Expression of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in hepatocellular carcinoma

Liver Disease: Induction, Progression, Immunological Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Interventions

The liver is an organ with impressive regenerative potential and has been shown to heal sizable portions after their removal. However, certain diseases can overstimulate its potential to self-heal and cause excessive cellular matrix and collagen buildup. Decompensation of liver fibrosis leads to cirrhosis, a buildup of fibrotic ECM that impedes the liver’s ability to efficiently exchange fluid. This review summarizes the complex immunological activities in different liver diseases, and how failure to maintain liver homeostasis leads to progressive fibrotic tissue development. We also discuss a variety of pathologies that lead to liver cirrhosis, such as alcoholic liver disease and chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV). Mesenchymal stem cells are widely studied for their potential in tissue replacement and engineering. Herein, we discuss the potential of MSCs to regulate immune response and alter the disease state. Substantial efforts have been performed in preclinical animal testing, showing promising results following inhibition of host immunity. Finally, we outline the current state of clinical trials with mesenchymal stem cells and other cellular and non-cellular therapies as they relate to the detection and treatment of liver cirrhosis.

Isolation, purification, structural characteristics, pharmacological activities, and combined action of Hedyotis diffusa polysaccharides: A review

Hedyotis diffusa polysaccharides, as the main component and an important bioactive substance of Hedyotis diffusa, are effective immunomodulators with various pharmacological activities, including antitumour, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-fatigue and immunity-enhancing activities. The total polysaccharides extracted from Hedyotis diffusa and Scutellaria barbata have great effects in treating liver cancer, gastric cancer, rectal cancer, glioma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Moreover, different materials and extraction methods result in differences in the structure and bioactivity of Hedyotis diffusa polysaccharides. Therefore, this paper summarizes the isolation, purification, structural characteristics, pharmacological activities, and combined action of Hedyotis diffusa polysaccharides to provide a reference for further study.

Radix Tetrastigma hemsleyani flavone inhibits proliferation, migration, and invasion of human lung carcinoma A549 cells

Radix Tetrastigma hemsleyani flavone (RTHF) is widely used as a traditional herb and has detoxification and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we investigated the potential effects of RTHF on the growth and metastasis of human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells and evaluated its mechanisms. A549 cells were treated with RTHF at various concentrations for different periods. In vitro Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and colony formation methods showed that RTHF had dose- and time-dependent antiproliferation effects on A549 cells. A cell adhesion assay showed that RTHF decreased A549 cell adhesion in a dose-dependent manner. Cell invasion and migration were investigated using the Transwell assay and observed using an inverted microscope; the results showed that cell metastasis was significantly lower in the treatment group than that in the control group (P<0.01). Expression of metastasis-related matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. The results showed that the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 decreased, while that of TIMP-2 increased significantly in the RTHF group when compared with the results of the control group. These results show that RTHF exhibits antigrowth and antimetastasis activity in lung cancer A549 cells by decreasing the expression of MMP-2/-9 and TIMP-1 and increasing that of TIMP-2.

Dioscorea nipponica Makino inhibits migration and invasion of human oral cancer HSC-3 cells by transcriptional inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase-2 through modulation of CREB and AP-1 activity

Oral cancer mortality has increased during the last decade due to the difficulties in treating related metastasis. Dioscorea nipponica Makino, a popular folk medicine, exerts anti-obesity and anti-inflammation properties. However, the effect of this folk medicine on metastasis of oral cancer has yet to be fully elucidated. The present study demonstrates that D. nipponica extracts (DNE), at a range of concentrations (0-50 μg/mL), concentration-dependently inhibited migration/invasion capacities of human oral cancer cells, HSC-3, without cytotoxic effects. The anti-migration effect of DNE was also observed in two other OSCC cell lines, Ca9-22 and Cal-27. Zymography, real time PCR, and Western blotting analyses revealed that DNE inhibited matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) enzyme activity, and RNA and protein expression. The inhibitory effects of DNE on MMP-2 proceeded by up-regulating tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2), as well as suppressing nuclear translocation and DNA binding activity of cAMP response element-binding (CREB) and activating protein-1 (AP-1) on the MMP-2 promoter in HSC-3 cells. In conclusion, DNE inhibited the invasion of oral cancer cells and may have potential use as a chemopreventive agent against oral cancer metastasis.

Anti-invasion effects of 6-shogaol and 6-gingerol, two active components in ginger, on human hepatocarcinoma cells

SCOPE

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of liver cancer and is highly metastatic. Metastasis is considered to be the major cause of death in cancer patients. Ginger is a natural dietary rhizome with anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic activities. The aims of this study were to evaluate the anti-invasion activity of 6-shogaol and 6-gingerol, two compounds found in ginger, on hepatoma cells.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The migratory and invasive abilities of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-treated HepG2 and PMA-untreated Hep3B cells were both reduced in a dose-dependent manner by treatment with 6-shogaol and 6-gingerol. Upon incubation of PMA-treated HepG2 cells and PMA-untreated Hep3B cells with 6-shogaol and 6-gingerol, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 activity decreased, whereas the expression of tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase protein (TIMP)-1 increased in both cell types. Additionally, urokinase-type plasminogen activator activity was dose-dependently decreased in Hep3B cells after incubation with 6-shogaol for 24 h. Analysis with semi-quantitative reverse transcription-PCR showed that the regulation of MMP-9 by 6-shogaol and 6-gingerol and the regulation of TIMP-1 by 6-shogaol in Hep3B cells may on the transcriptional level.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that 6-shogaol and 6-gingerol might both exert anti-invasive activity against hepatoma cells through regulation of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 and that 6-shogaol could further regulate urokinase-type plasminogen activity.

Evaluation of anti-invasion effect of resveratrol and related methoxy analogues on human hepatocarcinoma cells

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of liver cancer and is also highly metastatic. Metastasis is considered to be the major cause of death in cancer patients. Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene) and related analogues have been reported as candidates to prevent cancer growth and invasion. The bioactivity of resveratrol-related analogues could be altered due to the presence and positioning of methoxy groups on the basic resveratrol chemical structure. This study investigated the effects and mechanism of action of resveratrol and its methoxy analogues on invasion of human hepatocarcinoma cells. The migratory and invasive abilities of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-treated HepG2 and PMA-untreated Hep3B cells were both reduced in a dose-dependent manner by treatment with resveratrol and 3,5,4'-trimethoxy-trans-stilbene (MR-3). Upon incubation of PMA-treated HepG2 cells with resveratrol (0-50 microM) or MR-3 (0-50 microM), the MMP-9 activity decreased but TIMP-1 protein increased in a dose-dependent manner. With resveratrol (0-50 microM) or MR-3 (0-1 microM) treatment on PMA-untreated Hep3B cells, both of the MMP-9 and MMP-2 activities decreased but TIMP-2 protein increased in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that resveratrol and its related methoxy analogue MR-3 might exert anti-invasive activity against hepatoma cells through regulation of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2. Further analysis with semiquantitative RT-PCR showed that the regulation of MMP-9 and TIMP-2 expressions by resveratrol and MR-3 in hepatoma cells may be on the transcriptional level but on the translational or post-translational level for TIMP-1.

Usefulness of MMP-9/TIMP-1 in predicting tumor recurrence in patients undergoing curative surgical resection for gastric carcinoma

Degradation of the extracellular matrix is an essential step in tumor invasion and metastasis. It involves the actions of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). We evaluated the expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in gastric carcinomas and the relationship between this expression and tumor recurrence. Eighty patients who had undergone curative surgical resection for gastric carcinoma were included. Resected gastric tissue samples were stained immunohistochemically to evaluate the expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1. TIMP-1 expression was related to the depth of tumor invasion and lymph node metastasis. The proportion of tumors larger than 5 cm, or displaying muscle layer invasion, and the cumulative incidence of tumor recurrence were significantly elevated in patients with tumors expressing TIMP-1. Furthermore, these measures were lowest in patients with no TIMP-1 expression and highest in patients who only expressed TIMP-1. In conclusion, TIMP-1 expression and the balance between expression of MMP-9 and expression of TIMP-1 may be important indicators of tumor progression and predictors of tumor recurrence.