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Liu A, Zhang Y, Xun S, Sun M. Trimethylamine N-oxide promotes atherosclerosis via regulating the enriched abundant transcript 1/miR-370-3p/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3/flavin-containing monooxygenase-3 axis. Bioengineered 2021; 13:1541-1553. [PMID: 34923910 PMCID: PMC8805905 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2021.2010312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis (AS) is one of the main causes of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) exacerbates the development of AS. This study aimed to investigate the roles of TMAO in AS. In this study, mice were fed with high fat food (HF) and/or injected with TMAO. Oil red O staining was applied for histological analysis. ELISA, qRT-PCR, and Western blot were conducted to determine the TMAO, serum, mRNA, and protein levels. CCK-8, colony formation assay, and flow cytometry assays were performed to detect the functions of human aortic endothelial cells (HUVECs). The results showed that TMAO induced thick internal and external walls and intimal plaques in vivo, and HUVEC dysfunction in vitro. TMAO and lncRNA enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) were increased in AS clinical samples and TMAO-HUVECs. Downregulated NEAT1 inhibited proliferation and promoted the apoptosis of HUVECs. NEAT1 regulated the expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) via sponging miR-370-3p. Overexpression of miR-370-3p facilitated the effects of NEAT1 on the cellular functions of HUVECs, while STAT3 exerted opposing effects. The activation of STAT3 promoted the expression of flavin-containing monooxygenase-3 (FMO3). Taken together, our results show that TMAO-NEAT1/miR-370-3p/STAT3/FMO3 forms a positive feedback loop to exacerbate the development of AS. This novel feedback loop may be a promising therapeutic target for AS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aijun Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Binhai People's Hospital, Jiangsu 224500, China
| | - Yonglin Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Binhai People's Hospital, Jiangsu 224500, China
| | - Shucan Xun
- Department of Cardiology, Binhai People's Hospital, Jiangsu 224500, China
| | - Minli Sun
- Department of Cardiology, Binhai People's Hospital, Jiangsu 224500, China
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Kim B, Yi EH, Jee J, Jeong AJ, Sandoval C, Park I, Baeg GH, Ye S. Tubulosine selectively inhibits JAK3 signalling by binding to the ATP-binding site of the kinase of JAK3. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 24:7427-7438. [PMID: 32558259 PMCID: PMC7339168 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.15362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Gain- or loss-of-function mutations in Janus kinase 3 (JAK3) contribute to the pathogenesis of various haematopoietic malignancies and immune disorders, suggesting that aberrant JAK3 signalling is an attractive therapeutic target to treat these disorders. In this study, we performed structure-based computational database screening using the 3D structure of the JAK3 kinase domain and the National Cancer Institute diversity set and identified tubulosine as a novel JAK3 inhibitor. Tubulosine directly blocked the catalytic activity of JAK3 by selective interacting with the JAK3 kinase domain. Consistently, tubulosine potently inhibited persistently activated and interleukin-2-dependent JAK3, and JAK3-mediated downstream targets. Importantly, it did not affect the activity of other JAK family members, particularly prolactin-induced JAK2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 and interferon alpha-induced JAK1-TYK2/STAT1. Tubulosine specifically decreased survival and proliferation of cancer cells, in which persistently active JAK3 is expressed, by inducing apoptotic and necrotic/autophagic cell death without affecting other oncogenic signalling. Collectively, tubulosine is a potential small-molecule compound that selectively inhibits JAK3 activity, suggesting that it may serve as a promising therapeutic candidate for treating disorders caused by aberrant activation of JAK3 signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byung‐Hak Kim
- Department of PediatricsNew York Medical CollegeValhallaNYUSA
- Department of PharmacologySeoul National University College of MedicineSeoulRepublic of Korea
- Biomedical Science Project (BK21)Seoul National University College of MedicineSeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - Eun Hee Yi
- Department of PharmacologySeoul National University College of MedicineSeoulRepublic of Korea
- Ischemic/Hypoxic Disease InstituteSeoul National University College of MedicineSeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - Jun‐Goo Jee
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical ResearchesCollege of PharmacyKyungpook National UniversityDaeguRepublic of Korea
| | - Ae Jin Jeong
- Department of PharmacologySeoul National University College of MedicineSeoulRepublic of Korea
- Biomedical Science Project (BK21)Seoul National University College of MedicineSeoulRepublic of Korea
| | | | - In‐Chul Park
- Division of Basic Radiation BioscienceKorea Institute of Radiological and Medical SciencesSeoulKorea
| | - Gyeong Hun Baeg
- Department of PediatricsNew York Medical CollegeValhallaNYUSA
- School of Life and Health SciencesChinese University of Hong KongShenzhenChina
| | - Sang‐Kyu Ye
- Department of PharmacologySeoul National University College of MedicineSeoulRepublic of Korea
- Biomedical Science Project (BK21)Seoul National University College of MedicineSeoulRepublic of Korea
- Ischemic/Hypoxic Disease InstituteSeoul National University College of MedicineSeoulRepublic of Korea
- Neuro‐Immune Information Storage Network Research CenterSeoul National University College of MedicineSeoulRepublic of Korea
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3
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Shan Y, Wang B, Zhang J. New strategies in achieving antiangiogenic effect: Multiplex inhibitors suppressing compensatory activations of RTKs. Med Res Rev 2018; 38:1674-1705. [DOI: 10.1002/med.21517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Revised: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Shan
- Department of Pharmacy; The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University; Xi'an China
| | - Binghe Wang
- Department of Chemistry; Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics; Georgia State University; Atlanta GA USA
| | - Jie Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center; Xi'an Jiaotong University; Xi'an China
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4
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Eriocalyxin B, a natural diterpenoid, inhibited VEGF-induced angiogenesis and diminished angiogenesis-dependent breast tumor growth by suppressing VEGFR-2 signaling. Oncotarget 2018; 7:82820-82835. [PMID: 27756875 PMCID: PMC5347735 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2016] [Accepted: 10/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Eriocalyxin B (EriB), a natural ent-kaurane diterpenoid isolated from the plant Isodon eriocalyx var. laxiflora, has emerged as a promising anticancer agent. The effects of EriB on angiogenesis were explored in the present study. Here we demonstrated that the subintestinal vein formation was significantly inhibited by EriB treatment (10, 15 μM) in zebrafish embryos, which was resulted from the alteration of various angiogenic genes as shown in transcriptome profiling. In human umbilical vein endothelial cells, EriB treatment (50, 100 nM) could significantly block vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF)-induced cell proliferation, tube formation, cell migration and cell invasion. Furthermore, EriB also caused G1 phase cell cycle arrest which was correlated with the down-regulation of the cyclin D1 and CDK4 leading to the inhibition of phosphorylated retinoblastoma protein expression. Investigation of the signal transduction revealed that EriB inhibited VEGF-induced phosphorylation of VEGF receptor-2 via the interaction with the ATP-binding sites according to the molecular docking simulations. The suppression of VEGFR-2 downstream signal transduction cascades was also observed. EriB was showed to inhibit new blood vessel formation in Matrigel plug model and mouse 4T1 breast tumor model. EriB (5 mg/kg/day) treatment was able to decrease tumor vascularization and suppress tumor growth and angiogenesis. Taken together, our findings suggested that EriB is a novel inhibitor of angiogenesis through modulating VEGFR-2 signaling pathway, which could be developed as a promising anti-angiogenic agent for treatment of angiogenesis-related human diseases, such as cancer.
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5
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Malecic N, Young HS. Excessive angiogenesis associated with psoriasis as a cause for cardiovascular ischaemia. Exp Dermatol 2018; 26:299-304. [PMID: 28156019 DOI: 10.1111/exd.13310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Psoriasis, a common disease affecting 2%-3% of the UK population, produces significant impairment of quality of life and is an immense burden on sufferers and their families. Psoriasis is associated with significant cardiovascular comorbidity and the metabolic syndrome. Angiogenesis, a relatively under-researched component of psoriasis, is a key factor in pathogenesis of psoriasis and also contributes to the development of atherosclerosis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a well-established mediator of pathological angiogenesis which is upregulated in psoriasis. It is possible that, in patients with psoriasis, cutaneous angiogenesis may be both a marker for systemic vascular pathology and a novel therapeutic target. In this viewpoint study, the role of VEGF-mediated angiogenesis as a cause for cardiovascular events in patients with psoriasis is explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Malecic
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Department of Dermatology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Helen S Young
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Department of Dermatology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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Gao P, Niu N, Wei T, Tozawa H, Chen X, Zhang C, Zhang J, Wada Y, Kapron CM, Liu J. The roles of signal transducer and activator of transcription factor 3 in tumor angiogenesis. Oncotarget 2017; 8:69139-69161. [PMID: 28978186 PMCID: PMC5620326 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.19932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis is the development of new blood vessels, which is required for tumor growth and metastasis. Signal transducer and activator of transcription factor 3 (STAT3) is a transcription factor that regulates a variety of cellular events including proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Previous studies revealed that activation of STAT3 promotes tumor angiogenesis. In this review, we described the activities of STAT3 signaling in different cell types involved in angiogenesis. Particularly, we elucidated the molecular mechanisms of STAT3-mediated gene regulation in angiogenic endothelial cells in response to external stimulations such as hypoxia and inflammation. The potential for STAT3 as a therapeutic target was also discussed. Overall, this review provides mechanistic insights for the roles of STAT3 signaling in tumor angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Gao
- Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Na Niu
- Department of Pediatrics, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Tianshu Wei
- Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Hideto Tozawa
- The Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, Isotope Science Center, The University of Tokyo, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Xiaocui Chen
- Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Caiqing Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jiandong Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Youichiro Wada
- The Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, Isotope Science Center, The University of Tokyo, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Carolyn M Kapron
- Department of Biology, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ju Liu
- Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
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7
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Zhang Q, Xu F, Shi Y, Chen YW, Wang HP, Yu X, Li Y. C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 promotes tumor angiogenesis in gastric cancer via activation of JAK2/STAT3. Cell Biol Int 2017; 41:854-862. [PMID: 28544312 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.10794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 05/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Qing Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology; Gongli Hospital; MiaoPu Road Shanghai 200135 China
| | - Feng Xu
- Department of Medical Oncology; Gongli Hospital; MiaoPu Road Shanghai 200135 China
| | - Yi Shi
- Department of Medical Oncology; Gongli Hospital; MiaoPu Road Shanghai 200135 China
| | - Yi-Wen Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology; Gongli Hospital; MiaoPu Road Shanghai 200135 China
| | - Hai-Ping Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology; Gongli Hospital; MiaoPu Road Shanghai 200135 China
| | - Xue Yu
- Department of Medical Oncology; Gongli Hospital; MiaoPu Road Shanghai 200135 China
| | - Yong Li
- Department of Medical Oncology; Gongli Hospital; MiaoPu Road Shanghai 200135 China
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Kim BH, Yi EH, Ye SK. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 as a therapeutic target for cancer and the tumor microenvironment. Arch Pharm Res 2016; 39:1085-99. [PMID: 27515050 DOI: 10.1007/s12272-016-0795-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2016] [Accepted: 07/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a cytoplasmic transcription factor that modulates the transcription of a variety of genes to regulate important biological functions, including cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, angiogenesis, and immune response. Constitutive activation of STAT3 is important in oncogenic signaling and occurs at high frequency in human cancers, including diverse solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. Moreover, it is associated with a poor prognosis. The tumor microenvironment has recently been recognized as a key condition for cancer progression, invasion, angiogenesis, metastasis, and drug resistance by activation of STAT3 signaling. Therefore, understanding the biology associated with STAT3-mediated signaling cascades in the tumor microenvironment may offer the therapeutic potential to treat human cancers. This review presents an overview of the critical roles of STAT3 in the tumor microenvironment related to cancer biology and discusses recent advancements in the development of anticancer drugs that therapeutically inhibit STAT3 signaling cascades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byung-Hak Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
- Biomedical Science Project (BK21PLUS), Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Hee Yi
- Department of Pharmacology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
- Ischemic/Hypoxic Disease Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Kyu Ye
- Department of Pharmacology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
- Biomedical Science Project (BK21PLUS), Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
- Ischemic/Hypoxic Disease Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
- Neuro-Immune Information Storage Network Research Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
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9
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Jin G, Yang Y, Liu H, Liu K, Zhao J, Chen X, Zhang X, Zhang Y, Lu J, Dong Z. Genome-wide analysis of the effect of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma on human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Oncol Rep 2016; 36:155-64. [PMID: 27222202 DOI: 10.3892/or.2016.4816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2015] [Accepted: 02/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
A large volume of data indicates that controlling tumor-associated angiogenesis is a promising therapy against cancer. However, angiogenesis is a complex process, little is known about the differential gene expression in the process of normal endothelial cell differentiation toward tumor vascular endothelial cells induced by tumor microenvironment. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of tumor microenvironment simulated by the supernatant of esophageal squamous cancer cells (KYSE70) on normal endothelial cells (HUVECs) at the whole genome level. The gene expression profile was studied through gene ontology and signal pathway analysis. Compared with the normal HUVECs, a total of 3769 differentially expressed genes in induced HUVECs were detected, including 1609 upregulated genes and 2160 downregulated genes. Moreover, the microarray data analysis showed that 11 significant biological processes and 10 significant signaling pathways changed most, which are associated with angiogenesis and cell differentiation. According to the different expression levels in the microarrays and their functions, four differentially expressed genes involved in tumor angiogenesis and cell differentiation (IL6, VEGFA, S1PR1, TYMP) were selected and analyzed by qRT-PCR. The qRT-PCR results were consistent with the microarray data. Furthermore, we simulated the tumor microenvironment by human esophageal carcinoma tissue homogenate to investigate its effect on HUVECs, the qRT-PCR results indicated that the above genes were highly expressed in HUVECs after induction by esophageal carcinoma tissue homogenate. In conclusion, tumor microenvironment impact on normal endothelial cells differentiated toward tumor vascular endothelial cells, and the selected genes, which are associated with tumor angiogenesis, would be anti-angiogenesis targets against esophageal carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoguo Jin
- Department of Pathophysiology, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, P.R. China
| | - Yi Yang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, P.R. China
| | - Hangfan Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, P.R. China
| | - Kangdong Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, P.R. China
| | - Jimin Zhao
- Department of Pathophysiology, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, P.R. China
| | - Xinhuan Chen
- Department of Pathophysiology, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoyan Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, P.R. China
| | - Yanyan Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, P.R. China
| | - Jing Lu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, P.R. China
| | - Ziming Dong
- Department of Pathophysiology, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, P.R. China
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A natural food sweetener with anti-pancreatic cancer properties. Oncogenesis 2016; 5:e217. [PMID: 27065453 PMCID: PMC4848839 DOI: 10.1038/oncsis.2016.28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2015] [Revised: 02/12/2016] [Accepted: 03/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Mogroside V is a triterpenoid isolated from the traditional Chinese medical plant Siraitia grosvenorii. Mogroside V has a high degree of sweetness and a low calorific content. Herein, we found that mogroside V possesses tumor growth inhibitory activity in in vitro and in vivo models of pancreatic cancer by promoting apoptosis and cell cycle arrest of pancreatic cancer cells (PANC-1 cells), which may in part be mediated through regulating the STAT3 signaling pathway. These results were confirmed in vivo in a mouse xenograft model of pancreatic cancer. In xenograft tumors, Ki-67 and PCNA, the most commonly used markers of tumor cell proliferation, were downregulated after intravenous administration of mogroside V. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assays showed that mogroside V treatment promoted apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells in the xenograft tumors. Furthermore, we found that mogroside V treatment significantly reduced the expression of CD31-labeled blood vessels and of the pro-angiogenic factor vascular endothelial growth factor in the xenografts, indicating that mogroside V might limit the growth of pancreatic tumors by inhibiting angiogenesis and reducing vascular density. These results therefore demonstrate that the natural, sweet-tasting compound mogroside V can inhibit proliferation and survival of pancreatic cancer cells via targeting multiple biological targets.
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Furtek SL, Backos DS, Matheson CJ, Reigan P. Strategies and Approaches of Targeting STAT3 for Cancer Treatment. ACS Chem Biol 2016; 11:308-18. [PMID: 26730496 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.5b00945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 287] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a transcription factor that regulates the expression of genes related to cell cycle, cell survival, and immune response associated with cancer progression and malignancy in a number of cancer types. Once activated, STAT3 forms a homodimer and translocates to the nucleus where it binds DNA promoting the translation of target genes associated with antiapoptosis, angiogenesis, and invasion/migration. In normal cells, levels of activated STAT3 remain transient; however, STAT3 remains constitutively active in approximately 70% of human solid tumors. The pivotal role of STAT3 in tumor progression has promoted a campaign in drug discovery to identify small molecules that disrupt the function of STAT3. A range of approaches have been used to identify novel small molecule inhibitors of STAT3, including high-throughput screening of chemical libraries, computational-based virtual screening, and fragment-based design strategies. The most common approaches in targeting STAT3 activity are either via the inhibition of tyrosine kinases capable of phosphorylating and thereby activating STAT3 or by preventing the formation of functional STAT3 dimers through disruption of the SH2 domains. However, the targeting of the STAT3 DNA-binding domain and disruption of binding of STAT3 to its DNA promoter have not been thoroughly examined, mainly due to the lack of adequate assay systems. This review summarizes the development of STAT3 inhibitors organized by the approach used to inhibit STAT3, the current inhibitors of each class, and the assay systems used to evaluate STAT3 inhibition and offers an insight into future approaches for small molecule STAT3 inhibitor development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffanie L. Furtek
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12850 East Montview Boulevard, Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States
| | - Donald S. Backos
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12850 East Montview Boulevard, Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States
| | - Christopher J. Matheson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12850 East Montview Boulevard, Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States
| | - Philip Reigan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12850 East Montview Boulevard, Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States
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