Down regulation of Pinkbar/pAKT and MMP2/MMP9 expression in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells as potential targets in cancer therapy by hAMSCs secretome

Exploring the dichotomy of the mesenchymal stem cell secretome: Implications for tumor modulation via cell-signaling pathways

Current cancer therapeutic strategies for the treatment of cancer are often unsuccessful due to unwanted side effects and drug resistance. Therefore, the design and development of potent, new anticancer platforms, such as stem-cell treatments, have attracted much attention. Distinctive biological properties of stem cells include their capacity to secrete bioactive factors, their limited immunogenicity, and their capacity for renewing themselves. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are one of several kinds of stem cells that are conveniently extracted and are able to be cultivated in vitro utilizing various sources. The secretome of stem cells contains many trophic factors, including cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and microRNA molecules that can either promote or inhibit the formation of tumors, based on the cell environment. In the current review, we focused on the secretome of mesenchymal stem cells. These stem cells act as a double-edged sword in the regulation of cell signal transduction pathways in that they can either suppress or promote tumors.

Navel orange peel essential oil inhibits the growth and progression of triple negative breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is a particular type of breast cancer with the highest mortality rate. Essential oils are concerned more and more as potential anti-cancer drugs.

METHODS

TNBC cells were treated with different concentrations of navel orange peel essential oil (NOPEO), and then a variety of  experiments were performed to investigate the changes in the growth and progression of TNBC cells. MTT assay was performed to detect the proliferation of TNBC cells. The changes of cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed by FACS. In order to explored the migration of TNBC cells, scratch wound assay was carried out. Western blotting and qPCR were used to examine the expression of proteins and mRNA of related genes. Furthermore, RNA-seq was used to analyze the altered genes and explored the possible signal pathway.

RESULTS

NOPEO demonstrated dose- and time-dependent suppression of TNBC cell growth. TNBC cells showed an increased percentage of G2/M-phase cells and the protein levels of CyclinB1 and CyclinD1 were decreased after NOPEO treatment. The apoptotic cells were increased in the NOPEO treated TNBC cells. The migration mobility was significantly inhibited by NOPEO. In total, 1376 genes were found to be up-regulated and 1335 genes were down-regulated after NOPEO treatment. According to KEGG and GO pathways, the differentially expressed genes were related to MAPK, Jak/stat and FoxQ signaling pathways.

CONCLUSION

This investigation explored the bio-activity and molecular mechanisms of NOPEO against TNBC cells. These results indicated that NOPEO could suppress TNBC growth and migration perhaps via the MAPK and Jak/stat signaling pathways, which may provide theoretical reference for anticancer drug development. NOPEO may be a potential natural product for the chemotherapeutic of TNBC.

The suppression of cell motility through the reduction of FAK activity and expression of cell adhesion proteins by hAMSCs secretome in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells

Breast cancer is a leading cause of death in women worldwide. Cancer therapy based on stem cells is considered as a novel and promising platform. In the present study, we explore the therapeutic effects of human amniotic mesenchymal stromal cells (hAMSCs) through the reduction of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activity, SHP-2, and cell adhesion proteins such as Paxillin, Vinculin, Fibronectin, Talin, and integrin αvβ3 expression in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. For this purpose, we employed a co-culture system using 6-well plate transwell. After 72 h, hAMSCs-treated MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, the activity of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and the expression of SHP-2 and cell adhesion proteins such as Paxillin, Vinculin, Fibronectin, Talin, and integrin αvβ3 expression were analyzed using western blot. The shape and migration of cells were also analyzed. Based on our results, a significant reduction in tumor cell motility through downregulation of the tyrosine phosphorylation level of FAK (at Y397 and Y576/577 sites) and cell adhesion expression in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells was demonstrated. Our findings indicate that hAMSCS secretome has therapeutic effects on cancer cell migration through downregulation of FAK activity and expression of cell adhesion proteins.

Principles of Indirect Co-culture Method Using Transwell

The co-culture method is a simple type of cell culture method used to evaluate the effects of communication between various types of cells in an in vitro setting. In the co-culture method, two or more eukaryotic cell types, or eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, are cultured together. The co-culture method reflects in vivo cell behaviors and thereby emerges as a pivotal technique with diverse applications in cancer research and cell biology. Two categories of co-culture methods (indirect methods and direct methods) are well known. Direct co-culture methods allow physical contact between the various cell types (juxtacrine signaling). In indirect methods, cells are physically separated into two different populations (for example, using a Transwell) that allow communication only via secretory factors (paracrine signaling). Herein, we focus on the principles of the indirect co-culture method. Nowadays, this method is used to explore the effects of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) secretome on cancer cells. These studies have unveiled intricate cell behavior dynamics, demonstrating how the MSC secretome influences cancer cell proliferation, invasion, apoptosis, and polarity.

Principles of Hanging Drop Method (Spheroid Formation) in Cell Culture

A type of three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models which is simple and easy is hanging drop method. The hanging drop method emerges as a pivotal technique with diverse applications in cancer research and cell biology. This method facilitates the formation of multicellular spheroids, providing a unique environment for studying cell behavior dynamics. The hanging drop method's theoretical underpinning relies on gravity-enforced self-assembly, allowing for cost-effective, reproducible 3D cell cultures with controlled spheroid sizes. The advantages of this approach include its efficiency in producing cellular heterogeneity, particularly in non-adherent 3D cultures, and its ability to create hypoxic spheroids, making it a suitable model for studying cancer. Moreover, the hanging drop method has proven valuable in investigating various aspects such as tissue structure, signaling pathways, immune activation of cancer cells, and notably, cell proliferation. Researchers have utilized the hanging drop method to explore the dynamics of cell proliferation, studying the effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) secretome on cancer cells. The method's application involves co-culturing different cell lines, assessing spheroid formations, and quantifying their sizes over time. These studies have unveiled intricate cell behavior dynamics, demonstrating how the MSC secretome influences cancer cell growth and viability within a three-dimensional co-culture paradigm.

In vitro evaluation of autophagy and cell death induction in Panc1 pancreatic cancer by secretome of hAMSCs through downregulation of p-AKT/p-mTOR and upregulation of p-AMPK/ULK1 signal transduction pathways

One of the main causes of cancer mortality in the world is pancreatic cancer. Therapies based on stem cells are currently thought to be a hopeful option in the treatment of cancer. Herein, we intend to evaluate the antitumor effects of secretome of human amniotic mesenchymal stromal cells (hAMSCs) on autophagy and cell death induction in Panc1 pancreatic cancer cells. We adopted a co-culture system using Transwell 6-well plates and after 72 h, hAMSCs-treated Panc1 cancer cells were analyzed using quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR), flow cytometry, western blot, MTT assay, and DAPI staining. Based on our results, the microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) conversion from LC3-I to LC3-II and the upregulation of autophagy-related proteins expression including Beclin1, Atg7, and Atg12 were detected in hAMSCs-treated Panc1 cells. Furthermore, the level of phosphorylated proteins such as Unc-51-like kinase 1 (ULK1), AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK), AKT, and mTOR changed. Apoptotic cell death was also induced via the elevation of Bax and Caspase 3 expression and inhibition of Bcl-2. Our findings showed that secretome of hAMSCs induces autophagy and cell death in Panc1 cancer cells. However, more experiments will be needed to identify more details about the associated mechanisms.

Therapeutic effects of hAMSCs secretome on proliferation of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells by the cell cycle arrest in G1/S phase

BACKGROUND

Cancer refers to a disease resulting from the uncontrolled division and growth of abnormal cells. Among different cancer types, breast cancer is considered as one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers. Herein, we explored the therapeutic effects of human amniotic mesenchymal stromal cells (hAMSCs) secretome on breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) through analyzing cell cycle progression.

METHODS

We employed a co-culture system using 6-well Transwell plates and after 72 h, the cell cycle progression was evaluated in the hAMSCs-treated MDA-MB-231 cells through analyzing the expressions of RB, CDK4/6, cyclin D, CDK2, cyclin E, p16^/INK4a, p21^/WAF1/CIP1, and p27^/KIP1 using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot method. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle progression were checked using an MTT assay, DAPI staining, and flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Our results indicated that elevation of RB, p21^/WAF1/CIP1, and p27^/KIP1 and suppression of RB hyperphosphorylation, p16^/INK4a, cyclin E, cyclin D1, CDK2, and CDK4/6 may contribute to inhibiting the proliferation of hAMSCs-treated MDA-MB-231 cells through cell cycle arrest in G1/S phase followed by apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

hAMSCs secretome may be an effective approach on breast cancer therapy through the inhibition of cell cycle progression.

Effects of edaravone on oxidative protein modification and activity of gelatinases after intracerebral hemorrhage in rats with nicotinamide-streptozotocin induced diabetes

Stroke, especially hemorrhagic form, is one of the most serious comorbidity disease of diabetes mellitus, often associated with high mortality, particularly in type 2 DM (T2DM). Therefore, it is relevant the search for drugs with a metabolically justified protective effect. Edaravone (Eda) is widely used for treating ischemic stroke but its biochemical effects in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) associated with T2DM is not still confirmed. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of Eda on the markers of oxidative modification of proteins (OMP), such as advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), neutral and basic carbonyls (PC370 and PC430), advanced glycation end products (AGE) and ischemia modified albumin (IMA) as well as on the activity of matrix metalloproteinases MMP2/MMP9 (gelatinases) in rats with experimental T2DM after collagenase-induced ICH. Metformin was used as a comparative drug. The data obtained indicate that ICH in diabetic rats is accompanied by an increase in AOPP, PC370, AGE, and mature forms of both gelatinases. On the contrary, IMA and proMMP9 were below normal level after ICH. Both studied drugs decreased the OMP markers to the levels of intact rats or lower, and Eda show a more potent effect. Besides, Eda significantly decreased the activity of MMP9 and changed progelatinases activity. We conclude that Eda has a perspective to be useful in the treatment of comorbid brain hemorrhage in T2DM due to inhibiting of oxidative stress and modulation of gelatinases activity.