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Singh MT, Thaggikuppe Krishnamurthy P, Magham SV. Harnessing the synergistic potential of NK1R antagonists and selective COX-2 inhibitors for simultaneous targeting of TNBC cells and cancer stem cells. J Drug Target 2024; 32:258-269. [PMID: 38252517 DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2024.2309568] [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: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) lacks the expression of oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), rendering it unresponsive to endocrine therapy and HER2 targeted treatments. Though certain chemotherapeutics targeting the cell cycle have shown efficacy to a certain extent, the presence of chemotherapy-resistant cancer stem cells (CSCs) presents a significant challenge in tackling TNBC. Multiple lines of evidence suggest the upregulation of neuropeptide Substance P (SP), its NK-1 receptor (NK1R) and the Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme in TNBC patients. Upregulation of the SP/NK1R system and COX-2 influences major signalling pathways involved in cell proliferation, growth, survival, angiogenesis, inflammation, metastasis and stem cell activity. The simultaneous activation and crosstalk between the pathways activated by SP/NK1R and COX-2 consequently increase the levels of key regulators of self-renewal pathways in CSCs, promoting stemness. The combination therapy with NK1R antagonists and COX-2 inhibitors can simultaneously target TNBC cells and CSCs, thereby enhancing treatment efficacy and reducing the risk of recurrence and relapse. This review discusses the rationale for combining NK1R antagonists and COX-2 inhibitors for the better management of TNBC and a novel strategy to deliver drug cargo precisely to the tumour site to address the challenges associated with off-target binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhu Tanya Singh
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Ooty, The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Praveen Thaggikuppe Krishnamurthy
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Ooty, The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sai Varshini Magham
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Ooty, The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, India
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Yesilbas Aksel Y, Barut EN, Engin S. Fosaprepitant improves cyclophosphamide-induced bladder damage by alleviating inflammatory response in mice. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2024; 492:117120. [PMID: 39378958 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2024.117120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 09/19/2024] [Accepted: 10/04/2024] [Indexed: 10/10/2024]
Abstract
Inhibition of inflammatory process is a key therapeutic target for the treatment of interstitial cystitis (IC). Recent reports indicate that neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) antagonists have beneficial roles in inflammatory-based diseases. Herein, we investigate the protective effects of fosaprepitant (FOS), a NK1R antagonist, in cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced cystitis. The cystitis model was established multiple CP (80 mg/kg; i.p.) injection one day apart, and mice were treated with FOS (20 and 60 mg/kg/day; i.p.) for seven consecutive days. Detrusor contractility, vesical vascular permeability, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and protein expression levels of the TLR4 pathway were evaluated in mice bladder. Carbachol and electric field stimulation-evoked contractions of detrusor strips were significantly increased in CP-treated mice, which was significantly attenuated by FOS (60 mg/kg/day) treatment (p<0.001, p<0.05). Notably, vesical vascular permeability was markedly impaired in CP-induced cystitis, that was restored by FOS (60 mg/kg/day) treatment (p<0.01). MPO activity was significantly increased in cystitis group whereas FOS (20 and 60 mg/kg/day) treatment remarkably suppressed MPO activity in bladder tissue (p<0.001). Although TLR4 expression increased with cystitis, MyD88 and p-NFκBSer536/total NFκB did not change, FOS (20 and 60 mg/kg/day) treatment caused a dramatic decrease in TLR4 expression (p<0.001), indicating the anti-inflammatory effect of FOS. In conclusion, FOS improved detrusor overactivity and inflammatory response by inhibiting MPO activity and TLR4 expression, resulting in functional and histological recovery in CP-induced cystitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaren Yesilbas Aksel
- Karadeniz Technical University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, Türkiye
| | - Elif Nur Barut
- Karadeniz Technical University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology, Trabzon, Türkiye.
| | - Seckin Engin
- Karadeniz Technical University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology, Trabzon, Türkiye
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Martín-García D, Téllez T, Redondo M, García-Aranda M. The use of SP/Neurokinin-1 as a Therapeutic Target in Colon and Rectal Cancer. Curr Med Chem 2024; 31:6487-6509. [PMID: 37861026 DOI: 10.2174/0109298673261625230924114406] [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: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Different studies have highlighted the role of Substance P / Neurokinin 1 Receptor (SP/NK-1R) axis in multiple hallmarks of cancer including cell transformation, proliferation, and migration as well as angiogenesis and metastasis of a wide range of solid tumors including colorectal cancer. Until now, the selective high-affinity antagonist of human SP/NK1-R aprepitant (Emend) has been authorized by the Food and Drug Administration as a low dosage medication to manage and treat chemotherapy-induced nausea. However, increasing evidence in recent years support the potential utility of high doses of aprepitant as an antitumor agent and thus, opening the possibility to the pharmacological repositioning of SP/NK1-R antagonists as an adjuvant therapy to conventional cancer treatments. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on the molecular basis of colorectal cancer as well as the pathophysiological importance of SP/NK1-R and the potential utility of SP/NK-1R axis as a therapeutic target in this malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Teresa Téllez
- Surgical Specialties, Biochemistry and Immunology, University of Malaga, Spain
| | - Maximino Redondo
- Surgical Specialties, Biochemistry and Immunology, University of Malaga, Spain
| | - Marilina García-Aranda
- Surgical Specialties, Biochemistry and Immunology, University of Malaga, Spain
- Research and Innovation Unit, Hospital Costa del Sol, 29602 Marbella, Spain
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Rodriguez FD, Covenas R. Association of Neurokinin-1 Receptor Signaling Pathways with Cancer. Curr Med Chem 2024; 31:6460-6486. [PMID: 37594106 DOI: 10.2174/0929867331666230818110812] [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: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Numerous biochemical reactions leading to altered cell proliferation cause tumorigenesis and cancer treatment resistance. The mechanisms implicated include genetic and epigenetic changes, modified intracellular signaling, and failure of control mechanisms caused by intrinsic and extrinsic factors alone or combined. No unique biochemical events are responsible; entangled molecular reactions conduct the resident cells in a tissue to display uncontrolled growth and abnormal migration. Copious experimental research supports the etiological responsibility of NK-1R (neurokinin-1 receptor) activation, alone or cooperating with other mechanisms, in cancer appearance in different tissues. Consequently, a profound study of this receptor system in the context of malignant processes is essential to design new treatments targeting NK-1R-deviated activity. METHODS This study reviews and discusses recent literature that analyzes the main signaling pathways influenced by the activation of neurokinin 1 full and truncated receptor variants. Also, the involvement of NK-1R in cancer development is discussed. CONCLUSION NK-1R can signal through numerous pathways and cross-talk with other receptor systems. The participation of override or malfunctioning NK-1R in malignant processes needs a more precise definition in different types of cancers to apply satisfactory and effective treatments. A long way has already been traveled: the current disposal of selective and effective NK-1R antagonists and the capacity to develop new drugs with biased agonistic properties based on the receptor's structural states with functional significance opens immediate research action and clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco David Rodriguez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Group GIR USAL: BMD (Bases Moleculares del Desarrollo), University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Rafael Covenas
- Group GIR USAL: BMD (Bases Moleculares del Desarrollo), University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy of the Peptidergic Systems, Institute of Neurosciences of Castilla y León (INCYL), University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
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5
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Jafarinezhad S, Assaran Darban R, Javid H, Hashemy SI. The SP/NK1R system promotes the proliferation of breast cancer cells through NF-κB-mediated inflammatory responses. Cell Biochem Biophys 2023; 81:787-794. [PMID: 37740877 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-023-01171-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Numerous molecules have been introduced to participate in the formation of breast cancer, the most common malignancy in women. Among them, neuropeptide substance P (SP) and its related receptor neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) have attracted unprecedented attention in tumorigenesis processes. In this study, we investigated the effect of the SP/NK1R pathway on the induction of oxidative stress in breast cancer and examine the therapeutic potential of NK1R inhibition in this malignancy. METHODS MCF-7 cells were treated with varying concentrations of SP and aprepitant, an FDA-approved NK1R antagonist, either as a single drug or in a combined modality. Resazurin assay was used to evaluate the anti-cancer ability of aprepitant. The alteration in the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and gene expression were determined using ROS assay and the qRT-PCR analysis, respectively. RESULTS The stimulation of the SP/NK1R axis in the MCF-7 cells was coupled with the accumulation of ROS as well as upregulation of NF-κB and its related pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-6. In contrast, the suppression of NK1R by aprepitant halted the viability of MCF-7 cells, at least partly due to p53-mediated upregulation of p21. Moreover, aprepitant attenuated the oncogenic properties of SP by preventing the oxidative property of this neuropeptide. CONCLUSION Overall, our results suggest that the SP/NK1R pathway might play a critical role in breast cancer pathogenesis, probably through inducing ROS/NF-κB-mediated inflammatory responses. Moreover, it seems that blockage of the axis has promising therapeutic value against breast cancer cells. Schematic representation proposed for the plausible mechanism by which the stimulation of the SP/NK1R might induce oxidative stress in breast cancer-derived MCF-7 cells. Once SP interacts with NK1R, this signaling axis could disturb the balance between the expression of p53 and NF-κB, an event that leads to the accumulation of ROS within MCF-7 cells. The produced ROS, in turn, elevates the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) and downregulates the expression of p21. On the other hand, aprepitant, an antagonist of NK1R, could reduce the survival of proliferative capacity of MCF-7 cells by decreasing the intracellular levels of ROS and p53-mediated up-regulation of p21. Along with the effect on p53, aprepitant could also reduce the expression of NF-κB and its related pro-inflammatory cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samine Jafarinezhad
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Reza Assaran Darban
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Hossein Javid
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Varastegan Institute for Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Seyed Isaac Hashemy
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
- Surgical Oncology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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Isorna I, González-Moles MÁ, Muñoz M, Esteban F. Substance P and Neurokinin-1 Receptor System in Thyroid Cancer: Potential Targets for New Molecular Therapies. J Clin Med 2023; 12:6409. [PMID: 37835053 PMCID: PMC10573850 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12196409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, numerous approaches have been developed to comprehend the molecular alterations underlying thyroid cancer (TC) oncogenesis and explore novel therapeutic strategies for TC. It is now well established that the neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) is overexpressed in cancer cells and that NK-1R is essential for the viability of cancer cells. The binding of substance P (SP) to NK-1R in neoplastic cells plays a pivotal role in cancer progression by promoting neoplastic cell growth, protecting tumor cells from apoptosis, triggering invasion and metastasis through the enhanced migration of cancer cells, and stimulating endothelial cell proliferation for tumor angiogenesis. Remarkably, all types of human TC (papillary, follicular, medullary, anaplastic), as well as metastatic lesions, exhibit the overexpression of SP and NK-1R compared to the normal thyroid gland. TC cells synthesize and release SP, which exerts its multiple functions through autocrine, paracrine, intracrine, and neuroendocrine processes, including the regulation of tumor burden. Consequently, the secretion of SP from TC results in increased SP levels in plasma, which are significantly higher in TC patients compared to controls. Additionally, NK-1R antagonists have demonstrated a dose-dependent antitumor action. They impair cancer cell proliferation on one side and induce apoptosis of tumor cells on the other side. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that NK-1R antagonists inhibit neoplastic cell migration, thereby impairing both invasiveness and metastatic abilities, as well as angiogenesis. Given the consistent overexpression of NK-1R in all types of TC, targeting this receptor represents a promising therapeutic approach for TC. Therefore, NK-1R antagonists, such as the drug aprepitant, may represent novel drugs for TC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inmaculada Isorna
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio, 41013 Seville, Spain; (I.I.); (F.E.)
| | | | - Miguel Muñoz
- Research Laboratory on Neuropeptides, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Francisco Esteban
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio, 41013 Seville, Spain; (I.I.); (F.E.)
- School of Medicine, University of Seville, 41009 Seville, Spain
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7
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Ghosh S, Yang R, Duraki D, Zhu J, Kim JE, Jabeen M, Mao C, Dai X, Livezey MR, Boudreau MW, Park BH, Nelson ER, Hergenrother PJ, Shapiro DJ. Plasma Membrane Channel TRPM4 Mediates Immunogenic Therapy-Induced Necrosis. Cancer Res 2023; 83:3115-3130. [PMID: 37522838 PMCID: PMC10635591 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-0157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Several emerging therapies kill cancer cells primarily by inducing necrosis. As necrosis activates immune cells, potentially, uncovering the molecular drivers of anticancer therapy-induced necrosis could reveal approaches for enhancing immunotherapy efficacy. To identify necrosis-associated genes, we performed a genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screen with negative selection against necrosis-inducing preclinical agents BHPI and conducted follow-on experiments with ErSO. The screen identified transient receptor potential melastatin member 4 (TRPM4), a calcium-activated, ATP-inhibited, sodium-selective plasma membrane channel. Cancer cells selected for resistance to BHPI and ErSO exhibited robust TRPM4 downregulation, and TRPM4 reexpression restored sensitivity to ErSO. Notably, TRPM4 knockout (TKO) abolished ErSO-induced regression of breast tumors in mice. Supporting a broad role for TRPM4 in necrosis, knockout of TRPM4 reversed cell death induced by four additional diverse necrosis-inducing cancer therapies. ErSO induced anticipatory unfolded protein response (a-UPR) hyperactivation, long-term necrotic cell death, and release of damage-associated molecular patterns that activated macrophages and increased monocyte migration, all of which was abolished by TKO. Furthermore, loss of TRPM4 suppressed the ErSO-induced increase in cell volume and depletion of ATP. These data suggest that ErSO triggers initial activation of the a-UPR but that it is TRPM4-mediated sodium influx and cell swelling, resulting in osmotic stress, which sustains and propagates lethal a-UPR hyperactivation. Thus, TRPM4 plays a pivotal role in sustaining lethal a-UPR hyperactivation that mediates the anticancer activity of diverse necrosis-inducing therapies. SIGNIFICANCE A genome-wide CRISPR screen reveals a pivotal role for TRPM4 in cell death and immune activation following treatment with diverse necrosis-inducing anticancer therapies, which could facilitate development of necrosis-based cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santanu Ghosh
- Departments of Biochemistry, Molecular and Integrative Physiology and Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Rachel Yang
- Departments of Biochemistry, Molecular and Integrative Physiology and Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Darjan Duraki
- Departments of Biochemistry, Molecular and Integrative Physiology and Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Junyao Zhu
- Departments of Biochemistry, Molecular and Integrative Physiology and Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Ji Eun Kim
- Departments of Biochemistry, Molecular and Integrative Physiology and Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Musarrat Jabeen
- Departments of Biochemistry, Molecular and Integrative Physiology and Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Chengjian Mao
- Departments of Biochemistry, Molecular and Integrative Physiology and Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Xinyi Dai
- Departments of Biochemistry, Molecular and Integrative Physiology and Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Mara R. Livezey
- Departments of Biochemistry, Molecular and Integrative Physiology and Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Detroit Mercy, Detroit, MI 48221, USA (present address)
| | - Matthew W. Boudreau
- Departments of Biochemistry, Molecular and Integrative Physiology and Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215 (present address)
| | - Ben H. Park
- Vanderbilt University College of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Erik R. Nelson
- Departments of Biochemistry, Molecular and Integrative Physiology and Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Paul J. Hergenrother
- Departments of Biochemistry, Molecular and Integrative Physiology and Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - David J. Shapiro
- Departments of Biochemistry, Molecular and Integrative Physiology and Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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Moloudizargari M, Hekmatirad S, Gharaghani S, Moghadamnia AA, Najafzadehvarzi H, Asghari MH. Virtual screening reveals aprepitant to be a potent inhibitor of neutral sphingomyelinase 2: implications in blockade of exosome release in cancer therapy. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:7207-7216. [PMID: 36884117 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-04674-6] [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: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Exosomes are membrane-derived nano-vesicles upregulated in pathological conditions like cancer. Therefore, inhibiting their release is a potential strategy for the development of more efficient combination therapies. Neutral sphingomyelinase 2 (nSMase2) is a key component in exosome release; however, a clinically safe yet efficient nSMase2 inhibitor remains to be used discovered. Accordingly, we made an effort to identify potential nSMase2 inhibitor(s) among the approved drugs. METHODS Virtual screening was performed and aprepitant was selected for further investigation. To evaluate the reliability of the complex, molecular dynamics were performed. Finally, using the CCK-8 assay in HCT116 cells, the highest non-toxic concentrations of aprepitant were identified and the nSMase2 activity assay was performed to measure the inhibitory activity of aprepitant, in vitro. RESULTS To validate the screening results, molecular docking was performed, and the retrieved scores were in line with the screening results. The root-mean-square deviation (RMSD) plot of aprepitant-nSMase2 showed proper convergence. Following treatment with different concentrations of aprepitant in both cell-free and cell-dependent assays, nSMase2 activity was remarkably decreased. CONCLUSION Aprepitant, at a concentration as low as 15 µM, was able to inhibit nSmase2 activity in HCT116 cells without any significant effects on their viability. Aprepitant is therefore suggested to be a potentially safe exosome release inhibitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milad Moloudizargari
- Department of Hematologic Malignancies Translational Science, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Shirin Hekmatirad
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sajjad Gharaghani
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Drug Design (LBD), Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Akbar Moghadamnia
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, 4717647745, Iran
| | - Hossein Najafzadehvarzi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, 4717647745, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hossein Asghari
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, 4717647745, Iran.
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Zhou M, Ma Y, Chiang CC, Rock EC, Luker KE, Luker GD, Chen YC. High-Throughput Cellular Heterogeneity Analysis in Cell Migration at the Single-Cell Level. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2206754. [PMID: 36449634 PMCID: PMC9908848 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202206754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cell migration represents an essential step toward metastasis and cancer deaths. However, conventional drug discovery focuses on cytotoxic and growth-inhibiting compounds rather than inhibitors of migration. Drug screening assays generally measure the average response of many cells, masking distinct cell populations that drive metastasis and resist treatments. Here, this work presents a high-throughput microfluidic cell migration platform that coordinates robotic liquid handling and computer vision for rapidly quantifying individual cellular motility. Using this innovative technology, 172 compounds were tested and a surprisingly low correlation between migration and growth inhibition was found. Notably, many compounds were found to inhibit migration of most cells while leaving fast-moving subpopulations unaffected. This work further pinpoints synergistic drug combinations, including Bortezomib and Danirixin, to stop fast-moving cells. To explain the observed cell behaviors, single-cell morphological and molecular analysis were performed. These studies establish a novel technology to identify promising migration inhibitors for cancer treatment and relevant applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengli Zhou
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, 5115 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, 3420 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
- Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Yushu Ma
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, 5115 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, 3420 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Chun-Cheng Chiang
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, 5115 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, 3420 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Edwin C. Rock
- Department of Bioengineering, Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, 3700 O’Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Kathryn E. Luker
- Center for Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200, USA
| | - Gary D. Luker
- Center for Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, 2200 Bonisteel, Blvd. Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2099, USA
| | - Yu-Chih Chen
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, 5115 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, 3420 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, 3700 O’Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
- CMU-Pitt Ph.D. Program in Computational Biology, University of Pittsburgh, 3420 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
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10
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Matalińska J, Lipiński PFJ. Docking is not enough: 17-trifluoromethylphenyl trinor PGF2α is only a very weak ligand of neurokinin-1 receptor. Exp Mol Pathol 2023; 129:104849. [PMID: 36526011 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2022.104849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
17-trifluoromethylphenyl trinor prostaglandin F2α (17-CF3PTPGF2α) was reported recently to exhibit in vitro and in vivo anticancer activity. Based solely on the results of in silico molecular docking, it was claimed that this compound is NK1 receptor (NK1R) antagonist and that its activity is through this receptor. In this contribution we show that 17-CF3PTPGF2α is only a very weak NK1R ligand (IC50 > 200 μM). In connection with that we discuss the issue of this compound's molecular target. Finally, we briefly narrate on the proper use of molecular docking in biomedical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Matalińska
- Department of Neuropeptides, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Pawińskiego Street, PL 02-106, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Piotr F J Lipiński
- Department of Neuropeptides, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Pawińskiego Street, PL 02-106, Warsaw, Poland.
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Wu Y, Berisha A, Borniger JC. Neuropeptides in Cancer: Friend and Foe? Adv Biol (Weinh) 2022; 6:e2200111. [PMID: 35775608 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202200111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Neuropeptides are small regulatory molecules found throughout the body, most notably in the nervous, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal systems. They serve as neurotransmitters or hormones in the regulation of diverse physiological processes. Cancer cells escape normal growth control mechanisms by altering their expression of growth factors, receptors, or intracellular signals, and neuropeptides have recently been recognized as mitogens in cancer growth and development. Many neuropeptides and their receptors exist in multiple subtypes, coupling with different downstream signaling pathways and playing distinct roles in cancer progression. The consideration of neuropeptide/receptor systems as anticancer targets is already leading to new biological and diagnostic knowledge that has the potential to enhance the understanding and treatment of cancer. In this review, recent discoveries regarding neuropeptides in a wide range of cancers, emphasizing their mechanisms of action, signaling cascades, regulation, and therapeutic potential, are discussed. Current technologies used to manipulate and analyze neuropeptides/receptors are described. Applications of neuropeptide analogs and their receptor inhibitors in translational studies and radio-oncology are rapidly increasing, and the possibility for their integration into therapeutic trials and clinical treatment appears promising.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wu
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, One Bungtown Rd, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, 11724, USA
| | - Adrian Berisha
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, One Bungtown Rd, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, 11724, USA
| | - Jeremy C Borniger
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, One Bungtown Rd, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, 11724, USA
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Sánchez ML, Coveñas R. The Galaninergic System: A Target for Cancer Treatment. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:3755. [PMID: 35954419 PMCID: PMC9367524 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14153755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this review is to show the involvement of the galaninergic system in neuroendocrine (phaeochromocytomas, insulinomas, neuroblastic tumors, pituitary tumors, small-cell lung cancer) and non-neuroendocrine (gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, glioma) tumors. The galaninergic system is involved in tumorigenesis, invasion/migration of tumor cells and angiogenesis, and this system has been correlated with tumor size/stage/subtypes, metastasis and recurrence rate. In the galaninergic system, epigenetic mechanisms have been related with carcinogenesis and recurrence rate. Galanin (GAL) exerts both proliferative and antiproliferative actions in tumor cells. GAL receptors (GALRs) mediate different signal transduction pathways and actions, depending on the particular G protein involved and the tumor cell type. In general, the activation of GAL1R promoted an antiproliferative effect, whereas the activation of GAL2R induced antiproliferative or proliferative actions. GALRs could be used in certain tumors as therapeutic targets and diagnostic markers for treatment, prognosis and surgical outcome. The current data show the importance of the galaninergic system in the development of certain tumors and suggest future potential clinical antitumor applications using GAL agonists or antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Lisardo Sánchez
- Laboratorio de Neuroanatomía de los Sistema Peptidérgicos (Lab. 14), Instituto de Neurociencias de Castilla y León (INCYL), Universidad de Salamanca, c/Pintor Fernando Gallego 1, 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
| | - Rafael Coveñas
- Laboratorio de Neuroanatomía de los Sistema Peptidérgicos (Lab. 14), Instituto de Neurociencias de Castilla y León (INCYL), Universidad de Salamanca, c/Pintor Fernando Gallego 1, 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
- Grupo GIR USAL: BMD (Bases Moleculares del Desarrollo), University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
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Mayuri M, Krishnamurthy PT, Vijayakumar TM. NK1 receptor antagonistic effect of 17-trifluoromethyl phenyl trinor prostaglandin F2α on the growth of human breast cancer cell line. Exp Mol Pathol 2022; 127:104817. [PMID: 35901925 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2022.104817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A growing number of genetic and cancer biology investigations have found that the tachykinin NK1 Receptor plays an important role in cancer cell proliferation and survival. In this study. The present study was designed to evaluate the inhibition of cell growth by 17-trifluoromethyl phenyl trinor prostaglandin F2α with NK1 receptor in breast cancer cell lines. MATERIALS AND METHODS MDB-MB-468 and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines were used in the experiment were blocked with PGF2a. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were analyzed to evaluate the cytotoxic effect. Cell cycle distribution, Caspase-3 enzyme activity, Bad and Bax protein expression through flow cytometry and molecular docking were carried out to analyze the NK1 receptor activity. RESULTS We found that PGF2a has a high binding affinity towards NK1 Receptor from molecular docking studies. It exerted cytotoxic and antiproliferative effects against MDB-MB-468 and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines. Our data found that treatment of cells with 17-TPGF2 resulted in cell death and showed that increased expression of Caspase-3, Bad, and Bax protein and further induces G2 cell cycle arrest. CONCLUSION Overall this study investigates the NK1 receptor antagonistic effect of PGF2 against breast cancer cell lines. However, further studies are needed to better characterize the application of NK1 receptor inhibition in clinical cancer treatment and cytotoxicity effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mutukuru Mayuri
- Department of Pharmacology, SRM College of Pharmacy, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur 603 203, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Praveen T Krishnamurthy
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, (JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research), Ooty, The Nilgiris 643001, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Thangavel Mahalingam Vijayakumar
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, SRM College of Pharmacy, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur 603 203, Tamil Nadu, India.
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Mutukuru M, Vijayakumar TM. Substance P/NK1R Antagonistic Effect of 17-Trifluoromethyl Phenyl Trinor Prostaglandin F2α in Breast Cancer. Int J Pept Res Ther 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-022-10410-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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15
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García-Aranda M, Téllez T, McKenna L, Redondo M. Neurokinin-1 Receptor (NK-1R) Antagonists as a New Strategy to Overcome Cancer Resistance. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14092255. [PMID: 35565383 PMCID: PMC9102068 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, the identification of new therapeutic targets that allow for the development of treatments, which as monotherapy, or in combination with other existing treatments can contribute to improve response rates, prognosis and survival of oncologic patients, is a priority to optimize healthcare within sustainable health systems. Recent studies have demonstrated the role of Substance P (SP) and its preferred receptor, Neurokinin 1 Receptor (NK-1R), in human cancer and the potential antitumor activity of NK-1R antagonists as an anticancer treatment. In this review, we outline the relevant studies published to date regarding the SP/NK-1R complex as a key player in human cancer and also evaluate if the repurposing of already marketed NK-1R antagonists may be useful in the development of new treatment strategies to overcome cancer resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilina García-Aranda
- Research and Innovation Unit, Hospital Costa del Sol, Autovía A-7, km 187, 29603 Marbella, Spain; (M.G.-A.); (L.M.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), C/Dr. Miguel Díaz Recio, 28, 29010 Málaga, Spain
- Red de Investigación en Servicios de Salud en Enfermedades Crónicas (REDISSEC) and Red de Investigación en Cronicidad, Atención Primaria y Promoción de la Salud (RICAPPS), Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), 29010 Málaga, Spain;
- Surgical Specialties, Biochemistry and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain
| | - Teresa Téllez
- Red de Investigación en Servicios de Salud en Enfermedades Crónicas (REDISSEC) and Red de Investigación en Cronicidad, Atención Primaria y Promoción de la Salud (RICAPPS), Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), 29010 Málaga, Spain;
- Surgical Specialties, Biochemistry and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain
| | - Lauraine McKenna
- Research and Innovation Unit, Hospital Costa del Sol, Autovía A-7, km 187, 29603 Marbella, Spain; (M.G.-A.); (L.M.)
| | - Maximino Redondo
- Research and Innovation Unit, Hospital Costa del Sol, Autovía A-7, km 187, 29603 Marbella, Spain; (M.G.-A.); (L.M.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), C/Dr. Miguel Díaz Recio, 28, 29010 Málaga, Spain
- Red de Investigación en Servicios de Salud en Enfermedades Crónicas (REDISSEC) and Red de Investigación en Cronicidad, Atención Primaria y Promoción de la Salud (RICAPPS), Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), 29010 Málaga, Spain;
- Surgical Specialties, Biochemistry and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain
- Correspondence:
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Golestaneh M, Firoozrai M, Javid H, Hashemy SI. The substance P/ neurokinin-1 receptor signaling pathway mediates metastasis in human colorectal SW480 cancer cells. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:4893-4900. [DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07348-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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17
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The Neurokinin-1 Receptor Is Essential for the Viability of Human Glioma Cells: A Possible Target for Treating Glioblastoma. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 2022:6291504. [PMID: 35434136 PMCID: PMC9006081 DOI: 10.1155/2022/6291504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Background Glioblastoma or glioma is the most common malignant brain tumor. Patients have a prognosis of approximately 15 months, despite the current aggressive treatment. Neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) occurs naturally in human glioma, and it is necessary for the tumor development. Objective The purpose of the study was to increase the knowledge about the involvement of the substance P (SP)/NK-1R system in human glioma. Methods Cellular localization of NK-1R and SP was studied in GAMG and U-87 MG glioma cell lines by immunofluorescence. The contribution of both SP and NK-1R to the viability of these cells was also assessed after applying the tachykinin 1 receptor (TAC1R) or the tachykinin 1 (TAC1) small interfering RNA gene silencing method, respectively. Results Both SP and the NK-1R (full-length and truncated isoforms) were localized in the nucleus and cytoplasm of GAMG and U-87 MG glioma cells. The presence of full-length NK-1R isoform was mainly observed in the nucleus, while the level of truncated isoform was higher in the cytoplasm. Cell proliferation was decreased when glioma cells were transfected with TAC1R siRNA, but not with TAC1. U-87 MG cells were more sensitive to the effect of the TAC1R inhibition than GAMG cells. The decrease in the number of glioma cells after silencing of the TAC1R siRNA gene was due to apoptotic and necrotic mechanisms. In human primary fibroblast cultured cells, TAC1R silencing by siRNA did not produce any change in cell viability. Conclusions Our results show for the first time that the expression of the TAC1R gene (NK-1R) is essential for the viability of GAMG and U-87 MG glioma cells. On the contrary, the TAC1R gene is not essential for the viability of normal cells, confirming that NK-1R could be a promising and specific therapeutic target for the treatment of glioma.
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18
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The Therapeutic Potential of Aprepitant in Glioblastoma Cancer Cells through Redox Modification. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 2022:8540403. [PMID: 35281606 PMCID: PMC8913111 DOI: 10.1155/2022/8540403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Although there is no doubt regarding the involvement of oxidative stress in the development of glioblastoma, many questions remained unanswered about signaling cascades that regulate the redox status. Given the importance of the substance P (SP)/neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) system in different cancers, it was of particular interest to evaluate whether the stimulation of this cascade in glioblastoma-derived U87 cells is associated with the induction of oxidative stress. Our results showed that SP-mediated activation of NK1R not only increased the intracellular levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) but also reduced the concentration of thiol in U87 cells. We also found that upon SP addition, there was a significant reduction in the cells' total antioxidant capacity (TAC), revealing that the SP/NK1R axis may be involved in the regulation of oxidative stress in glioblastoma cells. The significant role of SP/NK1R in triggering oxidative stress in glioblastoma has become more evident when we found that the abrogation of the axis using aprepitant reduced cell survival, probably through exerting antioxidant effects. The results showed that both MDA and ROS concentrations were significantly reduced in the presence of aprepitant, and the number of antioxidant components of the redox system increased. Overall, these findings suggest that aprepitant might exert its anticancer effect on U87 cells through shifting the balance of oxidant and antioxidant components of the redox system.
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Kolorz J, Demir S, Gottschlich A, Beirith I, Ilmer M, Lüthy D, Walz C, Dorostkar MM, Magg T, Hauck F, von Schweinitz D, Kobold S, Kappler R, Berger M. The Neurokinin-1 Receptor Is a Target in Pediatric Rhabdoid Tumors. Curr Oncol 2021; 29:94-110. [PMID: 35049682 PMCID: PMC8775224 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol29010008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhabdoid tumors (RT) are among the most aggressive tumors in early childhood. Overall survival remains poor, and treatment only effectively occurs at the cost of high toxicity and late adverse effects. It has been reported that the neurokinin-1 receptor/ substance P complex plays an important role in cancer and proved to be a promising target. However, its role in RT has not yet been described. This study aims to determine whether the neurokinin-1 receptor is expressed in RT and whether neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) antagonists can serve as a novel therapeutic approach in treating RTs. By in silico analysis using the cBio Cancer Genomics Portal we found that RTs highly express neurokinin-1 receptor. We confirmed these results by RT-PCR in both tumor cell lines and in human tissue samples of various affected organs. We demonstrated a growth inhibitory and apoptotic effect of aprepitant in viability assays and flow cytometry. Furthermore, this effect proved to remain when used in combination with the cytostatic cisplatin. Western blot analysis showed an upregulation of apoptotic signaling pathways in rhabdoid tumors when treated with aprepitant. Overall, our findings suggest that NK1R may be a promising target for the treatment of RT in combination with other anti-cancer therapies and can be targeted with the NK1R antagonist aprepitant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Kolorz
- Research Laboratories, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80337 Munich, Germany; (J.K.); (S.D.); (D.L.); (D.v.S.); (R.K.)
| | - Salih Demir
- Research Laboratories, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80337 Munich, Germany; (J.K.); (S.D.); (D.L.); (D.v.S.); (R.K.)
| | - Adrian Gottschlich
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM) and Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine IV, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80337 Munich, Germany; (A.G.); (S.K.)
| | - Iris Beirith
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany; (I.B.); (M.I.)
| | - Matthias Ilmer
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany; (I.B.); (M.I.)
- German Center for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Daniel Lüthy
- Research Laboratories, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80337 Munich, Germany; (J.K.); (S.D.); (D.L.); (D.v.S.); (R.K.)
| | - Christoph Walz
- Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig Maximilians-University Munich, 80337 Munich, Germany;
| | - Mario M. Dorostkar
- Center for Neuropathology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany;
| | - Thomas Magg
- Department of Pediatrics, Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80337 Munich, Germany; (T.M.); (F.H.)
| | - Fabian Hauck
- Department of Pediatrics, Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80337 Munich, Germany; (T.M.); (F.H.)
| | - Dietrich von Schweinitz
- Research Laboratories, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80337 Munich, Germany; (J.K.); (S.D.); (D.L.); (D.v.S.); (R.K.)
| | - Sebastian Kobold
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM) and Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine IV, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80337 Munich, Germany; (A.G.); (S.K.)
- German Center for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
- Einheit für Klinische Pharmakologie (EKLiP), Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (HMGU), 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Roland Kappler
- Research Laboratories, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80337 Munich, Germany; (J.K.); (S.D.); (D.L.); (D.v.S.); (R.K.)
| | - Michael Berger
- Research Laboratories, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80337 Munich, Germany; (J.K.); (S.D.); (D.L.); (D.v.S.); (R.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-89-4400-57859
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Javid H, Afshari AR, Zahedi Avval F, Asadi J, Hashemy SI. Aprepitant Promotes Caspase-Dependent Apoptotic Cell Death and G2/M Arrest through PI3K/Akt/NF- κB Axis in Cancer Stem-Like Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Spheres. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:8808214. [PMID: 34926694 PMCID: PMC8677400 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8808214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The antagonists of the neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) are known for their anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, antiemetic, and anticancer activities. Aprepitant, a nonpeptide NK1R antagonist, is used in nausea and vomiting, the most common side effects of cancer chemotherapy in patients. It has been established that NK1R activation by substance P (SP), which links cancer promotion and progression to a neurokinin-mediated environment, became one mechanism that corresponds to the mitogenesis of tumor cells. Therefore, this study is aimed at explaining and evaluating the anticancer impacts of aprepitant on esophageal squamous cancer cell (ESCC) spheres by using in vitro experiments, such as resazurin, ROS, annexin-V binding, RT-PCR, and Western blot analysis. As a result, we showed that aprepitant had strong antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects on ESCC cell spheres. Also, aprepitant caused significant G2-M cell cycle arrest depending on concentration increase. Further, exposure of cells to this agent resulted in caspase -8/-9-dependent apoptotic pathway activation by modifying the expression of genes involved in apoptosis. Besides, treatment of the cells by aprepitant abrogates of the PI3K/Akt pathway, as shown by reducing the level of Akt, induces apoptotic cell death. In summary, pharmacological inhibition of NK1R with aprepitant seems to have a significant chance of treating ESCC as a single agent or in conjunction with other chemotherapeutic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Javid
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Medical Laboratory Sciences Department, Varastegan Institute for Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Amir R. Afshari
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
| | - Farnaz Zahedi Avval
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Jahanbakhsh Asadi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Seyed Isaac Hashemy
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Surgical Oncology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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Mehboob R, Gilani SA, Hassan A, Sadaf, Tanvir I, Javaid S, Khalid S, Hasan S, Waseem H, Alwazzan A, Munoz M. Prognostic Significance of Substance P/Neurokinin 1 Receptor and Its Association with Hormonal Receptors in Breast Carcinoma. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:5577820. [PMID: 34692834 PMCID: PMC8528600 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5577820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Expression and immunolocalization of Substance P (SP)/Neurokinin-1 Receptor (NK-1R) in breast carcinoma (BC) patients and its association with routine proliferative markers (ER, PR, HER2/neu, and Ki-67) were evaluated. A cross-sectional study was performed on 34 cases of BC. There were 23 cases of group A (grade III), 8 of group B (grade II), and only 3 cases of group C (grade I). All samples were then processed for SP and NK-1R immunohistochemistry for few cases. 14/23 cases (61%) of group A, 7/8 cases (88%) of group B, and 2/3 (67%) cases of group C were SP positive. Overall, strong staining (≥10% tumor cells), labeled as "+3," was observed in 9/14 (64.2%) cases of group A and 1/8 (12.5%) cases of group B. Moderate staining labelled as "+2" (in ≥10% tumor cells) was observed in 3/14 (21.4%) cases of group A and 4/8 (50%) cases of group B. Weak positive staining "+1" was observed in only 2/14 (14.28%) cases of group A, 2/8 (25%) cases of group B, and all 2/2 (100%) cases of group C. SP and NK-1R are overexpressed in breast carcinomas, and there is significant association between the grade of tumor and their overexpression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riffat Mehboob
- Research Unit, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
- Lahore Medical Research Center, LLP, Lahore, Pakistan
- Lino Rossi Research Center, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Syed Amir Gilani
- Research Unit, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Amber Hassan
- Research Unit, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Sadaf
- Center for Research in Molecular Medicine, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Imrana Tanvir
- Department of Pathology, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shaista Javaid
- Center for Research in Molecular Medicine, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Sidra Khalid
- Lahore Medical Research Center, LLP, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Sana Hasan
- Punjab Health Care Commission, Lahore, Pakistan
| | | | - Ahmad Alwazzan
- Division of Gynecology Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Miguel Munoz
- Research Laboratory on Neuropeptides (IBIS), Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, Seville, Spain
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22
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Investigation of the Role of Neurokinin-1 Receptor Inhibition Using Aprepitant in the Apoptotic Cell Death through PI3K/Akt/NF- κB Signal Transduction Pathways in Colon Cancer Cells. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:1383878. [PMID: 34395609 PMCID: PMC8355960 DOI: 10.1155/2021/1383878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is recognized as one of the most common malignancies with a high mortality rate worldwide, supporting the necessity for an effective novel antitumor drug to improve current therapy's effectiveness. Substance P (SP) is the essential member of the tachykinins (TKs) family, which binds to the specific receptors, known as neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R), exerting its multiple influences such as tumor cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Aprepitant, as a specific NK1R antagonist, is suggested as a novel antitumor agent, promoting apoptotic processes in tumor cells; however, the exact antitumor mechanism of aprepitant on molecular signaling in CRC is not entirely known. Method The resazurin assay was conducted to assess the cytotoxic effects of aprepitant on the viability of the CRC cell line (SW480). The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured after 24-hour treatment with SP and aprepitant. PI/annexin V-FITC staining was conducted to assess apoptosis. Also, the expression of NF-κB antiapoptotic target genes and proapoptotic p53 target genes was measured by real-time- (RT-) PCR assay. Western blotting assay was performed to determine the expression of PI3k/AKT/NF-κB proteins. Results We found that aprepitant stimulates apoptotic cell death and attenuates the PI3K/Akt pathway and its downstream proapoptotic target gene, including NF-κB in SW480 cells. Also, the obtained results from the quantitative RT-PCR assay showed that aprepitant could decrease the level of mRNA of NF-κB antiapoptotic target genes. Conclusion Towards this end, this study suggests that SP/NK1R system plays a vital role in the development of CRC, and pharmaceutical targeting of NK1R using aprepitant might be a promising treatment against CRC.
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Substance P Antagonism as a Novel Therapeutic Option to Enhance Efficacy of Cisplatin in Triple Negative Breast Cancer and Protect PC12 Cells against Cisplatin-Induced Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13153871. [PMID: 34359773 PMCID: PMC8345440 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13153871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Although cisplatin is very effective as a treatment strategy in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), it has unwarranted outcomes owing to recurrence, chemoresistance and neurotoxicity. There is critically important to find new, effective and safe therapeutics for TNBC. We determined if SP-receptor antagonism in combination with cisplatin may serve as a novel, more efficacious and safer therapeutic option than existing therapies for TNBC. We used a neuronal cell line (PC12) and two TNBC cell lines (Sum 185 and Sum 159) for these studies. We determined that the levels of cells expressing the high-affinity SP-receptor (neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R)), as determined by flow-cytometry was significantly elevated in response to cisplatin in all three cells. We determined that treatment with aprepitant, an SP-receptor antagonist decreased cisplatin-induced, loss of viability (studied by MTT assay), production of reactive oxygen species (by DCFDA assay) and apoptosis (by flow-cytometry) in PC12 cells while it was increased in the two TNBC cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that important genes associated with metastases, inflammation, chemoresistance and cell cycle progression are attenuated by SP-receptor antagonism in the TNBC cell line, Sum 185. These studies implicate that SP-receptor antagonism in combination with cisplatin may possibly serve as a novel, more efficacious and safer therapeutic option than existing therapies for TNBC.
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Substance P Antagonism Prevents Chemotherapy-Induced Cardiotoxicity. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13071732. [PMID: 33917491 PMCID: PMC8038801 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13071732] [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] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Anthracyclines are a class of chemotherapeutics that are an essential component of many treatment regimens for solid and blood tumors. Doxorubicin (DOX), an anthracycline is broadly considered the most active single agent available for many cancers. However, effective use of anthracyclines is limited due to the possibility of cardiotoxicity, thus causing restrictions on treatment options for treatable cancers. Our studies indicate the SP/NK1R system as a promising novel target and use of NK1R antagonists as a translational tool for prevention of chemotherapy-associated cardiotoxicity in cancer. Abstract Background: Doxorubicin (DOX), used in chemotherapeutic regimens in many cancers, has been known to induce, cardiotoxicity and life-threatening heart failure or acute coronary syndromes in some patients. We determined the role of Substance P (SP), a neuropeptide and its high affinity receptor, NK-1R in chemotherapy associated cardiotoxicity in mice. We determined if NK-1R antagonism will prevent DOX-induced cardiotoxicity in vivo. Methods: C57BL/6 mice (6- week old male) were injected intraperitoneally with DOX (5 mg per kilogram of body weight once a week for 5 weeks) with or without treatment with aprepitant (a NK-1R antagonist, Emend, Merck & Co., Kenilworth, NJ, USA). Five different dosages of aprepitant were administered in the drinking water five days before the first injection of DOX and then continued until the end of the experiment. Each of these 5 doses are as follows; Dose 1 = 0.9 µg/mL, Dose 2 = 1.8 µg/mL, Dose 3 = 3.6 µg/mL, Dose 4 = 7.2 µg/mL, Dose 5 = 14.4 µg/mL. Controls consisted of mice injected with PBS (instead of DOX) with or without aprepitant treatment. The experiment was terminated 5 weeks post-DOX administration and various cardiac functional parameters were determined. Following euthanization, we measured heart weight to body weight ratios and the following in the hearts, of mice treated with and without DOX and aprepitant; (a) levels of SP and NK1R, (b) cardiomyocyte diameter (to determine evidence of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy), (c) Annexin V levels (to determine evidence of cardiac apoptosis), and (d) ratios of reduced glutathione (GSH) to oxidized glutathione (GSSG) (to determine evidence of oxidative stress). Results: We demonstrated that the levels of SP and NK1R were significantly increased respectively by 2.07 fold and 1.86 fold in the hearts of mice treated with versus without DOX. We determined that DOX-induced cardiac dysfunction was significantly attenuated by treatment with aprepitant. Cardiac functional parameters such as fractional shortening (FS), ejection fraction (EF) and stroke volume (SV) were respectively decreased by 27.6%, 21.02% and 21.20% compared to the vehicle treated group (All, p < 0.05, ANOVA). Importantly, compared to treatment with DOX alone, treatment with lower doses of aprepitant in DOX treated mice significantly reduced the effects of DOX on FS, EF and SV to values not significantly different from sham (vehicle treated) mice (All, p < 0.05, ANOVA). The levels of, apoptosis marker (Annexin V), oxidative stress (ratio of GSH with GSSG) and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy were respectively increased by 47.61%, 91.43% and 47.54% in the hearts of mice treated with versus without DOX. Compared to the DOX alone group, treatment with DOX and Dose 1, 2 and 3 of aprepitant significantly decreased the levels of each of these parameters (All p < 0.05, ANOVA). Conclusions: Our studies indicate that the SP/NK1-R system is a key mediator that induces, DOX-induced, cardiac dysfunction, cardiac apoptosis, cardiac oxidative stress and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. These studies implicate that NK-1R antagonists may serve as a novel therapeutic tool for prevention of chemotherapy induced cardiotoxicity in cancer.
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Alwazzan A, Mehboob R, Hassan A, Perveen S, Sadaf, Gilani SA, Ahmad FJ, Tanvir I, Babar ME, Tariq MA, Ali G, Akram SJ, Khan RU, Akram J. Elevated Neurokinin-1 Receptor Expression in Uterine Products of Conception Is Associated With First Trimester Miscarriages. Front Physiol 2020; 11:554766. [PMID: 33391008 PMCID: PMC7775504 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.554766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Miscarriage is a common complication of early pregnancy, mostly occurring in the first trimester. However, the etiological factors and prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers are not well known. Neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) is a receptor of tachykinin peptide substance P (SP) and has a role in various pathological conditions, cancers, but its association with miscarriages and significance as a clinicopathological parameter are not studied. Accordingly, the present study aimed to clarify the localization and expression for NK-1R in human retained products of conception (POC). The role of NK-1R is not known in miscarriages. Materials and Methods NK-1R expression was assessed in POC and normal placental tissues by immunohistochemistry. Three- to four-micrometer-thin sections of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues were used for this purpose. Tissues were processed and then immunohistochemically stained with NK-1R antibody. Brain tissue was used as control for antibody. Protein expression was evaluated using the nuclear labeling index (%). Tissues were counterstained with 3,3'-diaminobenzidine (DAB), and microscopy was performed at 10×, 20×, and 40× magnifications. Results Ten human POC tissues and 10 normal placental tissues were studied by immunohistochemistry to demonstrate the localization of NK-1R. The expression of NK-1R protein was high in all the cases of both groups. NK-1R expression showed no notable differences among different cases of miscarriages as well as normal deliveries at full term regardless of the mother's age and gestational age at which the event occurred. Statistically, no difference was found in both groups, which is in agreement with our hypothesis and previous findings. Conclusion The expression of NK-1R was similar in all the cases, and it was intense. It shows that dysregulation of NK-1R along with its ligand SP might be involved in miscarriages and also involved in normal delivery. Our results provide fundamental data regarding this anti-NK-1R strategy. Thus, the present study recommends that SP/NK-1R system might, therefore, be considered as an emerging and promising diagnostic and therapeutic strategy against miscarriages. Hence, we report for the first time the expression and localization of NK-1R in POC. We suggest NK-1R antagonist in addition to the immunoglobulins and human chorionic gonadotropin to diagnose and treat spontaneous miscarriages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Alwazzan
- Division of Gynecology Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Riffat Mehboob
- SISSA, International School for Advanced Studies, Trieste, Italy.,Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Amber Hassan
- Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Shahida Perveen
- Department of Pathology, Continental Medical College, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Sadaf
- Center for Research in Molecular Medicine, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Syed Amir Gilani
- Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Fridoon Jawad Ahmad
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.,Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Imrana Tanvir
- Department of Pathology, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudia Arabia
| | | | - Muhammad Akram Tariq
- Department of Biology, Department of Postgraduate College, Township, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Gibran Ali
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | | | - Rizwan Ullah Khan
- Department of Pathology, Prince Faisal Cancer Center, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Javed Akram
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.,Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
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Muñoz M, Rosso M, Coveñas R. Triple Negative Breast Cancer: How Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists Could Be Used as a New Therapeutic Approach. Mini Rev Med Chem 2020; 20:408-417. [PMID: 31721701 DOI: 10.2174/1389557519666191112152642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death among females. BC cells not showing HER-2/Neu amplification and not expressing estrogen/ progesterone receptors are named triple-negative BC (TNBC) cells. TNBC represents 10-15% of all BC and is associated with an aggressive clinical course. TNBC patient prognosis, survival and response to current therapies are poor and for this reason, it is crucial to search for new therapeutic targets in TNBC to develop new therapeutic strategies. One of these targets is the neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R). It is well known that the substance P (SP)/NK-1R system is involved in cancer progression. TNBC cells overexpress the NK-1R and, after binding to this receptor, SP promotes the proliferation/ migration of TNBC cells. Non-peptide NK-1R antagonists (e.g., aprepitant) are known to exert, via the NK-1R, an antitumor action; TNBC cells die by apoptosis. In this review, we update the data on a promising therapeutic innovation: the use of NK-1R antagonists for the treatment of TNBC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Muñoz
- Research Laboratory on Neuropeptides (IBIS), Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Marisa Rosso
- Research Laboratory on Neuropeptides (IBIS), Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Rafael Coveñas
- Institute of Neurosciences of Castilla y Leon (INCYL), Laboratory of Neuroanatomy of the Peptidergic Systems, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
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Matalińska J, Lipiński PFJ, Kosson P, Kosińska K, Misicka A. In Vivo, In Vitro and In Silico Studies of the Hybrid Compound AA3266, an Opioid Agonist/NK1R Antagonist with Selective Cytotoxicity. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E7738. [PMID: 33086743 PMCID: PMC7588979 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
AA3266 is a hybrid compound consisting of opioid receptor agonist and neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) antagonist pharmacophores. It was designed with the desire to have an analgesic molecule with improved properties and auxiliary anticancer activity. Previously, the compound was found to exhibit high affinity for μ- and δ-opioid receptors, while moderate binding to NK1R. In the presented contribution, we report on a deeper investigation of this hybrid. In vivo, we have established that AA3266 has potent antinociceptive activity in acute pain model, comparable to that of morphine. Desirably, with prolonged administration, our hybrid induces less tolerance than morphine does. AA3266, contrary to morphine, does not cause development of constipation, which is one of the main undesirable effects of opioid use. In vitro, we have confirmed relatively strong cytotoxic activity on a few selected cancer cell lines, similar to or greater than that of a reference NK1R antagonist, aprepitant. Importantly, our compound affects normal cells to smaller extent what makes our compound more selective against cancer cells. In silico methods, including molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations and fragment molecular orbital calculations, have been used to investigate the interactions of AA3266 with MOR and NK1R. Insights from these will guide structural optimization of opioid/antitachykinin hybrid compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Matalińska
- Department of Neuropeptides, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (K.K.); (A.M.)
| | - Piotr F. J. Lipiński
- Department of Neuropeptides, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (K.K.); (A.M.)
| | - Piotr Kosson
- Toxicology Research Laboratory, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Katarzyna Kosińska
- Department of Neuropeptides, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (K.K.); (A.M.)
| | - Aleksandra Misicka
- Department of Neuropeptides, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (K.K.); (A.M.)
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The Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonist Aprepitant: An Intelligent Bullet against Cancer? Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12092682. [PMID: 32962202 PMCID: PMC7564414 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12092682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) antagonists exert antitumor action, are safe and do not cause serious side-effects. These antagonists (via the NK-1R) exert multiple actions against cancer: antiproliferative and anti-Warburg effects and apoptotic, anti-angiogenic and antimetastatic effects. These multiple effects have been shown for a broad spectrum of cancers. The drug aprepitant (an NK-1R antagonist) is currently used in clinical practice as an antiemetic. In in vivo and in vitro studies, aprepitant also showed the aforementioned multiple antitumor actions against many types of cancer. A successful combination therapy (aprepitant and radiotherapy) has recently been reported in a patient suffering from lung carcinoma: the tumor mass disappeared and side-effects were not observed. Aprepitant could be considered as an intelligent bullet against cancer. The administration of aprepitant in cancer patients to prevent recurrence and metastasis after surgical procedures, thrombosis and thromboembolism is discussed, as is the possible link, through the substance P (SP)/NK-1R system, between cancer and depression. Our main aim is to review the multiple antitumor actions exerted by aprepitant, and the use of this drug is suggested in cancer patients. Altogether, the data support the reprofiling of aprepitant for a new therapeutic use as an antitumor agent.
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Radiochemical Synthesis and Evaluation of Novel Radioconjugates of Neurokinin 1 Receptor Antagonist Aprepitant Dedicated for NK1R-Positive Tumors. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25163756. [PMID: 32824729 PMCID: PMC7466001 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25163756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Aprepitant, a lipophilic and small molecular representative of neurokinin 1 receptor antagonists, is known for its anti-proliferative activity on numerous cancer cell lines that are sensitive to Substance P mitogen action. In the presented research, we developed two novel structural modifications of aprepitant to create aprepitant conjugates with different radionuclide chelators. All of them were radiolabeled with 68Ga and 177Lu radionuclides and evaluated in terms of their lipophilicity and stability in human serum. Furthermore, fully stable conjugates were examined in molecular modelling with a human neurokinin 1 receptor structure and in a competitive radioligand binding assay using rat brain homogenates in comparison to the aprepitant molecule. This initial research is in the conceptual stage to give potential theranostic-like radiopharmaceutical pairs for the imaging and therapy of neurokinin 1 receptor-overexpressing cancers.
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Song D, Oh YI, Kim JM, Cheon DS, Kim DY, Seo KW. Detection of neurokinin-1 receptor by immunohistochemistry in canine mammary gland tumours. Vet Med Sci 2020; 6:958-964. [PMID: 32657032 PMCID: PMC7738737 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Canine mammary gland tumour (cMGT) is the most common tumour in intact female dogs. Surgery is the only effective treatment for cMGT, and dogs with metastasis at the time of diagnosis or those diagnosed at an advanced stage have poorer prognosis. Thus, novel diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets are needed. Neurokinin‐1 receptor (NK‐1 receptor) is involved in cancer progression and has been detected in various malignant tumours including breast cancer in humans. Furthermore, NK‐1 receptor antagonists inhibit cancer progression. We evaluated NK‐1 receptor expression in malignant and benign cMGT compared with that in normal mammary gland tissues and analysed the relationship between the expression of NK‐1 receptor and histopathological type or malignancy grade. Specimens from 34 malignant MGT and 35 benign MGT cases were used for immunohistochemistry and scored according to intensity and percentage. Healthy margins from each tumour were used as internal controls. The scores for NK‐1 receptor intensity, percentage of positive cells and overall immunohistochemistry were higher in malignant MGT than in benign MGT and normal tissue (p < .000). NK‐1 receptor expression was not correlated with either malignancy grade or histopathological type. Expression of the NK‐1 receptor in malignant MGT was higher than that in benign MGT and normal tissues. Thus, NK‐1 receptor could be considered a novel therapeutic target for cMGT. Further studies using other quantitative tests such as western blotting or PCR and the evaluation of substance P in patient tumour tissue or serum are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duri Song
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Ye-In Oh
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Jeong-Mi Kim
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea
| | | | - Dae-Yong Kim
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyoung-Won Seo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea
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The Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonist Aprepitant, a New Drug for the Treatment of Hematological Malignancies: Focus on Acute Myeloid Leukemia. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9061659. [PMID: 32492831 PMCID: PMC7355887 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9061659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Revised: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous hematological malignancy. To treat the disease successfully, new therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. One of these strategies can be the use of neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) antagonists (e.g., aprepitant), because the substance P (SP)/NK-1R system is involved in cancer progression, including AML. AML patients show an up-regulation of the NK-1R mRNA expression; human AML cell lines show immunoreactivity for both SP and the NK-1R (it is overexpressed: the truncated isoform is more expressed than the full-length form) and, via this receptor, SP and NK-1R antagonists (aprepitant, in a concentration-dependent manner) respectively exert a proliferative action or an antileukemic effect (apoptotic mechanisms are triggered by promoting oxidative stress via mitochondrial Ca++ overload). Aprepitant inhibits the formation of AML cell colonies and, in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs, is more effective in inducing cytotoxic effects and AML cell growth blockade. NK-1R antagonists also exert an antinociceptive effect in myeloid leukemia-induced bone pain. The antitumor effect of aprepitant is diminished when the NF-κB pathway is overactivated and the damage induced by aprepitant in cancer cells is higher than that exerted in non-cancer cells. Thus, the SP/NK-1R system is involved in AML, and aprepitant is a promising antitumor strategy against this hematological malignancy. In this review, the involvement of this system in solid and non-solid tumors (in particular in AML) is updated and the use of aprepitant as an anti-leukemic strategy for the treatment of AML is also mentioned (a dose of aprepitant (>20 mg/kg/day) for a period of time according to the response to treatment is suggested). Aprepitant is currently used in clinical practice as an anti-nausea medication.
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Isorna I, Esteban F, Solanellas J, Coveñas R, Muñoz M. The substance P and neurokinin-1 receptor system in human thyroid cancer: an immunohistochemical study. Eur J Histochem 2020; 64. [PMID: 32363847 PMCID: PMC7196935 DOI: 10.4081/ejh.2020.3117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
To develop a new therapeutic strategy against thyroid cancer (TC), the expression of both substance P (SP) and neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) must be demonstrated in TC cells. This study aims to examine by immunohistochemistry, the localization of SP and the NK-1R in human TC samples (papillary, follicular, medullary, anaplastic), in metastasis and in healthy thyroid samples. SP and the NK-1R were expressed in all normal and TC samples. In healthy glands, SP was located in follicular cells (nucleus) and colloid and NK-1R in follicular cells (cytoplasm) and stroma. In TC samples, SP was visualized in follicular cells (nucleus and cytoplasm), stroma and colloid and NK-1R in follicular cells (cytoplasm), stroma and colloid. A semiquantitative scoring system (Allred Unit Scoring System) was applied. The expression (Allred total score) of SP and NK-1R was weaker in normal thyroid glands than in TC. In comparison with TC samples, a lower intensity/proportion of SP (nucleus and cytoplasm of follicular cells; stroma) was observed in normal samples. By contrast, in the colloid of TC samples the presence of SP was lower than in normal samples. In comparison with TC samples, the presence of the NK-1R in the cytoplasm of follicular cells and colloid was lower in normal thyroid samples, whereas the expression of this receptor in the stroma was higher. The results reported in this study suggest that the NK-1R could be a new target for the treatment of TC and use of the NK-1R antagonists could serve as a new anti-TC therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inmaculada Isorna
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Virgen del Rocio University Hospital, Seville.
| | - Francisco Esteban
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Virgen del Rocio University Hospital, Seville.
| | - Juan Solanellas
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Nuestra Señora de Valme University Hospital, Seville.
| | - Rafael Coveñas
- Institute of Neurosciences of Castilla y León (INCYL), Laboratory of Neuroanatomy of the Peptidergic Systems, University of Salamanca.
| | - Miguel Muñoz
- Research Laboratory on Neuropeptides, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital (IBIS), Seville.
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Ebrahimi S, Javid H, Alaei A, Hashemy SI. New insight into the role of substance P/neurokinin-1 receptor system in breast cancer progression and its crosstalk with microRNAs. Clin Genet 2020; 98:322-330. [PMID: 32266968 DOI: 10.1111/cge.13750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The neuropeptide substance P (SP) triggers a variety of tumor-promoting signaling pathways through the activation of neurokinin-1receptor (NK1R), a class of neurokinin G protein-coupled receptors superfamily. Recent researches in our and other laboratories have shown the overexpression of both SP and NK1R in breast cancer (BC) patients. SP/NK1R signaling is strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of BC through affecting cell proliferation, migration, metastasis, angiogenesis, and resistance. Therefore, SP/NK1R signaling responses must be rigorously regulated; otherwise, they would contribute to a more aggressive BC phenotype. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) as a specific class of epigenetic regulators have been shown to regulate NK1R and thus, controlling SP/NK1R signaling responses in BC. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the role of SP/NK1R signaling and its therapeutic potentials in BC. We also provide an overview regarding the effects of miRNA-mediated NK1R regulatory mechanisms in controlling BC tumorigenesis to gain a clearer view and thus better management of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safieh Ebrahimi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hosein Javid
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Amin Alaei
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Seyed Isaac Hashemy
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Surgical Oncology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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Javid H, Asadi J, Zahedi Avval F, Afshari AR, Hashemy SI. The role of substance P/neurokinin 1 receptor in the pathogenesis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma through constitutively active PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signal transduction pathways. Mol Biol Rep 2020; 47:2253-2263. [PMID: 32072401 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-020-05330-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
One of the most prevalent malignancies is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), which is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Substance P (SP), as one of the peptides released from sensory nerves, causes the enhancement of cellular excitability through the activation of the neurokinin-1 (NK1) receptor in several human tumor cells. Aprepitant, a specific, potent, and long-acting NK1 receptor antagonist, is considered as a novel agent to inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in malignant cells. Since the antitumor mechanism of aprepitant in ESCC is not completely understood, we conducted this study and found that aprepitant induced growth inhibition of KYSE-30 cells and arrested cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle. Aprepitant also caused apoptotic cell death and inhibited activation of the PI3K/Akt axis and its downstream effectors, including NF-κB in KYSE-30 cells. Besides, quantitative real-time (qRT)-PCR analysis showed a significant down-regulation of NF-κB target genes in KYSE-30 cells, indicating a probable NF-κB-dependent mechanism involved in aprepitant cytotoxicity. Thus, the present study recommends that SP/NK1R system might, therefore, be considered as an emerging and promising therapeutic strategy against ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Javid
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Jahanbakhsh Asadi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Farnaz Zahedi Avval
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Amir R Afshari
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
| | - Seyed Isaac Hashemy
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
- Surgical Oncology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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Ge C, Huang H, Huang F, Yang T, Zhang T, Wu H, Zhou H, Chen Q, Shi Y, Sun Y, Liu L, Wang X, Pearson RB, Cao Y, Kang J, Fu C. Neurokinin-1 receptor is an effective target for treating leukemia by inducing oxidative stress through mitochondrial calcium overload. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:19635-19645. [PMID: 31488714 PMCID: PMC6765257 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1908998116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Substance P (SP) regulates multiple biological processes through its high-affinity neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R). While the SP/NK-1R signaling axis is involved in the pathogenesis of solid cancer, the role of this signaling pathway in hematological malignancy remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that NK-1R expression is markedly elevated in the white blood cells from acute myeloid leukemia patients and a panel of human leukemia cell lines. Blocking NK-1R induces apoptosis in vitro and in vivo via increase of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species. This oxidative stress was triggered by rapid calcium flux from the endoplasmic reticulum into mitochondria and, consequently, impairment of mitochondrial function, a mechanism underlying the cytotoxicity of NK-1R antagonists. Besides anticancer activity, blocking NK-1R produces a potent antinociceptive effect in myeloid leukemia-induced bone pain by alleviating inflammation and inducing apoptosis. These findings thus raise the exciting possibility that the NK-1R antagonists, drugs currently used in the clinic for preventing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, may provide a therapeutic option for treating human myeloid leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chentao Ge
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, 310018 Hangzhou, China
| | - Hemiao Huang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, 310018 Hangzhou, China
| | - Feiyan Huang
- Clinical Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of TCM, 310006 Hangzhou, China
| | - Tianxin Yang
- Department of Hematology, Zhejiang Province People's Hospital, 310014 Hangzhou, China
| | - Tengfei Zhang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, 310018 Hangzhou, China
| | - Hongzhang Wu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, 310018 Hangzhou, China
| | - Hanwei Zhou
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, 310018 Hangzhou, China
| | - Qi Chen
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, 310018 Hangzhou, China
| | - Yue Shi
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, 310018 Hangzhou, China
| | - Yanfang Sun
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, 310018 Hangzhou, China
| | - Liangjue Liu
- Clinical Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of TCM, 310006 Hangzhou, China
| | - Xi Wang
- Department of Oncology, The People's Liberation Army No. 903rd Hospital, 310013 Hangzhou, China
| | - Richard B Pearson
- Oncogenic Signalling and Growth Control Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia;
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Yihai Cao
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institute, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jian Kang
- Oncogenic Signalling and Growth Control Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia;
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Caiyun Fu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, 310018 Hangzhou, China;
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Abstract
Background::Human tumor cells lines and tumor samples overexpress the neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R). Substance P (SP), after binding to NK-1Rs, induces tumor cell proliferation, an antiapoptotic effect and promotes angiogenesis and the migration of cancer cells for invasion and metastasis.Methods: :In contrast, NK-1R antagonists block the previous pathophysiological actions mediated by SP. These antagonists promote the death of tumor cells by apoptosis. Peptide and non-peptide NK-1R antagonists have been reported.Results: :Peptide NK-1R antagonists show chemical modifications of the SP molecule (L-amino acids being replaced by D-amino acids), whereas non-peptide NK-1R antagonists include numerous compounds with different chemical compositions while showing similar stereochemical features (affinity for the NK- 1R). Currently, there are more than 300 NK-1R antagonists.Conclusion::In combination therapy with classic cytostatics, NK-1R antagonists have additive or synergic effects and minimize the side-effects of cytostatics. The effect of NK-1R antagonists as broad-spectrum anticancer drugs is reviewed and the use of these antagonists for the treatment of cancer is suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Muñoz
- Research Laboratory on Neuropeptides, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital (IBIS), Sevilla, Spain
| | - Rafael Coveñas
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy of the Peptidergic Systems, Institute of Neurosciences of Castilla y León (INCYL) University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
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Correlation of Clinicopathological Characteristics of Breast Carcinoma and Depression. Healthcare (Basel) 2019; 7:healthcare7030107. [PMID: 31547382 PMCID: PMC6787716 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare7030107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Revised: 09/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of depression among women with breast cancer (BC) is extremely variable in research studies. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of depressive disorder in women suffering from BC as well as to examine its relationship with clinical–pathological and immunophenotypic characteristics of BC. The study included 194 patients with BC who were diagnosed with the disease between 2009 and 2015 in the Clinical Center Kragujevac, Serbia. Pathohistological and immunohistochemical analyses was used on the material obtained after the surgical removal of breast tumors, determining all significant clinical and morphological parameters. The level of depression among the examinees confirmed that the differences in the level of depression between the histological grades were statistically significant. According to the univariate binary logistic regression, the depression of a patient correlates with the category of molecular tumor subtype/Luminal A (p < 0.0005), PR expression (p = 0.050) and lymphatic invasion (p = 0.025). Multivariate binary logistic regression showed that the onset of depression associated with the present molecular subtype of the tumor of a worse prognostic character (p = 0.019). Depression is a common disorder in women with breast cancer. The level of depression is correlates with some of the clinicоmorphological and immunophenotypic characteristics of BC.
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Majkowska-Pilip A, Halik PK, Gniazdowska E. The Significance of NK1 Receptor Ligands and Their Application in Targeted Radionuclide Tumour Therapy. Pharmaceutics 2019; 11:E443. [PMID: 31480582 PMCID: PMC6781293 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics11090443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
To date, our understanding of the Substance P (SP) and neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) system shows intricate relations between human physiology and disease occurrence or progression. Within the oncological field, overexpression of NK1R and this SP/NK1R system have been implicated in cancer cell progression and poor overall prognosis. This review focuses on providing an update on the current state of knowledge around the wide spectrum of NK1R ligands and applications of radioligands as radiopharmaceuticals. In this review, data concerning both the chemical and biological aspects of peptide and nonpeptide ligands as agonists or antagonists in classical and nuclear medicine, are presented and discussed. However, the research presented here is primarily focused on NK1R nonpeptide antagonistic ligands and the potential application of SP/NK1R system in targeted radionuclide tumour therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Majkowska-Pilip
- Centre of Radiochemistry and Nuclear Chemistry, Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology, Dorodna 16, 03-195 Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Paweł Krzysztof Halik
- Centre of Radiochemistry and Nuclear Chemistry, Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology, Dorodna 16, 03-195 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Gniazdowska
- Centre of Radiochemistry and Nuclear Chemistry, Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology, Dorodna 16, 03-195 Warsaw, Poland
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Deng XT, Tang SM, Wu PY, Li QP, Ge XX, Xu BM, Wang HS, Miao L. SP/NK-1R promotes gallbladder cancer cell proliferation and migration. J Cell Mol Med 2019; 23:7961-7973. [PMID: 30903649 PMCID: PMC6850939 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.14230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Revised: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant substance P/neurokinin‐1 receptor (SP/NK‐1R) system activation plays a critical role in various disorders, however, little is known about the expression and the detailed molecular mechanism of the SP and NK‐1R in gallbladder cancer (GBC). In this study, we firstly analyzed the expression and clinical significance of them in patients with GBC. Then, cellular assays were performed to clarify their biological role in GBC cells. Moreover, we investigated the molecular mechanisms regulated by SP/NK‐1R. Meanwhile, mice xenografted with human GBC cells were analyzed regarding the effects of SP/NK1R complex in vivo. Finally, patient samples were utilized to investigate the effect of SP/NK‐1R. The results showed that SP and NK‐1R were highly expressed in GBC. We found that SP strongly induced GBC cell proliferation, clone formation, migration and invasion, whereas antagonizing NK‐1R resulted in the opposite effects. Moreover, SP significantly enhanced the expression of NF‐κB p65 and the tumor‐associated cytokines, while, Akt inhibitor could reverse these effects. Further studies indicated that decreasing activation of NF‐κB or Akt diminished GBC cell proliferation and migration. In consistent with results, immunohistochemical staining showed high levels of Akt, NF‐κB and cytokines in tumor tissues. Most importantly, the similar conclusion was obtained in xenograft mouse model. Our findings demonstrate that NK‐1R, after binding with the endogenous agonist SP, could induce GBC cell migration and spreading via modulation of Akt/NF‐κB pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Ting Deng
- Medical Center for Digestive Diseases, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Si-Min Tang
- Medical Center for Digestive Diseases, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Pei-Yao Wu
- Medical Center for Digestive Diseases, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Quan-Peng Li
- Medical Center for Digestive Diseases, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xian-Xiu Ge
- Medical Center for Digestive Diseases, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Bo-Ming Xu
- Medical Center for Digestive Diseases, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hui-Shan Wang
- Medical Center for Digestive Diseases, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lin Miao
- Medical Center for Digestive Diseases, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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Evaluation of serum level of substance P and tissue distribution of NK-1 receptor in breast cancer. Mol Biol Rep 2019; 46:1285-1293. [PMID: 30684188 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-019-04599-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women with increasing incidence. Hence, finding a diagnostic factor and/or potential drug target could lead to an earlier diagnosis or a more effective therapeutic protocol. It is shown that substance P (SP) through its receptor neurokinin-1 (NK1R) could initiate tumor cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and migration. This was a case-control study on 41 women with breast cancer and 34 healthy controls. Serum level of SP was measured using an ELISA method, and immunohistochemistry staining was performed to study NK1R expression in different cell compartments. Assessing serum SP values of patients showed significantly higher levels than those of healthy individuals. However, no significant correlation was found between SP levels and tumor criteria, but between SP and HER-2. Moreover, the percentage, intensity of staining as well as tissue distribution of NK1R were significantly higher in tumor tissues as compared with controls. Increased serum SP levels and NK1R tissue distribution were observed in patients with breast cancer as compared with their controls, highlighting the involvement of SP/NK1R complex in breast cancer incidence. NK1R profound expression in tumor cell cytoplasm and its significant correlation with the majority of cancer features can be of importance to be taken into consideration as a possible potential therapeutic target in future targeted therapeutic strategies. Furthermore, cytoplasmic expression of NK1R can be suggested as a potent prognostic factor as it has shown significant correlation with TNM and tumor grade.
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Neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) inhibition sensitizes APL cells to anti-tumor effect of arsenic trioxide via restriction of NF-κB axis: Shedding new light on resistance to Aprepitant. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2018; 103:105-114. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2018.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2018] [Revised: 07/16/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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42
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Differential consequences of neurokinin receptor 1 and 2 antagonists in metastatic breast carcinoma cells; Effects independent of Substance P. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 108:263-270. [PMID: 30223097 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Revised: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The biological action of Substance P (SP) is mediated mainly by NK-1 receptors (NK1R) followed by NK2 receptors (NK2R). Aberrant expression of NK1R and NK2R has been identified in various carcinomas. The role of Substance P and its receptors, especially NK2R in cancer progression is not entirely known and there are conflicting results in the literature demonstrating the need for further investigation. In the current study, we examined the effects of SP and antagonists selective for the NK1R and NK2R in breast carcinoma cells metastasize to vital organs. METHODS The effects of highly potent and selective non-peptide mouse NK1R and NK2R antagonists RP 67,580 and GR 159897, respectively, as well as SP and SP methyl ester, on both metastatic (4THM, 4TBM, 4TLM, 4T1) and non-metastatic (67NR) breast cancer cells were determined. RESULTS NK1R and NK2R were over expressed in metastatic breast cells compared to non-metastatic cells. The NK1R antagonist at a 30 μM dose inhibited cell growth and induced cell death in metastatic cells while enhancing phosphorylation of Akt, the latter response not observed in the non-metastatic 67NR cells. Blocking the action of SP at the NK2R (30 μM antagonist) suppressed cellular proliferation in all the cell lines examined, with a response less prominent than that of the NK1R antagonist. Differently, the NK2R antagonist increased phosphorylation of p38 and enhanced MIP-2 secretion. SP and the SP methyl ester neither altered cell proliferation nor the effects of NK1R and NK2R antagonists in the metastatic cell lines. CONCLUSIONS Increased sensitivity of metastatic breast carcinoma cells to NK1R and NK2R antagonists suggest potential therapeutic value of antagonists in metastatic disease. NK1R and NK2R in metastatic breast carcinoma cells react differently to agonists and antagonists. These findings together with previously published data demonstrate that differential consequences of receptor antagonists and SP may inhibit breast cancer growth and metastasis.
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Gadais C, Ballet S. The Neurokinins: Peptidomimetic Ligand Design and Therapeutic Applications. Curr Med Chem 2018; 27:1515-1561. [PMID: 30209994 DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666180913095918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Revised: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The neurokinins are indisputably essential neurotransmitters in numerous pathoand physiological events. Being widely distributed in the Central Nervous System (CNS) and peripheral tissues, their discovery rapidly promoted them to drugs targets. As a necessity for molecular tools to understand the biological role of this class, endogenous peptides and their receptors prompted the scientific community to design ligands displaying either agonist and antagonist activity at the three main neurokinin receptors, called NK1, NK2 and NK3. Several strategies were implemented for this purpose. With a preference to small non-peptidic ligands, many research groups invested efforts in synthesizing and evaluating a wide range of scaffolds, but only the NK1 antagonist Aprepitant (EMENDT) and its prodrug Fosaprepitant (IVEMENDT) have been approved by the Food Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of Chemotherapy-Induced and Post-Operative Nausea and Vomiting (CINV and PONV, respectively). While non-peptidic drugs showed limitations, especially in side effect control, peptidic and pseudopeptidic compounds progressively regained attention. Various strategies were implemented to modulate affinity, selectivity and activity of the newly designed ligands. Replacement of canonical amino acids, incorporation of conformational constraints, and fusion with non-peptidic moieties gave rise to families of ligands displaying individual or dual NK1, NK2 and NK3 antagonism, that ultimately were combined with non-neurokinin ligands (such as opioids) to target enhanced biological impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlène Gadais
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Steven Ballet
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
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Antileukemic effects of neurokinin-1 receptor inhibition on hematologic malignant cells. Anticancer Drugs 2018; 29:243-252. [DOI: 10.1097/cad.0000000000000591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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45
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Henssen AG, Odersky A, Szymansky A, Seiler M, Althoff K, Beckers A, Speleman F, Schäfers S, De Preter K, Astrahanseff K, Struck J, Schramm A, Eggert A, Bergmann A, Schulte JH. Targeting tachykinin receptors in neuroblastoma. Oncotarget 2018; 8:430-443. [PMID: 27888795 PMCID: PMC5352132 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.13440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 11/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial tumor in children. Despite aggressive multimodal treatment, high-risk neuroblastoma remains a clinical challenge with survival rates below 50%. Adding targeted drugs to first-line therapy regimens is a promising approach to improve survival in these patients. TACR1 activation by substance P has been reported to be mitogenic in cancer cell lines. Tachykinin receptor (TACR1) antagonists are approved for clinical use as an antiemetic remedy since 2003. Tachykinin receptor inhibition has recently been shown to effectively reduce growth of several tumor types. Here, we report that neuroblastoma cell lines express TACR1, and that targeting TACR1 activity significantly reduced cell viability and induced apoptosis in neuroblastoma cell lines. Gene expression profiling revealed that TACR1 inhibition repressed E2F2 and induced TP53 signaling. Treating mice harboring established neuroblastoma xenograft tumors with Aprepitant also significantly reduced tumor burden. Thus, we provide evidence that the targeted inhibition of tachykinin receptor signaling shows therapeutic efficacy in preclinical models for high-risk neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton G Henssen
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA
| | - Andrea Odersky
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University Children's Hospital Essen, Germany
| | - Annabell Szymansky
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Charité- Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Kristina Althoff
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University Children's Hospital Essen, Germany
| | - Anneleen Beckers
- Center of Medical Genetics Ghent (CMGG), Ghent University Hospital, Belgium
| | - Frank Speleman
- Center of Medical Genetics Ghent (CMGG), Ghent University Hospital, Belgium
| | - Simon Schäfers
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University Children's Hospital Essen, Germany
| | - Katleen De Preter
- Center of Medical Genetics Ghent (CMGG), Ghent University Hospital, Belgium
| | - Kathy Astrahanseff
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Charité- Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Alexander Schramm
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University Children's Hospital Essen, Germany
| | - Angelika Eggert
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Charité- Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany.,German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Partner Site Charite Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Johannes H Schulte
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Charité- Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany.,German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Partner Site Charite Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Muñoz M, Muñoz MF, Ayala A. Immunolocalization of Substance P and NK‐1 Receptor in ADIPOSE Stem Cells. J Cell Biochem 2017; 118:4686-4696. [DOI: 10.1002/jcb.26134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Muñoz
- Virgen del Rocío University HospitalResearch Laboratory on Neuropeptides (IBIS)SevilleSpain
| | - Mario F. Muñoz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of SevilleSpain
| | - Antonio Ayala
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of SevilleSpain
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Muñoz M, Rosso M, Carranza A, Coveñas R. Increased nuclear localization of substance P in human gastric tumor cells. Acta Histochem 2017; 119:337-342. [PMID: 28325510 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2017.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Revised: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is an aggressive disease that remains the fourth most common type of cancer and is the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Treatment of advanced or metastatic GC has seen little progress and median overall survival in this group remains <1 year. It is urgent to investigate new mechanisms to understand GC progression. It is known that substance P (SP), after binding to the neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptor, elicits GC proliferation; that GC cells and samples express NK-1 receptors; that NK-1 receptor antagonists, in a concentration dependent manner, inhibit the proliferation of GC cells and that these cells die by apoptosis. However, the presence of SP in GC and normal gastric cells is unknown. In order to know more on the involvement of the SP/NK-1 receptor system in GC, we studied in thirty human GC and normal gastric samples the immunolocalization of SP after using an immunohistochemical technique. SP was observed in the cytoplasm and in the nucleus of GC and normal gastric cells. The nuclear expression of SP was higher in GC cells than in normal cells. No significant difference was observed when the cytoplasmatic expression of SP in normal and GC cells was compared. The findings suggest that SP plays an important role in both nuclear function and GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Muñoz
- Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, Research Laboratory on Neuropeptides (IBIS), Sevilla, Spain.
| | - Marisa Rosso
- Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, Research Laboratory on Neuropeptides (IBIS), Sevilla, Spain
| | - Andrés Carranza
- Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, Research Laboratory on Neuropeptides (IBIS), Sevilla, Spain
| | - Rafael Coveñas
- Institute of Neurosciences of Castilla y León (INCYL), Laboratory of Neuroanatomy of the Peptidergic Systems (Lab. 14), University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
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Muñoz M, Rosso M, Coveñas R. The NK-1 receptor antagonist L-732,138 induces apoptosis in human gastrointestinal cancer cell lines. Pharmacol Rep 2017; 69:696-701. [PMID: 28550801 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharep.2017.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Revised: 01/24/2017] [Accepted: 02/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastric and colon cancer cells express the neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) and the peptide substance P (SP), after binding to this receptor, elicits the proliferation of gastrointestinal cancer cells and an antiapoptotic effect. In these cells, NK-1R antagonists (L-733,060: a piperidine derivative; aprepitant: a morpholine derivative) block, after binding to the NK-1R, the action of SP and exert an antiproliferative action, both antagonists promote apoptosis and the death of cancer cells. However, it is currently unknown whether tryptophan derivative NK-1R antagonists (e.g., L-732,138) exert an antiproliferative effect against gastrointestinal cancer cells. L-732,138, L-733,060 and aprepitant being structurally unrelated compounds show a high specificity for the NK-1R. METHODS To determine the number of viable cells, a Coulter counter was performed. For evaluation of tumor cell viability, an MTS colorimetric method was conducted. For apoptosis, a DAPI stain was carried out. RESULTS L-732,138 blocked, in a concentration-dependent manner, the proliferation of gastrointestinal cancer cells (IC50: 75.28 and IC100: 127.4 for human SW-403 colon carcinoma cell line; IC50: 76.8 and IC100: 157.2 for 23132-87 gastric carcinoma cell line. Level of significance: p≤0.01). The antitumor effect elicited by L-732,138 was via the NK-1R and, in addition, 72.1% and 59.3% apoptotic cells (chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation) were respectively found in gastric and colon cancer cell lines when L-732,138 (at IC100 concentration) was administered. CONCLUSION It seems that the NK-1R is an emerging drug target for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer and that the tryptophan derivative NK-1R antagonist L-732,138 must be considered as an anticancer drug in gastrointestinal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Muñoz
- Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, Research Laboratory on Neuropeptides (IBIS), Sevilla, Spain.
| | - Marisa Rosso
- Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, Research Laboratory on Neuropeptides (IBIS), Sevilla, Spain
| | - Rafael Coveñas
- Institute of Neurosciences of Castilla y León (INCYL), Laboratory of Neuroanatomy of the Peptidergic Systems (Lab. 14), University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
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Bayati S, Bashash D, Ahmadian S, Safaroghli-Azar A, Alimoghaddam K, Ghavamzadeh A, Ghaffari SH. Inhibition of tachykinin NK 1 receptor using aprepitant induces apoptotic cell death and G1 arrest through Akt/p53 axis in pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells. Eur J Pharmacol 2016; 791:274-283. [PMID: 27609608 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2016.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2016] [Revised: 09/05/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Increasing number of genetic and cancer biology studies indicated a prominent role for tachykinin NK1 receptor (NK1R) in cancer cell growth and survival. Considering the fact that neoplastic lymphoid precursors in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) carry a three- to four-fold NK1R expression as compared to normal lymphocytes, using NK1R antagonist seems to be noteworthy in the treatment of ALL patients. In this study, we found that inhibition of NK1R with aprepitant, a selective high-affinity antagonist of the human NK1R, exerts cytotoxic and anti-proliferative effects against pre-B ALL-derived Nalm-6 cells either as single drug or in combination with doxorubicin. Our data showed that treatment of the cells with the inhibitor resulted in apoptotic cell death, at least partly, through abrogation of PI3K/Akt pathway, as revealed by the reduction of phospho/total Akt ratio. In agreement with the inhibitory effect on Akt, we also found that aprepitant increased the expression level of p21 and p27, which in turn leads to the induction of G1 cell cycle arrest. Overall, this study recommends mechanistic pathways by which inhibition of NK1R can augment apoptotic cell death through a plausible p53-dependent pathway rather than NF-κB-depended mechanism in pre-B ALL cells; however, further studies are needed to better characterize the application of NK1R inhibition in clinical cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samaneh Bayati
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 13145-1384, Tehran, Iran; Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Davood Bashash
- Department of Hematology and Blood banking, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahin Ahmadian
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 13145-1384, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Ava Safaroghli-Azar
- Department of Hematology and Blood banking, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kamran Alimoghaddam
- Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ardeshir Ghavamzadeh
- Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed H Ghaffari
- Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Li J, Zeng Q, Zhang Y, Li X, Hu H, Miao X, Yang W, Zhang W, Song X, Mou L, Wang R. Neurokinin-1 receptor mediated breast cancer cell migration by increased expression of MMP-2 and MMP-14. Eur J Cell Biol 2016; 95:368-377. [PMID: 27498853 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2016.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2016] [Revised: 07/02/2016] [Accepted: 07/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is a common reason of cancer-associated death in female. To develop novel strategy of therapeutics, it is crucial to comprehensively understand the receptor status of BC cells on the surface and inner, because chemical messengers can bind the receptors and promote tumorigenesis. Compared with normal and benign samples, BC cell lines and malignant biopsies showed higher expression of neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1). In current work, we examined the role and mechanism of NK1 receptor signaling in BC cell migration. Human hemokinin-1 (hHK-1) was the peripheral agonist of NK1 receptor. Our results showed that by activating NK1 receptor, hHK-1 promoted the migration of BC cells. Gelatin zymography and WB experiment showed that hHK-1 enhanced the levels of MMP-2 and MMP-14; inhibition of these two MMPs blocked hHK-1-induced cell migration. We further explored the underlying mechanism. hHK-1 incuced the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK and Akt through PKC or PKA pathway. The phosphorylation of these kinases further regulated the activation of transcriptional factor AP-1 and NF-κB. Inhibition of AP-1 and NF-κB reduced the up-regulation of MMP-2 and MMP-14 by hHK-1. Taken together, we showed NK1 receptor was an important regulator of human BC cell migration and a potential target for BC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyi Li
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences and Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 222 Tian Shui South Road, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Qian Zeng
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences and Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 222 Tian Shui South Road, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Yixin Zhang
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences and Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 222 Tian Shui South Road, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Xiaofang Li
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences and Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 222 Tian Shui South Road, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Hui Hu
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences and Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 222 Tian Shui South Road, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Xiaokang Miao
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences and Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 222 Tian Shui South Road, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Wenle Yang
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences and Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 222 Tian Shui South Road, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences and Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 222 Tian Shui South Road, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Xiaoyun Song
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences and Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 222 Tian Shui South Road, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Lingyun Mou
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences and Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 222 Tian Shui South Road, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China.
| | - Rui Wang
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences and Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 222 Tian Shui South Road, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China.
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