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Kalampounias G, Gardeli C, Alexis S, Anagnostopoulou E, Androutsopoulou T, Dritsas P, Aggelis G, Papanikolaou S, Katsoris P. Poly-Unsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs) from Cunninghamella elegans Grown on Glycerol Induce Cell Death and Increase Intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:130. [PMID: 38392802 PMCID: PMC10890652 DOI: 10.3390/jof10020130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Cunninghamella elegans NRRL-1393 is an oleaginous fungus able to synthesize and accumulate unsaturated fatty acids, amongst which the bioactive gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) has potential anti-cancer activities. C. elegans was cultured in shake-flask nitrogen-limited media with either glycerol or glucose (both at ≈60 g/L) employed as the sole substrate. The assimilation rate of both substrates was similar, as the total biomass production reached 13.0-13.5 g/L, c. 350 h after inoculation (for both instances, c. 27-29 g/L of substrate were consumed). Lipid production was slightly higher on glycerol-based media, compared to the growth on glucose (≈8.4 g/L vs. ≈7.0 g/L). Lipids from C. elegans grown on glycerol, containing c. 9.5% w/w of GLA, were transformed into fatty acid lithium salts (FALS), and their effects were assessed on both human normal and cancerous cell lines. The FALS exhibited cytotoxic effects within a 48 h interval with an IC50 of about 60 μg/mL. Additionally, a suppression of migration was shown, as a significant elevation of oxidative stress levels, and the induction of cell death. Elementary differences between normal and cancer cells were not shown, indicating a generic mode of action; however, oxidative stress level augmentation may increase susceptibility to anticancer drugs, improving chemotherapy effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Kalampounias
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Division of Genetics, Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, School of Natural Sciences, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
| | - Chrysavgi Gardeli
- Laboratory of Food Chemistry and Analysis, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Spyridon Alexis
- Hematology Division, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
| | - Elena Anagnostopoulou
- Laboratory of Food Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Theodosia Androutsopoulou
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Division of Genetics, Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, School of Natural Sciences, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Dritsas
- Unit of Microbiology, Division of Genetics, Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, School of Natural Sciences, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
| | - George Aggelis
- Unit of Microbiology, Division of Genetics, Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, School of Natural Sciences, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
| | - Seraphim Papanikolaou
- Laboratory of Food Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Katsoris
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Division of Genetics, Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, School of Natural Sciences, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
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Lithium: A Promising Anticancer Agent. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13020537. [PMID: 36836894 PMCID: PMC9966411 DOI: 10.3390/life13020537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Lithium is a therapeutic cation used to treat bipolar disorders but also has some important features as an anti-cancer agent. In this review, we provide a general overview of lithium, from its transport into cells, to its innovative administration forms, and based on genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data. Lithium formulations such as lithium acetoacetate (LiAcAc), lithium chloride (LiCl), lithium citrate (Li3C6H5O7), and lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) induce apoptosis, autophagy, and inhibition of tumor growth and also participate in the regulation of tumor proliferation, tumor invasion, and metastasis and cell cycle arrest. Moreover, lithium is synergistic with standard cancer therapies, enhancing their anti-tumor effects. In addition, lithium has a neuroprotective role in cancer patients, by improving their quality of life. Interestingly, nano-sized lithium enhances its anti-tumor activities and protects vital organs from the damage caused by lipid peroxidation during tumor development. However, these potential therapeutic activities of lithium depend on various factors, such as the nature and aggressiveness of the tumor, the type of lithium salt, and its form of administration and dosage. Since lithium has been used to treat bipolar disorder, the current study provides an overview of its role in medicine and how this has changed. This review also highlights the importance of this repurposed drug, which appears to have therapeutic cancer potential, and underlines its molecular mechanisms.
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Bgatova N, Taskaeva I, Makarova V. Influence of distant tumor growth and lithium treatment on ultrastructural organization of kidney proximal tubules. Ultrastruct Pathol 2021; 45:212-223. [PMID: 34304707 DOI: 10.1080/01913123.2021.1954735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Tumor growth causes significant metabolic disturbances, tissue damage and the accumulation of toxic metabolites in the blood. The kidney is an organ with highly developed capillary network and therefore can be exposed to toxic metabolites. Here, the proximal renal tubule cells were studied by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy, on a model of hepatocellular carcinoma-29 growth in the thigh of CBA mice and lithium carbonate treatment. An increase of autophagy markers (LC3 and LAMP-1) expression was revealed under conditions of distant tumor growth and especially after lithium carbonate treatment. Under conditions of distant tumor we found decrease of numerical density of endosomes and dense apical tubules in the apical part of the cells. In the perinuclear cell compartment, there were swelling of mitochondria and a decrease in their cristae, a decrease of volume density of rough endoplasmic reticulum and the presence of autophagosomes and autolysosomes. The use of lithium carbonate led to an increase of autophagic structures volume density and of dense apical tubules numerical density in the proximal tubule cells. It is possible that the activation of autophagy by lithium can promote an increase in protein recycling in the proximal tubule cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nataliya Bgatova
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural Research, Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Lymphology - Branch of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Iuliia Taskaeva
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural Research, Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Lymphology - Branch of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Viktoriia Makarova
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural Research, Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Lymphology - Branch of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
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Bgatova N, Taskaeva I. Ultrastructure of the kidney filtration barrier in conditions of distant tumor growth and lithium treatment. Ultrastruct Pathol 2020; 44:412-421. [DOI: 10.1080/01913123.2020.1850962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nataliya Bgatova
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural Research, Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Lymphology – Branch of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Iuliia Taskaeva
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural Research, Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Lymphology – Branch of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
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Taskaeva I, Bgatova N, Gogaeva I. Lithium effects on vesicular trafficking in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Ultrastruct Pathol 2019; 43:301-311. [PMID: 31826700 DOI: 10.1080/01913123.2019.1701167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most commonly malignant tumors worldwide, characterized by the presence of many heterogeneous molecular cell events that contribute to tumor growth and progression. Endocytic processes are intimately involved in various pathological conditions, including cancer, since they interface with various cellular signaling programs. The ability of lithium to induce cell death and autophagy and affect cell proliferation and intracellular signaling has been shown in various experimental tumor models. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of lithium on vesicular transport in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Using transmission electron microscopy we have characterized the endocytic apparatus in hepatocellular carcinoma-29 (HCC-29) cells in vivo and detailed changes in endocytotic vesicles after 20 mM lithium carbonate administration. Immunofluorescent analysis was used to quantify cells positive for EEA1-positive early endosomes, Rab11-positive recycling endosomes and Rab7-positive late endosomes. Lithium treatment caused an increase in EEA1- and Rab11-positive structures and a decrease in Rab7-positive vesicles. Thus, lithium affects diverse endocytic pathways in HCC-29 cells which may modulate growth and development of hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iuliia Taskaeva
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural Research, Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Lymphology - Branch of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia.,Laboratory of Boron-Neutron Capture Therapy, Department of Physics, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Nataliya Bgatova
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural Research, Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Lymphology - Branch of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Izabella Gogaeva
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural Research, Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Lymphology - Branch of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
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