Construction and analysis of a modular model of caspase activation in apoptosis

Roles of DNA Target in Cancer Cell-Selective Cytotoxicity by Dicopper Complexes with DNA Target/Ligand Conjugates

The DNA target/ligand conjugates (HLX, X = Pn and Mn, n = 1-3) were synthesized where various lengths of -CONH(CH2CH2O)nCH2CH2NHCO- linkers with a 9-phenanthrenyl (P) or methyl (M) terminal as DNA targets replace the methyl group of 2,6-di(amide-tether cyclen)-p-cresol ligand (HL). DNA binding, DNA cleavage, cellular uptake, and cytotoxicity of [Cu2(μ-OH)(LX)](ClO4)2 (1X) are examined and compared with those of [Cu2(μ-OH)(L)](ClO4)2 (1) to clarify roles of DNA targets. Upon reaction of 1X with H2O2, μ-1,1-O2H complexes are formed for DNA cleavage. 1P1, 1P2, and 1P3 are 22-, 11-, 3-fold more active for conversion of Form II to III in the cleavage of supercoiled plasmid DNA with H2O2 than 1, where the short P-linker may fix a dicopper moiety within a small number of base pairs to facilitate DNA double-strand breaks (dsb). This enhances the proapoptotic activity of 1P1, 1P2, and 1P3, which are 30-, 12-, and 9.9-fold cytotoxic against HeLa cells than 1. DNA dsb and cytotoxicity are 44% correlated in 1P1-3 but 5% in 1M1-3, suggesting specific DNA binding of P-linkers and nonspecific binding of M-linkers in biological cells. 1P1-3 exert cancer cell-selective cytotoxicity against lung and pancreas cancer and normal cells where the short P-linker enhances the selectivity, but 1M1-3 do not. Intracellular visualization, apoptosis assay, and caspase activity assay clarify mitochondrial apoptosis caused by 1P1-3. The highest cancer cell selectivity of 1P1 may be enabled by the short P-linker promoting dsb of mitochondrial DNA with H2O2 increased by mitochondrial dysfunction in cancer cells.

The Role of STATs in Ovarian Cancer: Exploring Their Potential for Therapy

Ovarian cancer (OvCa) is a deadly gynecologic malignancy that presents many clinical challenges due to late-stage diagnoses and the development of acquired resistance to standard-of-care treatment protocols. There is an increasing body of evidence suggesting that STATs may play a critical role in OvCa progression, resistance, and disease recurrence, and thus we sought to compile a comprehensive review to summarize the current state of knowledge on the topic. We have examined peer reviewed literature to delineate the role of STATs in both cancer cells and cells within the tumor microenvironment. In addition to summarizing the current knowledge of STAT biology in OvCa, we have also examined the capacity of small molecule inhibitor development to target specific STATs and progress toward clinical applications. From our research, the best studied and targeted factors are STAT3 and STAT5, which has resulted in the development of several inhibitors that are under current evaluation in clinical trials. There remain gaps in understanding the role of STAT1, STAT2, STAT4, and STAT6, due to limited reports in the current literature; as such, further studies to establish their implications in OvCa are necessitated. Moreover, due to the deficiency in our understanding of these STATs, selective inhibitors also remain elusive, and therefore present opportunities for discovery.

An integrative systems biology approach to overcome venetoclax resistance in acute myeloid leukemia

The over-expression of the Bcl-2 protein is a common feature of many solid cancers and hematological malignancies, and it is typically associated with poor prognosis and resistance to chemotherapy. Bcl-2-specific inhibitors, such as venetoclax, have recently been approved for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma, and they are showing promise in clinical trials as a targeted therapy for patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, successful treatment of AML with Bcl-2-specific inhibitors is often followed by the rapid development of drug resistance. An emerging paradigm for overcoming drug resistance in cancer treatment is through the targeting of mitochondrial energetics and metabolism. In AML in particular, it was recently observed that inhibition of mitochondrial translation via administration of the antibiotic tedizolid significantly affects mitochondrial bioenergetics, activating the integrated stress response (ISR) and subsequently sensitizing drug-resistant AML cells to venetoclax. Here we develop an integrative systems biology approach to acquire a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind this process, and in particular, of the specific role of the ISR in the commitment of cells to apoptosis. Our multi-scale mathematical model couples the ISR to the intrinsic apoptosis pathway in venetoclax-resistant AML cells, includes the metabolic effects of treatment, and integrates RNA, protein level, and cellular viability data. Using the mathematical model, we identify the dominant mechanisms by which ISR activation helps to overcome venetoclax resistance, and we study the temporal sequencing of combination treatment to determine the most efficient and robust combination treatment protocol.

In this work, we develop a multi-scale systems biology approach to study the mechanisms by which the integrated stress response (ISR) activation helps to overcome venetoclax resistance in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The multi-scale model enables the integration of RNA-level, protein-level, and cellular viability and proliferation data. The model developed in this work can predict several important features of the resistant AML cell lines that are consistent with experimental data. Further, our integrative systems biology approach led to the determination of the optimal combination treatment protocol.

Colchicine-Binding Site Agent CH-2-77 as a Potent Tubulin Inhibitor Suppressing Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive type of breast cancer. Unlike other subtypes of breast cancer, TNBC lacks hormone and growth factor receptor targets. Colchicine-binding site inhibitors (CBSI) targeting tubulin have been recognized as attractive agents for cancer therapy, but there are no CBSI drugs currently FDA approved. CH-2-77 has been reported to have potent antiproliferative activity against a panel of cancer cells in vitro and efficacious antitumor effects on melanoma xenografts, yet, its anticancer activity specifically against TNBC is unknown. Herein, we demonstrate that CH-2-77 inhibits the proliferation of both paclitaxel-sensitive and paclitaxel-resistant TNBC cells with an average IC50 of 3 nmol/L. CH-2-77 also efficiently disrupts the microtubule assembly, inhibits the migration and invasion of TNBC cells, and induces G2-M cell-cycle arrest. The increased number of apoptotic cells and the pattern of expression of apoptosis-related proteins in treated MDA-MB-231 cells suggest that CH-2-77 induces cell apoptosis through the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. In vivo, CH-2-77 shows acceptable overall pharmacokinetics and strongly suppresses the growth of orthotopic MDA-MB-231 xenografts without gross cumulative toxicities when administered 5 times a week. The in vivo efficacy of CH-2-77 (20 mg/kg) is comparable with that of CA4P (28 mg/kg), a CBSI that went through clinical trials. Importantly, CH-2-77 prevents lung metastasis originating from the mammary fat pad in a dose-dependent manner. Our data demonstrate that CH-2-77 is a promising new generation of tubulin inhibitors that inhibit the growth and metastasis of TNBC, and it is worthy of further development as an anticancer agent.

Tanshinol suppresses osteosarcoma by specifically inducing apoptosis of U2-OS cells through p53-mediated mechanism

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae (also called Danshen in traditional Chinese medicine) is a famous herbal medicine, which has been frequently used to treat blood stasis syndrome including osteosarcoma (OS) in traditional Chinese medicine. Main components of Danshen have been assumed to exhibit anti-OS capacity. Nevertheless, tanshinol (TS, main component of Danshen)'s efficacy and mechanism in OS hasn't been clearly described ever since. This drew our attention, since OS is the most frequent primary bone carcinomas in children and adolescents, with a high incidence and fatality rate. Unfortunately, chemotherapy for OS has faced many clinical challenges due to the increasing chemoresistance and recurrence. This study was then designed to deeply explore TS's role in OS therapy.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To explore the anti-OS efficacy and mechanism of TS, we conducted in vivo and in vitro experiments by using a zebrafish xenograft model and U2-OS cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

CCK-8 assay, DAPI and γ-H2A.X immunofluorescence staining, and flow cytometry (apoptosis verification) were employed to determine the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of TS. qPCR and Western blot were used to examine TS's molecular actions and mechanism on apoptosis of U2-OS cells.

RESULTS

The in vivo data showed that TS significantly inhibited U2-OS tumor growth in larval zebrafish from 2 to 20 ng/mL. In vitro data indicated that TS exerted significant anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects on U2-OS cells in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, TS has no inhibitory effect on bMSCs, suggesting its safety on normal bone-forming cells. Molecular data illustrated that TS obviously activated the p53 signaling-related proteins (p-p53, Bax, CASP3, CASP9) and its upstream JNK (p-JNK, p-c-JUN) and ATM (p-ATM) signaling molecules through phosphorylation and cleavage, followed by up-regulation of the pro-apoptotic genes, NOXA, PUMA, TP53, BAX, and BIM, and down-regulation of Bcl-2 protein.

CONCLUSION

In sum, TS specifically induced apoptosis of U2-OS cells by activating p53 signaling pathways, indicating TS as a promising candidate for OS treatment.

Enhancement of Cancer-Cell-Selective Cytotoxicity by a Dicopper Complex with Phenanthrene Amide-Tether Ligand Conjugate via Mitochondrial Apoptosis

Dicopper complexes [Cu2(μ-OH)(Ln)](ClO4)2 [n = 1 (1) and 2 (2)] with a novel phenanthrene amide-tether ligand conjugate (HL1) and the original p-cresol-2,6-bis(amidecyclen) (HL2) were synthesized. A phenanthrene unit of 1...

Thymoquinone protects against cardiac mitochondrial DNA loss, oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rats

INTRODUCTION

Myocardial infarction (MI) is an ischemic life-threatening disease with exaggerated oxidative stress state that vigorously damages the cardiomyocyte membrane and subcellular structures, including the vital mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). The mtDNA is responsible for the proper functionality of the mitochondria, which are abundant in cardiomyocytes due to their dynamic nature and energy production requirements. Furthermore, oxidative stress triggers an inflammatory cascade and eventual apoptosis, which exacerbates cardiac injuries and dysfunction.

AIM

The present study used an isoproterenol (ISP)-induced MI rat model to investigate the role of the main active constituent of Nigella Sativa seeds, thymoquinone (TQ), in preserving the cardiac mtDNA content and ameliorating oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis.

METHODS

Rats in the (TQ + ISP) group were pre-treated with TQ (20 mg/kg/day) for 21 days before the MI induction using ISP (85 mg/kg/day). In addition, negative control and ISP groups were included in the study for comparison. A histopathological examination was performed and serum cardiac parameters (cTnI and LDH) were assessed. In addition, mtDNA content, oxidative stress parameters (MDA, GSH, SOD, GPx, and CAT), inflammatory mediators (IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α), and apoptosis markers (BAX, Bcl2, and caspase-3) were detected.

RESULTS

The results showed that pre- and co-treatment with TQ in the (TQ + ISP) group reversed the histoarchitecture changes, caused a significant decrease in serum cardiac markers, oxidative stress markers, inflammatory cytokines, the apoptosis process, and preserved the cardiac mtDNA content.

CONCLUSION

TQ is a cardioprotective agent with an extended effect on preserving the cardiac mtDNA content, in addition to its powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic action.

Application of Ethanol Extracts From Alnus sibirica Fisch. ex Turcz in Hair Growth Promotion

Alnus sibirica Fisch. ex Turcz (ASFT), belonging to the family of Betulaceae, grows naturally in Asia, Europe, and America. The aims of this study are determining the efficacy of various biomarkers related to hair loss, evaluated by extracting the branch with 60% alcohol, and purely separating diarylheptanoid oregonin, an indicator and active substance, from 60% alcohol extract of the tree. To determine the preventive effects on hair loss, we investigated the anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic effects on hydrogen peroxide-induced cytotoxicity on human hair dermal papilla cells using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and Western blotting analysis for proving of apoptosis-related marker alteration, respectively. Moreover, we examined the ameliorative effects of 60% alcohol extract of the tree and oregonin against changes of oxidative stress-induced cytokine and testosterone-induced dihydrotestosterone production as crucial pathways of the hair loss mechanism. These results suggest that 60% alcohol extract of the tree and oregonin were available as novel natural materials for maintaining hair health in mammals.

Protein-Based Nanomedicine for Therapeutic Benefits of Cancer

Proteins, a type of natural biopolymer that possess many prominent merits, have been widely utilized to engineer nanomedicine for fighting against cancer. Motivated by their ever-increasing attention in the scientific community, this review aims to provide a comprehensive showcase on the current landscape of protein-based nanomedicine for cancer therapy. On the basis of role differences of proteins in nanomedicine, protein-based nanomedicine engineered with protein therapeutics, protein carriers, enzymes, and composite proteins is introduced. The cancer therapeutic benefits of the protein-based nanomedicine are also discussed, including small-molecular therapeutics-mediated therapy, macromolecular therapeutics-mediated therapy, radiation-mediated therapy, reactive oxygen species-mediated therapy, and thermal effect-mediated therapy. Lastly, future developments and potential challenges of protein-based nanomedicine are elucidated toward clinical translation. It is believed that protein-based nanomedicine will play a vital role in the battle against cancer. We hope that this review will inspire extensive research interests from diverse disciplines to further push the developments of protein-based nanomedicine in the biomedical frontier, contributing to ever-greater medical advances.

Self-Organization and Information Processing: From Basic Enzymatic Activities to Complex Adaptive Cellular Behavior

One of the main aims of current biology is to understand the origin of the molecular organization that underlies the complex dynamic architecture of cellular life. Here, we present an overview of the main sources of biomolecular order and complexity spanning from the most elementary levels of molecular activity to the emergence of cellular systemic behaviors. First, we have addressed the dissipative self-organization, the principal source of molecular order in the cell. Intensive studies over the last four decades have demonstrated that self-organization is central to understand enzyme activity under cellular conditions, functional coordination between enzymatic reactions, the emergence of dissipative metabolic networks (DMN), and molecular rhythms. The second fundamental source of order is molecular information processing. Studies on effective connectivity based on transfer entropy (TE) have made possible the quantification in bits of biomolecular information flows in DMN. This information processing enables efficient self-regulatory control of metabolism. As a consequence of both main sources of order, systemic functional structures emerge in the cell; in fact, quantitative analyses with DMN have revealed that the basic units of life display a global enzymatic structure that seems to be an essential characteristic of the systemic functional metabolism. This global metabolic structure has been verified experimentally in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Here, we also discuss how the study of systemic DMN, using Artificial Intelligence and advanced tools of Statistic Mechanics, has shown the emergence of Hopfield-like dynamics characterized by exhibiting associative memory. We have recently confirmed this thesis by testing associative conditioning behavior in individual amoeba cells. In these Pavlovian-like experiments, several hundreds of cells could learn new systemic migratory behaviors and remember them over long periods relative to their cell cycle, forgetting them later. Such associative process seems to correspond to an epigenetic memory. The cellular capacity of learning new adaptive systemic behaviors represents a fundamental evolutionary mechanism for cell adaptation.

Farrerol Enhances Nrf2-Mediated Defense Mechanisms against Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Damage in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells by Activating Akt and MAPK

Oxidative stress of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is an essential element contributing to the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Notably, the activation of Nrf2 is regarded as an effective strategy for controlling oxidation. The novel 2,3-dihydroflavonoid compound farrerol, which is extracted from Rhododendron, possesses antioxidant properties. In this study, we investigated the mechanism by which farrerol protects against oxidative damage mediated by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in adult retinal pigment epithelial cell line 19 (ARPE-19) cells. Farrerol supplementation conspicuously reversed H₂O₂-related cell damage through declining the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and MDA and increasing the concentrations of GSH and SOD. According to the results of the apoptosis assay, a farrerol pretreatment decreased the protein expression of the Bax/Bcl-2, cleaved caspase-3, PARP, caspase-8, and caspase-9 proteins. Furthermore, farrerol markedly activated Nrf2, thereby increasing the levels of antioxidant enzymes downstream of Nrf2, such as HO-1, NQO1, and GCLM. Knockdown of Nrf2 with a specific siRNA successfully suppressed farrerol-mediated HO-1 transcription and partially abolished the cytoprotective effect on ARPE-19 cells. Meanwhile, farrerol induced Akt and MAPK phosphorylation in a dose-related way. However, inhibiting Akt and MAPK substantially blocked the cytoprotective functions of farrerol. Therefore, farrerol enhanced Nrf2-mediated cytoprotection of oxidative damage caused by H₂O₂, which may be inseparable from the activation of Akt and MAPK.

Characterization of Living Dental Pulp Cells in Direct Contact with Mineral Trioxide Aggregate

Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) was introduced as a material for dental endodontic regenerative therapy. Here, we show the dynamics of living dental pulp cells in direct contact with an MTA disk. A red fluorescence protein (DsRed) was introduced into immortalized porcine dental pulp cells (PPU7) and cloned. DsRed-PPU7 cells were cultured on the MTA disk and cell proliferation, chemotaxis, the effects of growth factors and the gene expression of cells were investigated at the biological, histomorphological and genetic cell levels. Mineralized precipitates formed in the DsRed-PPU7 cells were characterized with crystal structural analysis. DsRed-PPU7 cells proliferated in the central part of the MTA disk until Day 6 and displayed a tendency to move to the outer circumference. Both transforming growth factor beta and bone morphogenetic protein promoted the proliferation and movement of DsRed-PPU7 cells and also enhanced the expression levels of odontoblastic gene differentiation markers. Mineralized precipitates formed in DsRed-PPU7 were composed of calcium and phosphate but its crystals were different in each position. Our investigation showed that DsRed-PPU7 cells in direct contact with the MTA disk could differentiate into odontoblasts by controlling cell–cell and cell–substrate interactions depending on cell adhesion and the surrounding environment of the MTA.

Self-assembled DNA nanoparticles loaded with travoprost for glaucoma-treatment

Lipid DNA nanoparticles (NPs) exhibit an intrinsic affinity to the ocular surface and can be loaded by hybridization with fluorophore-DNA conjugates or with the anti-glaucoma drug travoprost by hybridizing an aptamer that binds the medication. In the travoprost-loaded NPs (Trav-NPs), the drug is bound by specific, non-covalent interactions, not requiring any chemical modification of the active pharmaceutical ingredient. Fluorescently labeled Trav-NPs show a long-lasting adherence to the eye, up to sixty minutes after eye drop instillation. Biosafety of the Trav-NPs was proved and in vivo. Ex vivo and in vivo quantification of travoprost via LC-MS revealed that Trav-NPs deliver at least twice the amount of the drug at every time-point investigated compared to the pristine drug. The data successfully show the applicability of a DNA-based drug delivery system in the field of ophthalmology for the treatment of a major retinal eye disease, i.e. glaucoma.

Joining and decomposing reaction networks

In systems and synthetic biology, much research has focused on the behavior and design of single pathways, while, more recently, experimental efforts have focused on how cross-talk (coupling two or more pathways) or inhibiting molecular function (isolating one part of the pathway) affects systems-level behavior. However, the theory for tackling these larger systems in general has lagged behind. Here, we analyze how joining networks (e.g., cross-talk) or decomposing networks (e.g., inhibition or knock-outs) affects three properties that reaction networks may possess-identifiability (recoverability of parameter values from data), steady-state invariants (relationships among species concentrations at steady state, used in model selection), and multistationarity (capacity for multiple steady states, which correspond to multiple cell decisions). Specifically, we prove results that clarify, for a network obtained by joining two smaller networks, how properties of the smaller networks can be inferred from or can imply similar properties of the original network. Our proofs use techniques from computational algebraic geometry, including elimination theory and differential algebra.

Novel sulphonamide benzoquinazolinones as dual EGFR/HER2 inhibitors, apoptosis inducers and radiosensitizers

A series of sulphonamide benzoquinazolinones 5-18 was synthesized and evaluated for cytotoxic activity against MDA-MB-231 cell line. The compounds showed IC₅₀ ranging from 0.26 to 161.49 µM. The promising compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory profile against epidermal growth factor (EGFR) and HER2 enzymes. Compound 10 showed more potent activity on both EGFR and HER2 than erlotinib (IC₅₀ 3.90 and 5.40 µM versus 6.21 and 9.42 µM). The pro-apoptotic activity of 10 was evaluated against caspase-3, Bax, B-cell lymphoma protein 2 (Bcl-2) expression levels, and cell cycle analysis. Compound 10 increased the level of caspase-3 by 10 folds, Bax level by 9 folds, decreased the level of the Bcl-2 by 0.14 and arrested the cell cycle in the G2/M phase. The radio-sensitizing activity of 10 was measured using a single dose of 8 Gy gamma radiation (IC₅₀ decreased from 0.31 to 0.22 µM). Molecular docking was performed on EGFR and HER2 receptors.

Crocetin protects against fulminant hepatic failure induced by lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine by decreasing apoptosis, inflammation and oxidative stress in a rat model

Fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) is a clinical syndrome characterized by sudden and severe liver dysfunction. Apoptosis and inflammation are essential for the pathogenesis of FHF. Crocetin, the major component present in saffron, has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant functions; however, its role in FHF is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to explore the protective effects of crocetin against lipopolysac§§charide (LPS)/D-galactosamine (D-GalN)-induced FHF and the underlying mechanisms in a rat model. For the in vivo study, rats were assigned to the LPS/D-GalN group or to the crocetin pre-treatment+LPS/D- GalN group. Each group was then further divided according to the different LPS/D-GalN treatment times of 0, 6, 12 or 48 h. The results demonstrated that crocetin pre-treatment efficiently protected against LPS/D-GalN-induced FHF by improving liver tissue morphology, reducing total bilirubin generation and decreasing the activities of alanine transaminase and aspartate aminotransferase. Moreover, crocetin pre-treatment significantly decreased hepatocyte apoptosis, p53 mRNA expression and the expression of proteins in the caspase family and the Bcl-2 pro-apoptotic family following LPS/D-GalN treatment. Furthermore, crocetin also decreased the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the serum and in the liver via suppression of NF-κB activation, and also suppressed hepatic oxidative stress. In conclusion, crocetin protected against LPS/D-GalN-induced FHF and inhibited apoptosis, inflammation and oxidative stress. The underlying mechanisms may be related to the regulation of apoptotic proteins in the caspase family and the Bcl-2 family, as well as the modulation of NF-κB expression. Therefore, crocetin may be used as a novel therapy for preventing FHF.

An Orally Available Tubulin Inhibitor, VERU-111, Suppresses Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Tumor Growth and Metastasis and Bypasses Taxane Resistance

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) accounts for approximately 15% of breast cancer cases in the United States. TNBC has poorer overall prognosis relative to other molecular subtypes due to rapid onset of drug resistance to conventional chemotherapies and increased risk of visceral metastases. Taxanes like paclitaxel are standard chemotherapies that stabilize microtubules, but their clinical efficacy is often limited by drug resistance and neurotoxicities. We evaluated the preclinical efficacy of a novel, potent, and orally bioavailable tubulin inhibitor, VERU-111, in TNBC models. VERU-111 showed potent cytotoxicity against TNBC cell lines, inducing apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest in a concentration-dependent manner. VERU-111 also efficiently inhibited colony formation, cell migration, and invasion. Orally administered VERU-111 inhibited MDA-MB-231 xenograft growth in a dose-dependent manner, with similar efficacies to paclitaxel, but without acute toxicity. VERU-111 significantly reduced metastases originating from the mammary fat pad into lung, liver, and kidney metastasis in an experimental metastasis model. Moreover, VERU-111, but not paclitaxel, suppressed growth of luciferase-labeled, taxane-resistant, patient-derived metastatic TNBC tumors. In this model, VERU-111 repressed growth of preestablished axillary lymph node metastases and lung, bone, and liver metastases at study endpoint, whereas paclitaxel enhanced liver metastases relative to vehicle controls. Collectively, these studies strongly suggest that VERU-111 is not only a potent inhibitor of aggressive TNBC phenotypes, but it is also efficacious in a taxane-resistant model of metastatic TNBC. Thus, VERU-111 is a promising new generation of tubulin inhibitor for the treatment of TNBC and may be effective in patients who progress on taxanes.Results presented in this study demonstrate the efficacy of VERU-111 in vivo and provide strong rationale for future development of VERU-111 as an effective treatment for metastatic breast cancer.

Antioxidant and Anti-Apoptotic Properties of Oat Bran Protein Hydrolysates in Stressed Hepatic Cells

The objective of this work was to find out how the method to extract proteins and subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis affect the ability of hepatic cells to resist oxidative stress. Proteins were isolated from oat brans in the presence of Cellulase (CPI) or Viscozyme (VPI). Four protein hydrolysates were produced from CPI and four others from VPI when they treated with Alcalase, Flavourzyme, Papain, or Protamex. Apart from CPI-Papain that reduced the viability of cell by 20%, no other hydrolysate was cytotoxic in the hepatic HepG2 cells. In the cytoprotection test, VPI-Papain and VPI-Flavourzyme fully prevented the damage due to peroxyl radical while CPI-Papain and CPI-Alcalase enhanced the cellular damage. Cells treated with VPI-hydrolysates reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) by 20-40% and, also increased the intracellular concentration of glutathione, compared to CPI-hydrolysates. In antioxidant enzyme assays, although all hydrolysates enhanced the activity of both superoxide dismutase and catalase by up to 2- and 3.4-fold, respectively relative the control cells, the largest increase was due to VPI-Papain and VPI-Flavourzyme hydrolysates. In caspase-3 assays, hydrolysates with reduced ROS or enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities were able to reduce the activity of the pro-apoptotic enzyme, caspase-3 indicating that they prevented oxidative stress-induced cell death.

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) aggravates apoptosis of cigarette-inflamed bronchial epithelium in vivo and vitro

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is an essential risk factor of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Recent studies showed weak association between PM2.5 and COPD incidence, but smokers who exposed to higher PM2.5 concentration had more opportunity to gain COPD. Cigarette smoking is the most important risk factor of COPD. Thus, we hypothesized: the role of PM2.5 played on cigarette-inflamed airways was more significant than normal airways. The study firstly established an animal model of C57BL/6J mice with cigarette smoke exposure and PM2.5 orotracheal administration. After calculating pathological scores, mean linear intercept and mean alveolar area, we found PM2.5 aggravated pathological injury of cigarette-inflamed lungs, but the injury on normal lungs was not significant. Meanwhile, inflammatory factors as T-bet, IFN-γ and IL-1α were tested using qRT-PCR and ELISA. The results showed PM2.5 aggravated inflammation of cigarette-inflamed lungs, but the effect on normal lungs was not significant. The most important pathogenesis of COPD is abnormal apoptosis in airway epithelium, due to oxidative stress following long-term exposure to cigarette smoke. Then, apoptotic responses were detected in lungs. TUNEL analysis demonstrated that PM2.5 promoted DNA fragmentation of cigarette-inflamed lungs, but the effect on normal lungs was not significant. Western-blot and immunohistochemistry showed caspase activated significantly in PM2.5-cigarette smoke exposed lungs and activated caspase 3 located mainly on bronchial epithelium. Next, human bronchial epithelial cells were cultured treated with cigarette smoke solution (CSS) with or without PM2.5. Z-VAD-FMK, a pan-caspase inhibitor, was used to suppress the activation of caspases. After analyzing cell viability, DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial activities and caspase activities, the results clarified that PM2.5 aggravated apoptosis in cigarette-inflamed bronchial epithelial cells and the responses could be suppressed by Z-VAD-FMK. Our results gave a new idea about the mechanism of PM2.5 on COPD and inferred cigarette-inflamed airways were more vulnerable to PM2.5 than normal airways.

L-Carnosine protects against Oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy in colorectal cancer patients: A perspective on targeting Nrf-2 and NF-κB pathways

BACKGROUND

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is a common side effect afflicting cancer patients treated with oxalipatin based chemotherapy.

AIM

The study investigated the potential prophylactic effect of L-carnosine against acute oxaliplatin neurotoxicity in colorectal cancer patients with emphasis on the redox (Nrf-2, MDA), inflammatory (NF-κB, TNF-α), and apoptotic (caspase-3) parameters.

METHODS

In this pilot study, 65 patients were recruited using a prospective randomized controlled study design and enrolled randomly into two arms; Arm A, 31 patients received FOLFOX-6 regimen (oxaliplatin, 5FU & leucovorin) and Arm B, 34 patients received FOLFOX-6 regimen and daily oral L-carnosine (500 mg) along the treatment period. Patients were followed up for three months, then both arms were analyzed for neuropathy incidence/grade and any additional toxicities according to National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTC version 4).

RESULTS

The neuropathy grading evaluation of Arm B vs Arm A revealed that 17 patients (56.7%) vs 11 patients (35.5%) suffered grade 1, one patient (3.3%) vs 19 patients (61.3%) suffered grade 2, while 12 patients (40%) vs one patient (3.2%) were normal. In arm B, the addition of L-carnosine decreased significantly the levels/activity of NF-κB (27%) and TNF-α (36.6%); this anti-inflammatory effect entailed also its anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic effects, thus MDA level (51.8%) and caspase-3 activity (49%) were also reduced, whereas Nrf-2 was increased (38.7%) as compared to Arm A. In both arms a significant correlation was only evident between TNF-α and the neuropathy grading score (P < .03); the correlation analysis was significantly positive between NF-κB and both Nrf-2 and caspase 3.

CONCLUSION

L-Carnosine exerted a neuroprotective effect against oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy in colorectal cancer patients by targeting Nrf-2 and NF-κB pathways.

Meripilus giganteus ethanolic extract exhibits pro-apoptotic and anti-proliferative effects in leukemic cell lines

Background

The interest towards botanicals and plant extracts has strongly risen due to their numerous biological effects and ability to counteract chronic diseases development. Among these effects, chemoprevention which represents the possibility to counteract the cancerogenetic process is one of the most studied. The extracts of mushroom Meripilus giganteus (MG) (Phylum of Basidiomycota) showed to exert antimicrobic, antioxidant and antiproliferative effects. Therefore, since its effect in leukemic cell lines has not been previously evaluated, we studied its potential chemopreventive effect in Jurkat and HL-60 cell lines.

Methods

MG ethanolic extract was characterized for its antioxidant activity and scavenging effect against different radical species. Moreover, its phenolic profile was evaluated by HPLC-MS-MS analyses. Flow cytometry (FCM) analyses of Jurkat and HL-60 cells treated with MG extract (0–750 μg/mL) for 24–72 h- allowed to evaluate its cytotoxicity, pro-apoptotic and anti-proliferative effect. To better characterize MG pro-apoptotic mechanism ROS intracellular level and the gene expression level of FAS, BAX and BCL2 were also evaluated. Moreover, to assess MG extract selectivity towards cancer cells, its cytotoxicity was also evaluated in human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL).

Results

MG extract induced apoptosis in Jurkat and HL-60 cells in a dose- and time- dependent manner by increasing BAX/BCL2 ratio, reducing ROS intracellular level and inducing FAS gene expression level. In fact, reduced ROS level is known to be related to the activation of apoptosis in leukemic cells by the involvement of death receptors. MG extract also induced cell-cycle arrest in HL-60 cells. Moreover, IC₅₀ at 24 h treatment resulted 2 times higher in PBL than in leukemic cell lines.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that MG extract might be considered a promising and partially selective chemopreventive agent since it is able to modulate different mechanisms in transformed cells at concentrations lower than in non-transformed ones.

Subchronic Hepatotoxicity Effects of 6:2 Chlorinated Polyfluorinated Ether Sulfonate (6:2 Cl-PFESA), a Novel Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) Alternative, on Adult Male Mice

The compound 6:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate (6:2 Cl-PFESA), an alternative to perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) in the metal-plating industry, has been widely detected in various environmental matrices. However, its hepatotoxicity has yet to be clarified. Here, male mice were exposed to 0.04, 0.2, or 1 mg/kg/day of 6:2 Cl-PFESA for 56 days. Results demonstrated that relative liver weight increased significantly in the 0.2 and 1 mg/kg/day 6:2 Cl-PFESA groups, whereas liver lipid accumulation increased in all 6:2 Cl-PFESA groups. Serum enzyme activities of alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase were increased. Serum triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol both increased, whereas serum total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased following 6:2 Cl-PFESA exposure. A total of 264 differentially expressed proteins (127 up-regulated and 137 down-regulated), mainly involved in lipid metabolism, xenobiotic metabolism, and ribosome biogenesis, were identified by quantitative proteomics. Bioinformatics analysis highlighted the de-regulation of PPAR and PXR, which may contribute to the hepatotoxicity of 6:2 Cl-PFESA. Additionally, 6:2 Cl-PFESA induced both cell apoptosis and proliferation in the mouse liver. Compared to the overt toxicity of PFOS, 6:2 Cl-PFESA exhibited more-serious hepatotoxicity. Thus, caution should be exercised in the application of 6:2 Cl-PFESA as a replacement alternative to PFOS in industrial areas.

Protective effect of Anwulignan against D-galactose-induced hepatic injury through activating p38 MAPK-Nrf2-HO-1 pathway in mice

Background

Liver aging is a significant risk factor for chronic liver diseases. Oxidative stress has been considered as a conjoint pathological mechanism for the initiation and progression of liver aging. It has been reported that d-galactose (d-gal)-induced hepatic injury is an experimental model well established closely similar to morphological and functional features of liver aging. Schisandra sphenanthera Rehd. et Wils (S. sphenanthera, Schisandraceae), as a famous tradi-tional Chinese medicine, has been used for thousands of years in China to treat various disorders, including liver dysfunctions. This study was aimed to understand whether Anwulignan, one of the monomeric compounds in the lignans from S. sphenanthera, could improve the hepatic injury induced by d-gal in mice and to examine the possible mechanisms.

Methods

ICR mice were used to produce hepatic injury by 220 mg kg-1 d-gal subcutaneously once daily for 42 days. The effects of oral Anwulignan on liver index; serial AST and ALT levels; histological changes; SOD, GSH-Px, MDA, and 8-OHdG in the liver and peripheral blood; expression of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), Nrf2, and HO-1 in the liver; and HepG2 cell viability, and decrease caspase-3 contents in liver were examined.

Results

Anwulignan could significantly increase the liver index, lower aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in the peripheral blood, elevate superoxide dis-mutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, and decrease malonaldehyde (MDA) and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) contents in the peripheral blood and liver. Furthermore, Anwulignan could upregulate the expression of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), Nrf2, and HO-1 in the liver, increase the HepG2 cell viability, and decrease caspase-3 contents in liver.

Conclusion

Anwulignan has protective effects against the hepatic injury induced by d-gal, which may be related to its antioxidant capacity through activating p38 MAPK-Nrf2-HO-1 pathway, increases the injured cell viability, and decreases the caspase-3 contents in liver.

Effects of Er:YAG and Diode Laser Irradiation on Dental Pulp Cells and Tissues

Vital pulp therapy (VPT) is to preserve the nerve and maintain healthy dental pulp tissue. Laser irradiation (LI) is beneficial for VPT. Understanding how LI affects dental pulp cells and tissues is necessary to elucidate the mechanism of reparative dentin and dentin regeneration. Here, we show how Er:YAG-LI and diode-LI modulated cell proliferation, apoptosis, gene expression, protease activation, and mineralization induction in dental pulp cells and tissues using cell culture, immunohistochemical, genetic, and protein analysis techniques. Both LIs promoted proliferation in porcine dental pulp-derived cell lines (PPU-7), although the cell growth rate between the LIs was different. In addition to proliferation, both LIs also caused apoptosis; however, the apoptotic index for Er:YAG-LI was higher than that for diode-LI. The mRNA level of odontoblastic gene markers-two dentin sialophosphoprotein splicing variants and matrix metalloprotease (MMP)20 were enhanced by diode-LI, whereas MMP2 was increased by Er:YAG-LI. Both LIs enhanced alkaline phosphatase activity, suggesting that they may help induce PPU-7 differentiation into odontoblast-like cells. In terms of mineralization induction, the LIs were not significantly different, although their cell reactivity was likely different. Both LIs activated four MMPs in porcine dental pulp tissues. We helped elucidate how reparative dentin is formed during laser treatments.

Modeling Procedures

Being concerned by the understanding of the mechanism underlying chronic degenerative diseases , we presented in the previous chapter the medical systems biology conceptual framework that we present for that purpose in this volume. More specifically, we argued there the clear advantages offered by a state-space perspective when applied to the systems-level description of the biomolecular machinery that regulates complex degenerative diseases. We also discussed the importance of the dynamical interplay between the risk factors and the network of interdependencies that characterizes the biochemical, cellular, and tissue-level biomolecular reactions that underlie the physiological processes in health and disease. As we pointed out in the previous chapter, the understanding of this interplay (articulated around cellular phenotypic plasticity properties, regulated by specific kinds of gene regulatory networks) is necessary if prevention is chosen as the human-health improvement strategy (potentially involving the modulation of the patient's lifestyle). In this chapter we provide the medical systems biology mathematical and computational modeling tools required for this task.

Isolation, Formulation, and Efficacy Enhancement of Morin Emulsified Carriers Against Lung Toxicity in Rats

The present study demonstrates a preparative medium-pressure liquid chromatography (MPLC) method for isolation of Morin besides evaluating its efficacy in comparison with its self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery (SNEDD) and nanoemulsion (NE) systems against in-vivo HgCl₂-induced lung toxicity in rats. Morin was isolated from hydroalcoholic (70%) extract of Psidium guajava leaves by MPLC. The purity (> 90%) was done using HPLC. Screening of Morin solubility was studied to identify the components of each system. The prepared formulae were assessed for their thermodynamic stability, rheological properties, emulsification time, size, zeta potential beside its dissolution. The selected formulae according to the smallest size, highest zeta potential, and release at Q_10 min were assessed for their morphology by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and protective potential against in-vivo HgCl₂-induced lung toxicity in rats. All formulae were stable with Newtonian flow, emulsification time was (< 134 ± 10 s), size (< 40 nm) with zeta potential (> - 10.36 ± 0.99 mV). The extent of free Morin dissolved from capsule showed significantly the lowest percent released (22.21 ± 1.45%) while in case of SNEDDs and NEs (> 55% dissolved). The morphology of the selected Morin formulae showed spherical shape within the nano-range. Supplementation of Morin and its formulae to rats caused significant decrease in C-reactive protein, hepatoglobin, hydroproxide, lung nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-α, immunoglobulin (E and G), histamine, malondialdehyde, and interleukin-6 gene expression while significant increase in immunoglobulin A, caspase-3, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase compared to HgCl₂. SNEDD and NE formulae could ameliorate lung toxicity in a mechanism related to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential.

Upregulation of let-7f-5p promotes chemotherapeutic resistance in colorectal cancer by directly repressing several pro-apoptotic proteins

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most frequently occurring primary malignant tumors worldwide. Chemotherapeutic resistance is a major clinical problem in the treatment of CRC. Therefore, it is of great importance to investigate novel biomarkers that may predict chemoresistance and facilitate the development of individualized treatment for patients with CRC. The present study reported that let-7f-5p expression was elevated in chemotherapy-resistant CRC tissues compared with chemotherapy-sensitive tissues. Furthermore, upregulating let-7f-5p increased the expression levels of the anti-apoptotic proteins, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and B-cell lymphoma-extra large (Bcl-xL), and decreased the activity of caspase-3 and caspase-9 in CRC cells. By contrast, downregulating let-7f-5p yielded the opposite effect. Notably, the results indicated that let-7f-5p promoted chemotherapeutic resistance by directly repressing the expression of several pro-apoptotic proteins, including tumor protein p53, tumor protein p53-inducible nuclear protein 1, tumor protein p53-inducible nuclear protein 2 and caspase-3. Therefore, a novel mechanism by which let-7f-5p enhances the resistance of CRC cells to chemotherapeutics has been revealed, indicating that silencing let-7f-5p may become an effective therapeutic strategy against CRC.

Sardine oil loaded vanillic acid grafted chitosan microparticles, a new functional food ingredient: attenuates myocardial oxidative stress and apoptosis in cardiomyoblast cell lines (H9c2)

Fish oil has been widely recognized as an excellent dietary source of polyunsaturated n-3 fatty acids such as EPA and DHA. However, it can undergo oxidation easily resulting in the formation of toxic off flavor compounds such as hydroperoxides. These compounds adversely affect the nutritional quality and may induce several stress reactions in body. To solve this problem, a new antioxidant bio-material, vanillic acid-grafted chitosan (Va-g-Ch), was synthesized and used as a wall material for microencapsulation of fish oil. The sardine oil loaded Va-g-Ch microparticles could be a potential functional food ingredient considering the numerous health benefits of fish oil, chitosan, and vanillic acid. The current study aimed to investigate the possible protective effect of sardine oil-loaded Va-g-Ch microparticles against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity and the underlying mechanisms. In vitro cytotoxicity evaluation was conducted using H9c2 cardiomyocytes. MTT assay revealed that effective cytoprotective effect was induced by a sample concentration of 12.5 μg/mL. Results of apoptosis by double fluorescent staining with acridine orange/ethidium bromide and caspase-3 evaluation by ELISA substantiated the above findings. Further, flow cytometric determination of membrane potential, relative expression of NF-κB by PCR, and ROS determination using DCFH-DA also confirmed the protective effect of encapsulated sardine oil against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. NF-κB expression was down-regulated nearly by 50% on cells treated with encapsulated sardine oil. Altogether, the results revealed that sardine oil-loaded Va-g-Ch microparticles demonstrated potential cell protection against doxorubicin-induced oxidative stress.

Optimal pathways for the assembly of the Apaf-1·cytochrome c complex into apoptosome

The formation of a heptameric apoptosome is a crucial event in the intrinsic cell death pathway. Considerable progress has been made towards unraveling the constituents and the structure of the apoptosome as well as the mechanism of apoptosome-mediated caspase-9 activation. However, a significant gap remains in the understanding of this process, i.e., how seven Apaf-1·cytochrome c complexes stepwisely assemble into an apoptosome. Here, we construct a biophysical model that incorporates current biochemical knowledge about the formation of apoptosome. We propose 11 elementary routes and enumerate all 2047 possible assembly pathways from the Apaf-1·cytochrome c complex to the heptameric apoptosome. By combining mathematical analysis and numerical simulation, we find that two elementary routes are the most favorable biochemical reaction routes and there are 52 optimal assembly pathways which are economical and relatively fast. Our study yields the first comprehensive analysis of apoptosome assembly and provides insights into complex assembly pathways.

Hepatoprotective Effects of Kaempferol-3-O-α-l-Arabinopyranosyl-7-O-α-l-Rhamnopyranoside on d-Galactosamine and Lipopolysaccharide Caused Hepatic Failure in Mice

Fulminant hepatic failure (FHF), associated with high mortality, is characterized by extensive death of hepatocytes and hepatic dysfunction. There is no effective treatment for FHF. Several studies have indicated that flavonoids can protect the liver from different factor-induced injury. Previously, we found that the extracts of Elaeagnus mollis leaves had favorable protective effects on acute liver injury. However, the role and mechanisms behind that was elusive. This study examined the hepatoprotective mechanisms of kaempferol-3-O-α-l-arabinopyranosyl-7-O-α-l-rhamnopyra-noside (KAR), a major flavonol glycoside of E. mollis, against d-galactosamine (GalN) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced hepatic failure. KAR reduces the mouse mortality, protects the normal liver structure, inhibits the serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alamine aminotransferase (ALT) activity and decreases the production of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β. Furthermore, KAR inhibits the apoptosis of hepatocytes and reduces the expression of TLR4 and NF-κB signaling pathway-related proteins induced by GalN/LPS treatment. These findings suggest that the anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects of KAR on GalN/LPS-induced acute liver injury were performed through down-regulating the activity of the TLR4 and NF-κB signaling pathways.

In silico modelling of apoptosis induced by photodynamic therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an emergent technique used for the treatment of several diseases. After PDT, cells die by necrosis, apoptosis or autophagy. Necrosis is produced immediately during photodynamic therapy by high concentration of reactive oxygen species, apoptosis and autophagy are triggered by mild or low doses of light and photosensitizer. In this work we model the cell response to low doses of PDT assuming a bi-dimensional matrix of interacting cells. For each cell of the matrix we simulate in detail, with the help of the Gillespie's algorithm, the two main chemical pathways leading to apoptosis. We unveil the role of both pathways in the cell death rate of the tumor, as well as the relevance of several molecules in the process. Our model suggests values of concentrations for several species of molecules to enhance the effectiveness of PDT.

Tumor-targeted SN38 inhibits growth of early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in a KRas/p53 transgenic mouse model

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, with a 5-year survival of only ~16%. Potential strategies to address NSCLC mortality include improvements in early detection and prevention, and development of new therapies suitable for use in patients with early and late stage diagnoses. Controlling the growth of early stage tumors could yield significant clinical benefits for patients with comorbidities that make them poor candidates for surgery: however, many drugs that limit cancer growth are not useful in the setting of long-term use or in comorbid patients, because of associated toxicities. In this study, we explored the use of a recently described small molecule agent, STA-8666, as a potential agent for controlling early stage tumor growth. STA-8666 uses a cleavable linker to merge a tumor-targeting moiety that binds heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) with the cytotoxic chemical SN38, and has been shown to have high efficacy and low toxicity, associated with efficient tumor targeting, in preclinical studies using patient-derived and other xenograft models for pancreatic, bladder, and small cell lung cancer. Using a genetically engineered model of NSCLC arising from induced mutation of KRas and knockout of Trp53, we continuously dosed mice with STA-8666 from immediately after tumor induction for 15 weeks. STA-8666 significantly slowed the rate of tumor growth, and was well tolerated over this extended dosing period. STA-8666 induced DNA damage and apoptosis, and reduced proliferation and phosphorylation of the proliferation-associated protein ERK1/2, selectively in tumor tissue. In contrast, STA-8666 did not affect tumor features, such as degree of vimentin staining, associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), or downregulate tumor expression of HSP90. These data suggest STA-8666 and other similar targeted compounds may be useful additions to control the growth of early stage NSCLC in patient populations.

Effect of granatin B on the glioma cancer by inducing apoptosis

Glioblastoma is a highly malignant cancer of glioma cells. Present study investigates the anti proliferative activity of granatin B on glioma cell by inducing apoptosis. In this study Glioma cell (U87) was used on which anti proliferative activity of granatin B (0, 20, 40 & 80 µM) assessed by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Thereafter Apoptosis of glioma cell was assessed by apoptosis detection kit suing flow cytometer, DAPI staining and by estimating the activity of caspase 3 & 9 using caspase 3 & 9 kit. Expression of MMP9 protein was determined through gelatin zymography. Possible mechanism of apoptosis induction was proved by estimating the effect of granatin B with MMP9 agonist on cell proliferation, caspase 3 activity & MMP9 expression on glioblastoma cell. Result of the study suggested that granatin B significantly decreases the cell proliferation of glioma cell compared to 0 µM treated group. It was also observed that treatment with granatin B significantly induces apoptosis and increases the activity of caspase 3 & 9 protein compared to 0 µM treated group. Expression of MMP9 protein was also decreases with granatin B treatment of glima cell. MMP9 agonist significantly reverses the effect of granatin B on cell proliferation, caspase 3 and expression of MMP9 protein in glima cell. Present study concludes the anticancer activity of granatin B on glioblastoma cell by inducing apoptosis.

Biofunctional Activities of Equisetum ramosissimum Extract: Protective Effects against Oxidation, Melanoma, and Melanogenesis

Equisetum ramosissimum, a genus of Equisetaceae, is a medicinal plant that can be separated into ethyl acetate (EA), dichloromethane (DM), n-hexane (Hex), methanol (MeOH), and water extracts. EA extract was known to have potent antioxidative properties, reducing power, DPPH scavenging activity, and metal ion chelating activity. This study compared these five extracts in terms of their inhibiting effects on three human malignant melanomas: A375, A375.S2, and A2058. MTT assay presented the notion that both EA and DM extracts inhibited melanoma growth but did not affect the viabilities of normal dermal keratinocytes (HaCaT) or fibroblasts. Western blot analyses showed that both EA and DM extracts induced overexpression of caspase proteins in all three melanomas. To determine their roles in melanogenesis, this study analyzed their in vitro suppressive effects on mushroom tyrosinase. All extracts except for water revealed moderate suppressive effects. None of the extracts affected B16-F10 cells proliferation. EA extract inhibited cellular melanin production whereas DM extract unexpectedly enhanced cellular pigmentation in B16-F10 cells. Data for modulations of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein 1, and tyrosinase-related protein 2 showed that EA extract inhibited protein expression mentioned above whereas DM extract had the opposite effect. Overall, the experiments indicated that the biofunctional activities of EA extract contained in food and cosmetics protect against oxidation, melanoma, and melanin production.

Cited2 protein level in cumulus cells is a biomarker for human embryo quality and pregnancy outcome in one in vitro fertilization cycle

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether the levels of CBP/p300 interacting transactivator with ED-rich tail 2 (Cited2) protein in cumulus cells (CCs) derived from patients undergoing IVF related to infertility factors, embryo quality, and clinical outcomes in one IVF cycle.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of human CCs.

SETTING

Public hospital and university.

PATIENT(S)

A total of 103 (conventional) IVF patients and 32 intracytoplasmic sperm injection patients.

INTERVENTION(S)

All CCs from each patient's oocytes were considered as one sample. The patients were divided into two groups according to whether the Cited2/β-actin levels in their CCs were above or below the mean level detected for all patients.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Embryo quality and clinical outcomes of IVF patients.

RESULT(S)

The oocytes derived from the group of patients whose CCs showed lower Cited2 levels displayed higher fertilization, transferable embryo, and implantation rates. Moreover, the patients in this group were more likely to have a successful pregnancy outcome. Among different infertility factors, a total of 78.6% of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome had a higher Cited2 level in CCs. Additionally, patients with a lower basal FSH level belonged to the higher Cited2 levels group. The expression of two genes (phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 [PCK1] and progesterone receptor [PR]) and the glucose content in CCs were also markedly increased in CCs derived from patients with higher Cited2 levels.

CONCLUSION(S)

The present findings imply that Cited2 level in CCs is associated with polycystic ovary syndrome, embryo quality, and pregnancy outcome of IVF patients.

Phytochemical Constituents, Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Properties of a Liverwort, Lepidozia borneensis Stephani from Mount Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

The study aimed to investigate the phytochemical contents, antioxidant and antiproliferative activity of 80% methanol extract of Lepidozia borneensis. The total phenolic and total flavonoid contents were analysed using Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminium chloride colorimetric methods. Antioxidant properties were evaluated by using FRAP, ABTS, and DPPH assays while the effects of L. borneensis on the proliferation of MCF-7 cell line were evaluated by using MTT assay. The results showed that the total phenolic and flavonoid contents were 12.42 ± 0.47 mg GAE/g and 9.36 ± 1.29 mg CE/g, respectively. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of at least 35 compounds. The extract was found to induce cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cell line with IC50 value of 47.33 ± 7.37 µg/mL. Cell cycle analysis showed that the extract induced significant arrest at G0/G1 at 24 hours of treatment. After 72 hours of treatment, the proportion of cells in G0/G1 and G2-M phases had decreased significantly as compared to their control. Apoptosis occurred during the first 24 hours and significantly increased to 30.8% after 72 hours of treatment. No activation of caspase 3 was observed. These findings suggest that L. borneensis extract has the potential as natural antioxidant and anticancer agents.

Role of MK2 signaling pathway in the chronic compression of cervical spinal cord

OBJECTIVE

In this study, chronic compression of cervical spinal cord was introduced into twy/twy mice and the role of MK2 signaling pathway was investigated in this disease.

METHODS

twy/twy mice aged 6-24 weeks were used and the inflammatory response in the cervical spinal cord was observed. The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were used as controls. MK2 inhibitor (PF-3644022, 30 mg/kg) was administered intragastrically to twy/twy mice. The motor behavior was firstly observed in these three groups by Catwalk gait analysis. And the cervical spinal cord between C2 and C3 of vertebral segments was analyzed by MRI and Western blot assay.

RESULTS

The stride length of paws and interlimb coordination reduced in twy/twy mice. However, at 4 weeks after PF-3644022 treatment, a marked improvement was observed in the motor function. The expressions of inflammation related factors (such as IL-1β, NF-κB, TNF-α, MK2 and p-MK2) and apoptosis related proteins (such as cleaved caspase-8 and bax/bcl-2) in the spinal cord of twy/twy mice significantly increased as compared to controls, but 4-week treatment with PF-3644022 markedly reduced the expressions of these factors and apoptotic proteins in the cervical spinal cord.

CONCLUSION

MK2 signaling pathway is involved in the chronic compression induced inflammation of the cervical spinal cord. Thus, to inhibit the MK2 pathway may used to improve the outcome and prevent the deterioration of neurological dysfunction.

Study of Malformin C, a Fungal Source Cyclic Pentapeptide, as an Anti-Cancer Drug

Malformin C, a fungal cyclic pentapeptide, has been claimed to have anti-cancer potential, but no in vivo study was available to substantiate this property. Therefore, we conducted in vitro and in vivo experiments to investigate its anti-cancer effects and toxicity. Our studies showed Malformin C inhibited Colon 38 and HCT 116 cell growth dose-dependently with an IC₅₀ of 0.27±0.07μM and 0.18±0.023μM respectively. This inhibition was explicated by Malformin C’s effect on G2/M arrest. Moreover, we observed up-regulated expression of phospho-histone H2A.X, p53, cleaved CASPASE 3 and LC3 after Malformin C treatment, while the apoptosis assay indicated an increased population of necrotic and late apoptotic cells. In vivo, the pathological study exhibited the acute toxicity of Malformin C at lethal dosage in BDF1 mice might be caused by an acute yet subtle inflammatory response, consistent with elevated IL-6 in the plasma cytokine assay. Further anti-tumor and toxicity experiments proved that 0.3mg/kg injected weekly was the best therapeutic dosage of Malformin C in Colon 38 xenografted BDF1 mice, whereas 0.1mg/kg every other day showed no effect with higher resistance, and 0.9mg/kg per week either led to fatal toxicity in seven-week old mice or displayed no advantage over 0.3mg/kg group in nine-week old mice. Overall, we conclude that Malformin C arrests Colon 38 cells in G2/M phase and induces multiple forms of cell death through necrosis, apoptosis and autophagy. Malformin C has potent cell growth inhibition activity, but the therapeutic index is too low to be an anti-cancer drug.

A mathematical model for apoptotic switch in Drosophila

Apoptosis is an evolutionarily-conserved process of autonomous cell death. The molecular switch mechanism underlying the fate decision of apoptosis in mammalian cells has been intensively studied by mathematical modeling. In contrast, the apoptotic switch in invertebrates, with highly conserved signaling proteins and pathway, remains poorly understood mechanistically and calls for theoretical elucidation. In this study, we develop a mathematical model of the apoptosis pathway in Drosophila and compare the switch mechanism to that in mammals. Enumeration of the elementary reactions for the model demonstrates that the molecular interactions among the signaling components are considerably different from their mammalian counterparts. A notable distinction in network organization is that the direct positive feedback from the effector caspase (EC) to the initiator caspase in mammalian pathway is replaced by a double-negative regulation in Drosophila. The model is calibrated by experimental input-output relationship and the simulated trajectories exhibit all-or-none bimodal behavior. Bifurcation diagrams confirm that the model of Drosophila apoptotic switch possesses bistability, a well-recognized feature for an apoptosis system. Since the apoptotic protease activating factor-1 (APAF1) induced irreversible activation of caspase is an essential and beneficial property for the mammalian apoptotic switch, we perform analysis of the bistable caspase activation with respect to the input of DARK protein, the Drosophila homolog of APAF1. Interestingly, this bistable behavior in Drosophila is predicted to be reversible. Further analysis suggests that the mechanism underlying the systems property of reversibility is the double-negative feedback from the EC to the initiator caspase. Using theoretical modeling, our study proposes plausible evolution of the switch mechanism for apoptosis between organisms.

Inhibition of autophagy promotes cell apoptosis induced by the proteasome inhibitor MG-132 in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma EC9706 cells

Lysosome-dependent macroautophagy, also termed autophagy, and the ubiquitin-proteasome system and are the primary intracellular pathways involved in protein degradation. Previous studies have demonstrated that proteasome inhibitors are able to inhibit tumor growth and activate autophagy. The present study investigated the effect of the proteasome inhibitor MG-132 on cellular proliferation using a cell counting kit 8 assay, and the effect of the agent on apoptosis and autophagy was assessed using flow cytometry and monodansylcadaverine, respectively. Western blot analysis was used to investigate protein changes during the course of treatment. It was revealed that MG-132 inhibited cell proliferation, activated autophagy and induced cell death in EC9706 cells. Autophagy was activated through the class III PI3K pathway, and the expression of the Beclin-1 protein was determined to be significantly upregulated. However, the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) inhibited the expression of the autophagy-associated protein Beclin-1 and reduced the accumulation of autophagic vacuoles induced by MG-132. MG-132-induced apoptosis was enhanced by the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA, which may be a result of caspase-3 activation in the EC9706 cells. These findings suggest that inhibition of the proteasome can induce autophagy in human ESCC cells, and also increase cell death. This indicates that proteasome inhibitors may be potential novel anti-cancer agents for the adjuvant treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.