Apoptosis-related mRNA expression profiles of ovarian cancer cell lines following cisplatin treatment

Targeting DAD1 gene with CRISPR-Cas9 system transmucosally delivered by fluorinated polylysine nanoparticles for bladder cancer intravesical gene therapy

Background: Intravesical chemotherapy is highly recommended after transurethral resection of bladder tumor for patients with bladder cancer (BCa). However, this localized adjuvant therapy has drawbacks of causing indiscriminate damage and inability to penetrate bladder mucosal. Methods: Fluorinated polylysine micelles (PLLF) were synthesized by reacting polylysine (PLL) with heptafluorobutyrate anhydride. Anti-apoptotic gene defender against cell death 1 (DAD1) was selected by different gene expression analysis between BCa patients and healthy individuals and identified by several biological function assays. The gene transfection ability of PLLF was verified by multiple in vitro and in vivo assays. The therapeutic efficiency of PLLF nanoparticles (NPs) targeting DAD1 were confirmed by intravesical administration using an orthotopic BCa mouse model. Results: Decorated with fluorinated chains, PLL can self-assemble to form NPs and condense plasmids with excellent gene transfection efficiency in vitro. Loading with the CRISPR-Cas9 system designed to target DAD1 (Cas9-sgDAD1), PLLF/Cas9-sgDAD1 NPs strongly inhibited the expression of DAD1 in BCa cells and induced BCa cell apoptosis through the MAPK signaling pathway. Furthermore, intravesical administration of PLLF/Cas9-sgDAD1 NPs resulted in significant therapeutic outcomes without systemic toxicity in vivo. Conclusion: The synthetized PLLF can transmucosally deliver the CRISPR-Cas9 system into orthotopic BCa tissues to improve intravesical instillation therapy for BCa. This work presents a new strategy for targeting DAD1 gene in the intravesical therapy for BCa with high potential for clinical applications.

Biomarkers for Early Detection, Prognosis, and Therapeutics of Esophageal Cancers

Esophageal cancer (EC) is the deadliest cancer worldwide, with a 92% annual mortality rate per incidence. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) are the two major types of ECs, with EAC having one of the worst prognoses in oncology. Limited screening techniques and a lack of molecular analysis of diseased tissues have led to late-stage presentation and very low survival durations. The five-year survival rate of EC is less than 20%. Thus, early diagnosis of EC may prolong survival and improve clinical outcomes. Cellular and molecular biomarkers are used for diagnosis. At present, esophageal biopsy during upper endoscopy and histopathological analysis is the standard screening modality for both ESCC and EAC. However, this is an invasive method that fails to yield a molecular profile of the diseased compartment. To decrease the invasiveness of the procedures for diagnosis, researchers are proposing non-invasive biomarkers for early diagnosis and point-of-care screening options. Liquid biopsy involves the collection of body fluids (blood, urine, and saliva) non-invasively or with minimal invasiveness. In this review, we have critically discussed various biomarkers and specimen retrieval techniques for ESCC and EAC.

Emerging role of BAD and DAD1 as potential targets and biomarkers in cancer

As key regulators of apoptosis, BAD and defender against apoptotic cell death 1 (DAD1) are associated with cancer initiation and progression. Multiple studies have demonstrated that BAD and DAD1 serve critical roles in several types of cancer and perform various functions, such as participating in cellular apoptosis, invasion and chemosensitivity, as well as their role in diagnostic/prognostic judgement, etc. Investigating the detailed mechanisms of the cancerous effects of the two proteins will contribute to enriching the options for targeted therapy, and may improve clinical treatment of cancer. The present review summarizes research advances regarding the associations of BAD and DAD1 with cancer, and a hypothesis on the feasible relationship and interaction mechanism between the two proteins is proposed. Furthermore, the present review highlights the potential of the two proteins as therapeutic targets and valuable diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers.

Mutually distinguishing microRNA signatures of breast, ovarian and endometrial cancers in vitro

Early diagnosis and therapy in the first stages of a malignant disease is the most crucial factor for successful cancer treatment and recovery. Currently, there is a high demand for novel diagnostic tools that indicate neoplasms in the first or pre‑malignant stages. MicroRNAs (miRNA or miR) are small non‑coding RNAs that may act as oncogenes and downregulate tumor‑suppressor genes. The detection and mutual discrimination of the three common female malignant neoplasia types breast (BC), ovarian (OC) and endometrial cancer (EC) could be enabled by identification of tumor entity‑specific miRNA expression differences. In the present study, the relative expression levels of 25 BC, EC and OC‑related miRNAs were assessed by reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR and determined using the 2‑ΔΔCq method for normalization against the mean of four housekeeping genes. Expression levels of all miRNAs were analyzed by regression against cell line as a factor. An expression level‑based discrimination between BC and OC cell types was obtained for a subgroup of ten different miRNA types. miR‑30 family genes, as well as three other miRNAs, were found to be uniformly upregulated in OC cells compared with BC cells. BC and EC cells could be distinguished by the expression profiles of six specific miRNAs. In addition, four miRNAs were differentially expressed between EC and OC cells. In conclusion, miRNAs were identified as a potential novel tool to detect and mutually discriminate between BC, OC and EC. Based on a subset of 25 clinically relevant human miRNA types, the present study could significantly discriminate between these three female cancer types by means of their expression levels. For further verification and validation of miRNA‑based biomarker expression signatures that enable valuable tumor detection and characterization in routine screening or potential therapy monitoring, additional and extended in vitro analyses, followed by translational studies utilizing patients' tissue and liquid biopsy materials, are required.

Cisplatin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles for HER2 targeted ovarian cancer therapy

The conventional treatment (cytoreduction combined with cisplatin/carboplatin and taxane drugs) of ovarian cancer has a high rate of failure and recurrence despite a favorable initial response. This lack of success is usually attributed to the development of multidrug resistance mechanisms by cancer cells and avoidance of the anti-growth effects of monoclonal targeted therapeutic antibodies. The disease, like other cancers, is characterized by the overexpression of molecular markers, including HER2 receptors. Preclinical and clinical studies with trastuzumab, a HER2-targeted therapeutic antibody, reveal a low improvement of the outcomes of HER2 positive ovarian cancer patients. Therefore, here, we propose a cisplatin-loaded, HER2 targeted poly(lactic-co-glycolic) nanoplatform, a system capable to escape the drug-efflux effect and to take advantage of the overexpressed HER2 receptors, using them as docks for targeted chemotherapy. The NP/trastuzumab ratio was determined after fluorescein labeling of antibodies and quantification of fluorescence in NPs. The system was also characterized in terms of size, zeta potential, drug release kinetics, cytotoxicity and cellular internalization in the epithelial ovarian cancer cell line SKOV-3, and compared with the HER2 negative breast cancer cell line HCC70. Our results show an increased cytotoxicity of NPs as compared to free cisplatin, and moreover, an enhanced internalization and cytotoxicity due to the bionfunctionalization of NPs with the monoclonal antibody.

Expression of apoptosis-related genes in the mouse skin during the first postnatal catagen stage, focused on localization of Bnip3L and caspase-12

Hair follicles undergo repetitive stages of cell proliferation and programmed cell death. The catagen stage of physiological apoptosis is connected with dynamic changes in morphology and alterations in gene expression. However, hair follicle apoptosis must be in balance with events in surrounding tissues, such as keratinocyte cornification, to maintain complex skin homeostasis. Several pro- and anti-apoptotic molecules in the skin have been reported but mainly in pathological states. In this investigation, apoptosis-related gene expression was examined during the first catagen stage of mouse hair follicle development by PCR arrays under physiological conditions. Postnatal stages P15 and P17, representing early and late catagen stages, were evaluated relatively to stage P6, representing the hair follicle growing phase, to demonstrate dynamics of gene activation during the catagen. Several statistically significant alterations were observed at P15 and particularly at P17. Bnip3L and caspase-12 identified by the PCR arrays at both catagen stages were additionally localized using immunofluorescence and were reported in physiological hair development for the first time.

Dynamic changes in the expression of apoptosis-related genes in differentiating gonocytes and in seminomas

Apoptosis is an integral part of the spermatogenic process, necessary to maintain a proper ratio of Sertoli to germ cell numbers and provide an adequate microenvironment to germ cells. Apoptosis may also represent a protective mechanism mediating the elimination of abnormal germ cells. Extensive apoptosis occurs between the first and second postnatal weeks, at the point when gonocytes, precursors of spermatogonial stem cells, should have migrated toward the basement membrane of the tubules and differentiated into spermatogonia. The mechanisms regulating this process are not well-understood. Gonocytes undergo phases of proliferation, migration, and differentiation which occur in a timely and closely regulated manner. Gonocytes failing to migrate and differentiate properly undergo apoptosis. Inadequate gonocyte differentiation has been suggested to lead to testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT) formation. Here, we examined the expression levels of apoptosis-related genes during gonocyte differentiation by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, identifying 48 pro- and anti-apoptotic genes increased by at least two-fold in rat gonocytes induced to differentiate by retinoic acid, when compared to untreated gonocytes. Further analysis of the most highly expressed genes identified the pro-apoptotic genes Gadd45a and Cycs as upregulated in differentiating gonocytes and in spermatogonia compared with gonocytes. These genes were also significantly downregulated in seminomas, the most common type of TGCT, compared with normal human testicular tissues. These results indicate that apoptosis-related genes are actively regulated during gonocyte differentiation. Moreover, the down-regulation of pro-apoptotic genes in seminomas suggests that they could represent new therapeutic targets in the treatment of TGCTs.

Profiling of ileal carcinoids

Identification of common molecular mechanisms is needed to facilitate the development of new treatment options for patients with ileal carcinoids.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Recent profiling studies on ileal carcinoids were examined to obtain a comprehensive view of risk factors, genetic aberrations, and transcriptional alterations. Special attention was paid to mechanisms that could provide novel targets for therapy.

RESULTS

Genome-wide association studies have shown that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at IL12A and DAD1 are associated with an increased risk of ileal carcinoids. Genomic profiling revealed distinct patterns of copy-number alterations in ileal carcinoids. Two groups of carcinoids could be identified by hierarchical clustering. A major group of tumors was characterized by loss on chromosome 18 followed by additional losses on chromosomes 3p, 11q, and 13. Three minimal common regions of deletions were identified at 18q21.1-q21.31, 18q22.1-q22.2, and 18q22.3-q23. A minor group of tumors was characterized by clustered gains on chromosomes 4, 5, 7, 14, and 20. Expression profiling identified three groups of ileal carcinoids by principal component analysis. Tumor progression was associated with changes in gene expression including downregulation of MIR133A. Candidate genes for targeted therapy included ERBB2/HER2, DAD1, PRKCA, RYBP, CASP1, CASP4, CASP5, VMAT1, RET, APLP1, OR51E1, GPR112, SPOCK1, RUNX1, and MIR133A.

CONCLUSION

Profiling of ileal carcinoids has revealed recurrent genetic alterations and distinct patterns of gene expression. Frequent alterations in cellular pathways and genes were identified, suggesting novel targets for therapy. Translational studies are needed to validate suggested molecular targets.

Anti-cancer effect of bee venom toxin and melittin in ovarian cancer cells through induction of death receptors and inhibition of JAK2/STAT3 pathway

We investigated whether bee venom and melittin, a major component of bee venom, inhibit cell growth through enhancement of death receptor expressions in the human ovarian cancer cells, SKOV3 and PA-1. Bee venom (1-5 μg/ml) and melittin (0.5-2 μg/ml) inhibited the growth of SKOV3 and PA-1 ovarian cancer cells by the induction of apoptotic cell death in a dose dependent manner. Consistent with apoptotic cell death, expression of death receptor (DR) 3 and DR6 was increased in both cancer cells, but expression of DR4 was increased only in PA-1 cells. Expression of DR downstream pro-apoptotic proteins including caspase-3, 8, and Bax was concomitantly increased, but the phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3 and the expression of Bcl-2 were inhibited by treatment with bee venom and melittin in SKOV3 and PA-1 cells. Expression of cleaved caspase-3 was increased in SKOV3, but cleaved caspase-8 was increased in PA-1 cells. Moreover, deletion of DR3, DR4, and DR6 by small interfering RNA significantly reversed bee venom and melittin-induced cell growth inhibitory effect as well as down regulation of STAT3 by bee venom and melittin in SKOV3 and PA-1 ovarian cancer cell. These results suggest that bee venom and melittin induce apoptotic cell death in ovarian cancer cells through enhancement of DR3, DR4, and DR6 expression and inhibition of STAT3 pathway.