5-alpha-reductase type I (SRD5A1) is up-regulated in non-small cell lung cancer but does not impact proliferation, cell cycle distribution or apoptosis

Investigating the Promising Anticancer Activity of Cetuximab and Fenbendazole Combination as Dual CBS and VEGFR-2 Inhibitors and Endowed with Apoptotic Potential

In this work, the cytotoxicity of monoclonal antibody (Cetuximab, Ce) and Fenbendazole (Fen), as well as their combination therapy were tested with the MTT assay. On the other side, Ce, Fen, and a combination between them were subjected to a colchicine-tubulin binding test, which was conducted and compared to Colchicine as a reference standard. Besides, Ce, Fen, and the combination of them were tested against the VEGFR-2 target receptor, compared to Sorafenib as the standard medication. Moreover, the qRT-PCR technique was used to investigate the levels of apoptotic genes (p53 and Bax) and anti-apoptotic gene (Bcl-2) as well. Also, the effect of Ce, Fen, and the combination of them on the level of ROS was studied. Furthermore, the cell cycle analysis and Annexin V apoptosis assay were carried out for Ce, Fen, and a combination of them. In addition, the molecular docking studies were used to describe the molecular levels of interactions for both (Fen and colchicine) or (Fen and sorafenib) within the binding pockets of the colchicine binding site (CBS) and vascular endothelial growth factor-2 receptor (VEGFR-2), respectively.

Steroid 5α-Reductase Type I Induces Cell Viability and Migration via Nuclear Factor-κB/Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Signaling Pathway in Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignant tumor of the digestive system. Steroid 5α-reductase type I (SRD5A1), as an important part of the steroid metabolism, converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone and regulates sex hormone levels, which accommodates tumor occurrence or development. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of SRD5A1 in CRC remains unclear. We compared SRD5A1 expression in CRC tissues with normal controls by immunohistochemistry and found that elevated SRD5A1 in CRC was relevant for poor patient prognosis. Furthermore, inducible downregulation of SRD5A1 by small hairpin RNA reduced cell viability, promoted cell cycle arrest, and induced cell apoptosis and cellular senescence of CRC cells, as well as attenuated cell migration ability. In the following experiments, we used dutasteride (an inhibitor of SRD5A1/2) to explore its inhibitory effect on the biological processes of CRC cells, as mentioned earlier. Further mechanism study demonstrated that the repression of SRD5A1 abolished the expression of p65 and vascular endothelial growth factor, suggesting that SRD5A1 might regulate cell viability and migration through nuclear factor-κB/vascular endothelial growth factor signaling pathway. Collectively, these findings implicate SRD5A1 acting as a novel biomarker for CRC diagnosis and prognosis and provide compelling evidence for the future evaluation of dutasteride as a promising candidate for CRC treatment.

Treatment of Hominis placenta pharmacopuncture for a patient with mild neurocognitive disorder: Case report

Hominis placenta pharmacopuncture, a treatment that injects Hominis placenta extract into acupoints, has been suggested in the literature and researches that it could be used for cognitive decline. We experienced a case of mild neurocognitive disorder treated with Hominis placenta pharmacopuncture. Hominis placenta pharmacopuncture could be a possible treatment modality producing substantial clinical result in cognitive function which is assessed with Mini-Mental State Examination-Dementia Screening (MMSE-DS), Korean Version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-K), and Korean-Dementia Rating Scale (K-DRS). A 84-year-old man with mild neurocognitive disorder received Hominis placenta pharmacopuncture on GV20, CV12, and bilateral ST36 for a month. The results of neuropsychological examination showed increase in scores after treatment of Hominis placenta pharmacopuncture. Before treatment, they were 15 points for MoCA-K, and 120 points for K-DRS (7.6%), but after treatment, they elevated by 21 points for MoCA-K and 137 points for K-DRS (100%). MMSE-DS score was 28 points, unchanged before and after treatment. It did not cause any side-effect. Hominis placenta pharmacopuncture could be a safe option for treating mild neurocognitive disorder.

Naesohwangryeon-tang Induced Apoptosis and Autophagy in A549 Human Lung Cancer Cells

Objectives

Naesohwangryeon-tang (NHT) is a type of traditional herbal formula, however, little is known about its antitumor activity. In this study, the antitumor properties of NHT was evaluated in human lung adenocarcinoma cells.

Methods

To check the inhibitory effect of NHT, MTT assay was performed. Cell cycle analysis and detection of ROS production were conducted by flow cytometry. To evaluate the signaling pathway, Western blotting was conducted.

Results

Our results showed that the decrease of cell proliferation by NHT stimulation occurred more significantly in A549 cells than in NCI-H460 cells. In addition, NHT-induced apoptosis was associated with the activation of caspases and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). NHT-induced apoptosis was attenuated after pretreatments with z-VAD-fmk or N-acetylcysteine, suggesting that NHT-induced apoptosis was caspase- and ROS-dependent. Interestingly, NHT treatment led to the development of autophagic vesicular organelles and upregulation of several autophagy-related genes. The pretreatment of bafilomycin A1 decreased apoptosis slightly but increased cell viability in the presence of NHT.

Conclusion

These findings indicated that NHT induces both apoptosis and cell-protective autophagy in human lung cancer cells. This data suggests that NHT might be a novel herbal drug for lung cancer.

A transcriptome-based protein network that identifies new therapeutic targets in colorectal cancer

Background

Colon cancer occurrence is increasing worldwide, making it the third most frequent cancer. Although many therapeutic options are available and quite efficient at the early stages, survival is strongly decreased when the disease has spread to other organs. The identification of molecular markers of colon cancer is likely to help understanding its course and, eventually, to uncover novel genes to be targeted by drugs. In this study, we compared gene expression in a set of 95 human colon cancer samples to that in 19 normal colon mucosae, focusing on 401 genes from 5 selected pathways (Apoptosis, Cancer, Cholesterol metabolism and lipoprotein signaling, Drug metabolism, Wnt/beta-catenin). Deregulation of mRNA levels largely matched that of proteins, leading us to build in silico protein networks, starting from mRNA levels, to identify key proteins central to network activity.

Results

Among the analyzed genes, 10.5% (42) had no reported link with colon cancer, including the SFRP1, IGF1 and ADH1B (down), and MYC and IL8 (up), whose encoded proteins were most interacting with other proteins from the same or even distinct networks. Analyzing all pathways globally led us to uncover novel functional links between a priori unrelated or rather remotely connected pathways, such as the Drug metabolism and the Cancer pathways or, even more strikingly, between the Cholesterol metabolism and lipoprotein signaling and the Cancer pathways. In addition, we analyzed the responsiveness of some of the deregulated genes essential to network activities, to chemotherapeutic agents used alone or in presence of Lovastatin, a lipid-lowering drug. Some of these treatments could oppose the deregulations occurring in cancer samples, including those of the CHECK2, CYP51A1, HMGCS1, ITGA2, NME1 or VEGFA genes.

Conclusions

Our network-based approach allowed discovering genes not previously known to play regulatory roles in colon cancer. Our results also showed that selected drug treatments might revert the cancer-specific deregulation of genes playing prominent roles within the networks operating to maintain colon homeostasis. Among those genes, some could constitute novel testable targets to eliminate colon cancer cells, either directly or, potentially, through the use of lipid-lowering drugs such as statins, in association with selected anticancer drugs.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-017-4139-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Targeting progesterone metabolism in breast cancer with l-proline derived new 14-azasteroids

Breast cancer cell proliferation is promoted by a variety of mitogenic signals. Classically estrogen is considered as most predominant mitogenic signal in hormone-dependent breast cancer and progesterone is primarily considered to have protective effect. However, it is suggested that some progesterone metabolite may promote breast cancer and progesterone metabolites like 5α-pregnane and 4-pregnene could serve as regulators of estrogen-responsiveness of breast cancer cells. Here, we estimated the potential of alternate targeting of breast cancer via progesterone signalling. l-Proline derived novel 14-azasteroid compounds were screened against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines using MTT assay. In silico studies, cell cycle, Annexin-V-FITC/PI, JC-1 mitochondrial assay, ROS analysis were performed to analyse the impact of hit compound 3b on breast cancer cells. Further, we analysed the impact of hit 3b on the progesterone, its metabolites and enzymes responsible for the conversion of progesterone and its metabolites using ELISA. Data suggests that compound 3b binds and down regulates of 5α-reductase by specifically inhibiting production of progesterone metabolites that are capable of promoting breast cancer proliferation, epithelial mesenchymal transition and migration. This study establishes the proof of concept and generation of new leads for additional targeting of breast cancer.

HLBT-100: a highly potent anti-cancer flavanone from Tillandsia recurvata (L.) L

BACKGROUND

The incidence and mortalities from cancers remain on the rise worldwide. Despite significant efforts to discover and develop novel anticancer agents, many cancers remain in the unmet need category. As such, efforts to discover and develop new and more effective and less toxic agents against cancer remain a top global priority. Our drug discovery approach is natural products based with a focus on plants. Tillandsia recurvata (L.) L. is one of the plants selected by our research team for further studies based on previous bioactivity findings on the anticancer activity of this plant.

METHODS

The plant biomass was extracted using supercritical fluid extraction technology with CO2 as the mobile phase. Bioactivity guided isolation was achieved by use of chromatographic technics combined with anti-proliferative assays to determine the active fraction and subsequently the pure compound. Following in house screening, the identified molecule was submitted to the US National Cancer Institute for screening on the NCI60 cell line panel using standard protocols. Effect of HLBT-100 on apoptosis, caspase 3/7, cell cycle and DNA fragmentation were assessed using standard protocols. Antiangiogenic activity was carried out using the ex vivo rat aortic ring assay.

RESULTS

A flavonoid of the flavanone class was isolated from T. recurvata (L.) L. with potent anticancer activity. The molecule was code named as HLBT-100 (also referred to as HLBT-001). The compound inhibited brain cancer (U87 MG), breast cancer (MDA-MB231), leukemia (MV4-11), melanoma (A375), and neuroblastoma (IMR-32) with IC50 concentrations of 0.054, 0.030, 0.024, 0.003 and 0.05 µM, respectively. The molecule also exhibited broad anticancer activity in the NCI60 panel inhibiting especially hematological, colon, CNS, melanoma, ovarian, breast and prostate cancers. Twenty-three of the NCI60 cell lines were inhibited with GI50 values <0.100 µM. In terms of potential mechanisms of action, the molecule demonstrated effect on the cell cycle as evidenced by the accumulation of cells with 

CONCLUSION

This paper describes for the first time the anticancer activity of HLBT-100 isolated from T. recurvate (L.) L. The broad and selective anticancer activity of HLBT-100 as evidenced by its potent activity against IMR-32, CNS cancer cell line while not active against neuro-2a, a normal CNS cell line. The activity demonstrated by HLBT-100 in these studies makes the molecule a potential candidate for further development targeting especially those cancers that remain in the unmet need category such as glioblastoma multiforme and acute myeloid leukemia in addition to other cancers.

Collapse

Key Words

• Angiogenesis
• Anticancer
• Ball Moss
• Flavanone
• Tillandsia recurvata

Collapse

MESH Headings Collapse

Grants Collapse

Affiliation(s)

Henry I. C. Lowe Bio-Tech R&D Institute, University of the West Indies, 6 St. Johns Close, Mona, Jamaica Educational & Scientific LLC, 725 W Lombard St, Baltimore, MD 21201 USA Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 725 W Lombard St, Baltimore, MD USA
Ngeh J. Toyang Educational & Scientific LLC, 725 W Lombard St, Baltimore, MD 21201 USA Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 725 W Lombard St, Baltimore, MD USA
Charah T. Watson Bio-Tech R&D Institute, University of the West Indies, 6 St. Johns Close, Mona, Jamaica
Kenneth N. Ayeah Educational & Scientific LLC, 725 W Lombard St, Baltimore, MD 21201 USA Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 725 W Lombard St, Baltimore, MD USA
Joseph Bryant Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 725 W Lombard St, Baltimore, MD USA

Collapse

Effect of cobalt(II) chloride hexahydrate on some human cancer cell lines

The present study investigates the anti-proliferative and apoptosis inducing mechanism of CoCl2·6H2O in PC-3 cancer cell line. Preliminary, three different forms of cobalt i.e., cobaltous (CoCl2·6H2O), macro-Co(II,III) oxide and nano-Co(II,III) oxide were screened for antiproliferative activity in PC-3 cell line. The CoCl2·6H2O being the most effective antiproliferative agent, hence it was further tested against lung (A549), prostrate (PC-3) and brain (IMR-32) cell lines. Human embryonic kidney cell line (293T) was used as a normal cell line to compare the toxicity of CoCl2·6H2O. The CoCl2·6H2O induced morphological and anatomical changes in PC-3 cancer cell which were studied using light, confocal and scanning electron microscopy. The lactate dehydrogenase was estimated which showed mild necrotic mode of cell death. The Annexin/PI staining confirmed the apoptotic mode of cell death in PC-3 cells. Further, production of reaction of reactive oxygen species and changes in mitochondrial membrane potential was also assessed spectrofluorimetrically. The cell cycle arrest was also investigated using flow cytometery. Finally, the caspase activity was estimated in CoCl2·6H2O treated PC-3 cancer cell line. Interestingly, it was found that CoCl2·6H2O induces more cell death in cancerous cells as compared to normal non-cancerous cells. These findings presented CoCl2·6H2O as potential antiproliferative agent.

Biological and pharmacological activities of amaryllidaceae alkaloids

This review discusses the recent developments on biological and pharmacological activities of amaryllidaceae alkaloids with IC₅₀or EC₅₀values since 2005, supporting the potential therapeutic possibilities for the use of these compounds.

Exploiting the efficacy of Lysinibacillus sp. RGS for decolorization and detoxification of industrial dyes, textile effluent and bioreactor studies

Complete decolorization and detoxification of Reactive Orange 4 within 5 h (pH 6.6, at 30°C) by isolated Lysinibacillus sp. RGS was observed. Significant reduction in TOC (93%) and COD (90%) was indicative of conversion of complex dye into simple products, which were identified as naphthalene moieties by various analytical techniques (HPLC, FTIR, and GC-MS). Supplementation of agricultural waste extract considered as better option to make the process cost effective. Oxido-reductive enzymes were found to be involved in the degradation mechanism. Finally Loofa immobilized Lysinibacillus sp. cells in a fixed-bed bioreactor showed significant decolorization with reduction in TOC (51 and 64%) and COD (54 and 66%) for synthetic and textile effluent at 30 and 35 mL h(-1) feeding rate, respectively. The degraded metabolites showed non-toxic nature revealed by phytotoxicity and photosynthetic pigments content study for Sorghum vulgare and Phaseolus mungo. In addition nitrogen fixing and phosphate solubilizing microbes were less affected in treated wastewater and thus the treated effluent can be used for the irrigation purpose. This work could be useful for the development of efficient and ecofriendly technologies to reduce dye content in the wastewater to permissible levels at affordable cost.

The biological function and clinical utilization of CD147 in human diseases: a review of the current scientific literature

CD147 or EMMPRIN is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily in humans. It is widely expressed in human tumors and plays a central role in the progression of many cancers by stimulating the secretion of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and cytokines. CD147 regulates cell proliferation, apoptosis, and tumor cell migration, metastasis and differentiation, especially under hypoxic conditions. CD147 is also important to many organ systems. This review will provide a detailed overview of the discovery, characterization, molecular structure, diverse biological functions and regulatory mechanisms of CD147 in human physiological and pathological processes. In particular, recent studies have demonstrated the potential application of CD147 not only as a phenotypic marker of activated regulatory T cells but also as a potential diagnostic marker for early-stage disease. Moreover, CD147 is recognized as an effective therapeutic target for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and other cancers, and exciting clinical progress has been made in HCC treatment using CD147-directed monoclonal antibodies.

ERβ regulates NSCLC phenotypes by controlling oncogenic RAS signaling

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. In addition to the aberrant growth factor signaling, dysregulation of other pathways, such as those mediated by estrogens and their receptors, has been linked to NSCLC initiation and progression. Although the expression of wild-type estrogen receptor β (ERβ1) has been associated with prolonged disease-free survival in patients with NSCLC, the molecular mechanism that accounts for this correlation is unknown. Here, upregulation of ERβ1 reduced proliferation and enhanced apoptosis in the context of mutant RAS. ERβ1 was found to induce apoptosis by stimulating the intrinsic apoptotic pathway that involves BIM, a Bcl-2 proapoptotic family member that is regulated by the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Downregulation of EGFR and inactivation of RAS and the downstream components ERK1/2 were found to be involved in the ERβ1-induced apoptosis. Manipulation of EGFR and RAS expression and activity in ERβ1-expressing cells revealed the central role of oncogenic RAS inhibition in the ERβ1-mediated proapoptotic phenotype and EGFR regulation. These results demonstrate that ERβ1 decreases the survival of NSCLC cells by regulating oncogenic RAS signaling.

IMPLICATIONS

The ability of ERβ1 to regulate the oncogenic functions of RAS suggests its importance in the biology of NSCLC and its clinical management. Mol Cancer Res; 12(6); 843-54. ©2014 AACR.

Oleifolioside B-mediated autophagy promotes apoptosis in A549 human non-small cell lung cancer cells

The biochemical mechanisms of cell death by oleifolioside B (OB), a cycloartane-type triterpene glycoside isolated from Dendropanax morbifera Leveille, were investigated in A549 human lung carcinoma cells. Our data indicated that exposure to OB led to caspase activation and typical features of apoptosis; however, apoptotic cell death was not prevented by z-VAD-fmk, a pan-caspase inhibitor, demonstrating that OB-induced apoptosis was independent of caspase activation. Subsequently, we found that OB increased autophagy, as indicated by an increase in monodansylcadaverine fluorescent dye-labeled autophagosome formation and in the levels of the autophagic form of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 and Atg3, an autophagy-specific gene, which is associated with inhibiting phospho-nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression. However, pretreatment with bafilomycin A1, an autophagy inhibitor, attenuated OB-induced apoptosis and dephosphorylation of Nrf2. The data suggest that OB-induced autophagy functions as a death mechanism in A549 cells and OB has potential as a novel anticancer agent capable of targeting apoptotic and autophagic cell death and the Nrf2 signaling pathway.