. Furthermore, the changes of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were determined by DCFH-DA probe and GSH/GSSG assay, and inhibited by the pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD(OMe)-FMK and the ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine (NAC). The modulation of GLA on mitochondria and ER-dependent apoptosis pathways was analyzed by JC-1 probe, quantitative real-time PCR, and Western blot. Finally, public databases, clinical samples, and transfection cells were analyzed to explore the importance of GLA's indirect targeting molecule CHAC1 in OSCC.

RESULTS

GLA significantly inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. GLA perturbed the redox homeostasis, and cell apoptosis was totally rescued by Z-VAD(OMe)-FMK and NAC. Furthermore, GLA activated the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. Simultaneously, the overexpression and knockdown of CHAC1 dramatically affected GLA-mediated apoptosis. The endoplasmic reticulum stress-associated ATF4/CHOP signal was identified to participate in GLA-upregulated CHAC1 expression. Finally, we found that CHAC1 expression was lower in OSCC compared with normal tissues and positively correlated with 4-Hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) level. High CHAC1 expression also indicated better overall survival. Moreover, CHAC1 selectively regulated the viability of oral cancer cells.

CONCLUSION

GLA is a promising therapeutic agent that activates the ROS-mediated ATF4/CHOP/CHAC1 axis in OSCC patients.

2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone-enriched extract of the resinous heartwood of Chinese agarwood (Aquilaria sinensis) protects against taurocholic acid-induced gastric epithelial cells apoptosis through Perk/eIF2α/CHOP pathway

BACKGROUND

Injury of gastric epithelial cells is one of the most important pathological features of bile reflux gastritis. Chinese agarwood (the resinous heartwood of Aquilaria sinensis) has been used to treat stomach problems for thousands of years in China. However, the pathological mechanism of epithelial cells death induced by bile acids and the therapeutic target of Chinese agarwood for improving bile reflux gastritis have not yet been fully clarified.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the pro-apoptotic effect of taurocholic acid (TCA) by regulating the ER stress pathway. Moreover, the role of Chinese agarwood 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone-enriched extract (CPE) to inhibit gastric epithelial cell death induced by TCA was also been demonstrated.

METHODS

We adopted human gastric epithelial GES-1 cells to explore the mechanism of TCA-induced cell death in vitro. Then the cell viability, apoptosis rate, and protein expressions were evaluated to explore the protective effects of CPE on GES-1 cells by TCA injury. The therapeutic effect of CPE on bile reflux gastritis was further confirmed by the bile reflux mice in vivo.

RESULTS

Our results demonstrated that TCA activated GES-1 cell apoptosis by increased cleavage of caspase-7 and PARP. Further experiments showed that TCA up-regulated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, subsequently triggered the apoptosis of the epithelial cells. Our research explored that CPE is the main effective fraction in Chinese agarwood by preventing the TCA-induced gastric epithelial cell injury. CPE effectively suppressed GES-1 cell apoptosis activated by TCA through inhibiting Perk/eIF2α/CHOP pathway. The anti-apoptotic effect of CPE on gastric mucosa had also been confirmed in vivo. Moreover, the main effective components in CPE corresponding to the protection of epithelial cells were also been identified.

CONCLUSION

Our finding suggested that CPE recovered the TCA-induced epithelial cell apoptosis by mediating the activation of ER stress, which explored potential medicine to treat bile reflux gastritis.

TMT-Based Quantitative Proteomics Analysis Reveals the Panoramic Pharmacological Molecular Mechanism of β-Elemonic Acid Inhibition of Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide but has limited available therapeutic methods; therefore, there is a need to develop highly efficient prevention and treatment strategies. Here, we investigated the anti-cancer activity of β-elemonic acid (EA) in CRC in vitro and in vivo. Our results showed that EA inhibited cell proliferation and migration in the CRC cell lines SW480 and HCT116. Moreover, EA significantly suppressed the growth of transplanted colorectal tumors in nude mice. Interestingly, high-throughput tandem mass tag (TMT)-based quantitative proteomics indicated that EA mainly targets tumor mitochondria and attenuates the translation of 54 mitochondrial ribosome proteins, many of which are discovered significantly upregulated in clinical CRC patients. More interestingly, EA at a low concentration (lower than 15 μg/ml) repressed the cell cycle by downregulating CDK1, CDK6, and CDC20, whereas at a high concentration (higher than 15 μg/ml), caused a non-apoptotic cell death-ferroptosis via downregulating ferritin (FTL) and upregulating transferrin (TF), ferroxidase (CP), and acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4). This is the first report on the panoramic molecular mechanism of EA against CRC, which would make great contributions to developing a novel drug for colorectal cancer therapy.

Identification of a novel iron zinc finger protein 36 (ZFP36) for predicting the overall survival of osteosarcoma based on the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database

Background

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between the ferroptosis-related gene zinc finger protein 36 (ZFP36) and the prognosis of osteosarcoma patients after surgery.

Methods

Differential expression genes (DEGs) between osteosarcoma and normal tissues were screened using osteosarcoma chip data in GEO database. Based on the median expression quantity, ferroptosis DEGs were divided into high and low expression groups. Combined with its corresponding clinical survival data, the survival analysis of ferroptosis DEGs was carried out using the Survival package, and ferroptosis-related genes related to prognosis were identified. Next, the clinical data of 60 osteosarcoma patients treated in Jiangyin Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Zhongda Hospital and Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from January 2011 to January 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were used to detect gene expression in osteosarcoma. The Kaplan-Meier method and log rank test were used for univariate survival analysis, the Cox regression method was used for multivariate analysis, and the nomogram was constructed for internal verification on this basis.

Results

Immunohistochemical and reverse transcription quantitative PCR results showed that the expression of ZFP36 was mainly higher in cancer-adjacent tissues than in tumor tissues. There were significant differences in age, tumor location, Enneking stage, and tumor specific growth factor (TSGF) between the high and low expression groups of ZFP36 (P<0.05). The final study included 60 patients, of whom 23 patients died (mortality rate: 38.33%), and 37 patients survived (survival rate: 61.67%), with a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 32.5 months and a median overall survival (OS) of 77 months. The Cox multivariate analysis showed that distant metastasis and ZFP36 were independent risk factors affecting tumor progression (P=0.021 and P=0.006, respectively). Elevated ZFP36 can significantly prolong the OS and PFS of osteosarcoma patients. In internal verification, the Concordance index (C-index) of the nomogram was 0.7211 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.6308–0.8115], and the prediction model had certain accuracy.

Conclusions

Elevated ZFP36 can significantly prolong the OS and PFS in osteosarcoma patients. At the same time, ZFP36 could be used as a new predictive biomarker and novel therapeutic target for osteosarcoma patients.

1, 8-cineole attenuates cardiac hypertrophy in heart failure by inhibiting the miR-206-3p/SERP1 pathway

BACKGROUND

1,8-Cineole (1,8-CIN) is a monoterpene found in diverse dietary and medicinal herbs that has been reported to be effective against cardiovascular diseases.

PURPOSE

The present research was designed to elucidate the treatment effects and the underlying mechanism of 1,8-CIN on heart failure (HF).

METHOD

An in vitro cardiac hypertrophy model and an in vivo heart failure (HF) model induced by isoprenaline (ISO) were established and treated with or without 1,8-CIN. In vitro miR-206-3p mimic or inhibitors were created. MiR-206-3p, SERP1 and related mRNAs or proteins were detected using qPCR or western blotting. Cell viability was tested by MTT assay, and apoptosis was measured using TUNEL assay, AO/EB assay and flow cytometry. Actin was stained with FITC-phalloidin. MiR-206-3p and related mRNAs or proteins in cardiac muscle tissues were measured using qPCR or western blotting, HE staining, Masson staining.

RESULTS

ISO subcutaneous injection increased cardiac hypertrophy, cytoplasmic vacuole formation, myofiber loss and fibrosis and decreased cardiomyocyte viability. 1,8-CIN treatment improved cardiomyocyte viability and reduced cardiac hypertrophy, cytoplasmic vacuole formation, myofibre loss and fibrosis. We found that 1,8-CIN attenuated apoptosis. We observed that expression of miR-206-3p was dramatically increased in ISO-exposed cardiomyocytes or ISO-treated rat hearts. MiR-206-3p was identified to target the 3'UTR of SERP1, resulting in the accumulation of un- or misfolded proteins, leading to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that 1,8-CIN reduces the apoptosis induced by ER stress through inhibiting miR-206-3p, which inhibits the expression of SERP1.

α-Mangostin Induces Apoptosis in Human Osteosarcoma Cells Through ROS-Mediated Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress via the WNT Pathway

α-mangostin has been confirmed to promote the apoptosis of MG-63 cells, but its specific pro-apoptosis mechanism in osteosarcoma (OS) remains further investigation. Here, we demonstrated that α-mangostin restrained the viability of OS cells (143B and Saos-2), but had little effect on the growth of normal human osteoblast. α-mangostin increased OS cell apoptosis by activating the caspase-3/8 cascade. Besides, α-mangostin induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and restrained the Wnt/β-catenin pathway activity. 4PBA (an ER stress inhibitor) or LiCl (an effective Wnt activator) treatment effectively hindered α-mangostin-induced apoptosis and the caspase-3/8 cascade. Furthermore, we also found that α-mangostin induced ER stress by promoting ROS production. And ER stress-mediated apoptosis caused by ROS accumulation depended on the inactivation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway. In addition, α-mangostin significantly hindered the growth of xenograft tumors, induced the expression of ER stress marker proteins and activation of the caspase-3/8 cascade, and restrained the Wnt/β-catenin signaling in vivo. In short, ROS-mediated ER stress was involved in α-mangostin triggered apoptosis, which might depended on Wnt/β-catenin signaling inactivation.

Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract ameliorates cisplatin-induced testicular apoptosis via PI3K/Akt/mTOR and endoplasmic reticulum stress pathways in rats

Testicular toxicity is an adverse reaction of the effective chemotherapy drug cisplatin (CIS). Our previous study found that grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) had a protective effect on CIS-induced testicular toxicity. However, the protective mechanism of GSPE against CIS-induced testicular toxicity remains unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether GSPE can reduce CIS-induced testicular toxicity and its potential mechanism in rats. The results showed that GSPE ameliorated CIS-induced the apoptosis of testicular cells and inhibited the protein levels of Bad, Cyt c, caspase-9, caspase-3, caspase-12, GRP78, CHOP, IRE1α, p-IRE1α, XBP-1S, PERK, p-PERK, eIF2α, and p-eIF2α. Besides, GSPE reversed the downregulation of PI3K, p-PI3K, Akt, p-Akt, mTOR, and p-mTOR protein expression induced by CIS. These results indicated that GSPE can improve CIS-induced testicular cells apoptosis via activating PI3K/Akt/mTOR and inhibiting Bad/Cyt c/caspase-9/caspase-3 pathways. And GSPE relieved endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated apoptosis via inhibiting PREK/eIF2α and IRE1α/XBP-1S/caspase-12 pathways. In conclusion, the evidence suggested that GSPE can act as a protective agent against testicular toxicity induced by CIS. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Testicular toxicity was a well-known adverse effect of cisplatin (CIS) in cancer treatment. Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) has been reported to serve as one of the most therapeutic potentials agents. In present study, we explored the regulatory effects of GSPE on the apoptosis induced by CIS, which involved testicular apoptosis mechanisms in rats. Our results indicated that CIS caused testicular toxicity via PI3K/AKT/mTOR and ERS mediated apoptosis pathway in rats. This toxicity was attenuated by GSPE treatment via activated PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, and inhibiting Bad/CytC/caspase-9/caspase-3 as well as PREK/eIF2α, IRE1α/XBP-1S/caspase-12 pathways. Our findings suggest that GSPE may be a novel protective agent against testicular toxicity induced by CIS.

Pharmacological Disruption of Phosphorylated Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-2α/Activating Transcription Factor 4/Indian Hedgehog Protects Intervertebral Disc Degeneration via Reducing the Reactive Oxygen Species and Apoptosis of Nucleus Pulposus Cells

Excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis in nucleus pulposus (NP) cells accelerate the process of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Here, we integrated pathological samples and in vitro and in vivo framework to investigate the impact of phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor-2α (eIF2α)/activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4)/Indian hedgehog (Ihh) signaling in the IDD. From the specimen analysis of the IDD patients, we found phosphorylated eIF2α (p-eIF2α), ATF4 and Ihh protein levels were positively related while the NP tissue went degenerative. In vitro, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α caused the NP cell degeneration and induced a cascade of upregulation of p-eIF2α, ATF4, and Ihh. Interestingly, ATF4 could enhance Ihh expression through binding its promoter region, and silencing of ATF4 decreased Ihh and protected the NP cells from degeneration. Moreover, ISRIB inhibited the p-eIF2α, which resulted in a suppression of ATF4/Ihh, and alleviated the TNF-α-induced ROS production and apoptosis of NP cells. On the contrary, further activating p-eIF2α aggravated the NP cell degeneration, with amplification of ATF4/Ihh and a higher level of ROS and apoptosis. Additionally, applying cyclopamine (CPE) to suppress Ihh was efficient to prevent NP cell apoptosis but did not decrease the ROS level. In an instability-induced IDD model in mice, ISRIB suppressed p-eIF2α/ATF4/Ihh and prevented IDD via protecting the anti-oxidative enzymes and decreased the NP cell apoptosis. CPE prevented NP cell apoptosis but did not affect anti-oxidative enzyme expression. Taken together, p-eIF2α/ATF4/Ihh signaling involves the ROS level and apoptosis in NP cells, the pharmacological disruption of which may provide promising methods in preventing IDD.

β-elemonic acid inhibits growth and triggers apoptosis in human castration-resistant prostate cancer cells through the suppression of JAK2/STAT3/MCL-1 and NF-ĸB signal pathways

Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) has become a significant problem in the current treatment of prostate cancer (PCa) with the characteristics of high metastatic potential, resistance and easy recurrence. The abnormal activation of JAK2/STAT3/MCL-1 and NF-κB has been confirmed as the main reason for the development of CRPC. We previously found that β-elemonic acid (β-EA) as a natural triterpene has potential anti-inflammatory and anti-osteosarcoma effects with lower toxicity. But it remains unknown whether it had effects on CRPC. The present research in vitro and in vivo systematically investigates anti-cancer effects and mechanisms of β-EA on human CRPC. β-EA treatment resulted in apoptotic cell death in human PCa cells by mitochondrial apoptotic pathways (including up-regulation of cleaved caspase-3, cleaved PARP, and Bax or down-regulation of Bcl-2). Besides, β-EA at relatively lower levels inhibited colony-forming, the migration and invasion potential of PCa cells, indicating its anti-proliferation and anti-metastasis activities. After exploring the potential mechanism, our results suggested that it subsequently inhibited the activation of JAK2/STAT3/MCL-1 and NF-κB signaling pathway by the administration of β-EA. The silencing of NF-κB/p65, JAK2 and STAT3, respectively, increased the sensitivity of the PCa cells to β-EA induced apoptosis. Moreover, β-EA exhibited a strong affinity with its essential proteins JAK2, RELA/p65, NF-κBIα/IκBα by molecular docking analysis. Importantly, β-EA retards tumor growth in a murine xenograft model, consistent with our study in vitro. Taken together, findings from this study reveal for the first time the potential role and mechanisms of β-EA on CRPC.

Identification of KIF4A as a pan-cancer diagnostic and prognostic biomarker via bioinformatics analysis and validation in osteosarcoma cell lines

Background

Cancer is a disease of abnormal cell proliferation caused by abnormal expression of cancer-related genes. However, it is still difficult to distinguish benign and malignant lesions in many cases. KIF4A has been reported to be associated with a variety of cancer lesions. We aimed to explore whether KIF4A could be used as a biomarker of pan-cancer diagnostic.

Methods

We identified twenty-eight cell cycle-related genes that were overexpressed in no less than ten types of cancer. We determined KIF4A mRNA and protein expression in osteosarcoma (OS) cells. Furthermore, to determine the effect of KIF4A in OS, we silenced KIF4A in OS cells and detected cell viability, colony formation, invasion, migration, apoptosis and cell cycle parameters.

Results

KIF4A exhibited upregulated expression in eleven types of cancer. Cell cycle-related genes are extensively overexpressed in various types of cancers. KIF4A overexpression can serve as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in various cancers. Silencing KIF4A inhibited the viability, colony formation, invasion and migration and induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest of OS cells. Our findings revealed that high expression of KIF4A could serve as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in OS cancers.

Conclusion

KIF4A could serve as a pan-cancer diagnostic and prognostic marker. KIF4A could be used as a novel therapeutic target for OS.

Development and validation of a sensitive UHPLC-MS/MS method for the measurement of β-elemonic acid in rat plasma and tissues and its application to pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution study

β-Elemonic acid is one of the main active ingredients isolated from Boswellia carterii Birdw. which has been reported to exhibit potential anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities. There is few information about pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of β-elemonic acid by now. In this study, an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method has been developed and validated to determine β-elemonic acid in rat plasma and various tissues after intragastric administration. Oleanolic acid was chosen as an internal standard (IS) and the plasma/tissue samples were pretreated with one-step liquid-liquid extraction. Chromatographic separation was accomplished on Eclipse Plus C18 analytical column (2.1 × 50 mm, 1.8 μm) utilizing a gradient mobile phase system consisting of water (with 0.1% ammonia-solution) and acetonitrile. β-Elemonic acid and IS were detected and quantified using negative electrospray ionization in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode with transitions of m/z 453.3 → 423.5 for β-elemonic acid and m/z 455.3 → 407.6 for IS. β-Elemonic acid showed good linearity over the investigated concentration range (r > 0.9934) in rat plasma and tissue sample. The method was successfully applied for determination of β-elemonic acid in bio-samples. A bimodal phenomenon appeared in the plasma concentration-time curve of the β-elemonic acid. The highest tissue concentrations were found in the intestine including jejunum, ileum and colon.

Crosstalk of long non-coding RNAs and EMT: Searching the missing pieces of an incomplete puzzle for lung cancer therapy

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer is considered to be the first place among the cancer-related deaths worldwide and demands novel strategies in the treatment of this life-threatening disorder. The aim of this review is to explore regulation of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in lung cancer.

INTRODUCTION

LncRNAs can be considered as potential factors for targeting in cancer therapy, since they regulate a bunch of biological processes, e.g. cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. The abnormal expression of lncRNAs occurs in different cancer cells. On the other hand, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical mechanism participating in migration and metastasis of cancer cells.

METHOD

Different databases including Googlescholar, Pubmed and Sciencedirect were used for collecting articles using keywords such as "LncRNA", "EMT", and "Lung cancer".

RESULT

There are tumor-suppressing lncRNAs that can suppress EMT and metastasis of lung cancer cells. Expression of such lncRNAs undergoes down-regulation in lung cancer progression and restoring their expression is of importance in suppressing lung cancer migration. There are tumor-promoting lncRNAs triggering EMT in lung cancer and enhancing their migration.

CONCLUSION

LncRNAs are potential regulators of EMT in lung cancer, and targeting them, both pharmacologically and genetically, can be of importance in controlling migration of lung cancer cells.

Roles of Reactive Oxygen Species in Biological Behaviors of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa), known as a heterogenous disease, has a high incidence and mortality rate around the world and seriously threatens public health. As an inevitable by-product of cellular metabolism, reactive oxygen species (ROS) exhibit beneficial effects by regulating signaling cascades and homeostasis. More and more evidence highlights that PCa is closely associated with age, and high levels of ROS are driven through activation of several signaling pathways with age, which facilitate the initiation, development, and progression of PCa. Nevertheless, excessive amounts of ROS result in harmful effects, such as genotoxicity and cell death. On the other hand, PCa cells adaptively upregulate antioxidant genes to detoxify from ROS, suggesting that a subtle balance of intracellular ROS levels is required for cancer cell functions. The current review discusses the generation and biological roles of ROS in PCa and provides new strategies based on the regulation of ROS for the treatment of PCa.