Zeaxanthin inhibits PDGF-BB-induced migration in human dermal fibroblasts

An Overview of Growth Factors as the Potential Link between Psoriasis and Metabolic Syndrome

Psoriasis is a chronic, complex, and immunologically mediated systemic disease that not only affects the skin, but also the joints and nails. It may coexist with various other disorders, such as depression, psoriatic arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome. In particular, the potential link between psoriasis and metabolic syndrome is an issue worthy of attention. The dysregulation of growth factors could potentially contribute to the disturbances of keratinocyte proliferation, inflammation, and itch severity. However, the pathophysiology of psoriasis and its comorbidities, such as metabolic syndrome, remains incompletely elucidated. Growth factors and their abnormal metabolism may be a potential link connecting these conditions. Overall, the objective of this review is to analyze the role of growth factor disturbances in both psoriasis and metabolic syndrome.

Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. - anticancer properties and phytochemicals: current trends and future perspectives

Cancer is a leading cause of mortality worldwide, and conventional cancer therapies such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy often result in undesirable and adverse effects. Natural products have emerged as a promising alternative for cancer treatment, with comparatively fewer side effects reported. Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill., a member of the Cactaceae family, contains a diverse array of phytochemicals, including flavonoids, polyphenols, betalains, and tannins, which have been shown to exhibit potent anticancer properties. Various parts of the Opuntia plant, including the fruits, stems/cladodes, and roots, have demonstrated cytotoxic effects against malignant cell lines in numerous studies. This review comprehensively summarizes the anticancer attributes of the phytochemicals found in Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill., highlighting their potential as natural cancer prevention and treatment agents. Bibliometric metric analysis of PubMed and Scopus-retrieved data using VOSviewer as well as QDA analysis provide further insights and niche to be explored. Most anticancer studies on Opuntia ficus-indica and its purified metabolites are related to colorectal/colon cancer, followed by melanoma and breast cancer. Very little attention has been paid to leukemia, thyroid, endometrial, liver, and prostate cancer, and it could be considered an opportunity for researchers to explore O. ficus-indica and its metabolites against these cancers. The most notable mechanisms expressed and validated in those studies are apoptosis, cell cycle arrest (G0/G1 and G2/M), Bcl-2 modulation, antiproliferative, oxidative stress-mediated mechanisms, and cytochrome c. We have also observed that cladodes and fruits of O. ficus-indica have been more studied than other plant parts, which again opens the opportunity for the researchers to explore. Further, cell line-based studies dominated, and very few studies were related to animal-based experiments. The Zebrafish model is another platform to explore. However, it seems like more in-depth studies are required to ascertain clinical utility of this biosustainable resource O. ficus-indica.

Anethum sowa Roxb. ex fleming: A review on traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological and toxicological activities

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Anethum sowa Roxb. ex Fleming (Syn. Peucedanum sowa Roxb. ex Fleming, Family: Apiaceae) is a pharmacologically important as aromatic and medicinal plant. Various parts of this plant are used in traditional medicine systems for carminative, uterine and colic pain, digestion disorder, flatulence in babies, appetite-stimulating agent and used to treat mild flue and cough. The essential oil is used for aromatherapy. It is also used as a spice for food flavouring and culinary preparations in many Asian and European countries.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

This review aims to provide a comprehensive and critical assessment from the reported traditional and pharmaceutical uses and pharmacological activities of the extracts, essential oil and phytoconstituents with emphasis on its therapeutic potential as well as toxicological evaluation of A. sowa.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Online search engines such as SciFinder®, GoogleScholar®, ResearchGate®, Web of Science®, Scopus®, PubMed and additional data from books, proceedings and local prints were searched using relevant keywords and terminologies related to A. sowa for critical analyses.

RESULTS

The literature studies demonstrated that A. sowa possesses several ethnopharmacological activities, including pharmaceutical prescriptions, traditional applications, and spice in food preparations. The phytochemical investigation conducted on crude extracts has been characterized and identified various classes of compounds, including coumarins, anthraquinone, terpenoids, alkaloid, benzodioxoles, phenolics, polyphenols, phenolic and polyphenols, fatty acids, phthalides and carotenoids. The extracts and compounds from the different parts of A. sowa showed diverse in vitro and in vivo biological activities including antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, analgesic and anti-inflammatory, Alzheimer associating neuromodulatory, cytotoxic, anticancer, antidiabetes, insecticidal and larvicidal.

CONCLUSION

A. sowa is a valuable medicinal plant which is especially used in food flavouring and culinary preparations. This review summarized the pertinent information on A. sowa and its traditional and culinary uses, as well as potential pharmacological properties of essential oils, extracts and isolated compounds. The traditional uses of A. sowa are supported by in vitro/vivo pharmacological studies; however, further investigation on A. sowa should be focused on isolation and identification of more active compounds and establish the links between the traditional uses and reported pharmacological activities with active compounds, as well as structure-activity relationship and in vivo mechanistic studies before integrated into the medicine. The toxicological report confirmed its safety. Nonetheless, pharmacokinetic evaluation tests to validate its bioavailability should be encouraged.

Anti-Inflammatory and Anticancer Effects of Microalgal Carotenoids

Acute inflammation is a key component of the immune system's response to pathogens, toxic agents, or tissue injury, involving the stimulation of defense mechanisms aimed to removing pathogenic factors and restoring tissue homeostasis. However, uncontrolled acute inflammatory response may lead to chronic inflammation, which is involved in the development of many diseases, including cancer. Nowadays, the need to find new potential therapeutic compounds has raised the worldwide scientific interest to study the marine environment. Specifically, microalgae are considered rich sources of bioactive molecules, such as carotenoids, which are natural isoprenoid pigments with important beneficial effects for health due to their biological activities. Carotenoids are essential nutrients for mammals, but they are unable to synthesize them; instead, a dietary intake of these compounds is required. Carotenoids are classified as carotenes (hydrocarbon carotenoids), such as α- and β-carotene, and xanthophylls (oxygenate derivatives) including zeaxanthin, astaxanthin, fucoxanthin, lutein, α- and β-cryptoxanthin, and canthaxanthin. This review summarizes the present up-to-date knowledge of the anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities of microalgal carotenoids both in vitro and in vivo, as well as the latest status of human studies for their potential use in prevention and treatment of inflammatory diseases and cancer.

Lasius fuliginosus Nest Carton as a Source of New Promising Bioactive Extracts with Chemopreventive Potential

Six new water extracts (E1-E6) were obtained from nest carton produced by jet black ants Lasius fuliginosus and tested for their biochemical and bioactive properties, including antioxidative and anticancer effects. The present study demonstrated significant qualitative and quantitative differences in the content of individual biochemical constituents, as well as bioactive properties between the investigated samples. All tested extracts demonstrated antioxidant properties (determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) methods), and the highest antioxidative potential was recorded in extracts E1 and E2 (188.96 and 313.67 μg/mL of ascorbic acid equivalent for ABTS and 176.42 and 202.66 μg/mL for DPPH reagent). Furthermore the six extracts exhibited strong inhibitory activity towards human melanoma cells of the A-375 CRL-1619 line in a dose-dependent manner. The most interesting chemopreventive activity was exhibited by extract E2, which inhibited the proliferation of A-375 cells to the greatest extent, while having a minimal effect on Vero cells. The effect on cancer cells has been confirmed using the Electric Cell-substrate Impedance Sensing (ECIS) technique. Significant impedance changes have been detected in A-375 and Vero cells following the administration of extract E2. The obtained results are really promising and constitute the basis for further research on the nest carton of jet black ant.

Zeaxanthin-Rich Extract from Superfood Lycium barbarum Selectively Modulates the Cellular Adhesion and MAPK Signaling in Melanoma versus Normal Skin Cells In Vitro

The concern for implementing bioactive nutraceuticals in antioxidant-related therapies is of great importance for skin homeostasis in benign or malignant diseases. In order to elucidate some novel insights of Lycium barbarum (Goji berry) activity on skin cells, the present study focused on its active compound zeaxanthin. By targeting the stemness markers CD44 and CD105, with deep implications in skin oxidative stress mechanisms, we revealed, for the first time, selectivity in zeaxanthin activity. When applied in vitro on BJ human fibroblast cell line versus the A375 malignant melanoma cells, despite the moderate cytotoxicity, the zeaxanthin-rich extracts 1 and 2 were able to downregulate significantly the CD44 and CD105 membrane expression and extracellular secretion in A375, and to upregulate them in BJ cells. At mechanistic level, the present study is the first to demonstrate that the zeaxanthin-rich Goji extracts are able to influence selectively the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK): ERK, JNK and p38 in normal BJ versus tumor-derived A375 skin cells. These results point out towards the applications of zeaxanthin from L. barbarum as a cytoprotective agent in normal skin and raises questions about its use as an antitumor prodrug alone or in combination with standard therapy.

The Benefits and Risks of Certain Dietary Carotenoids that Exhibit both Anti- and Pro-Oxidative Mechanisms-A Comprehensive Review

Carotenoid pigments, particularly β-carotene and lycopene, are consumed in human foodstuffs and play a vital role in maintaining health. β-carotene is known to quench singlet oxygen and can have strong antioxidant activity. As such, it was proposed that β-carotene might reduce the risk of cancer. Epidemiological studies found inverse relationships between cancer risk and β-carotene intake or blood levels. However, clinical trials failed to support those findings and β-carotene supplementation actually increased lung cancer incidence in male smokers. Early experimental animal studies found dietary β-carotene inhibited UV-induced skin cancers. Later studies found that β-carotene supplementation exacerbated UV-carcinogenic expression. The discrepancies of these results were related to the type of diet the animals consumed. Lycopene has been associated with reduced risk of lethal stage prostate cancer. Other carotenoids, e.g., lutein and zeaxanthin, play a vital role in visual health. Numerous studies of molecular mechanisms to explain the carotenoids' mode of action have centered on singlet oxygen, as well as radical reactions. In cellular systems, singlet oxygen quenching by carotenoids has been reported but is more complex than in organic solvents. In dietary β-carotene supplement studies, damaging pro-oxidant reactivity can also arise. Reasons for this switch are likely due to the properties of the carotenoid radicals themselves. Understanding singlet oxygen reactions and the anti-/pro-oxidant roles of carotenoids are of importance to photosynthesis, vision and cancer.

Sequential Delivery of Dual Growth Factors from Injectable Chitosan-Based Composite Hydrogels

Local administration of platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PGDF-BB) and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) in a sequential release manner could substantially promote bone healing. To achieve this goal, a delivery system that could sustain the release of PGDF-BB and BMP-2 by way of temporal separation was developed. One type of PGDF-BB-encapsulated alginate microsphere and another type of BMP-2-encapsulated microsphere with a core-shell structure were respectively produced using emulsification methods. These two types of microspheres were then embedded into chitosan/glycerophosphate hydrogel for constructing composite gels. Some of them were found to be injectable at ambient temperature and had thermo-sensitive features near physiological temperature and pH. The optimally formulated composite gels showed the ability to control the release of PGDF-BB and BMP-2 in a sequential fashion in which PDGF-BB was released earlier than BMP-2. In vitro release patterns indicated that the release rates could be significantly regulated by varying the embedded amount of the factor-encapsulated microspheres, which can in turn mediate the temporal separation release interval between PGDF-BB and BMP-2. The released PDGF-BB and BMP-2 were detected to be bioactive based on their respective effects on Balb/c 3T3 and C2C12 cells. These results suggest that the presently developed composite gels have the potential for bone repair by synergistically utilizing the early chemotactic effect of PDGF-BB and the subsequent osteogenic and angiogenic functions of PDGF-BB and BMP-2.

The active compounds derived from Psoralea corylifolia for photochemotherapy against psoriasis-like lesions: The relationship between structure and percutaneous absorption

8‑Methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) in combination with ultraviolet A (PUVA) is a photochemotherapy for management of psoriasis. 8-MOP is a natural compound from Psoralea corylifolia. The present work was undertaken to evaluate the percutaneous absorption of five compounds derived from P. corylifolia, and to further explore the inhibitory effect on psoriasis-like lesions generated by imiquimod stimulation in a mouse model. 8-MOP, psoralen, isopsoralen, psoralidin, and bakuchiol were comparatively tested for in vitro skin permeation, keratinocyte apoptosis, and in vivo antipsoriatic potency. The pig ear skin deposition of 8-MOP, isopsoralen, and bakuchiol at an equimolar dose was 0.47, 0.58, and 0.50 nmol/mg, respectively, which was comparable and higher than that of psoralen (0.25 nmol/mg) and psoralidin (0.14 nmol/mg). Psoralidin and bakuchiol were absorbed into the skin without further penetration across the skin. Besides experimental data of physicochemical properties, the hydrogen bond number, total polarity surface, and stratum corneum lipid docking calculated could explain the correlation of the penetrant structure with the skin permeability. The antiproliferative activity against keratinocytes was stronger for 8-MOP and isopsoralen than the others. Topical application of PUVA by using 8-MOP and isopsoralen on imiquimod-induced plaque significantly reduced transepidermal water loss from 55 to 33 and 38 g/m²/h, respectively. The epidermal thickening elicited by imiquimod (117 μm) was decreased to 62 and 26 μm by 8-MOP and isopsoralen application. IL-6 expression in psoriasiform skin was downregulated by isopsoralen but not 8-MOP. Isopsoralen may be a potential candidate for PUVA therapy.

18ß-glycyrrhetinic acid derivative promotes proliferation, migration and aquaporin-3 expression in human dermal fibroblasts

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza) species have been widely used as a traditional medicine and a natural sweetener in foods. The 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (18β-GA) is a bioactive compound in licorice that exhibits potential anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial activities. Many synthesized derivatives of 18β-GA have been reported to be cytotoxic and suggested for the treatment of malignant diseases. In this study, we explored the possible pharmacological roles of an 18β-GA derivative in skin biology using primary human dermal fibroblasts and HaCaT keratinocytes as cell models. We found that this 18β-GA derivative did not cause cell death, but significantly enhanced the proliferation of dermal fibroblasts and HaCaT keratinocytes. A scratch wound healing assay revealed that the 18β-GA derivative promoted the migration of fibroblasts. Due to the important role of aquaporin-3 in cell migration and proliferation, we also investigated the expression of aquaporin-3 and found this compound up-regulated the expression of aquaporin-3 in dermal fibroblasts and HaCaT keratinocytes. In dermal fibroblasts, the 18β-GA derivative induced the phosphorylation of Akt, ERK, and p38. The inhibitor of Akt predominantly suppressed the 18β-GA derivative-induced expression of aquaporin-3. Collectively, this compound had a positive effect on the proliferation, migration, and aquaporin-3 expression of skin cells, implying its potential role in the treatment of skin diseases characterized by impaired wound healing or dermal defects.

Zeaxanthin-based dietary supplement and topical serum improve hydration and reduce wrinkle count in female subjects

BACKGROUND

Dietary modification, through supplementation and elimination diets, has become an area of interest to help slow skin aging, reduce symptom severity or prevent reoccurrence of certain dermatologic conditions [Clinical Dermatology vol. 31 (2013) 677-700]. Free radical components (reactive oxygen species or ROS) or lipid peroxide (LPO) is involved in the pathogenesis and progression of accelerated skin aging when prolonged oxidative stress occurs. The use of antioxidant-related therapies such as nutraceuticals is of particular interest in restoring skin homeostasis. Antioxidant carotenoid zeaxanthin is concentrated in the eye and skin tissue and believed to decrease the formation of ROS associated with UV light exposure. With zeaxanthin, phytoceramides, and botanical extracts an oral and topical test product (with zeaxanthin, algae extracts, peptides, hyaluronate) have been developed to improve the appearance and condition of skin when used as directed.

METHODS

Subjects were divided into three groups: two tests (skin formula 1 - oral product alone (ZO-1), skin formula 2- oral product with topical product (ZO-2 + ZT)), and one placebo control. The study consisted of a washout visit, baseline (randomization), week two (2), week four (4), week six (6), week eight (8), and week twelve (12). Key parameters measured were as follows: fine lines, deep lines, total wrinkles, wrinkle severity, radiance/skin color (L, a*, b*), discolorations, and skin pigment homogeneity.

RESULTS

Thirty-one subjects completed the twelve-week study; no adverse events were recorded during the study. Statistically significant improvements from baseline mean hydration score were observed in active groups at weeks 2, 6, and 8. A statistically significant difference was observed between mean differences from baseline scores for total wrinkle count at week 4 for the combination active groups compared to placebo. A statistically significant difference from baseline scores for fine lines count was also observed at the week 4 visit compared to placebo for both active groups. Statistically significant differences from baseline scores for average wrinkles severity were seen for week 12 visit for both active groups compared to placebo.

CONCLUSION

We have shown that the combination of zeaxanthin-based dietary supplement plus a topical formulation produces superior hydration to that of placebo. Additionally, we have shown that the combination of oral and topical combination vs. oral alone has superior abilities to improve parameters associated with facial lines and wrinkles compared to placebo, although the dietary supplement alone proved most effective in reducing wrinkle count and severity.

Methylation and Esterification of Magnolol for Ameliorating Cutaneous Targeting and Therapeutic Index by Topical Application

PURPOSE

As a continuing effort to elucidate the impact of structure modification upon cutaneous absorption behavior, we attempted to assess the skin permeation of magnolol by methylation and acetylation.

METHODS

Diacetylmagnolol and 2-O-acetyl-2'-O-methylmagnolol (AMM) were designed and synthesized in this study. The anti-inflammatory activity against stimulated neutrophils and keratinocytes was evaluated to check the bioactivity of the analogues. In vitro skin absorption was investigated using nude mouse and pig skin models at both equimolar and saturated doses.

RESULTS

Magnolol generally showed the strongest anti-inflammatory potential, followed by diacetylmagnolol and AMM. The antibacterial activity was observed for magnolol and diacetylmagnolol but not AMM. Diacetylmagnolol and AMM could be partly hydrolyzed to magnolol and 2-O-methylmagnolol after entering the skin. The hydrolysis rate of diacetylmagnolol was faster than that of AMM. The lipophilicity played a crucial role in cutaneous absorption, with AMM exhibiting the highest skin deposition. AMM accumulation within nude mouse skin was about 2.5-fold greater than that of magnolol and diacetylmagnolol. On the other hand, the transdermal penetration across the skin was lessened by methylation and esterification. This led to a superior skin targeting of AMM. Although the pharmacological activity of AMM was low, the high skin uptake and bioconversion into 2-O-methylmagnolol in the skin contributed to a greater therapeutic index (TI, skin deposition x inflammatory inhibition percentage) compared to the others. The accumulation of AMM in the hair follicles was 77.12 nmol/cm(2), which was significantly greater than that with magnolol (44.84 nmol/cm(2)) and diacetylmagnolol (26.96 nmol/cm(2)). The synthetic analogues were tolerable to the nude mouse skin.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the experimental results, we may suggest topically applied AMM as a potent and safe candidate for the treatment of cutaneous inflammation.

Nonlethal Levels of Zeaxanthin Inhibit Cell Migration, Invasion, and Secretion of MMP-2 via NF-κB Pathway in Cultured Human Uveal Melanoma Cells

Zeaxanthin at nonlethal dosages (3-10 μM) significantly inhibited the cell migration of cultured uveal melanoma cells (C918 cell line) as determined by wound healing assay and Boyden chamber assay. Matrigel invasion assay showed that cell invasion of uveal melanoma cells could be significantly inhibited by zeaxanthin. Secretion of MMP-2 by melanoma cells was significantly inhibited by zeaxanthin in a dose-dependent manner as measured by ELISA kit. Zeaxanthin also significantly inhibited the NF-κB levels in nuclear extracts of the UM cells, which is the upstream of the MMP-2 secretion. These results suggest that zeaxanthin might be a potentially therapeutic approach in the prevention of metastasis in uveal melanoma.

Online Measurement of Real-Time Cytotoxic Responses Induced by Multi-Component Matrices, such as Natural Products, through Electric Cell-Substrate Impedance Sensing (ECIS)

Natural products are complex matrices of compounds that are prone to interfere with the label-dependent methods that are typically used for cytotoxicity screenings. Here, we developed a label-free Electric Cell-substrate Impedance Sensing (ECIS)-based cytotoxicity assay that can be applied in the assessment of the cytotoxicity of natural extracts. The conditions to measure the impedance using ECIS were first optimized in mice immortalized hypothalamic neurons GT1-7 cells. The performance of four natural extracts when tested using three conventional cytotoxicity assays in GT1-7 cells, was studied. Betula pendula (silver birch tree) was found to interfere with all of the cytotoxicity assays in which labels were applied. The silver birch extract was also proven to be cytotoxic and, thus, served as a proof-of-concept for the use of ECIS. The extract was fractionated and the ECIS method permitted the distinction of specific kinetic patterns of cytotoxicity on the fractions as well as the extract’s pure constituents. This study offers evidence that ECIS is an excellent tool for real-time monitoring of the cytotoxicity of complex extracts that are difficult to work with using conventional (label-based) assays. Altogether, it offers a very suitable cytotoxicity-screening assay making the work with natural products less challenging within the drug discovery workflow.

Bioactive Compounds Isolated from Microalgae in Chronic Inflammation and Cancer

The risk of onset of cancer is influenced by poorly controlled chronic inflammatory processes. Inflammatory diseases related to cancer development include inflammatory bowel disease, which can lead to colon cancer, or actinic keratosis, associated with chronic exposure to ultraviolet light, which can progress to squamous cell carcinoma. Chronic inflammatory states expose these patients to a number of signals with tumorigenic effects, including nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) activation, pro-inflammatory cytokines and prostaglandins release and ROS production. In addition, the participation of inflammasomes, autophagy and sirtuins has been demonstrated in pathological processes such as inflammation and cancer. Chemoprevention consists in the use of drugs, vitamins, or nutritional supplements to reduce the risk of developing or having a recurrence of cancer. Numerous in vitro and animal studies have established the potential colon and skin cancer chemopreventive properties of substances from marine environment, including microalgae species and their products (carotenoids, fatty acids, glycolipids, polysaccharides and proteins). This review summarizes the main mechanisms of actions of these compounds in the chemoprevention of these cancers. These actions include suppression of cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis, stimulation of antimetastatic and antiangiogenic responses and increased antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.

Effects of epidermal growth factor, platelet derived growth factor and growth hormone on cultured rat keratinocytes cells in vitro

Some growth factors, such as Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), Growth Hormone (GH) and Platelet Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) have beneficial effects on keratinocyte proliferation and wound healing. Although the mechanism of these factors is unclear. In response to injury, growth factors are secreted by kinds of cutaneous cells. The goal of this project is to investigate the factors that could cause proliferate of the keratinocyte cells in vitro. The keratinocytes were removed from rat pups (10 days). Cultured in media with different concentration of GH, PDGF and EGF separately. The proliferation of cells was evaluated by the method of MTT and 3H-thymidine incorporation. Proliferation of keratinocytes was significantly higher in experimental groups than in control group. EGF maximally stimulated at 10 and 25 ng mL(-1). PDGF-BB maximally stimulated at 50 ng mL(-1), respectively. And maximal stimulation of GH was 2.5 IU L(-1). GH, PDGF-BB and EGF stimulate keratinocyte cells proliferation in different concentration. These growth factors could play in healing of the skin.

Microencapsulated equine mesenchymal stromal cells promote cutaneous wound healing in vitro

INTRODUCTION

The prevalence of impaired cutaneous wound healing is high and treatment is difficult and often ineffective, leading to negative social and economic impacts for our society. Innovative treatments to improve cutaneous wound healing by promoting complete tissue regeneration are therefore urgently needed. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been reported to provide paracrine signals that promote wound healing, but (i) how they exert their effects on target cells is unclear and (ii) a suitable delivery system to supply these MSC-derived secreted factors in a controlled and safe way is unavailable. The present study was designed to provide answers to these questions by using the horse as a translational model. Specifically, we aimed to (i) evaluate the in vitro effects of equine MSC-derived conditioned medium (CM), containing all factors secreted by MSCs, on equine dermal fibroblasts, a cell type critical for successful wound healing, and (ii) explore the potential of microencapsulated equine MSCs to deliver CM to wounded cells in vitro.

METHODS

MSCs were isolated from the peripheral blood of healthy horses. Equine dermal fibroblasts from the NBL-6 (horse dermal fibroblast cell) line were wounded in vitro, and cell migration and expression levels of genes involved in wound healing were evaluated after treatment with MSC-CM or NBL-6-CM. These assays were repeated by using the CM collected from MSCs encapsulated in core-shell hydrogel microcapsules.

RESULTS

Our salient findings were that equine MSC-derived CM stimulated the migration of equine dermal fibroblasts and increased their expression level of genes that positively contribute to wound healing. In addition, we found that equine MSCs packaged in core-shell hydrogel microcapsules had similar effects on equine dermal fibroblast migration and gene expression, indicating that microencapsulation of MSCs does not interfere with the release of bioactive factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate that the use of CM from MSCs might be a promising new therapy for impaired cutaneous wounds and that encapsulation may be a suitable way to effectively deliver CM to wounded cells in vivo.

Drug and bioactive molecule screening based on a bioelectrical impedance cell culture platform

This review will present a brief discussion on the recent advancements of bioelectrical impedance cell-based biosensors, especially the electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) system for screening of various bioactive molecules. The different technical integrations of various chip types, working principles, measurement systems, and applications for drug targeting of molecules in cells are highlighted in this paper. Screening of bioactive molecules based on electric cell-substrate impedance sensing is a trial-and-error process toward the development of therapeutically active agents for drug discovery and therapeutics. In general, bioactive molecule screening can be used to identify active molecular targets for various diseases and toxicity at the cellular level with nanoscale resolution. In the innovation and screening of new drugs or bioactive molecules, the activeness, the efficacy of the compound, and safety in biological systems are the main concerns on which determination of drug candidates is based. Further, drug discovery and screening of compounds are often performed in cell-based test systems in order to reduce costs and save time. Moreover, this system can provide more relevant results in in vivo studies, as well as high-throughput drug screening for various diseases during the early stages of drug discovery. Recently, MEMS technologies and integration with image detection techniques have been employed successfully. These new technologies and their possible ongoing transformations are addressed. Select reports are outlined, and not all the work that has been performed in the field of drug screening and development is covered.

Antiproliferative activity of Cyanophora paradoxa pigments in melanoma, breast and lung cancer cells

The glaucophyte Cyanophora paradoxa (Cp) was chemically investigated to identify pigments efficiently inhibiting malignant melanoma, mammary carcinoma and lung adenocarcinoma cells growth. Cp water and ethanol extracts significantly inhibited the growth of the three cancer cell lines in vitro, at 100 µg · mL(-1). Flash chromatography of the Cp ethanol extract, devoid of c-phycocyanin and allophycocyanin, enabled the collection of eight fractions, four of which strongly inhibited cancer cells growth at 100 µg · mL(-1). Particularly, two fractions inhibited more than 90% of the melanoma cells growth, one inducing apoptosis in the three cancer cells lines. The detailed analysis of Cp pigment composition resulted in the discrimination of 17 molecules, ten of which were unequivocally identified by high resolution mass spectrometry. Pheophorbide a, β-cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin were the three main pigments or derivatives responsible for the strong cytotoxicity of Cp fractions in cancer cells. These data point to Cyanophora paradoxa as a new microalgal source to purify potent anticancer pigments, and demonstrate for the first time the strong antiproliferative activity of zeaxanthin and β-cryptoxanthin in melanoma cells.

Loss of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) induces leptin-mediated leptin gene expression: feed-forward loop operating in the lung

Elevated levels of systemic and pulmonary leptin are associated with diseases related to lung injury and lung cancer. However, the role of leptin in lung biology and pathology, including the mechanism of leptin gene expression in the pathogenesis of lung diseases, including lung cancer, remains elusive. Here, using conditional deletion of tumor suppressor gene Pten in the lung epithelium in vivo in transgenic mice and human PTEN-null lung epithelial cells, we identify the leptin-driven feed-forward signaling loop in the lung epithelial cells. Leptin-mediated leptin/leptin-receptor gene expression likely amplifies leptin signaling that may contribute to the pathogenesis and severity of lung diseases, resulting in poor clinical outcomes. Loss of Pten in the lung epithelial cells in vivo activated adipokine signaling and induced leptin synthesis as ascertained by genome-wide mRNA profiling and pathway analysis. Leptin gene transcription was mediated by binding of transcription factors NRF-1 and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein δ (C/EBP) to the proximal promoter regions and STAT3 to the distal promoter regions as revealed by leptin promoter-mutation, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and gain- and loss-of-function studies in lung epithelial cells. Leptin treatment induced expression of the leptin/leptin receptor in the lung epithelial cells via activation of MEK/ERK, PI3K/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathways. Expression of constitutively active MEK-1, AKT, and STAT3 proteins increased expression, and treatment with MEK, PI3K, AKT, and mTOR inhibitors decreased LEP expression, indicating that leptin via MAPK/ERK1/2, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, and JAK2/STAT3 pathways, in turn, further induces its own gene expression. Thus, targeted inhibition of the leptin-mediated feed-forward loop provides a novel rationale for pharmacotherapy of disease associated with lung injury and remodeling, including lung cancer.

Environmental light and endogenous antioxidants as the main determinants of non-cancer ocular diseases

The human eye is constantly exposed to sunlight and artificial lighting. Exogenous sources of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as UV light, visible light, ionizing radiation, chemotherapeutics, and environmental toxins contribute to oxidative damage in ocular tissues. Long-term exposure to these insults places the aging eye at considerable risk for pathological consequences of oxidative stress. Furthermore, in eye tissues, mitochondria are an important endogenous source of ROS. Over time, all ocular structures, from the tear film to the retina, undergo oxidative stress, and therefore, the antioxidant defenses of each tissue assume the role of a safeguard against degenerative ocular pathologies. The ocular surface and cornea protect the other ocular tissues and are significantly exposed to oxidative stress of environmental origin. Overwhelming of antioxidant defenses in these tissues clinically manifests as pathologies including pterygium, corneal dystrophies, and endothelial Fuch's dystrophy. The crystalline lens is highly susceptible to oxidative damage in aging because its cells and their intracellular proteins are not turned over or replaced, thus providing the basis for cataractogenesis. The trabecular meshwork, which is the anterior chamber tissue devoted to aqueous humor drainage, has a particular susceptibility to mitochondrial oxidative injury that affects its endothelium and leads to an intraocular pressure increase that marks the beginning of glaucoma. Photo-oxidative stress can cause acute or chronic retinal damage. The pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration involves oxidative stress and death of the retinal pigment epithelium followed by death of the overlying photoreceptors. Accordingly, converging evidence indicates that mutagenic mechanisms of environmental and endogenous sources play a fundamental pathogenic role in degenerative eye diseases.

Risk of subsequent primary malignancies after dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans diagnosis: a national study

BACKGROUND

Patients frequently live many years after diagnosis of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP).

OBJECTIVE

We sought to determine the risk of subsequent primary malignancy (SPM) after DFSP diagnosis.

METHODS

Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (1973-2008) for 3734 patients with DFSP, we compared the risk of developing 14 SPMs (12 most prevalent cancers in the United States plus other nonepithelial and soft tissue) relative to risk in the general population of same sex, race, and age and year of diagnosis.

RESULTS

Patients given the diagnosis of DFSP had an overall increased risk of SPM (observed:expected [O:E], 1.20; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 1.04-1.39), with much of the overall increased risk attributable to increased risk of nonepithelial skin cancer (O:E, 9.94; 95% CI, 3.38-22.30). Specifically, female patients with DFSP were at increased risk of other nonepithelial skin cancer (O:E, 14.50; 95% CI, 3.46-38.98), melanoma (O:E, 2.59; 95% CI, 1.02-5.35), and breast cancer (O:E, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.00-2.00). Male patients were not at increased overall risk (O:E, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.96-1.44) of SPM or at increased risk of any specific malignancy (P > .05) adjusted for multiplicity of t tests.

LIMITATIONS

Surveillance bias may have led to increased rates and earlier detection of primary malignances in patients with DFSP compared with the general population. Individual data that may reveal shared environmental causes of DFSP and SPM were unavailable.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with DFSP are at increased risk of a number of SPMs.

A naturally occurring carotenoid, lutein, reduces PDGF and H₂O₂ signaling and compromised migration in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells

Background

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is a potent stimulator of growth and motility of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Abnormalities of PDGF/PDGF receptor (PDGFR) are thought to contribute to vascular diseases and malignancy. We previously showed that a carotenoid, lycopene, can directly bind to PDGF and affect its related functions in VSMCs. In this study we examined the effect of the other naturally occurring carotenoid, lutein, on PDGF signaling and migration in VSMCs.

Methods

Western blotting was performed to examine PDGF and H₂O₂ signaling. Flowcytometry was used to determine PDGF binding to VSMCs. Fluorescence microscopy was performed to examine intracellular ROS production. Modified Boyden chamber system (Transwell apparatus) was used for migration assay.

Results

Lutein reduced PDGF signaling, including phosphorylation of PDGFR-β and its downstream protein kinases/enzymes such as phospholipase C-γ, Akt, and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Although lutein possesses a similar structure to lycopene, it was striking that lutein inhibited PDGF signaling through a different way from lycopene in VSMCs. Unlike lycopene, lutein not only interacted with (bound to) PDGF but also interfered with cellular components. This was evidenced that preincubation of PDGF with lutein and treatment of VSMCs with lutein followed by removing of lutein compromised PDGF-induced signaling. Lutein reduced PDGF-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and attenuated ROS- (H₂O₂-) induced ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK activation. A further analysis indicated lutein could inhibit a higher concentration of H₂O₂-induced PDGFR signaling, which is known to act through an oxidative inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatase. Finally, we showed that lutein functionally inhibited PDGF-induced VSMC migration, whereas its stereo-isomer zeaxanthin did not, revealing a special action of lutein on VSMCs.

Conclusions

Our study reveals a differential action mechanism of lutein from other reported caroteinoids and suggests a possible beneficial effect of lutein but not zeaxanthin on prevention of vascular diseases.