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Lu Y, Hsin C, Kao S, Ho Y, Yeh F, Yang S, Lin C. Isoliquiritigenin diminishes invasiveness of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells associating with inhibition of MMP-2 expression and STAT3 signalling. J Cell Mol Med 2024; 28:e18586. [PMID: 39121240 PMCID: PMC11315095 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.18586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is prevalent in Asia and exhibits highly metastatic characteristics, leading to uncontrolled disease progression. Isoliquiritigenin (ISL) have attracted attention due to their diverse biological and pharmacological properties, including anticancer activities. However, the impact of ISL on the invasive and migratory ability of NPC remains poorly understood. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the in vitro anti-metastatic effects of ISL on NPC cells and elucidate the underlying signalling pathways. Human NPC cell NPC-39 and NPC-BM were utilized as cell models. Migratory and invasive capabilities were evaluated through wound healing and invasion assays, respectively. Gelatin zymography was employed to demonstrate matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) activity, while western blotting was conducted to analyse protein expression levels and explore signalling cascades. Overexpression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) was carried out by transduction of STAT3-expressing vector. Our findings revealed that ISL effectively suppressed the migration and invasion of NPC cells. Gelatin zymography and Western blotting assays demonstrated that ISL treatment led to a reduction in MMP-2 enzyme activity and protein expression. Investigation of signalling cascades revealed that ISL treatment resulted in the inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation. Moreover, overexpression of STAT3 restored the migratory ability of NPC cells in the presence of ISL. Collectively, these findings indicate that ISL inhibits the migration and invasion of NPC cells associating with MMP-2 downregulation through suppressing STAT3 activation. This suggests that ISL has an anti-metastatic effect on NPC cells and has potential therapeutic benefit for NPC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen‐Ting Lu
- School of MedicineChung Shan Medical UniversityTaichungTaiwan
- Department of OtolaryngologyChung Shan Medical University HospitalTaichungTaiwan
- Department of OtolaryngologySt. Martin De Porres HospitalChiayiTaiwan
| | - Chung‐Han Hsin
- School of MedicineChung Shan Medical UniversityTaichungTaiwan
- Department of OtolaryngologyChung Shan Medical University HospitalTaichungTaiwan
| | - Shao‐Hsuan Kao
- Institute of MedicineChung Shan Medical UniversityTaichungTaiwan
- Department of Medical ResearchChung Shan Medical University HospitalTaichungTaiwan
| | - Yu‐Ting Ho
- Institute of MedicineChung Shan Medical UniversityTaichungTaiwan
- Department of Medical ResearchChung Shan Medical University HospitalTaichungTaiwan
| | - Fang‐Ling Yeh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of MassachusettsAmherstMassachusettsUSA
| | - Shun‐Fa Yang
- Institute of MedicineChung Shan Medical UniversityTaichungTaiwan
- Department of Medical ResearchChung Shan Medical University HospitalTaichungTaiwan
| | - Chiao‐Wen Lin
- Institute of Oral SciencesChung Shan Medical UniversityTaichungTaiwan
- Department of DentistryChung Shan Medical University HospitalTaichungTaiwan
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Peng Z, Hong R, Dunhui Y, Zhen W, Yongjin W, Xianhai Z. Network pharmacology and biological verification of morusin's therapeutic mechanisms in inhibiting nasopharyngeal carcinoma growth. J Cancer 2024; 15:4866-4878. [PMID: 39132159 PMCID: PMC11310868 DOI: 10.7150/jca.97044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) presents a significant therapeutic challenge due to its aggressive nature and limited treatment options. Although morusin, a compound found in traditional Chinese medicines, exhibits significant tumor-inhibiting properties, its specific effects on NPC proliferation remain unclear. This study aims to elucidate the inhibitory effects of morusin on NPC survival and proliferation while exploring the underlying mechanisms through the utilization of network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental validation in vitro and in vivo. Network pharmacology analysis identified 117 potential targets of morusin against NPC, with 8 hub targets including AKT1, BCL2, CASP3, CTNNB1, ESR1, HSP90AA1, MMP9, STAT3, and the IL-17 signaling pathway. Further investigation of public data indicated that the expression levels of BLC2, CASP3, CTNNB1, HSP90AA1, and STAT3 in NPC tissue were significantly elevated compared to normal nasopharyngeal tissue. Docking studies exposed robust binding activity between morusin and key gene molecules. Additionally, biological assays demonstrated that morusin effectively inhibits NPC growth both in vivo and in vitro. Through a comprehensive investigation, this study identified the pharmacological mechanisms essential for morusin-induced inhibition of NPC growth by targeting multiple molecular targets and signaling pathways. These findings show the potential to contribute to the development of novel clinical agents for treating NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhang Peng
- ✉ Corresponding authors: Peng Zhang, E-mail: ; Yongjin Wu, E-mail: ; Xianhai Zeng, E-mail:
| | | | | | | | - Wu Yongjin
- Department of Otolaryngology, Longgang Otolaryngology Hospital & Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology, Shenzhen Institute of Otolaryngology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Zeng Xianhai
- Department of Otolaryngology, Longgang Otolaryngology Hospital & Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology, Shenzhen Institute of Otolaryngology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
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Ferreira D, Santos-Pereira C, Costa M, Afonso J, Yang S, Hensel J, McAndrews KM, Longatto-Filho A, Fernandes R, Melo JB, Baltazar F, Moreira JN, Kalluri R, Rodrigues LR. Exosomes modified with anti-MEK1 siRNA lead to an effective silencing of triple negative breast cancer cells. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2023; 154:213643. [PMID: 37778291 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2023.213643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly heterogenous disease not sensitive to endocrine or HER2 therapy and standardized treatment regimens are still missing. Therefore, development of novel TNBC treatment approaches is of utmost relevance. Herein, the potential of MAPK/ERK downregulation by RNAi-based therapeutics in a panel of mesenchymal stem-like TNBC cell lines was uncovered. Our data revealed that suppression of one of the central nodes of this signaling pathway, MEK1, affects proliferation, migration, and invasion of TNBC cells, that may be explained by the reversion of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition phenotype, which is facilitated by the MMP-2/MMP-9 downregulation. Moreover, an exosome-based system was successfully generated for the siRNA loading (iExoMEK1). Our data suggested absence of modification of the physical properties and general integrity of the iExoMEK1 comparatively to the unmodified counterparts. Such exosome-mediated downregulation of MEK1 led to a tumor regression accompanied by a decrease of angiogenesis using the chick chorioallantoic-membrane model. Our results highlight the potential of the targeting of MAPK/ERK cascade as a promising therapeutic approach against TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Débora Ferreira
- CEB-Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; LABBELS-Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Cátia Santos-Pereira
- CEB-Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; LABBELS-Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Marta Costa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Julieta Afonso
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Sujuan Yang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Metastasis Research Center, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Janine Hensel
- Department of Cancer Biology, Metastasis Research Center, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Kathleen M McAndrews
- Department of Cancer Biology, Metastasis Research Center, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Adhemar Longatto-Filho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal; Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM 14), Faculty of Medicine, São Paulo State University, S. Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rui Fernandes
- HEMS-Histology and Electron Microscopy Service, IBMC/I3S, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Joana B Melo
- Cytogenetics and Genomics Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Portugal; Center of Investigation on Environment Genetics and Oncobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Fátima Baltazar
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - João N Moreira
- CNC-Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine (Polo 1), Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; Univ Coimbra-University of Coimbra, CIBB, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Raghu Kalluri
- Department of Cancer Biology, Metastasis Research Center, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77005, USA; School of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ligia R Rodrigues
- CEB-Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; LABBELS-Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
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Sun N, Chu B, Choi DH, Lim L, Song H. ETV2 Enhances CXCL5 Secretion from Endothelial Cells, Leading to the Promotion of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Migration. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:9904. [PMID: 37373052 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24129904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Abnormal communication between endothelial cells (ECs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) promotes vascular diseases, including atherogenesis. ETS variant transcription factor 2 (ETV2) plays a substantial role in pathological angiogenesis and the reprogramming of ECs; however, the role of ETV2 in the communication between ECs and VSMCs has not been revealed. To investigate the interactive role of ETV2 in the EC to VSMC phenotype, we first showed that treatment with a conditioned medium from ETV2-overexpressed ECs (Ad-ETV2 CM) significantly increased VSMC migration. The cytokine array showed altered levels of several cytokines in Ad-ETV2 CM compared with those in normal CM. We found that C-X-C motif chemokine 5 (CXCL5) promoted VSMC migration using the Boyden chamber and wound healing assays. In addition, an inhibitor of C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2) (the receptor for CXCL5) significantly inhibited this process. Gelatin zymography showed that the activities of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 increased in the media of VSMCs treated with Ad-ETV2 CM. Western blotting revealed a positive correlation between Akt/p38/c-Jun phosphorylation and CXCL5 concentration. The inhibition of Akt and p38-c-Jun effectively blocked CXCL5-induced VSMC migration. In conclusion, CXCL5 from ECs induced by ETV2 promotes VSMC migration via MMP upregulation and the activation of Akt and p38/c-Jun.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ningning Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chosun University School of Medicine, Gwangju 61452, Republic of Korea
| | - Beyongsam Chu
- Department of Medical Sciences, Chosun University Graduate School, Gwangju 61452, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Hyun Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chosun University School of Medicine, Gwangju 61452, Republic of Korea
| | - Leejin Lim
- Advanced Cancer Controlling Research Center, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, Republic of Korea
| | - Heesang Song
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chosun University School of Medicine, Gwangju 61452, Republic of Korea
- Department of Medical Sciences, Chosun University Graduate School, Gwangju 61452, Republic of Korea
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Hafeez A, Khan Z, Armaghan M, Khan K, Sönmez Gürer E, Abdull Razis AF, Modu B, Almarhoon ZM, Setzer WN, Sharifi-Rad J. Exploring the therapeutic and anti-tumor properties of morusin: a review of recent advances. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1168298. [PMID: 37228582 PMCID: PMC10203489 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1168298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Morusin is a natural product that has been isolated from the bark of Morus alba, a species of mulberry tree. It belongs to the flavonoid family of chemicals, which is abundantly present in the plant world and is recognized for its wide range of biological activities. Morusin has a number of biological characteristics, including anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, neuro-protective, and antioxidant capabilities. Morusin has exhibited anti-tumor properties in many different forms of cancer, including breast, prostate, gastric, hepatocarcinoma, glioblastoma, and pancreatic cancer. Potential of morusin as an alternative treatment method for resistant malignancies needs to be explored in animal models in order to move toward clinical trials. In the recent years several novel findings regarding the therapeutic potential of morusin have been made. This aim of this review is to provide an overview of the present understanding of morusin's beneficial effects on human health as well as provide a comprehensive and up-to-date discussion of morusin's anti-cancer properties with a special focus on in vitro and in vivo studies. This review will aid future research on the creation of polyphenolic medicines in the prenylflavone family, for the management and treatment of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amna Hafeez
- Atta-Ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Zeeshan Khan
- Atta-Ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Armaghan
- Atta-Ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Khushbukhat Khan
- Atta-Ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Eda Sönmez Gürer
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Türkiye
| | - Ahmad Faizal Abdull Razis
- Department of Food Science, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Natural Medicines and Products Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Babagana Modu
- Natural Medicines and Products Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
| | - Zainab M. Almarhoon
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - William N. Setzer
- Aromatic Plant Research Center, Lehi, UT, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL, United States
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Huang CC, Su CW, Wang PH, Lu YT, Ho YT, Yang SF, Hsin CH, Lin CW. Dihydromyricetin inhibits cancer cell migration and matrix metalloproteinases-2 expression in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma through extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling pathway. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2022; 37:1244-1253. [PMID: 35112788 DOI: 10.1002/tox.23480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is endemic in Southeast Asia and the main cause of treatment failure is metastasis. A lot of biological and pharmacological actions of dihydromyricetin (DHM) have been reported such as regulating glucose and anti-cancer effects. The effects of DHM on the cancer invasion and migration of NPC, however, are still unclear. We therefore investigated the in vitro anti-metastatic properties of DHM on three human NPC cell lines (HONE-1, NPC-39, and NPC-BM), as well as the underlying signaling pathways. Our study revealed that DHM could suppress the migration and invasion in NPC cells. Gelatin zymography assay and western blotting assays demonstrated that DHM suppressed the enzyme activity and protein expression of matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2). Mitogen-activated protein kinases were also investigated to elucidate the signaling pathway, which showed that phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) was inhibited after the treatment of DHM. In conclusion, our data revealed that DHM inhibited the migration and invasion of NPC cells by suppressing the expression of MMP-2 via down regulating the ERK1/2 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Chen Huang
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Otolaryngology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Wen Su
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Po-Hui Wang
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Ting Lu
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Otolaryngology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Otolaryngology, St. Martin De Porres Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ting Ho
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shun-Fa Yang
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Han Hsin
- Department of Otolaryngology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chiao-Wen Lin
- Institute of Oral Sciences, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Dentistry, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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Park WY, Lee HJ, Sim DY, Im E, Park JE, Ahn CH, Shim BS, Kim SH. miR193a-5p Mediated ZNF746 and c-Myc Signaling Axis Is Critically Involved in Morusin Induced Apoptosis in Colorectal Cancer Cells. Cells 2021; 10:cells10082065. [PMID: 34440834 PMCID: PMC8395021 DOI: 10.3390/cells10082065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Novel target therapy is on the spotlight for effective cancer therapy. Hence, in the present study, the underlying apoptotic mechanism of Morusin was explored in association with miR193a-5p mediated ZNF746/c-Myc signaling axis in colorectal cancer cells (CRCs). Herein, Morusin reduced the viability and the number of colonies in HCT116 and SW480 CRCs. Additionally, Morusin increased sub-G1 population, cleavages of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and caspase-3 and inhibited the expression of zinc finger protein 746 (ZNF746) and c-Myc in HCT116 and SW480 cells. Conversely, overexpression of ZNF746 suppressed the ability of Morusin to abrogate the expression of c-Myc in HCT116 cells, as ZNF746 enhanced the stability of c-Myc via their direct binding through nuclear colocalization in HCT116 cells by immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation. Notably, Morusin upregulated miR193a-5p as a tumor suppressor, while miR193a-5p inhibitor masked the ability of Morusin to reduce the expression of ZNF746, c-Myc, and pro-PARP in HCT116 cells. To our knowledge, these findings provide the novel insight on miR193a-5p mediated inhibition of ZNF746/c-Myc signaling in Morusin induced apoptosis in CRCs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Bum-Sang Shim
- Correspondence: (B.-S.S.); (S.-H.K.); Tel.: +82-2-961-9233 (S.-H.K.)
| | - Sung-Hoon Kim
- Correspondence: (B.-S.S.); (S.-H.K.); Tel.: +82-2-961-9233 (S.-H.K.)
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