Aspirin Blocks EGF-stimulated Cell Viability in a COX-1 Dependent Manner in Ovarian Cancer Cells

Computational Metabolomics Reveals the Potential Mechanism of Matrine Mediated Metabolic Network Against Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a complex issue in cancer treatment in the world at present. Matrine is the main active ingredient isolated from Sophora flavescens air and possesses excellent antitumor effects in HCC. However, the specific underlying mechanisms, especially the possible relationships between the anti-HCC effect of matrine and the related metabolic network of HCC, are not yet clear and need further clarification. In this study, an integrative metabolomic-based bioinformatics algorithm was designed to explore the underlying mechanism of matrine on HCC by regulating the metabolic network. Cell clone formation, invasion, and adhesion assay were utilized in HCC cells to evaluate the anti-HCC effect of matrine. A cell metabolomics approach based on LC-MS was used to obtain the differential metabolites and metabolic pathways regulated by matrine. The maximum activity contribution score model was developed and applied to calculate high contribution target genes of matrine, which could regulate a metabolic network based on the coexpression matrix of matrine-regulated metabolic genes and targets. Matrine significantly repressed the clone formation and invasion, enhanced cell–cell adhesion, and hampered cell matrix adhesion in SMMC-7721 cells. Metabolomics results suggested that matrine markedly regulated the abnormal metabolic network of HCC by regulating the level of choline, creatine, valine, spermidine, 4-oxoproline, D-(+)-maltose, L-(−)-methionine, L-phenylalanine, L-pyroglutamic acid, and pyridoxine, which are involved in D-glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism, glycine, serine and threonine metabolism, arginine and proline metabolism, etc. Our proposed metabolomic-based bioinformatics algorithm showed that the regulating metabolic networks of matrine exhibit anti-HCC effects through acting on MMP7, ABCC1, PTGS1, etc. At last, MMP7 and its related target β-catenin were validated. Together, the metabolomic-based bioinformatics algorithm reveals the effects of the regulating metabolic networks of matrine in treating HCC relying on the unique characteristics of the multitargets and multipathways of traditional Chinese medicine.

Aspirin Suppressed PD-L1 Expression through Suppressing KAT5 and Subsequently Inhibited PD-1 and PD-L1 Signaling to Attenuate OC Development

Ovarian cancer (OC) is a frequently occurred malignancy with high incidence and poor survival worldwide. In recent years, immune checkpoint inhibition that targets PD-1/PD-L1 axis has become an efficient and popular therapy for cancers. Aspirin (ASP), an anti-inflammatory drug, exhibits a wide spectrum of biological functions including anticancer property. However, the role of ASP treatment in ovarian cancer treatment remains unclear. In this work, we explored the role of ASP in modulating PD-L1 signaling during OC development. Notably, in vitro experiments showed that ASP treatment caused repressed proliferation of OC cells. The results from in vivo xenograft model suggested suppressed tumor growth and tumor weight under ASP treatment. ASP treatment also caused downregulated PD-L1 and Ki-67 levels in mice tumors. Moreover, the IFN-γ-caused PD-L1 accumulation was inhibited by ASP treatment. The administration of ASP decreased the expression of PD-L1 of OC cells in a coculture system with activated T cell or unstimulated PBMCs, along with decreased expression of PD-1 by activated T cells. ASP reversed PD-L1 expression caused by coculture with activated T cells and abolished the suppressed T cells activation and proliferation. Analysis on molecular mechanisms revealed that KAT5 bonded to the promoter region of PD-L1 and upregulated its expression via enhancing histone H3 lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27ac), whereas ASP downregulated KAT5 expression and blocked this phenomenon. Moreover, ASP enhanced the effect of antiPD-L1 therapy in the in vivo tumor model. Hence, we proposed that ASP decreased expression of PD-L1 protein via inhibiting the epigenetic regulation by KAT5 and suppressed the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling to attenuate tumor growth. ASP may be a promising adjuvant in OC immunotherapy.

Platelets, Thrombocytosis, and Ovarian Cancer Prognosis: Surveying the Landscape of the Literature

Platelets are critical components of a number of physiologic processes, including tissue remodeling after injury, wound healing, and maintenance of vascular integrity. Increasing evidence suggests that platelets may also play important roles in cancer. In ovarian cancer, thrombocytosis, both at the time of initial diagnosis and at recurrence, has been associated with poorer prognosis. This review describes current evidence for associations between thrombocytosis and ovarian cancer prognosis and discusses the clinical relevance of platelet count thresholds and timing of assessment. In addition, we discuss several mechanisms from in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies that may underlie these associations and recommend potential approaches for novel therapeutic targets for this lethal disease.

A novel mechanism for the anticancer activity of aspirin and salicylates

Epidemiological studies indicate that long‑term aspirin usage reduces the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) and may protect against other non‑CRC associated adenocarcinomas, including oesophageal cancer. A number of hypotheses have been proposed with respect to the molecular action of aspirin and other non‑steroidal anti‑inflammatory drugs in cancer development. The mechanism by which aspirin exhibits toxicity to CRC has been previously investigated by synthesising novel analogues and derivatives of aspirin in an effort to identify functionally significant moieties. Herein, an early effect of aspirin and aspirin‑like analogues against the SW480 CRC cell line was investigated, with a particular focus on critical molecules in the epidermal growth factor (EGF) pathway. The present authors proposed that aspirin, diaspirin and analogues, and diflunisal (a salicylic acid derivative) may rapidly perturb EGF and EGF receptor (EGFR) internalisation. Upon longer incubations, the diaspirins and thioaspirins may inhibit EGFR phosphorylation at Tyr1045 and Tyr1173. It was additionally demonstrated, using a qualitative approach, that EGF internalisation in the SW480 cell line may be directed to endosomes by fumaryldiaspirin using early endosome antigen 1 as an early endosomal marker and that EGF internalisation may also be perturbed in oesophageal cell lines, suggestive of an effect not only restricted to CRC cells. Taken together and in light of our previous findings that the aspirin‑like analogues can affect cyclin D1 expression and nuclear factor‑κB localisation, it was hypothesized that aspirin and aspirin analogues significantly and swiftly perturb the EGFR axis and that the protective activity of aspirin may in part be explained by perturbed EGFR internalisation and activation. These findings may also have implications in understanding the inhibitory effect of aspirin and salicylates on wound healing, given the critical role of EGF in the response to tissue trauma.

Aspirin inhibits the proliferation of hepatoma cells through controlling GLUT1-mediated glucose metabolism

Aspirin can efficiently inhibit liver cancer growth, but the mechanism is poorly understood. In this study, we report that aspirin modulates glucose uptake through downregulating glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), leading to the inhibition of hepatoma cell proliferation. Our data showed that aspirin significantly decreased the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glucose consumption in hepatoma cells. Interestingly, we identified that GLUT1 and HIF1α could be decreased by aspirin. Mechanically, we demonstrated that the -1008/-780 region was the regulatory element of transcriptional factor NF-κB in GLUT1 promoter by luciferase report gene assays. PDTC, an inhibitor of NF-κB, could suppress the expression of GLUT1 in HepG2 and H7402 cells, followed by affecting the levels of ROS and glucose consumption. CoCl₂-activated HIF1α expression could slightly rescue the GLUT1 expression inhibited by aspirin or PDTC, suggesting that aspirin depressed GLUT1 through targeting NF-κB or NF-κB/HIF1α signaling. Moreover, we found that GLUT1 was highly expressed in clinical HCC tissues relating to their paired adjacent normal tissues. Importantly, we observed that high level of GLUT1 was significantly correlated with the poor relapse-free survival of HCC patients by analysis of public data. Functionally, overexpression of GLUT1 blocked the PDTC-induced or aspirin-induced inhibition of glucose metabolism in HepG2 cells. Conversely, aspirin failed to work when GLUT1 was stably knocked down in the cells. Administration of aspirin could depress the growth of hepatoma cells through controlling GLUT1 in vitro and in vivo. Thus, our finding provides new insights into the mechanism by which aspirin depresses liver cancer.

Cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and COX-1 Inhibitors in Cancer: A Review of Oncology and Medicinal Chemistry Literature

Prostaglandins and thromboxane are lipid signaling molecules deriving from arachidonic acid by the action of the cyclooxygenase isoenzymes COX-1 and COX-2. The role of cyclooxygenases (particularly COX-2) and prostaglandins (particularly PGE₂) in cancer-related inflammation has been extensively investigated. In contrast, COX-1 has received less attention, although its expression increases in several human cancers and a pathogenetic role emerges from experimental models. COX-1 and COX-2 isoforms seem to operate in a coordinate manner in cancer pathophysiology, especially in the tumorigenesis process. However, in some cases, exemplified by the serous ovarian carcinoma, COX-1 plays a pivotal role, suggesting that other histopathological and molecular subtypes of cancer disease could share this feature. Importantly, the analysis of functional implications of COX-1-signaling, as well as of pharmacological action of COX-1-selective inhibitors, should not be restricted to the COX pathway and to the effects of prostaglandins already known for their ability of affecting the tumor phenotype. A knowledge-based choice of the most appropriate tumor cell models, and a major effort in investigating the COX-1 issue in the more general context of arachidonic acid metabolic network by using the systems biology approaches, should be strongly encouraged.

Aspirin attenuates monocrotaline-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension in rats by suppressing the ERK/MAPK pathway

This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of aspirin (ASA) and its potential mechanisms of action in monocrotaline (MCT)-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in rats. PAH was induced in a rat model by a single intraperitoneal (IP) injection of MCT. Saline was injected in a control group. Two weeks following MCT injection, right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were measured in six rats from each group to confirm establishment of a PAH model. The remaining MCT-treated rats were randomly allocated to receive IP injection of saline, ASA, or ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059. Four weeks following treatment, RVSP was measured and all rats were sacrificed for histological study. There was no significant difference in SBP in any group two weeks following MCT administration. Nonetheless RVSP was significantly increased in the MCT group compared with the control group. At 6 weeks, ASA treatment remarkably attenuated MCT-induced increased RVSP, RV hypertrophy, and pulmonary artery remodeling compared with the MCT group. The density of pulmonary capillaries in ASA-treated rats was also dramatically increased. Treatment with ASA significantly inhibited the increased p-ERK1/2 and restored the impaired endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in MCT-treated rats. This study demonstrated that ASA distinctively attenuates MCT-induced PAH by inhibition of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

Antitumor and Antiangiogenic Effects of Aspirin-PC in Ovarian Cancer

To determine the efficacy of a novel and safer (for gastrointestinal tract) aspirin (aspirin-PC) in preclinical models of ovarian cancer, in vitro dose-response studies were performed to compare the growth-inhibitory effect of aspirin-PC versus aspirin on three human (A2780, SKOV3ip1, and HeyA8) and a mouse (ID8) ovarian cancer cell line over an 8-day culture period. In the in vivo studies, the aspirin test drugs were studied alone and in the presence of a VEGF-A inhibitor (bevacizumab or B20), due to an emerging role for platelets in tumor growth following antiangiogenic therapy, and we examined their underlying mechanisms. Aspirin-PC was more potent (vs. aspirin) in blocking the growth of both human and mouse ovarian cancer cells in monolayer culture. Using in vivo model systems of ovarian cancer, we found that aspirin-PC significantly reduced ovarian cancer growth by 50% to 90% (depending on the ovarian cell line). The efficacy was further enhanced in combination with Bevacizumab or B20. The growth-inhibitory effect on ovarian tumor mass and number of tumor nodules was evident, but less pronounced for aspirin and the VEGF inhibitors alone. There was no detectable gastrointestinal toxicity. Both aspirin and aspirin-PC also inhibited cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and increased apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells. In conclusion, PC-associated aspirin markedly inhibits the growth of ovarian cancer cells, which exceeds that of the parent drug, in both cell culture and in mouse model systems. We also found that both aspirin-PC and aspirin have robust antineoplastic action in the presence of VEGF-blocking drugs. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(12); 2894-904. ©2016 AACR.

Effect of ximenynic acid on cell cycle arrest and apoptosis and COX-1 in HepG2 cells

Ximenynic acid is a conjugated enyne fatty acid, which is currently of interest due to its anti-inflammatory activity. Due to the association between inflammation and cancer, the present study was designed to investigate the anti‑cancer activity of ximenynic acid in the HepG2 human hepatoma cell line and the underlying mechanisms. The current study demonstrated the anti‑proliferation and pro‑apoptosis activities of ximenynic acid by cell viability assay and flow cytometry analysis. The expression of anti‑apoptosis protein silent information regulator T1 (SIRT1) was significantly suppressed by ximenynic acid. Furthermore, ximenynic acid blocked G1/S phase transition by inhibiting the protein expression of the cell cycle‑associated protein general control of amino acid synthesis yeast homolog like 2 (GCN5L2), and the mRNA expression of cyclin D3 and cyclin E1. Furthermore, ximenynic acid suppressed the expression of angiogenesis‑associated genes, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‑B and VEGF‑C. Finally, ximenynic acid significantly inhibited the expression of cyclooxygenase‑1 (COX‑1) mRNA and protein, however COX‑2 expression was not reduced. The results of the present study suggested that ximenynic acid may inhibit growth of HepG2 cells by selective inhibition of COX‑1 expression, which leads to cell cycle arrest, and alters the apoptosis pathway and expression of angiogenic factors. The current study aimed to investigate whether ximenynic acid might be developed as novel anticancer agent.

Aberrant over-expression of COX-1 intersects multiple pro-tumorigenic pathways in high-grade serous ovarian cancer

Cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) is implicated in ovarian cancer. However, patterns of COX expression and function have been unclear and controversial. In this report, patterns of COX-1 and COX-2 gene expression were obtained from RNA-seq data through The Cancer Genome Atlas. Our analysis revealed markedly higher COX-1 mRNA expression than COX-2 in high-grade serous ovarian cancers (HGSOC) and higher COX-1 expression in HGSOC tumors than 10 other tumor types. High expression of COX-1 in HGSOC tumors was confirmed in an independent tissue microarray. In contrast, lower or similar expression of COX-1 compared to COX-2 was observed in endometrioid, mucinous and clear cell tumors. Stable COX-1 knockdown in HGSOC-representative OVCAR-3 ovarian cancer cells reduced gene expression in multiple pro-tumorigenic pathways. Functional cell viability, clonogenicity, and migration/invasion assays were consistent with transcriptomic changes. These effects were reversed by stable over-expression of COX-1 in SKOV-3 cells. Our results demonstrate a distinct pattern of COX-1 over-expression in HGSOC tumors and strong association of COX-1 with multiple pro-tumorigenic pathways in ovarian cancer cells. These findings provide additional insight into the role of COX-1 in human ovarian cancer and support further development of methods to selectively target COX-1 in the management of HGSOC tumors.

Diversified Control Paths: A Significant Way Disease Genes Perturb the Human Regulatory Network

Background

The complexity of biological systems motivates us to use the underlying networks to provide deep understanding of disease etiology and the human diseases are viewed as perturbations of dynamic properties of networks. Control theory that deals with dynamic systems has been successfully used to capture systems-level knowledge in large amount of quantitative biological interactions. But from the perspective of system control, the ways by which multiple genetic factors jointly perturb a disease phenotype still remain.

Results

In this work, we combine tools from control theory and network science to address the diversified control paths in complex networks. Then the ways by which the disease genes perturb biological systems are identified and quantified by the control paths in a human regulatory network. Furthermore, as an application, prioritization of candidate genes is presented by use of control path analysis and gene ontology annotation for definition of similarities. We use leave-one-out cross-validation to evaluate the ability of finding the gene-disease relationship. Results have shown compatible performance with previous sophisticated works, especially in directed systems.

Conclusions

Our results inspire a deeper understanding of molecular mechanisms that drive pathological processes. Diversified control paths offer a basis for integrated intervention techniques which will ultimately lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies.

Design of Fluorine-Containing 3,4-Diarylfuran-2(5H)-ones as Selective COX-1 Inhibitors

We report the design and synthesis of fluorine-containing cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1)-selective inhibitors to serve as prototypes for the development of a COX-1-targeted imaging agent. Deletion of the SO2CH3 group of rofecoxib switches the compound from a COX-2- to a COX-1-selective inhibitor, providing a 3,4-diarylfuran-2(5H)-one scaffold for structure-activity relationship studies of COX-1 inhibition. A wide range of fluorine-containing 3,4-diarylfuran-2(5H)-ones were designed, synthesized, and tested for their ability to selectively inhibit COX-1 in purified protein and human cancer cell assays. Compounds containing a fluoro-substituent on the C-3 phenyl ring and a methoxy-substituent on the C-4 phenyl ring of the 3,4-diarylfuran-2(5H)-one scaffold were the best COX-1-selective agents of those evaluated, exhibiting IC50s in the submicromolar range. These compounds provide the foundation for development of an agent to facilitate radiologic imaging of ovarian cancer expressing elevated levels of COX-1.