The effects of MAPK inhibitors on a proteasome inhibitor, MG132-induced HeLa cell death in relation to reactive oxygen species and glutathione

α-lipoic acid modulates prostate cancer cell growth and bone cell differentiation

Prostate cancer (PCa) progression leads to bone modulation in approximately 70% of affected men. A nutraceutical, namely, α-lipoic acid (α-LA), is known for its potent anti-cancer properties towards various cancers and has been implicated in treating and promoting bone health. Our study aimed to explore the molecular mechanism behind the role of α-LA as therapeutics in preventing PCa and its associated bone modulation. Notably, α-LA treatment significantly reduced the cell viability, migration, and invasion of PCa cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, α-LA supplementation dramatically increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and HIF-1α expression, which started the downstream molecular cascade and activated JNK/caspase-3 signaling pathway. Flow cytometry data revealed the arrest of the cell cycle in the S-phase, which has led to apoptosis of PCa cells. Furthermore, the results of ALP (Alkaline phosphatase) and TRAP (tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase) staining signifies that α-LA supplementation diminished the PCa-mediated differentiation of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, respectively, in the MC3T3-E1 and bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) cells. In summary, α-LA supplementation enhanced cellular apoptosis via increased ROS levels, HIF-1α expression, and JNK/caspase-3 signaling pathway in advanced human PCa cell lines. Also, the treatment of α-LA improved bone health by reducing PCa-mediated bone cell modulation.

Combination of Everolimus and Bortezomib Inhibits the Growth and Metastasis of Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas via JNK/p38/ERK MAPK and AKT Pathways

The combination of the mammalian target of rapamycin and proteasome inhibitors is a new treatment strategy for various tumors. Herein, we investigated the synergistic effect of everolimus and bortezomib on tumor growth and metastasis in bone and soft tissue sarcomas. The antitumor effects of everolimus and bortezomib were assessed in a human fibrosarcoma (FS) cell line (HT1080) and mouse osteosarcoma (OS) cell line (LM8) by MTS assays and Western blotting. The effects of everolimus and bortezomib on HT1080 and LM8 tumor growth in xenograft mouse models were evaluated using tumor volume and the number of metastatic nodes of the resected lungs. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate cleaved PARP expression. The combination therapy decreased FS and OS cell proliferation compared with either drug alone. This combination induced more intense p-p38, p-JNK, and p-ERK and activated apoptosis signals, such as caspase-3, compared with single-agent treatment. The combination treatment reduced p-AKT and MYC expression, decreased FS and OS tumor volumes, and suppressed lung metastases of OS. The combination therapy inhibited tumor growth in FS and OS and metastatic progression of OS via the JNK/p38/ERK MAPK and AKT pathways. These results could aid in the development of new therapeutic strategies for sarcomas.

Enhanced cell death effects of MAP kinase inhibitors in propyl gallate-treated lung cancer cells are related to increased ROS levels and GSH depletion

Propyl gallate (PG) has an anti-growth effect in lung cancer cells. The present study investigated the effects of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK; MEK, JNK, and p38) inhibitors on PG-treated Calu-6 and A549 lung cancer cells in relation to cell death as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH) levels. PG induced cell death in both Calu-6 and A549 lung cancer cells at 24 h, which was accompanied by loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP; ΔΨ_m). All of the tested MAPK inhibitors increased cell death in both PG-treated lung cancer cell lines. In particular, MEK inhibitor strongly enhanced cell death and MMP (ΔΨ_m) loss in PG-treated Calu-6 cells and p38 inhibitor had the same effects in A549 cells as well. PG increased ROS levels and caused GSH depletion in both cell lines at 24 h. MAPK inhibitors increased O₂^•- levels and GSH depletion in PG-treated Calu-6 cells, and JNK and p38 inhibitors increased ROS levels and GSH depletion in PG-treated A549 cells. In conclusion, MAPK inhibitors increased cell death in PG-treated Calu-6 and A549 lung cancer cells. Enhanced cell death and GSH depletion in Calu-6 cells caused by the MEK inhibitor were related to increased O₂^•- levels, and the effects of the p38 inhibitor in A549 cells were correlated with increased general ROS levels.

Treatment with a JNK inhibitor increases, whereas treatment with a p38 inhibitor decreases, H2O2-induced calf pulmonary arterial endothelial cell death

Oxidative stress induces apoptosis in endothelial cells (ECs). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) promote cell death by regulating the activity of various mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in ECs. The present study investigated the effects of MAPK inhibitors on cell survival and glutathione (GSH) levels upon H₂O₂ treatment in calf pulmonary artery ECs (CPAECs). H₂O₂ treatment inhibited the growth and induced the death of CPAECs, as well as causing GSH depletion and the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). While treatment with the MEK or JNK inhibitor impaired the growth of H₂O₂-treated CPAECs, treatment with the p38 inhibitor attenuated this inhibition of growth. Additionally, JNK inhibitor treatment increased the proportion of sub-G₁ phase cells in H₂O₂-treated CPAECs and further decreased the MMP. However, treatment with a p38 inhibitor reversed the effects of H₂O₂ treatment on cell growth and the MMP. Similarly, JNK inhibitor treatment further increased, whereas p38 inhibitor treatment decreased, the proportion of GSH-depleted cells in H₂O₂-treated CPAECs. Each of the MAPK inhibitors affected cell survival, and ROS or GSH levels differently in H₂O₂-untreated, control CPAECs. The data suggest that the exposure of CPAECs to H₂O₂ caused the cell growth inhibition and cell death through GSH depletion. Furthermore, JNK inhibitor treatment further enhanced, whereas p38 inhibitors attenuated, these effects. Thus, the results of the present study suggest a specific protective role for the p38 inhibitor, and not the JNK inhibitor, against H₂O₂-induced cell growth inhibition and cell death.

Anticancer effect of celastrol on human triple negative breast cancer: possible involvement of oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis and PI3K/Akt pathways

Signaling via the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is crucial for divergent physiological processes including transcription, translation, cell-cycle progression and apoptosis. The aim of work was to elucidate the anti-cancer effect of celastrol and the signal transduction pathways involved. Cytotoxic effect of celastrol was assessed by MTT assay on human triple negative breast cancer cells (TNBCs) and compared with that of MCF-7. Apoptosis induction was determined by AO/EtBr staining, mitochondrial membrane potential by JC-1, Annexin binding assays and modulation of apoptotic proteins and its effect on PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway by western blotting. Celastrol induced apoptosis in TNBC cells, were supported by DNA fragmentation, caspase-3 activation and PARP cleavage. Meanwhile, celastrol triggered reactive oxygen species production with collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential, down-regulation of Bcl-2 and up-regulation of Bax expression. Celastrol effectively decreased PI3K 110α/85α enzyme activity, phosphorylation of Akt(ser473) and p70S6K1 and 4E-BP1. Although insulin treatment increased the phosphorylation of Akt(ser473), p70S6K1, 4E-BP1, celastrol abolished the insulin mediated phosphorylation. It clearly indicates that celastrol acts through PI3k/Akt/mTOR axis. We also found that celastrol inhibited the Akt/GSK3β and Akt/NFkB survival pathway. PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibitor, PF-04691502 and mTOR inhibitor rapamycin enhanced the apoptosis-inducing effect of celastrol. These data demonstrated that celastrol induces apoptosis in TNBC cells and indicated that apoptosis might be mediated through mitochondrial dysfunction and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

4-chloro-1,2-phenylenediamine induces apoptosis in Mardin-Darby canine kidney cells via activation of caspases

4-Chloro-1,2-phenylenediamine (4-Cl-o-PD) is a halogenated aromatic diamine that was used as a precursor for manufacturing permanent hair dyes. Despite its well-documented mutagenic and carcinogenic effects in a number of in vitro and in vivo models, its cytotoxicity and mode of action have not received similar attention. Here, we investigated the effect of 4-Cl-o-PD on Mardin-Darby canine kidney cells. It induced apoptosis and the evidence suggests its initiation by reactive oxygen species (ROS). The results of various assays used show a dose-dependent (i) decrease in cell viability, (ii) increase in cells at sub-G1 phase and the G0/G1 phase arrested in cell cycle, (iii) increase in intracellular ROS accompanied by depletion of glutathione, and (iv) that apoptotic cell death probably involves activation of both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways.

MG132, a proteasome inhibitor, induces apoptosis in tumor cells

The balance between cell proliferation and apoptosis is critical for normal development and for the maintenance of homeostasis in adult organisms. Disruption of this balance has been implicated in a large number of disease processes, ranging from autoimmunity and neurodegenerative disorders to cancer. The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, responsible for mediating the majority of intracellular proteolysis, plays a crucial role in the regulation of many normal cellular processes, including the cell cycle, differentiation and apoptosis. Apoptosis in cancer cells is closely connected with the activity of ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. The peptide-aldehyde proteasome inhibitor MG132 (carbobenzoxyl-L-leucyl-L-leucyl-L-leucine) induces the apoptosis of cells by a different intermediary pathway. Although the pathway of induction of apoptosis is different, it plays a crucial role in anti-tumor treatment. There are many cancer-related molecules in which the protein levels present in cells are regulated by a proteasomal pathway; for example, tumor inhibitors (P53, E2A, c-Myc, c-Jun, c-Fos), transcription factors (transcription factor nuclear factor-kappa B, IκBα, HIFI, YYI, ICER), cell cycle proteins (cyclin A and B, P27, P21, IAP1/3), MG132 induces cell apoptosis through formation of reactive oxygen species or the upregulation and downregulation of these factors, which is ultimately dependent upon the activation of the caspase family of cysteine proteases. In this article we review the mechanism of the induction of apoptosis in order to provide information required for research.

Gallic acid-induced lung cancer cell death is related to glutathione depletion as well as reactive oxygen species increase

Gallic acid (GA) widely distributed in plants and foods has its various biological effects. Here, we investigated the anti-cancer effects of GA on Calu-6 and A549 lung cancer cells in relation to reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH). GA dose-dependently decreased the growth of Calu-6 and A549 cells with an IC(50) of approximately 10-50 microM and 100-200 microM GA at 24h, respectively. GA also induced cell death in lung cancer cells, which was accompanied by the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP; DeltaPsi(m)). The percents of MMP (DeltaPsi(m)) loss and death cells were lower in A549 cells than Calu-6 cells. GA increased ROS levels including O(2)(-) in lung cancer cells at 24h and also GSH depleted cell numbers at this time. N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC; a well-known antioxidant) intensified growth inhibition and death in GA-treated lung cancer cells. NAC changed ROS levels and increased GSH depletion in these cells. Vitamin C significantly attenuated cell death, ROS levels and GSH depletion in GA-treated lung cancer cells. L-buthionine sulfoximine (BSO; an inhibitor of GSH synthesis) slightly enhanced growth inhibition and death in GA-treated lung cancer cells and also mildly increased ROS levels and GSH depletion in these cells. In conclusion, GA inhibited the growth of lung cancer cells. GA-induced lung cancer cell death was related to GSH depletion as well as ROS level changes.