Inhibition of Heat Shock Protein 90 as a Novel Platform for the Treatment of Cancer

Network pharmacology-integrated molecular docking analysis of phytocompounds of Caesalpinia pulcherrima (peacock flower) as potential anti-metastatic agents

Caesalpinia pulcherrima, or peacock flower, has been a subject of cancer therapeutics research, showing promising anti-cancer and anti-metastatic properties. The present research aims to investigate the anti-metastatic potential of the flower, through bioinformatics approaches. Metastasis targets numbering 471 were identified through overlap analysis following NCBI gene, Gene Card and OMIM query. Phytocompounds of the flower were retrieved from PubChem and their protein interactions predicted using Super-PRED and TargetNet. The 28 targets that overlapped with the predicted proteins were used to generate STRING >0.7. Enrichment analysis revealed that C. pulcherrima may inhibit metastasis through angiogenesis-related and leukocyte migration-related pathways. HSP90AA1, ESR1, PIK3CA, ERBB2, KDR and MMP9 were identified as potential core targets while and 6 compounds (3-[(4-Hydroxyphenyl)methylidene]-7,8-dimethoxychromen-4-one (163076213), clotrimazole (2812), Isovouacapenol A (636673), [(4aR,5R,6aS,7R,11aS,11bR)-4a-hydroxy-4,4,7,11b-tetramethyl-9-oxo-1,2,3,5,6,6a,7,11a-octahydronaphtho[2,1-f][1]benzofuran-5-yl] benzoate (163104827), Stigmast-5-en-3beta-ol (86821) and 4,2'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxychalcone (592216)) were identified as potential core compounds. Molecular docking analysis and molecular dynamics simulations investigations revealed that ERBB2, HSP90AA1 and KDR, along with the newly discovered 163076213 compound to be the most significant metastasis targets and bioactive compound, respectively. These three core targets demonstrated interactions consistent with angiogenesis and leukocyte migration pathways. Furthermore, potentially novel interactions, such as KDR-MMP9, KDR-PIK3CA, ERBB2-HSP90AA1, ERBB2-ESR1, ERBB2-PIK3CA and ERBB2-MMP9 interactions were identified and may play a role in crosslinking the aforementioned metastatic pathways. Therefore, the present study revealed the main mechanisms behind the anti-metastatic effects of C. pulcherrima, paving the path for further research on these compounds and proteins to accelerate the research of cancer therapeutics and application of C. pulcherrima.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Fisetin, a dietary flavonoid, increases the sensitivity of chemoresistant head and neck carcinoma cells to cisplatin possibly through HSP90AA1/IL-17 pathway

Cisplatin (DDP) resistance is a bottleneck in the treatment of head and neck cancer (HNC), leading to poor prognosis. Fisetin, a dietary flavonoid, has low toxicity and high antitumor activity with unclear mechanisms. We intended to predict the targets of fisetin for reversing DDP-resistance and further verify their expressions and roles. A network pharmacology approach was applied to explore the target genes. The hub genes were screened out and subjected to molecular docking and experimental verification (in vivo and in vitro). Thirty-two genes common to fisetin and DDP-resistance were screened, including three hub genes, namely HSP90AA1, PPIA, and PTPRS. Molecular docking suggested that fisetin and the candidate proteins could bind tightly. HSP90AA1 was identified as the key gene. Administration of fisetin increased the sensitivity of chemoresistant cells (Cal27/DDP and FaDu/DDP) to DDP, accompanied by the downregulation of HSP90AA1 and IL-17. HSP90AA1 silencing increases the sensitivity of DDP-resistant cells to DDP, which was mediated by IL-17. In summary, fisetin might inhibit the chemoresistance of HNC cells to DDP by targeting the HSP90AA1/IL-17 pathway. Several hub genes might be the targets of fisetin for reversing DDP-resistance in HNC cells and might also serve as prognostic factors and therapeutic targets for HNC.

13-Acetoxysarcocrassolide induces apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells through mitochondrial dysfunction and suppression of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR/p70S6K signalling pathway

CONTEXT

13-Acetoxysarcocrasside, isolated from the Taiwanese soft coral Sarcophyton crassocaule Moser (Alcyoniidae), has biological activity and induces apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the mechanisms underlying apoptosis induced by 13-acetoxysarcocrasside in HA22T and HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

MTT and morphology assays were employed to assess the anti-proliferative effects of 13-acetoxysarcocrasside (1-5 μM). TUNEL/DAPI staining and annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide staining were used to detect apoptosis. Cells were treated with13-acetoxysarcocrassolide (0, 1, 2, and 4 μM) for 24 h, and the mechanism of cells apoptotic was detected by western blotting. Cells treated with DMSO were the control.

RESULTS

Survival of the cells decreased with the addition of 13-acetoxysarcocrassolide, and at 4 μM cell survival was inhibited by approximately 40%. After treatment of cells with 13-acetoxysarcocrassolide, the incidence of early/late apoptosis to be 0.3%/0.5%∼5.4%/22.7% for HA22T cells, in the HePG2 cells were 0.6%/0.2%∼14.4%/23.7%. Western blotting analysis showed that the expression of Bax, Bad, cleaved caspase 3, cleaved caspase 9, cleaved-PARP-1, cytochrome c, and p-4EBP1 increased with an increasing concentration of 13-acetoxysarcocrasside (0, 1, 2, and 4 μM), whereas that of Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, Mcl-1, p-Bad, p-PI3K, p-AKT, p-mTOR, p-70S6K, p-S6, p-eIF4E, and p-eIF4B decreased.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Apoptosis induced by 13-acetoxysarcocrassolide in HA22T and HepG2 cells is mediated by mitochondrial dysfunction and inactivation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR/p70S6K pathway. The potential of 13-acetoxysarcocrassolide as a chemotherapeutic agent should be further assessed for use in human hepatocellular carcinoma treatment.

The role of heat shock proteins in metastatic colorectal cancer: A review

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are a large molecular chaperone family classified by their molecular weights, including HSP27, HSP40, HSP60, HSP70, HSP90, and HSP110. HSPs are likely to have antiapoptotic properties and participate actively in various processes such as tumor cell proliferation, invasion, metastases, and death. In this review, we discuss comprehensively the functions of HSPs associated with the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC) and metastasis and resistance to cancer therapy. Taken together, HSPs have numerous clinical applications as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis and potential therapeutic targets for CRC and its related metastases.

An 85-amino-acid polypeptide from Myrmeleon bore larvae (antlions) homologous to heat shock factor binding protein 1 with antiproliferative activity against MG-63 osteosarcoma cells in vitro

Background

Venomous arthropods have substances in their venom with antiproliferative potential for neoplastic cells.

Objectives

To identify a polypeptide from Myrmeleon bore (antlion) with antiproliferative activity against neoplastic cells, and to elucidate the molecular mechanism of the activity.

Methods

We used gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography to purify a polypeptide with antiproliferative activity against MG-63 human osteosarcoma cells from a proteinaceous extract of antlion. The polypeptide was sequenced and the stability of its antiproliferative activity was tested under a range of conditions in vitro. An 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to determine the antiproliferative activity of the polypeptide against the MG-63 osteosarcoma cells and MC3T3-E1 mouse calvarial osteoblasts, which were used as a non-neoplastic control. We used western blotting to compare the levels of expression of heat shock transcription factor 1 (HSF1), heat shock protein 90 (HSP90), cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4), and protein kinase B alpha (ATK1) in MG-63 osteosarcoma cells and their mouse homologs in MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts after their treatment with the antlion antiproliferative polypeptide (ALAPP).

Results

The 85-amino-acid ALAPP has a 56% sequence identity with the human heat shock factor binding protein 1 (HSBP1). The antiproliferative activity of the polypeptide is relatively insensitive to temperature, pH, and metal ions. ALAPP has a strong concentration-dependent antiproliferative activity against MG-63 osteosarcoma cells compared with its effect on MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts. ALAPP significantly upregulates the expression of HSF1 in MC3T3-EL osteoblasts, but not in MG-63 osteosarcoma. ALAPP significantly downregulated the expression of HSP90, CDK4, and AKT1 expression in MG-63 osteosarcoma, but not in the osteoblasts.

Conclusions

ALAPP has significant antiproliferative activity against MG-63 osteosarcoma cells, but not nonneoplastic MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts. We speculate that non-neoplastic cells may evade the antiproliferative effect of ALAPP by upregulating HSF1 to maintain their HSP90, CDK4, and AKT1 expression at a relatively constant level.

DAB2IP down-regulates HSP90AA1 to inhibit the malignant biological behaviors of colorectal cancer

Background

Studies have shown that DAB2IP inhibits cancer progression, while HSP90AA1 promotes cancer progression. However, the specific regulatory mechanism of DAB2IP and HSP90AA1 in colorectal cancer (CRC) is not clear. Our aim is to investigate the role and mechanism of DAB2IP and HSP90AA1 in the development of CRC.

Methods

We used bioinformation to analyze the interaction between DAB2IP and HSP90AA1 and predict their downstream pathways. Then, a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to reveal the role of DAB2IP and HSP90AA1 in the invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer, and flow cytometry was used to explore their effects on apoptosis.

Results

Loss of DAB2IP was associated with poor prognosis of CRC. In contrast, elevated expression of HSP90AA1 was associated with the malignant behavior of CRC. The present study demonstrated a negative correlation between DAB2IP and HSP90AA1. Using bioinformatic analysis, we scanned SRP9 which was highly expressed in CRC, as a co-related gene of DAB2IP and HSP90AA1. Mechanistically, DAB2IP promoted apoptosis through HSP90AA1/SRP9/ASK1/JNK signaling axis in CRC.

Conclusions

These findings provide evidence that DAB2IP-based therapy may enhance the anticancer effect of HSP90AA1 inhibitors, and combined targeting of DAB2IP and HSP90AA1 may be a powerful treatment strategy to combat CRC.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-09596-z.

Anti-Cancer Properties of Ginkgolic Acids in Human Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma CNE-2Z Cells via Inhibition of Heat Shock Protein 90

Ginkgo biloba L. has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for thousands of years. However, the anti-cancer properties of ginkgolic acids (GAS) isolated from G. biloba have not been investigated in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. In this study, GAS exhibited an inhibitory effect on the ATPase activity of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) and anti-proliferative activities against four human cancer cell lines, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 14.91 to 23.81 μg·mL⁻¹. In vivo experiments confirmed that GAS inhibited tumor growth in CNE-2Z cell-xenografted nude mice with low hepatotoxicity. We further demonstrated that GAS suppressed migration and invasion and induced the apoptosis of CNE-2Z cells by inducing the degradation of Hsp90 client proteins (MMP-2, MMP-9, Her-2, c-Raf, Akt, and Bcl-2). Together, GAS are new Hsp90 inhibitors by binding to Hsp90 (hydrogen bond and hydrophobic interaction). Thus, GAS from G. biloba might represent promising Hsp90 inhibitors for the development of anti-nasopharyngeal carcinoma agents.

Inhibition of Hsp90 Counteracts the Established Experimental Dermal Fibrosis Induced by Bleomycin

Our previous study demonstrated that heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is overexpressed in the involved skin of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and in experimental dermal fibrosis. Pharmacological inhibition of Hsp90 prevented the stimulatory effects of transforming growth factor-beta on collagen synthesis and the development of dermal fibrosis in three preclinical models of SSc. In the next step of the preclinical analysis, herein, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an Hsp90 inhibitor, 17-dimethylaminoethylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-DMAG), in the treatment of established experimental dermal fibrosis induced by bleomycin. Treatment with 17-DMAG demonstrated potent antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory properties: it decreased dermal thickening, collagen content, myofibroblast count, expression of transforming growth factor beta receptors, and pSmad3-positive cell counts, as well as leukocyte infiltration and systemic levels of crucial cytokines/chemokines involved in the pathogenesis of SSc, compared to vehicle-treated mice. 17-DMAG effectively prevented further progression and may induce regression of established bleomycin-induced dermal fibrosis to an extent comparable to nintedanib. These findings provide further evidence of the vital role of Hsp90 in the pathophysiology of SSc and characterize it as a potential target for the treatment of fibrosis with translational implications due to the availability of several Hsp90 inhibitors in clinical trials for other indications.

Transcriptomic profiling of SARS-CoV-2 infected human cell lines identifies HSP90 as target for COVID-19 therapy

Detailed knowledge of the molecular biology of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is crucial for understanding of viral replication, host responses, and disease progression. Here, we report gene expression profiles of three SARS-CoV- and SARS-CoV-2-infected human cell lines. SARS-CoV-2 elicited an approximately two-fold higher stimulation of the innate immune response compared to SARS-CoV in the human epithelial cell line Calu-3, including induction of miRNA-155. Single-cell RNA sequencing of infected cells showed that genes induced by virus infections were broadly upregulated, whereas interferon beta/lambda genes, a pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, were expressed only in small subsets of infected cells. Temporal analysis suggested that transcriptional activities of interferon regulatory factors precede those of nuclear factor κB. Lastly, we identified heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) as a protein relevant for the infection. Inhibition of the HSP90 activity resulted in a reduction of viral replication and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in primary human airway epithelial cells.

Plasma Hsp90 levels in patients with systemic sclerosis and relation to lung and skin involvement: a cross-sectional and longitudinal study

Our previous study demonstrated increased expression of Heat shock protein (Hsp) 90 in the skin of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). We aimed to evaluate plasma Hsp90 in SSc and characterize its association with SSc-related features. Ninety-two SSc patients and 92 age-/sex-matched healthy controls were recruited for the cross-sectional analysis. The longitudinal analysis comprised 30 patients with SSc associated interstitial lung disease (ILD) routinely treated with cyclophosphamide. Hsp90 was increased in SSc compared to healthy controls. Hsp90 correlated positively with C-reactive protein and negatively with pulmonary function tests: forced vital capacity and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO). In patients with diffuse cutaneous (dc) SSc, Hsp90 positively correlated with the modified Rodnan skin score. In SSc-ILD patients treated with cyclophosphamide, no differences in Hsp90 were found between baseline and after 1, 6, or 12 months of therapy. However, baseline Hsp90 predicts the 12-month change in DLCO. This study shows that Hsp90 plasma levels are increased in SSc patients compared to age-/sex-matched healthy controls. Elevated Hsp90 in SSc is associated with increased inflammatory activity, worse lung functions, and in dcSSc, with the extent of skin involvement. Baseline plasma Hsp90 predicts the 12-month change in DLCO in SSc-ILD patients treated with cyclophosphamide.

Plasma heat shock protein 90 levels in patients with spondyloarthritis and their relation to structural changes: a cross-sectional study

Aim: Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is a molecular chaperone regulating immune response. We aimed to assess systemic Hsp90 as a biomarker for spondyloarthritis (SpA). Materials & methods: Total of 80 axial SpA (axSpA) and 22 psoriatic arthritis patients and a corresponding number of age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC) were included. Plasma Hsp90 levels were measured by ELISA. Results: Hsp90 was significantly increased in axSpA patients compared with HC (median interquartile range: 15.7 [10.5-19.8] vs 8.3 [6.6-11.8] ng/ml, p < 0.001). Moreover, Hsp90 was superior to C-reactive protein in differentiating axSpA (and both radiographic axSpA [r-axSpA] and nonradiographic-axSpA) from HC. Hsp90 levels correlated with bone marrow edema of sacroiliac joints in r-axSpA patients (r = 0.594, p = 0.019). Conclusion: Hsp90 could become a biomarker for active inflammation in r-axSpA, and can better distinguish axSpA patients from healthy subjects than C-reactive protein.

Dissecting Molecular Principles of the Hsp90 Chaperone Regulation by Allosteric Modulators Using a Hierarchical Simulation Approach and Network Modeling of Allosteric Interactions: Conformational Selection Dictates the Diversity of Protein Responses and Ligand-Specific Functional Mechanisms

Conformational plasticity of the Hsp90 molecular chaperones underlies the diversity of functional mechanisms that these versatile molecular machines employ to coordinate their vast protein clientele in the cellular environment. Despite a steady progress in studies of the Hsp90 machinery, a great deal remains unknown about molecular principles and ligand-specific functional mechanisms of the Hsp90 regulation by allosteric modulators that attracted significant attention because of their therapeutic potential. Due to structural complexity and dynamic nature of the Hsp90 responses to allosteric modulators, the atomistic details about the mode of action of these small molecules continue to be fairly scarce and controversial. In this work, we employ an integrative strategy that encompassed atomistic simulations of the Hsp90 proteins and hierarchical modeling of Hsp90-ligand binding with network analysis to explore functional mechanisms of the Hsp90 regulation by a panel of allosteric modulators (novobiocin, KU-135, KU-174, and KU-32) with different models of action. The results show that functional mechanisms of allosteric modulation in the Hsp90 proteins may be driven by conformational selection principles in which ligands elicit pre-existing states of the unbound chaperone to drive ligand-specific protein responses and distinct scenarios of Hsp90 regulation. We found that novobiocin can selectively sequester an ensemble of open chaperone conformations and inhibit the progression of the functional cycle through a cascade of cumulative dynamic changes. In contrast, KU-32 displayed unique preferences toward partially closed dynamic states, inducing robust allosteric signaling and stimulation of the ATPase cycle. The proposed model of the Hsp90 regulation by allosteric modulators reconciled diverse experimental data and showed that allosteric modulators may operate via targeted exploitation of dynamic landscapes eliciting vastly different protein responses and diverse mechanisms of action.