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Bilajac E, Mahmutović L, Glamočlija U, Osmanović A, Hromić-Jahjefendić A, Tambuwala MM, Suljagić M. Curcumin Decreases Viability and Inhibits Proliferation of Imatinib-Sensitive and Imatinib-Resistant Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Cell Lines. Metabolites 2022; 13:58. [PMID: 36676983 PMCID: PMC9863870 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13010058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative haematological malignancy characterized by constitutive activation of BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase in the majority of patients. BCR-ABL1 expression activates signaling pathways involved in cell proliferation and survival. Current treatment options for CML include tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) with resistance as a major issue. Various treatment options for overcoming resistance are being investigated. Among them, phytochemical curcumin could play an important role. Curcumin has been found to exhibit anti-cancerous effects in various models, including CML, through regulation of multiple molecular signaling pathways contributing to tumorigenesis. We have evaluated curcumin's effects on imatinib-sensitive LAMA84S and K562, as well as imatinib-resistant LAMA84R cell lines. Our results indicate a significant dose-dependent decrease in cell viability and proliferation of imatinib-sensitive and imatinib-resistant cell lines after curcumin treatment. Suppression of key signaling molecules regulating metabolic and proliferative events, such as Akt, P70S6K and NF-kB, was observed. Increased expression of caspase-3 suggests the potential pro-apoptotic effect of curcumin in the imatinib-resistant CML model. Additional in silico molecular docking studies revealed binding modes and affinities of curcumin with different targets and the results are in accordance with in vitro findings. Altogether, these results indicate the potential role of curcumin in the treatment of CML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esma Bilajac
- Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, International University of Sarajevo, Hrasnička cesta 15, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Lejla Mahmutović
- Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, International University of Sarajevo, Hrasnička cesta 15, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Una Glamočlija
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 8, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- School of Medicine, University of Mostar, Zrinskog Frankopana 34, 88000 Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Scientific-Research Unit, Bosnalijek JSC, Jukićeva 53, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Amar Osmanović
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 8, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Altijana Hromić-Jahjefendić
- Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, International University of Sarajevo, Hrasnička cesta 15, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Murtaza M. Tambuwala
- Lincoln Medical School, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool Campus, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK
| | - Mirza Suljagić
- 3DBioLabs, FabLab B&H, University of Sarajevo Campus, Zmaja od Bosne 8, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Glamoclija U, Mahmutovic L, Bilajac E, Soljic V, Vukojevic K, Suljagic M. Metformin and Thymoquinone Synergistically Inhibit Proliferation of Imatinib-Resistant Human Leukemic Cells. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:867133. [PMID: 35496297 PMCID: PMC9043685 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.867133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy resistance is one of the major challenges in cancer treatment, including leukemia. A massive array of research is evaluating combinations of drugs directed against different intracellular signaling molecules to overcome cancer resistance, increase therapy effectiveness, and decrease its adverse effects. Combining chemicals with proven safety profiles, such as drugs already used in therapy and active substances isolated from natural sources, could potentially have superior effects compared to monotherapies. In this study, we evaluated the effects of metformin and thymoquinone (TQ) as monotherapy and combinatorial treatments in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cell lines sensitive and resistant to imatinib therapy. The effects were also evaluated in primary monocytic acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells. Both compounds induced a dose- and time-dependent decrease of viability and proliferation in tested cells. Metformin had similar IC50 values in imatinib-sensitive and imatinib-resistant cell lines. IC50 values of TQ were significantly higher in imatinib-resistant cells, but with a limited resistance index (2.4). Synergistic effects of combinatorial treatments were observed in all tested cell lines, as well as in primary cells. The strongest synergistic effects were observed in the inhibition of imatinib-resistant cell line proliferation. Metformin and TQ inhibited the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) signaling and induced apoptosis in tested cell lines and primary cells. The enhanced effects of combinatorial treatments on the induction of apoptosis were more dominant in imatinib-resistant compared to imatinib-sensitive CML cells. Primary cells were more sensitive to combinatorial treatments compared to cell lines. A combination of 1.25 mM metformin and 0.625 µM TQ increased the levels of cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), decreased the levels of proliferation regulatory proteins, and inhibited protein kinase B (Akt) and NF-κB signaling in primary CLL cells. This study demonstrates that combinatorial treatments of imatinib-resistant malignant clones with metformin and TQ by complementary intracellular multi-targeting represents a promising approach in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Una Glamoclija
- Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Analysis, University of Sarajevo-Faculty of Pharmacy, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Scientific Research Unit, Bosnalijek JSC, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Lejla Mahmutovic
- Genetics and Bioengineering Department, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, International University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Esma Bilajac
- Genetics and Bioengineering Department, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, International University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Violeta Soljic
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Faculty of Health Studies, University of Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Katarina Vukojevic
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
| | - Mirza Suljagic
- 3D BioLabs, FabLab Bosnia and Herzegovina, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- *Correspondence: Mirza Suljagic,
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Zhang S, Yu H, Li J, Fan J, Chen J. 2-Methoxyestradiol combined with ascorbic acid facilitates the apoptosis of chronic myeloid leukemia cells via the microRNA-223/Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3/phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/protein kinase B axis. Bioengineered 2022; 13:3470-3485. [PMID: 35068331 PMCID: PMC8973755 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2021.2024327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a malignant myeloproliferative tumor. 2-Methoxyestradiol (2-ME) is an endogenous estrogen metabolite that shows efficacy in human malignancies. Ascorbic acid (AA) possesses antioxidant activity. This study explored the mechanism of 2-ME combined with AA in the apoptosis of CML cells. Firstly, human CML cell lines were treated with 2-ME and AA. The cell viability, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were detected. miR-223 expression in CML cells was detected. In addition, CML cells were transfected with miR-223 inhibitor. The binding relationship between miR-223 and FLT3 was verified. Subsequently, the FLT3 was overexpressed or silenced for the function rescue experiment to confirm the role of FLT3 in CML cell apoptosis. The expression levels of key factors of the PI3K/AKT pathway were detected. Finally, xenograft nude mouse models were established for in vivo verification. 2-ME + AA treatment inhibited CML cell viability and promoted apoptosis, elevated ROS content, and reduced MMP. 2-ME + AA treatment promoted miR-223 expression in CML cells. miR-223 targeted FLT3. Moreover, miR-223 inhibitor or FLT3 overexpression partially annulled the effect of 2-ME + AA on CML cells. 2-ME + AA inhibited the PI3K/AKT pathway via the miR-223/FLT3 axis. Furthermore, 2-ME + AA suppressed CML xenograft growth in mice. Collectively, 2-ME + AA promoted miR-223 expression and suppressed FLT3 and the PI3K/AKT pathway, thereby facilitating the apoptosis of CML cells and inhibiting CML xenograft growth in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suwei Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shantou Central Hospital, Shantou,Guangdong, China
| | - Hanhui Yu
- Department of Neurosurgery,Shantou Central Hospital, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiazhen Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shantou Central Hospital, Shantou,Guangdong, China
| | - Jingru Fan
- Department of Emergency,Shantou Central Hospital, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jingchao Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shantou Central Hospital, Shantou,Guangdong, China
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Tan Y, Huang Z, Wang X, Dai H, Jiang G, Feng W. A novel fusion circular RNA F-circBA1 derived from the BCR-ABL fusion gene displayed an oncogenic role in chronic myeloid leukemia cells. Bioengineered 2021; 12:4816-4827. [PMID: 34346842 PMCID: PMC8806869 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2021.1957749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The BCR-ABL fusion gene plays a crucial role in the leukemogenesis of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The BCR-ABL oncoprotein encoded by this fusion gene has been extensively studied. However, research on whether BCR-ABL also affects circular RNAs (circRNAs) is limited. This study aimed to explore the new fusion circRNAs produced by BCR-ABL and their role in CML cells. In this study, we identified a novel fusion circRNA, named F-circBA1, originating from BCR-ABL in K562 and K562/G01 cells using quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Sanger sequencing. qRT-PCR of the nuclear RNA and cytoplasmic RNA were separated, indicating that F-circBA1 was mainly localized in the cytoplasm. Cell counting kit-8 assay and flow cytometry showed that F-circBA1 knockdown by shRNA prevented the proliferation of K562 and K562/G01 cells, and the cell cycle was arrested at G2/M. Mechanically, dual-luciferase reporter assay and western blotting assay showed that F-circBA1 sponged miR-148-3p and F-circBA1 silencing decreased CDC25B expression in vitro. Furthermore, the results of the murine leukemogenesis model showed that F-circBA1 knockdown suppressed leukemogenesis in vivo. Besides, we found the existence of F-circBA1 in some patients with BCR-ABL-positive CML. In conclusion, these results demonstrate the presence of F-circBA1 and its oncogenic role in CML cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Tan
- Department of Clinical Hematology, School of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhenglan Huang
- Department of Clinical Hematology, School of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hongdan Dai
- Department of Clinical Hematology, School of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Guoyun Jiang
- Department of Clinical Hematology, School of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wenli Feng
- Department of Clinical Hematology, School of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Conventional and Molecular Cytogenomic Basis of Hematologic Malignancies. Hematology 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-35762-3.00056-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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