Apoptosis: biochemical aspects and clinical implications

FL118 Is a Potent Therapeutic Agent against Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Resistant to BCR-ABL Inhibitors through Targeting RNA Helicase DDX5

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is induced by the expression of the fused tyrosine kinase BCR-ABL, which is caused by a chromosomal translocation. BCR-ABL inhibitors have been used to treat CML; however, the acquisition of resistance by CML cells during treatment is a serious issue. We herein demonstrated that BCR-ABL induced the expression of the RNA helicase DDX5 in K562 cells derived from CML patients in a manner that was dependent on its kinase activity, which resulted in cell proliferation and survival. The knockout of DDX5 decreased the expression of BIRC5 (survivin) and activated caspase 3, leading to apoptosis in K562 cells. Similar results were obtained in cells treated with FL118, an inhibitor of DDX5 and a derivative compound of camptothecin (CPT). Furthermore, FL118 potently induced apoptosis not only in Ba/F3 cells expressing BCR-ABL, but also in those expressing the BCR-ABL T315I mutant, which is resistant to BCR-ABL inhibitors. Collectively, these results revealed that DDX5 is a critical therapeutic target in CML and that FL118 is an effective candidate compound for the treatment of BCR-ABL inhibitor-resistant CML.

Sphingolipids: From structural components to signaling hubs

In late November 2019, Prof. Lina M. Obeid passed away from cancer, a disease she spent her life researching and studying its intricate molecular underpinnings. Along with her husband, Prof. Yusuf A. Hannun, Obeid laid down the foundations of sphingolipid biochemistry and oversaw its remarkable evolution over the years. Lipids are a class of macromolecules that are primarily associated with cellular architecture. In fact, lipids constitute the perimeter of the cell in such a way that without them, there cannot be cells. Hence, much of the early research on lipids identified the function of this class of biological molecules as merely structural. Nevertheless, unlike proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids, lipids are elaborately diverse as they are not made up of monomers in polymeric forms. This diversity in structure is clearly mirrored by functional pleiotropy. In this chapter, we focus on a major subset of lipids, sphingolipids, and explore their historic rise from merely inert structural components of plasma membranes to lively and necessary signaling molecules that transmit various signals and control many cellular processes. We will emphasize the works of Lina Obeid since she was an integral pillar of the sphingolipid research world.

Review on Metal-Based Theranostic Nanoparticles for Cancer Therapy and Imaging

Theranostic agents are promising due to their ability to diagnose, treat and monitor different types of cancer using a variety of imaging modalities. The advantage specifically of nanoparticles is that they can accumulate easily at the tumor site due to the large gaps in blood vessels near tumors. Such high concentration of theranostic agents at the target site can lead to enhancement in both imaging and therapy. This article provides an overview of nanoparticles that have been used for cancer theranostics, and the different imaging, treatment options and signaling pathways that are important when using nanoparticles for cancer theranostics. In particular, nanoparticles made of metal elements are emphasized due to their wide applications in cancer theranostics. One important aspect discussed is the ability to combine different types of metals in one nanoplatform for use as multimodal imaging and therapeutic agents for cancer.

NEBL and AKT1 maybe new targets to eliminate the colorectal cancer cells resistance to oncolytic effect of vesicular stomatitis virus M-protein

This study compares the oncolytic effect of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) wild type and M51R M-protein on the colorectal tumors of different invasive intensity on SW480 and HCT116 cell lines and 114 fresh colorectal cancer primary cell cultures. Fresh tumor samples were divided into two groups of lower stages (I/II) and higher stages (III/IV) regarding the medical records. The presence of two mutations in the PIK3CA gene and the expression of NEBL and AKT1 genes were evaluated. The cells were transfected with a plasmid encoding VSV wild-type and M51R mutant M-protein. Results showed either wild type or M51R mutant can kill SW480 and stage I/II primary cultures while mutant M-protein had no apoptotic effects on HCT116 cells and stage III/IV primary cultures. NEBL and AKT1 expression were significantly higher in resistant cells. Elevated caspase-9 activity confirmed that the intrinsic apoptosis pathway is the reason for cell death in lower-stage cells. Different tumors from the same cancer exhibit different treatment sensitivity due to genetic difference. NEBL and AKT1 gene expression may be responsible for this difference, which may be the target of future investigations. Therefore, tumor staging should be considered in oncolytic viral treatment as an interfering factor.

TAS4464, a NEDD8-activating enzyme inhibitor, activates both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways via c-Myc-mediated regulation in acute myeloid leukemia

TAS4464, a potent, selective small molecule NEDD8-activating enzyme (NAE) inhibitor, leads to inactivation of cullin-RING E3 ubiquitin ligases (CRLs) and consequent accumulations of its substrate proteins. Here, we investigated the antitumor properties and action mechanism of TAS4464 in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). TAS4464 induced apoptotic cell death in various AML cell lines. TAS4464 treatments resulted in the activation of both the caspase-9-mediated intrinsic apoptotic pathway and caspase-8-mediated extrinsic apoptotic pathway in AML cells; combined treatment with inhibitors of these caspases markedly diminished TAS4464-induced apoptosis. In each apoptotic pathway, TAS4464 induced the mRNA transcription of the intrinsic proapoptotic factor NOXA and decreased that of the extrinsic antiapoptotic factor c-FLIP. RNA-sequencing analysis showed that the signaling pathway of the CRL substrate c-Myc was enriched after TAS4464 treatment. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay revealed that TAS4464-induced c-Myc bound to the PMAIP1 (encoding NOXA) and CFLAR (encoding c-FLIP) promoter regions, and siRNA-mediated c-Myc knockdown neutralized both TAS4464-mediated NOXA induction and c-FLIP downregulation. TAS4464 activated both caspase-8 and caspase-9 along with an increase in NOXA and a decrease in c-FLIP, resulting in complete tumor remission in a human AML xenograft model. These findings suggest that NAE inhibition leads to anti-AML activity via a novel c-Myc-dependent apoptosis induction mechanism.

Anticancer Activity of Pasak Bumi Root Extract (Eurycoma longifolia Jack) on Raji Cells

<b>Background and Objective:</b> The use of the roots of the pasak bumi (<i>E. longifolia</i> Jack) to treat cancer has been studied widely, however, the scientific basis of these plants used as an anticancer drug is widely unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the anticancer activity of ethyl acetate and non-ethyl acetate fractions of pasak bumi roots in Raji cells. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> The cytotoxicity test is using the direct cell count method with trypan blue staining. The growth inhibition is using doubling time analysis of Raji cells. Observation of the apoptotic events of Raji cells used ethidium bromide staining, while observing the expression of p53 protein in Raji cells was done by immunohistochemical staining. <b>Results:</b> The results of the cytotoxicity and doubling time test showed that the activity of the non-ethyl acetate fraction was greater than that of the roots of pasak bumi. The lower concentration of non-ethyl acetate fraction of pasak bumi roots was able to delay the multiplication time of Raji cells which was greater than that of ethyl acetate. The results of the cytotoxicity and doubling time test showed that the activity of the non-ethyl acetate fraction was greater than that of the roots of pasak bumi. <b>Conclusion:</b> It can be concluded that the ethyl acetate and non-ethyl acetate fractions of the roots of pasak bumi have cytotoxic and antiproliferative activity on Raji cells, however they cannot induce apoptosis in Raji cells. The death of Raji cells is through the mechanism of inhibiting Raji cell proliferation as evidenced by an increase in p53 protein expression.

Oxidative stress, DNA damage and apoptosis induced by tebuconazole in the kidney of male Wistar rat

Tebuconazole (TEB) is a broad-spectrum conazole fungicide that has been used in agriculture in the control of foliar and soil-borne diseases of many crops. The present study has investigated the adverse effects of subchronic exposure to TEB on the kidney of male rats. Animals were divided into four equal groups and treated with TEB at increasing doses 0.9, 9 and 27 mg/kg body weight for 28 consecutive days. The results showed that TEB induced oxidative stress in the kidney demonstrated by an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PC), advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP) levels and DNA damage, as compared to the controls. Furthermore, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were increased in the renal tissue of treated rats. Moreover, significant decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) content in TEB-treated rats was observed, while oxidized glutathione (GSSG) levels were increased, thus a marked fall in GSH/GSSG ratio was registered in the kidney. Glutathione reductase (GR) activity showed a significant increase after TEB exposure. Moreover, TEB down-regulated the expression of Bcl2 and up-regulated the expression of Bax and caspase 3, which triggered apoptosis via the Bax/Bcl2 and caspase pathway. Also, TEB administration resulted in altered biochemical indicators of renal function and varying lesions in the overall histo-architecture of renal tissues. Taken together, our findings brought into light the renal toxicity induced by TEB, which was found to be significant at low doses.

Optimized Conjugation of Fluvastatin to HIV-1 TAT Displays Enhanced Pro-Apoptotic Activity in HepG2 Cells

Accumulating evidence indicates that statins reduce the risk of different cancers and inhibit the proliferation of liver cancer cells. This study aims to explore whether the electrostatic conjugation of optimized fluvastatin (FLV) to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) trans-activator transcription peptide (TAT) would enhance the anti-proliferative activity against HepG2 cells. FLV-TAT conjugation was optimized to achieve the lowest size with highest zeta potential. Nine formulae were constructed, using a factorial design with three factors-FLV concentration, TAT concentration, and pH of the medium-while the responses were zeta potential and size. The optimized formula showed a particle size of 199.24 nm and 29.14 mV zeta potential. Data indicates that conjugation of FLV to TAT (optimized formula) significantly enhances anti-proliferative activity and uptake by HepG2 cells when compared to raw FLV. Flow cytometry showed significant accumulation of cells in the pre-G phase, which highlights higher apoptotic activity. Annexin V staining indicated a significant increase in total cell death in early and late apoptosis. This was confirmed by significantly elevated caspase 3 in cells exposed to FLV-TAT preparation. In conclusion, the FLV-TAT optimized formula exhibited improved anti-proliferative action against HepG2. This is partially attributed to the enhanced apoptotic effects and cellular uptake of FLV.

Micronucleus test in tadpole erythrocytes: Trends in studies and new paths

The micronucleus test has been applied for more than three decades in tadpoles, generating an early warning of environmental quality. In this study, we reviewed 48 articles on the micronucleus test in tadpoles, published between 1987 and 2018. The findings reveal that pesticides have been the main topic discussed in the induction of micronucleus and other nuclear abnormalities in anuran larvae to the detriment of the widespread use of compounds used in agriculture. In addition to pesticides, a number of other xenobiotic agents have been targeted for genotoxic damage, such as heavy metals, radiation and wastewater. An appeal is reported to environmental contaminants, which when released naturally into the environment or because of human activities may contaminate aquatic habitats, threatening populations of tadpoles that depend on these environments for their survival. Larvae can bioaccumulate these contaminants that cause progressive impacts, ranging from DNA damage to metamorphosis delays, as well as malformations. We found that Argentina is the main driving force for the application of this test in anuran larvae along with Brazil. Different erythrocyte malformations have been reported for the erythrocyte nuclear abnormalities test, binucleated cells, nuclear buds, notched, lobed, reniform, nuclear bebbled, anucleated, picnotic and apoptotic cells are the most cited. In summary, the presence of chemical or physical agents, along with other disturbances of the habitat, can have a significant impact on the life history of the species, contributing to the decline of anuran populations.

Synthesis and Antitumor Evaluation of Novel Hybrids of Phenylsulfonylfuroxan and Estradiol Derivatives

Fifteen novel furoxan-based nitric oxide (NO) releasing hybrids of estradiol derivatives were synthesized and evaluated in vitro anti-proliferative activity in MDA-MB-231, A2780, Hela and HUVEC cell lines. Most of them displayed potent anti-proliferative effects. Among the compounds, 4-bromo-3-((phenylsulfonyl)-1,2,5-oxadiazole 2-oxide)-oxy-propoxy-estradiol (11 b) exhibited the best activity with IC50 values of 3.58-0.0008 μM. Preliminary pharmacological studies showed that 11 b induced apoptosis and hardly affected the cell cycle of MDA-MB-231 cell line. NO-releasing capacity and inhibition of ERK/MAPK pathway signaling might explain the potent antineoplastic activity of these compounds. The preliminary structure-activity relationship (SAR) showed that steroidal scaffolds with a linker in 3-position were favorable moieties to evidently increase the bioactivities of these hybrids. Overall, these results implied that 11 b merited to be further investigated as a promising anti-cancer candidate.

Novel insights into the mechanisms underlying depression-associated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by neuroinflammation, demyelination and neuroaxonal degeneration affecting >2 million people around the world. MS is often accompanied by psychiatric comorbidities such as major depressive disorder (MDD), which presents a lifetime prevalence of around 50% in MS patients. Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an animal model extensively used to study MS. EAE mimics the autoimmune nature of MS, as well as its inflammatory and demyelinating mechanisms also presenting predictive validity. There are important similarities between EAE and MS-associated depression (MSD). The mechanisms shared by these disorders include peripheral inflammation, neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunctions, oxidative stress, nitrosative stress, lowered antioxidant defenses, increased bacterial translocation into the systemic circulation, and microglial pathology. Although the role of the immune-inflammatory system in MDD has been established in the 1990's, only few studies addressed immune pathways as a major determinant of depressive-like behavior in EAE. Therefore, in the present study we aimed at revising the current literature on EAE as an animal model to investigate the comorbidity between MS and MDD. In this regard, we revised the current literature on behavioral alterations in EAE, the possible mechanisms involved in this comorbidity and the potential and limitations of using this animal model to study depressive-like behavior.

The Anti-Proliferation, Cycle Arrest and Apoptotic Inducing Activity of Peperomin E on Prostate Cancer PC-3 Cell Line

Peperomin E is a natural secolignan existing distributed in the plants of the genus Peperomia. Previous investigations demonstrated that peperomin E showed potential antitumor activity in some cancer lines, but it is unclear whether peperomin E has an effect on prostate cancer cell lines. The aim of the present study is to investigate its effects on proliferation inhibition, apoptosis-inducing and cell-cycle arrest activity using a prostate cancer PC-3 cell line. The proliferation inhibition was evaluated by MTT assay, apoptosis was detected by Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) staining and Hoechst 33258 staining, cell cycle distributions were measured by flow cytometry, and western blot analysis was used to determine specific cellular apoptotic protein expressions of Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3 and cleaved-caspase-3. According to the results of this study, peperomin E exhibited significant anti-proliferation activity on PC-3 cell lines in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. Peperomin E treatments lead to marked morphological changes. Apoptotic cell count and cell-cycle distribution at G2/M phase significantly increased with increasing concentrations of peperomin E. The down-regulated expression level of Bcl-2 and up-regulated expression level of Bax and cleaved-caspase-3 compared with the controls were also observed after peperomin E treatment. These data suggest that peperomin E exhibited proliferation inhabitation, apoptosis-inducing and cell-cycle arrest activity on PC-3 cell lines. The anti-proliferation effect of peperomin E on PC-3 cells should result partly from its cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis-inducing activity, whereas the increasing of the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and activation of caspases-3 play an important role in the development of apoptosis.

Forkhead‑box A1 regulates tumor cell growth and predicts prognosis in colorectal cancer

Forkhead box A1 (FOXA1) functions as a tumor suppressor gene or an oncogene in various types of cancer; however, the distinct function of FOXA1 in colorectal cancer is unclear. The present study aimed to evaluate whether FOXA1 affects the oncogenic behavior of colorectal cancer cells, and to investigate its prognostic value in colorectal cancer. The impact of FOXA1 on tumor cell behavior was investigated using small interfering RNA and the pcDNA6‑myc vector in human colorectal cancer cell lines. To investigate the role of FOXA1 in the progression of human colorectal cancer, an immunohistochemical technique was used to localize FOXA1 protein in paraffin‑embedded tissue blocks obtained from 403 patients with colorectal cancer. Tumor cell apoptosis and proliferation were evaluated using a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‑mediated dUTP nick‑end labeling assay and Ki‑67 immunohistochemical staining, respectively. FOXA1 knockdown inhibited tumor cell invasion in colorectal cancer cells, and induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. FOXA1 knockdown activated cleaved caspase‑poly (ADP‑ribose) polymerase, upregulated the expression of p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis, and downregulated BH3 interacting domain death agonist and myeloid cell leukemia‑1, leading to the induction of apoptosis. FOXA1 knockdown increased the phosphorylation level of signal transducer and activator of tran-scription‑3. By contrast, these results were reversed following the overexpression of FOXA1. The overexpression of FOXA1 was associated with differentiation, lymphovascular invasion, advanced tumor stage, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis and poor survival rate. The mean Ki‑67 labeling index value of FOXA1‑positive tumors was significantly higher than that of FOXA1‑negative tumors. However, no significant association was observed between the expression of FOXA1 and the mean apoptotic index value. These results indicate that FOXA1 is associated with tumor progression via the modulation of tumor cell survival in human colorectal cancer.

Reversine induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis via upregulation of the Fas and DR5 signaling pathways in human colorectal cancer cells

Reversine, a 2,6‑diamino‑substituted purine analogue, has been reported to be effective in tumor suppression via induction of cell growth arrest and apoptosis of cancer cells. However, it remains unclear whether reversine exerts anticancer effects on human colorectal cancer cells. In the present study, in vitro experiments were conducted to investigate the anticancer properties of reversine in human colorectal cancer cells. The effect of reversine on human colorectal cancer cell lines, SW480 and HCT‑116, was examined using a WST‑1 cell viability assay, fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, DNA fragmentation, small interfering RNA (siRNA) and western blotting. Reversine treatment demonstrated cytotoxic activity in human colorectal cancer cells. It also induced apoptosis by activating poly(ADP‑ribose) polymerase, caspase‑3, ‑7 and ‑8, and increasing the levels of the pro‑apoptotic protein second mitochondria‑derived activator of caspase/direct inhibitor of apoptosis‑binding protein with low pI. The pan‑caspase inhibitor Z‑VAD‑FMK attenuated these reversine‑induced apoptotic effects on human colorectal cancer cells. Additionally, reversine treatment induced cell cycle arrest in the subG1 and G2/M phases via increase in levels of p21, p27 and p57, and decrease in cyclin D1 levels. The expression of Fas and death receptor 5 (DR5) signaling proteins in SW480 and HCT116 cells was upregulated by reversine treatment. Reversine‑induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest were suppressed by inhibition of Fas and DR5 expression via siRNA. In conclusion, Reversine treatment suppressed tumor progression by the inhibition of cell proliferation, induction of cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis via upregulation of the Fas and DR5 signaling pathways in human colorectal cancer cells. The present study indicated that reversine may be used as a novel anticancer agent in human colorectal cancer.

Purification, Preliminary Structure and Antitumor Activity of Exopolysaccharide Produced by Streptococcus thermophilus CH9

In the present study, the preliminary structure and in vitro antitumor activity of three exopolysaccharides (EPSs) from Streptococcus thermophilus CH9 were investigated. Then, three purified fractions of EPS-1a, EPS-2a, and EPS-3a were obtained by chromatography using DEAE-52 cellulose and Sephadex G-100, respectively. The average molecular weight of EPS-1a, EPS-2a, and EPS-3a, were 1.80 × 10⁶, 1.06 × 10⁶ and 1.05 × 10⁶. The monosaccharide composition of EPS-3a was dramatically different from the others. The EPS-1a and EPS-2a were mainly composed of mannose, in a ratio of 69.82% and 57.09%, respectively, while EPS-3a was mainly composed of glucose (63.93%), without mannose. In addition, the surface morphology observed suggested that there were protein particles on the sugar chain of EPS-3a and EPS-3a was a protein-containing polysaccharide. Furthermore, EPS-3a exhibited higher antitumor activity against human liver cancer HepG2 cells in vitro. The antitumor activity of EPS-3a in HepG2 cells was associated with cell apoptosis. HE staining and Hoechst 33342 staining showed that with the treatment of EPS-3a, HepG2 cells had typical morphological changes. Flow cytometry analysis showed that the cell cycle was arrested at G0/G1 phase.

Novel Nitric Oxide Donors of Phenylsulfonylfuroxan and 3-Benzyl Coumarin Derivatives as Potent Antitumor Agents

In this work, five new hybrids of phenylsulfonylfuroxan merging 3-benzyl coumarin and their seco-B-ring derivatives 2-6 were designed and synthesized. Among them, compound 3 showed the most potent antiproliferation activities with IC₅₀ values range from 0.5 to 143 nM against nine drug-sensitive and four drug-resistant cancer cell lines. Preliminary pharmacologic studies showed that these compounds displayed lower toxicities than that of lead compound 1. Compound 3 obviously induced the early apoptosis and hardly affected the cell cycle of A2780, which was significantly different from compound 1. Especially, it gave 559- and 294-fold selectivity antiproliferation activity in P-gp overexpressed drug-resistant cancer cell lines MCF-7/ADR and KB-V compared to their drug-sensitive ones MCF-7 and KB, implying that compounds 2-6 might have an extra mechanism of anti-MDR-cancer with P-gp overexpression.

Phyllodes Tumor with Osteosarcomatous Differentiation: A Comparative Immunohistochemical Study between Epithelial and Mesenchymal Cells

Aims and background

Phyllodes tumor of the breast with osteosarcomatous differentiation is rare and very little is known about its molecular profile.

Methods and study design

An immunohistochemical panel with 37 primary antibodies including cytokeratins, mesenchymal markers, key regulators of the cell cycle, oncogenes, apoptosis-related proteins, metalloproteinases and their inhibitors was performed on a formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sample of phyllodes tumor with osteosarcomatous differentiation in a 49-year-old woman.

Results

Antiapoptotic stimuli (survivin) predominated in sarcomatous cells. Antiproteolytic stimuli (TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and PAI) were preponderant in all cells, a surprising fact in view of the aggressiveness of the neoplasm. The immunoprofile of the osteoblastic and stromal cells was quite similar, except for c-erbB-3, c-myc, cyclin D1 and p21. Both exhibited positive cells for actin, MyoD1 and GFAP.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that this osteosarcoma may have originated from metaplasia of stromal cells that underwent a malignant change.

Survivin is a negative prognostic factor in malignant pleural effusion

BACKGROUND

Survivin is a well-known member of the inhibitor of apoptosis family, and has been related to increased tumour aggressivity, both in tissue and in pleural fluid.

OBJECTIVES

In patients with malignant pleural effusion, we sought to investigate the changes in pleural fluid survivin concentrations induced by talc instillation into the pleural space. Those changes were also examined in relation to pleurodesis outcome and patient survival.

METHODS

We investigated 84 patients with malignant pleural effusion who underwent talc pleurodesis. Of them, 32 had breast cancer, 25 lung cancer and 27 had mesothelioma. Serial samples of pleural fluid were obtained before thoracoscopy (baseline) and 24 hours thereafter.

RESULTS

Survivin levels were successfully quantified in all pleural fluid samples, and they were significantly higher in samples obtained after thoracoscopic talc poudrage compared with baseline (P < .001). Patients with higher pleural fluid survivin levels at baseline had a significantly poorer pleurodesis outcome (P = .004). A 30 pg/mL cut-off for baseline survivin in pleural fluid predicted failure of pleurodesis with a 54% sensitivity and 79% specificity (P = .009). Moreover, median postpleurodesis survival of patients with baseline survivin levels ≥30 pg/mL was 4 months (range: 0.1-38), compared with 13 months (range: 0.1-259) in patients below that cut-off (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Elevated pleural fluid survivin concentrations are useful to predict failure of pleurodesis and are associated with shorter survival in patients with malignant pleural effusion.

BCFA-enriched vernix-monoacylglycerol reduces LPS-induced inflammatory markers in human enterocytes in vitro

BackgroundExcess vernix caseosa produced by the fetal skin appears as particles suspended in the amniotic fluid in late gestation, is swallowed by the fetus, and is found throughout the newborn gastrointestinal tract as the first organisms are arriving to colonize the gut. Lipid-rich vernix contains an unusually high 29% branched chain fatty acids (BCFA). BCFAs reduce the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis in an animal model, and were recently found predominantly in the sn-2 position of human milk triacylglycerols. Nothing is known about the influence of vernix BCFA on proinflammatory markers in human enterocytes.MethodsWe investigated the effect of vernix-monoacylglycerides (MAGs) (enriched with 30% BCFA) on interleukin (IL)-8 and NF-κB production in a human intestinal epithelial cell line (Caco-2). Caco-2 cells were pretreated with vernix-MAG or vernix-free fatty acid (FFA) prior to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activation.ResultsBoth vernix-MAG and vernix-FFA increased cell BCFA and eliminated an LPS-induced 20% reduction in cell viability. In stimulated Caco-2 cells, vernix-MAG was more effective than vernix-FFA in suppressing IL-8 and NF-κB. Activated vernix-MAG-treated cells expressed less of the cell-surface Toll-like receptor4 (TLR-4) compared with controls.ConclusionThis is the first study to show the reduction of proinflammatory markers in human cells mediated by BCFA-MAG.

Filamin A interacting protein 1-like expression inhibits progression in colorectal cancer

Filamin A interacting protein 1-like (FILIP1L) expression, which is decreased in various cancers, may inhibit carcinogenesis. In this study, we evaluated the effects of FILIP1L on oncogenic behavior and prognosis in colorectal cancer. siRNA-mediated FILIP1L knockdown enhanced tumor cell migration and invasion and inhibited apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in COLO205 cells. pcDNA-myc vector-mediated FILIP1L overexpression suppressed tumor cell migration and invasion and induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in HCT116 cells. FILIP1L knockdown enhanced angiogenesis by increasing VEGF-A and HIF-1α levels and decreasing angiostatin level. FILIP1L overexpression suppressed angiogenesis by decreasing VEGF-A and -D l level and increasing angiostatin and endostatin levels. Phosphorylated β-catenin levels decreased and phosphorylated Akt and GSK-3β levels increased following FILIP1L knockdown. FILIP1L overexpression had the opposite effects. FILIP1L expression was associated with reductions in tumor size, cell differentiation, lymphovascular invasion, stage, invasion depth and lymph node metastasis, and with longer overall survival. Mean Ki-67 labeling indexes and microvessel density values were lower in FILIP1L-positive tumors than in FILIP1L-negative tumors. These results indicate that FILIP1L suppresses tumor progression by inhibiting cell proliferation and angiogenesis in colorectal cancer.

The in vitro assessment of dipyridophenazine complexes in H-ras oncogene transformed rat embryo fibroblast 5RP7 cell line

Purpose The aim of this study is to detect apoptotic and cytotoxic/antiproliferative effects of a ligand substance and its metal derivatives. The substances were investigated by using an h-ras oncogene transformed rat embryo fibroblast cell line (5RP7). Methods The cytotoxic influences of dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'c]phenazine ligand, dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'c] phenazine-platinum(II) complex ([Pt(dppz)Cl₂]) and dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'c] phenazine-gold(III) complex ([Au(dppz)Cl₂]Cl) were determined with MTT (3[4,5-dimetiltiyazol2-yl]-2,5-difeniltetrazolyum bromid) assay on 5RP7 cells. Results Dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'c] phenazine, dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'c] phenazine-platinum(II) complex ([Pt(dppz)Cl₂]) and dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'c] phenazine-gold(III) complexes ([Au(dppz)Cl₂]Cl) caused significant increase in cytotoxicity in a dose and time dependent manner. The effects of dipyridophenazine ligand (dppz) and its metal derivatives on apoptosis were monitorized using cytotoxic dose (10 μM) DAPI fluorescent staining. It was shown that dppz and its compounds induced apoptosis. Conclusions These findings show that dpzz and its complexes can be studied as novel alternative chemotherapeutics in cancer treatment.

Chemical composition and cytotoxic properties of Clinacanthus nutans root extracts

CONTEXT

Clinacanthus nutans Lindau (Acanthaceae) is a medicinal plant that has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antimicrobial and antivenom activities. In Malaysia, it has been widely claimed to be effective in various cancer treatments but scientific evidence is lacking.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigates the chemical constituents, anti-proliferative, and apoptotic properties of C. nutans root extracts.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The roots were subjected to solvent extraction using methanol and ethyl acetate. The anti-proliferative effects of root extracts were tested at the concentrations of 10 to 50 μg/mL on MCF-7 and HeLa by using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay for 72 h. Morphological changes were observed under light microscope. Pro-apoptotic effects of root extracts were examined using flow cytometric analysis and RT-PCR. The chemical compositions of root extracts were detected using GC-MS.

RESULTS

The proliferation of MCF-7 cells was inhibited with the IC₅₀ values of 35 and 30 μg/mL, respectively, for methanol and ethyl acetate root extracts. The average inhibition of HeLa cells was ∼25%. Induction of apoptosis in MCF-7 was supported by chromatin condensation, down-regulation of BCL2 and unaltered expression of BAX. However, only ethyl acetate extract caused the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. GC-MS analysis revealed the roots extracts were rich with terpenoids and phytosterols.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

The results demonstrated that root extracts promote apoptosis by suppressing BCL2 via mitochondria-dependent or independent manner. The identified compounds might work solely or cooperatively in regulating apoptosis. However, further studies are required to address this.

Efficacy of a Binuclear Cyclopalladated Compound Therapy for Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in the Murine Model of Infection with Leishmania amazonensis and Its Inhibitory Effect on Topoisomerase 1B

Leishmaniasis is a disease found throughout the (sub)tropical parts of the world caused by protozoan parasites of the Leishmania genus. Despite the numerous problems associated with existing treatments, pharmaceutical companies continue to neglect the development of better ones. The high toxicity of current drugs combined with emerging resistance makes the discovery of new therapeutic alternatives urgent. We report here the evaluation of a binuclear cyclopalladated complex containing Pd(II) and N,N'-dimethylbenzylamine (Hdmba) against Leishmania amazonensis The compound [Pd(dmba)(μ-N3)]2 (CP2) inhibits promastigote growth (50% inhibitory concentration [IC50] = 13.2 ± 0.7 μM) and decreases the proliferation of intracellular amastigotes in in vitro incubated macrophages (IC50 = 10.2 ± 2.2 μM) without a cytotoxic effect when tested against peritoneal macrophages (50% cytotoxic concentration = 506.0 ± 10.7 μM). In addition, CP2 was also active against T. cruzi intracellular amastigotes (IC50 = 2.3 ± 0.5 μM, selective index = 225), an indication of its potential for use in Chagas disease therapy. In vivo assays using L. amazonensis-infected BALB/c showed an 80% reduction in parasite load compared to infected and nontreated animals. Also, compared to amphotericin B treatment, CP2 did not show any side effects, which was corroborated by the analysis of plasma levels of different hepatic and renal biomarkers. Furthermore, CP2 was able to inhibit Leishmania donovani topoisomerase 1B (Ldtopo1B), a potentially important target in this parasite. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under identifier NCT02169141.).

Malformin A1 treatment alters invasive and oncogenic phenotypes of human colorectal cancer cells through stimulation of the p38 signaling pathway

Malformin A1 (MA1), a cyclic pentapeptide isolated from Aspergillus niger, has been found to possess a range of bioactive properties including antibacterial activity. However, it is unclear whether MA1 exerts an anticancer effect or not. In this study, we conducted in vitro experiments to investigate its anticancer properties in human colorectal cancer cells. The effect of MA1 on human colorectal cancer cells, SW480 and DKO1, was examined by the WST-1 cell viability assay, inverted microscopy, 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation, flow cytometry, DNA fragmentation, wound healing, Transwell assays, and western blotting. MA1 treatment showed potent cytotoxic activities on human colorectal cancer cells. MA1 treatment induced apoptosis by activating the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), caspase‑3, -7, and -9. MA1 treatment led to the increase in p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA) and the decrease in X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) and Survivin. In addition, MA1 treatment induced cell cycle arrest in the sub-G1 phase. The pan-caspase inhibitor, Z‑VAD‑FMK, attenuated these MA1-induced apoptotic effects on human colorectal cancer cells. Moreover, MA1 treatment suppressed tumor cell migration and invasion. The phosphorylation level of p38 was upregulated by MA1 treatment, and the inhibitor of p38, SB203580, attenuated the MA1-induced p38 phosphorylation as well as caspase‑3 and PARP activation. These results indicate that MA1 treatment alters invasive and oncogenic phenotypes of human colorectal cancer cells through the stimulation of the p38 signaling pathway.

Moringa oleifera fruit induce apoptosis via reactive oxygen species-dependent activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases in human melanoma A2058 cells

The present study was performed to determine the effect of Moringa oleifera fruit extract on the apoptosis of human melanoma A2058 cells. A2058 cells were treated for 72 h with Moringa oleifera fruit extract at 50-100 µg/ml, and cell viability with apoptotic changes was examined. The involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) was examined. It was revealed that Moringa oleifera fruit extract significantly inhibited the cell viability and promoted apoptosis of A2058 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Moringa oleifera fruit extract-treated A2058 cells exhibited increased activities of cleaved caspase-9 and caspase-3. It also caused an enhancement of MAPK phosphorylation and ROS production. The pro-apoptotic activity of Moringa oleifera fruit extract was significantly reversed by pretreatment with the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor SP600125, extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor PD98058 or ROS inhibitor N-acetyl-L-cysteine. Taken together, Moringa oleifera fruit extract is effective in inducing mitochondrial apoptosis of A2058 cells, which is mediated through induction of ROS formation, and JNK and ERK activation. Moringa oleifera fruit extract may thus have therapeutic benefits for human melanoma A2058 cells.

p,p'-DDT induces testicular oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in adult rats

BACKGROUND

The 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (p,p'-DDT) is a known persistent organic pollutant and male reproductive toxicant. The present study is designed to test the hypothesis that oxidative stress mediates p,p'-DDT-induced apoptosis in testis.

METHODS

Male Wistar rats received an intraperitoneal (ip) injection of the pesticide at doses of 50 and 100mg/kg for 10 consecutive days. The oxidative stress was evaluated by biomarkers such lipid peroxidation (LPO) and metallothioneins (MTs) levels. Antioxidant enzymes activities was assessed by determination of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) production. In addition, glutathione-dependent enzymes and reducing power in testis was evaluated by glutathione peroxidase (Gpx), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities and reduced and oxidized glutathione (GSH - GSSG) levels. Apoptosis was evaluated by DNA fragmentation detected by agarose gel electrophoresis. Germinal cells apoptosis and the apoptotic index was assessed through the TUNEL assay.

RESULTS

After 10 days of treatment, an increase in LPO level and H₂O₂ production occurred, while MTs level, SOD and CAT activities were decreased. Also, the Gpx, GR, GST, and GSH activities were decreased, whereas GSSG activity was increased. Testicular tissues of treated rats showed pronounced degradation of the DNA into oligonucleotides as seen in the typical electrophoretic DNA ladder pattern. Intense apoptosis was observed in germinal cells of DDT-exposed rats. In addition, the apoptotic index was significantly increased in testis of DDT-treated rats.

CONCLUSIONS

These results clearly suggest that DDT sub-acute treatment causes oxidative stress in rat testis leading to apoptosis.

Ficus umbellata Vahl. (Moraceae) Stem Bark Extracts Exert Antitumor Activities In Vitro and In Vivo

A Ficus umbellata is used to treat cancer. The present work was therefore designed to assess antitumor potentials of F. umbellata extracts in nine different cell lines. Cell cycle, apoptosis, cell migration/invasion, levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), caspases activities as well as Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL protein content were assessed in MDA-MB-231 cells. The 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced carcinogenesis in rats were also used to investigate antitumor potential of F. umbellata extracts. The F. umbellata methanol extract exhibited a CC50 of 180 μg/mL in MDA-MB-231 cells after 24 h. It induced apoptosis in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells, while it did not alter their cell cycle phases. Further, it induced a decrease in MMP, an increase in ROS levels and caspases activities as well as a downregulation in Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL protein contents in MDA-MB-231 cells. In vivo, F. umbellata aqueous (200 mg/kg) and methanol (50 mg/kg) extracts significantly (p < 0.001) reduced ovarian tumor incidence (10%), total tumor burden (58% and 46%, respectively), average tumor weight (57.8% and 45.6%, respectively) as compared to DMBA control group. These results suggest antitumor potential of F. umbellata constituents possibly due to apoptosis induction mediated through ROS-dependent mitochondrial pathway.

Enhancement of hyperthermia-induced apoptosis by 5Z-7-oxozeaenol, a TAK1 inhibitor, in Molt-4 cells

PURPOSE

Transforming growth factor-β-activated kinase1 (TAK1) plays an anti-apoptotic role in response to multiple stresses. TAK1 inhibitor, 5Z-7-oxozeaenol (OZ) has been studied for its apoptotic effects. However, the combined effect of OZ with physical stresses remains to be elusive. Therefore, in this study we focussed to determine the combined effects of OZ with hyperthermia (HT) using Molt-4 cell line.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Molt-4 cells were pre-treated with OZ for 1 h followed by heat exposure (44 °C, 10 min) and harvested 24 h after incubation at 37 °C, apoptosis was measured by Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining assay using flow cytometry and cell growth was observed by cell counting assay. Further mechanism involved in the combination was investigated by measuring mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), intracellular ROS generation, expression of apoptosis related protein, intracellular calcium ion level and Fas activity.

RESULTS

Combination of OZ with HT significantly enhances MMP loss and superoxide generation. Furthermore, OZ pre-treatment promotes caspase-8 cleavage, Fas externalisation, caspase 3 activity and intracellular calcium ion levels. OZ pre-treatment decreased the expression of HT-induced Bcl-2 and increased the expression of pro-apoptotic Bax, while markedly suppressed the phosphorylation of JNK and p38. In addition, increased expression of CHOP following combined treatment indicates that ER stress may also involve in the enhancement of HT-induced apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

Our data showed for the first time that OZ sensitizes Molt-4 cells to HT-induced apoptosis via extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways. Furthermore, ROS and ER stress may also play role in the enhancement of HT-induced apoptosis by OZ.

Role of Ceramide in Apoptosis and Development of Insulin Resistance

This review presents data on the functional biochemistry of ceramide, one of the key sphingolipids with properties of a secondary messenger. Molecular mechanisms of the involvement of ceramide in apoptosis in pancreatic β-cells and its role in the formation of insulin resistance in pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes are reviewed. One of the main predispositions for the development of insulin resistance and diabetes is obesity, which is associated with ectopic fat deposition and significant increase in intracellular concentrations of cytotoxic ceramides. A possible approach to the restoration of tissue sensitivity to insulin in type 2 diabetes based on selective reduction of the content of cytotoxic ceramides is discussed.

Prospero homeobox 1 mediates the progression of gastric cancer by inducing tumor cell proliferation and lymphangiogenesis

BACKGROUND

Prospero homeobox 1 (PROX1) functions as a tumor suppressor gene or an oncogene in various cancer types. However, the distinct function of PROX1 in gastric cancer is unclear. We determined whether PROX1 affected the oncogenic behavior of gastric cancer cells and investigated its prognostic value in patients with gastric cancer.

METHODS

A small interfering RNA against PROX1 was used to silence PROX1 expression in gastric cancer cell lines AGS and SNU638. Expression of PROX1 in gastric cancer tissues was investigated by performing immunohistochemistry. Apoptosis, proliferation, angiogenesis, and lymphangiogenesis were determined by performing the TUNEL assay and immunohistochemical staining for Ki-67, CD34, and D2-40.

RESULTS

PROX1 knockdown induced apoptosis by activating cleaved caspase-3, caspase-7, caspase-9, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, and by decreasing the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. PROX1 knockdown also suppressed tumor cell proliferation. In addition, PROX1 knockdown decreased lymphatic endothelial cell invasion and tube formation and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C and -D and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2. However, PROX1 knockdown only decreased umbilical vein endothelial cell invasion, not tube formation. The mean Ki-67 labeling index and lymphatic vessel density value of PROX1-positive tumors were significantly higher than those of PROX1-negative tumors. However, no significant difference was observed between PROX1 expression and apoptotic index or microvessel density. PROX1 expression was significantly associated with age, cell differentiation, lymph node metastasis, cancer stage, and poor survival.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that PROX1 mediates the progression of gastric cancer by inducing tumor cell proliferation and lymphangiogenesis.

Role of Expression of Inflammatory Mediators in Primary and Recurrent Lumbar Disc Herniation

Objective

To assess role of some inflammatory mediators in patients with primary and recurrent lumbar disc herniation. Expression of IL-6, transforming growth factor (TGF)-1, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, and Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX) have been shown to be more intense in the primary group than the recurrent goup, but this mediators may be important aspects prognostic.

Methods

19 patients underwent primary and revision operations between June 1, 2009 and June 1, 2014, and they were included in this study. The 19 patients’ intervertebral disc specimens obtained from the primary procedures and reoperations were evaluated. Expression of IL-6, TGF-1, IGF-1, and BAX were examined immunohistochemically in the 38 biopsy tissues obtained from the primary and recurrent herniated intervertebral discs during the operation.

Results

For IL-6 expression in the intervertebral disc specimens, there was no difference between the groups. The immunohistochemical study showed that the intervertebral disc specimens in the primary group were stained intensely by TGF-1 compared with the recurrent group. Expression of IGF-1 in the primary group was found moderate. In contrast, in the recurrent group of patients was mild expression of IGF-1. The primary group intervertebral disc specimens were stained moderately by BAX compared with the recurrent group.

Conclusion

The results of our prognostic evaluation of patients in the recurrent group who were operated due to disc herniation suggest that mediators may be important parameters.

Blockage of both the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways of diazinon-induced apoptosis in PaTu cells by magnesium oxide and selenium nanoparticles

Diazinon (DZ) is an organophosphorus insecticide that acts as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. It is important to note that it can induce oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, diabetic disorders, and cytotoxicity. Magnesium oxide (MgO) and selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) showed promising protection against oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, cytotoxicity, and diabetic disorders. Therefore, this study was conducted to explore the possible protective mechanisms of MgO and Se NPs against DZ-induced cytotoxicity in PaTu cell line. Cytotoxicity of DZ, in the presence or absence of effective doses of MgO and Se NPs, was determined in human pancreatic cancer cell line (PaTu cells) after 24 hours of exposure by using mitochondrial activity and mitochondrial membrane potential assays. Then, the insulin, proinsulin, and C-peptide release; caspase-3 and -9 activities; and total thiol molecule levels were assessed. Determination of cell viability, including apoptotic and necrotic cells, was assessed via acridine orange/ethidium bromide double staining. Furthermore, expression of 15 genes associated with cell death/apoptosis in various phenomena was examined after 24 hours of contact with DZ and NPs by using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Compared to the individual cases, the group receiving the combination of MgO and Se NPs showed more beneficial effects in reducing the toxicity of DZ. Cotreatment of PaTu cell lines with MgO and Se NPs counteracts the toxicity of DZ on insulin-producing cells.

Phytoconstituents as apoptosis inducing agents: strategy to combat cancer

Advancement in the field of cancer molecular biology has aided researchers to develop various new chemopreventive agents which can target cancer cells exclusively. Cancer chemopreventive agents have proficiency to inhibit, reverse and delay process of carcinogenesis during its early and later course. Chemopreventive agents can act as antioxidative, antimutagenic/antigenotoxic, anti-inflammatory agents or via aiming various molecular targets in a cell to induce cell death. Apoptosis is a kind of cell death which shows various cellular morphological alterations such as cell shrinkage, blebbing of membrane, chromatin condensation, DNA fragmentation, formation of apoptotic bodies etc. Nowadays, apoptosis is being one of the new approaches for the identification and development of novel anticancer therapies. For centuries, plants are known to play part in daily routine from providing food to management of human health. In the last two decades, diverse phytochemicals and various botanical formulations have been characterized as agents that possess potential to execute cancer cells via inducing apoptosis. Data obtained from the research carried out globally pointed out that natural products are the potential candidates which have capability to combat cancer. In the present review, we surveyed literature on natural products which throws light on the mechanism through which these phytochemicals induce apoptosis in cancer cells.

Mechanisms of chromium hexavalent-induced apoptosis in rat testes

Hexavalent chromium (CrVI)-containing compounds, present in industrial settings and in the environment, are known as carcinogens and mutagens. The present study is designed to test the hypothesis that oxidative stress mediates CrVI-induced apoptosis in testis. Male Wistar rats received an intraperitoneal injection of potassium dichromate at doses of 1 and 2 mg kg^-1. Superoxide anion production was assessed by the determination of the reduction of cytochrome c and iodonitrotetrazolium, lipid peroxidation (LPO), metallothioneins (MTs), and catalase (CAT) activity. Apoptosis was evaluated by DNA fragmentation detected by agarose gel electrophoresis. Germinal cells apoptosis was detected by toluidine blue staining. The expression of Bax and Bcl-2 proteins (Pts) was also investigated. After 15 days of treatment, an increase of LPO and MT levels occurred, while CAT activity was decreased. Testicular tissues of treated rats showed pronounced degradation of the DNA into oligonucleotides as seen in the typical electrophoretic DNA ladder pattern. Intense apoptosis was observed in germinal cells of Cr-exposed rats. Bax Pt expression was induced in spermatogonia and spermatocytes cells of CrVI-treated rats. In contrast, Bcl-2 Pt was occasionally observed in germ cells of CrVI-exposed rats. These results clearly suggest that CrVI subacute treatment causes oxidative stress in rat testis leading to apoptosis.

Anthracycline Drugs on Modified Surface of Quercetin-Loaded Polymer Nanoparticles: A Dual Drug Delivery Model for Cancer Treatment

Polymer nanoparticles are vehicles used for delivery of hydrophobic anti-cancer drugs, like doxorubicin, paclitaxel or chemopreventors like quercetin (Q). The present study deals with the synthesis and characterisation of nano formulations (NFs) from Q loaded PLGA (poly lactic-co-glycolic acid) nano particles (NPs) by surface modification. The surface of Q-loaded (NPs) is modified by coating with biopolymers like bovine serum albumin (BSA) or histones (His). Conventional chemotherapeutic drugs adriamycin (ADR) and mitoxantrone (MTX) are bound to BSA and His respectively before being coated on Q-loaded NPs to nano formulate NF1 and NF2 respectively. The sizes of these NFs are in the range 400–500 nm as ascertained by SEM and DLS measurements. Encapsulation of Q in polymer NPs is confirmed from shifts in FT-IR, TGA and DSC traces of Q-loaded NPs compared to native PLGA and Q. Surface modification in NFs is evidenced by three distinct regions in their TEM images; the core, polymer capsule and the coated surface. Negative zeta potential of Q-loaded NPs shifted to positive potential on surface modification in NF1 and NF2. In vitro release of Q from the NFs lasted up to twenty days with an early burst release. NF2 is better formulation than NF1 as loading of MTX is 85% compared to 23% loading of ADR. Such NFs are expected to overcome multi-drug resistance (MDR) by reaching and treating the target cancerous cells by virtue of size, charge and retention.

Genetically encoded far-red fluorescent sensors for caspase-3 activity

Caspase-3 is a key effector caspase that is activated in both extrinsic and intrinsic pathways of apoptosis. Available fluorescent sensors for caspase-3 activity operate in relatively short wavelength regions and are nonoptimal for multiparameter microscopy and whole-body imaging. In the present work, we developed new genetically encoded sensors for caspase-3 activity possessing the most red-shifted spectra to date. These consist of Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) pairs in which a far-red fluorescent protein (mKate2 or eqFP650) is connected to the infrared fluorescent protein iRFP through a linker containing the DEVD caspase-3 cleavage site. During staurosporine-induced apoptosis of mammalian cells (HeLa and CT26), both mKate2-DEVD-iRFP and eqFP650-DEVD-iRFP sensors showed a robust response (1.6-fold increase of the donor fluorescence intensity). However, eqFP650-DEVD-iRFP displayed aggregation in some cells. For stably transfected CT26 mKate2-DEVD-iRFP cells, fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) enabled us to detect caspase-3 activation due to the increase of mKate2 donor fluorescence lifetime from 1.45 to 2.05 ns. We took advantage of the strongly red-shifted spectrum of mKate2-DEVD-iRFP to perform simultaneous imaging of EGFP-Bax translocation during apoptosis. We conclude that mKate2-DEVD-iRFP is well-suited for multiparameter imaging and also potentially beneficial for in vivo imaging in animal tissues.

Pelargonidin induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest via a mitochondria mediated intrinsic apoptotic pathway in HT29 cells

Pelargonidin (PE) is an anticancer anthocyanidin that is abundant in berries.

Ellagic acid, a polyphenolic compound, selectively induces ROS-mediated apoptosis in cancerous B-lymphocytes of CLL patients by directly targeting mitochondria

To investigate the effects ofellagic acid (EA) on the cytotoxicity, B-lymphocytes isolated from CLL patients and healthy individuals. Flow cytometric assay was used to measure the percentage of apoptosis versus necrosis, intracellular active oxygen radicals (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and the caspase-3 activity and then mitochondria were isolated from both groups B-lymphocytes and parameters of mitochondrial toxicity was investigated. Based on our results EA decreased the percentage of viable cells and induced apoptosis. EA increased ROS formation, mitochondria swelling, MMP decrease and cytochrome c release in mitochondria isolated from CLL BUT NOT healthy B-lymphocytes while pre-treatment with cyclosporine A and Butylated hydroxyl toluene (BHT) prevented these effects. Our results suggest that EA can act as an anti cancer candidate by directly and selectively targeting mitochondria could induce apoptosis through mitochondria pathway with increasing ROS production which finally ends in cytochrome c release, caspase 3 activation and apoptosis in cancerous B-lymphocytes isolated from CLL patients.

Utility of SOX2 and Livin Co-Expression in the Prognosis of Bladder Cancer With Bilharzial and Non-Bilharzial Bladder Status

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of SOX2, a key transcription factor and livin, an apoptotic inhibitor in bladder transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Moreover, their prognostic significance was assessed.

METHODS

The expressions of SOX2 and livin in 82 TCC and 35 SCC cases were detected by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

SOX2 and livin were over-expressed in tumor tissues as compared to the corresponding adjacent non-neoplastic tissues. SOX2 and livin expressions were significantly associated with high tumor grade (P = 0.002 and P = 0.007, respectively) and high tumor stage (P = 0.027 and P = 0.033, respectively). No significant correlation was found between tumor and other clinicopathological factors such as age, gender and schistosomal status. Univariate analysis revealed that TCC and SCC patients with high SOX2 or livin expressions were significantly related to overall survival (P < 0.001, P = 0.025 for TCC patients and P = 0.041, P = 0.021 for SCC patients, respectively). Multivariate survival analysis further demonstrated that SOX2 expression was an independent prognostic factor for TCC patients (P = 0.015).

CONCLUSIONS

SOX2 and livin may contribute to the progression of bladder carcinoma. SOX2/livin pathway regulates cancer stem cell survival so it could be targeting as an effective therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.