A Simple Selective Probe for Lysine Detection in Tablets, Food Samples and Cells

A novel probe ITQ (9-(((E)-1 H-inden-1-ylidene)methyl)-8-(3-(((E)-1 H-inden-1-ylidene)methyl)phenoxy)-2,3,6,7-tetrahydro-1 H,5 H-pyrido[3,2,1ij]quinolone) was successfully designed and synthesized to detect amino acid lysine (Lys). The selective sensing behavior of the probe ITQ was observed using absorption and emission spectral results. Further, the probe ITQ exhibits a strong binding affinity for Lys [1.4 × 104 M- 1] and detects and quantifies Lys even in its nanomolar concentration. Moreover, the probe ITQ detects Lys at 1:2 binding stoichiometry with suitable biological pH [4-11]. Furthermore, the probe ITQ was also successfully utilized to detect Lys in tablets, real samples (avocado, soyabean and pork) and in live HeLa cells.

[Antiproliferative, apoptotic, and antimigratory activities of kafirins on cervical cancer-derived cell lines]

Background

Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of death in women worldwide, both in developed and developing countries. Therefore, effective treatment of cervical cancer with potential anti-tumor drugs is important. However, new treatments inspired by nutritional medicine are needed.

Objective

To use the human cervical cancer cell lines HeLa and SiHa to evaluate the antiproliferative, apoptotic, and migratory activity of sorghum (kafirins).

Materials and methods

The anticancer effects of the kafirins were examined by counting cells, MTT assays, apoptosis, and migration assays.

Results

This investigation showed that sorghum induced growth inhibition of HeLa and SiHa cells at a significant level. The growth inhibition is dose-dependent and irreversible. When HeLa and SiHa cells were treated with sorghum due to the activity of kafirins, morphological changes were observed, which were identified through the formation of apoptopic bodies. And the kafirins at concentrations of 37.5, 75, 150, and 300 μg/mL decreased the migration of HeLa cells and SiHa cells.

Conclusion

This paper demonstrates the induction of antiproliferative, apoptotic, and anti-migratory activity in HeLa and SiHa cells by kafirins. Sorghum may be used as a nutraceutical with potential cancer-prevention benefits.

Investigation of Curcumin-Loaded OA400 Nanoparticle's Effect on the Expression of E6 and E7 Human Papilloma-Virus Oncogenes and P53 and Rb Factors in HeLa Cell Line

Background

Curcumin, a compound derived from the root of the Curcuma longa, has been confirmed as an anticancer, chemoprotective, and gene/protein regulatory agent. Nanoformulation of curcumin has been developed to increase its targeting efficiency, solubility, controlled release, and physical and chemical stability.

Objectives

This study investigated the effect of new nano-type curcumin, oleic acid-derived dendrosome (OA400 nanoparticles), on the expression of E6 and E7 human papillomavirus oncogenes and P53 and Rb factors in the HeLa cell line. After preparing nano-curcumin by mixing OA400 nano-carrier and curcumin, its effect was considered on the human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa cell line RRID: CVCL_003) and normal fibroblast cells.

Methods

MTT assay and flow cytometry were used to evaluate cell viability and apoptosis. Furthermore, real-time RT-PCR and western blot analyses assessed RNA and protein expression of E6, E7, P53, and Rb. Statistical analyses were performed by GraphPad Prism 7 software.

Results

The nanoformulation of curcumin could reduce the expression of E6 and E7 oncogenes and increase P53 and Rb tumor suppressors in HeLa cancerous cells at 15 μM concentration; however, it had no significant effect on the viability of normal fibroblast cells. On the other hand, curcumin altered the expression of these genes at a 50-μM concentration. Gene and protein expression analysis indicated the up-regulation of P53 and Rb factors and the down-regulation of E6 and E7 under the influence of nano-curcumin treatment more than curcumin.

Conclusions

These data indicate the potential of curcumin-loaded OA400 nanoparticles to be considered as a treatment option in cervical cancer investigations.

Introducing an interesting and novel strategy based on exploiting first-order advantage from spectrofluorimetric data for monitoring three toxic metals in living cells

In this work, we did our best to develop a novel and interesting analytical method based on coupling of spectrofluorimetry with first-order multivariate calibration techniques for simultaneous determination of lead (Pd), zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) in HeLa cells. To achieve this goal, quenching of the emission of graphene (GR) was individually investigated in the presence of Pb, Zn and Cd and then, according to the linear ranges obtained from individual calibration graphs, a multivariate calibration model was developed based on modeling of the quenching of the emission of GR in the presence of the mixtures of Pb, Zn and Cd. First-order multivariate calibration models were constructed by partial least squares (PLS), principal component regression (PCR), orthogonal signal correction-PLS (OSC-PLS), continuum power regression (CPR), robust continuum regression (RCR) and partial robust M-regression (PRM) and their performances were evaluated and statistically compared. Finally, the OSC-PLS was chosen as the best model with the best practical performance for analytical purposes.

Antiproliferative Properties of Newly Synthesized 19-Nortestosterone Analogs Without Substantial Androgenic Activity

19-Nortestosterone C-17 epimers with prominent antiproliferative properties have been previously described. In our present study, five novel 17α-19-nortestosterones (3-7) were synthesized to increase their beneficial biological activities with no associated undesired hormonal effects. The compounds were screened by a viability assay against a panel of human adherent gynecological cancer cell lines. Three of the tested derivatives (3-5) exhibited a remarkable inhibitory effect on the proliferation of HeLa cells with IC₅₀ values lower than that of our reference agent cisplatin (CIS). These three active agents also displayed considerable cancer selectivity as evidenced by their weaker growth inhibitory effect on non-cancerous fibroblast cells compared to CIS. The most potent newly synthesized 17α-chloro derivative (3) was selected for additional experiments in order to characterize its mechanism of action. Since nandrolone (19-nortestosterone, 1) is a structural analog with selective antiproliferative action on cervical carcinoma cells, it was utilized as a positive control in these studies. A lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay demonstrated a moderate cytotoxic effect of the test compounds. Cell cycle disturbance and the elevation of the hypodiploid population elicited by the test agents were detected by flow cytometry following propidium staining. The proapoptotic effects of the tested steroids were confirmed by fluorescent microscopy and a caspase-3 activity assay. Treatment-related caspase-9 activation without a substantial change in caspase-8 activity indicates the induction of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. The selected agents directly influence the rate of tubulin assembly as evidenced by a polymerization assay. Yeast-based reporter gene assay revealed that the androgenic activity of the novel 19-nortestosterone derivative 3 is by multiple orders of magnitude weaker than that of the reference agent 1. Based on the behavior of the examined compounds it can be concluded that a halogen substitution of the 19-nortestosterone scaffold at the 17α position may produce compounds with unique biological activities. The results of the present study support that structurally modified steroids with negligible hormonal activity are a promising basis for the research and development of novel anticancer agents.

Taraxerol Induces Cell Apoptosis through A Mitochondria-Mediated Pathway in HeLa Cells

Objective

Taraxerol acetate has potent anti-cancer effects via the induction of apoptosis, autophagy, cell cycle arrest, and inhibition of cell migration. However, whether taraxerol induced apoptosis and its underlying mechanisms of action is not clear. In the present study, we assess the effects of taraxerol on the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and determine the release of cytochrome c to the cytosol and activation of caspases.

Materials and Methods

In this experimental study, we mainly investigated the effect of taraxerol on HeLa cells. We tested cell viability by the MTT assay and morphologic changes, analyzed apoptosis by DAPI staining and flow cytometry. We also determined reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) using a Microplate Reader. In addition, the apoptotic proteins were tested by Western blot.

Results

Taraxerol enhanced ROS levels and attenuated the MMP (Δψm) in HeLa cells. Taraxerol induced apoptosis mainly via the mitochondrial pathway including the release of cytochrome c to the cytosol and activation of caspases 9 and 3, and anti-poly (ADP- ribose) polymerase (PARP). Taraxerol could induce the down-regulation of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and up-regulation of pro-apoptotic protein Bax. It suppressed the PI3K/ Akt signaling pathway.

Conclusion

These results demonstrated that taraxerol induced cell apoptosis through a mitochondria-mediated pathway in HeLa cells. Thus, taraxerol might be a potential anticervical cancer candidate.

Pulsatilla Saponin D Inhibits Autophagic Flux and Synergistically Enhances the Anticancer Activity of Chemotherapeutic Agents Against HeLa Cells

Pulsatilla saponin D (SB365), a saponin isolated from rhizoma of Pulsatilla chinensis (Bunge) Regel, exhibited anticancer activities in various cancer types. In the present study, we identified that SB365 was a potent inhibitor of autophagic flux in several cancer cell lines. SB365 induced a robust accumulation of autophagosomes as evidenced by monodansylaervarine (MDC) staining and increased protein levels of LC3-II. However, SB365 caused the accumulation of p62, a substrate that should be degraded through the autophagy-lysosomal pathway. These results indicated that SB365 was an inducer of autophagosome formation, but an inhibitor of autophagic flux. Interestingly, we found that SB365 synergistically enhanced the anticancer activity of chemotherapeutic agents against cervical cancer HeLa cells. Furthermore, our study demonstrated that SB365 increased the phosphorylation of ERK and inhibited the phosphorylation of mTOR and p70S6K, suggesting that their roles in the effects of SB365 on autophagy. These results suggest that SB365 could be a promising adjuvant anticancer agent.

Comparative Effect of Recombinant Shiga Toxin in Induction of Pro- and Anti-Apoptotic Markers and Inflammatory Cytokines in Epithelial and Monocytic Cells

Background:

Shiga toxins (Stxs, also referred to as verotoxins) are a family of bacterial protein toxins generated by Stx producing-Escherichia coli (STEC), such as E. coli serotype O157:H7.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of recombinant and native Shiga toxin (Stx) in induction of pro- and anti-apoptosis factors and stimulation of immune response to HeLa and THP-1 cells.

Materials and Methods:

The HeLa and THP-1 cells were used to study the effect of native and recombinant Shiga toxin. For this purpose, 10⁶ cells were cultured overnight in six-well plates and different concentrations of Stx were added to each well. The cells were then collected after 24 hours of incubation. Total RNA and protein was extracted. Firstly, the total RNA was used in reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for detection of interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, B-cell lymphoma (Bcl)-2 and Bcl-xl transcript. Protein expression of pro- and anti-apoptotic factors was also confirmed by western blot analysis.

Results:

The IL-1α and IL-8 were increased by recombinant and native Stx. Interleukin-1β was detected in THP-1, while TNF-α was detected HeLa cells. Furthermore, Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl expression was observed in HeLa cells. However, expression of Bak was reduced by recombinant Stx and native toxin at the protein level, while Bcl-xl expression was increased.

Conclusions:

These results suggest that toxins induce inflammatory responses, particularly through expression of chemokine. Recombinant Stx and native toxin induced apoptosis by balancing between different pro- and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family-factors in epithelial cells. In this study, for the first time, recombinant and native Stx induction of apoptotic factors and stimulation of immune response to HeLa and THP-1 cells were compared.

Optimizing A Lipocomplex-Based Gene Transfer Method into HeLa Cell Line

One of the most significant steps in gene expression studies is transferring genes into cell cultures. Despite there are different methods for gene delivery such as viral and non-viral producers, some cationic lipid reagents have recently developed to transfect into mam- malian cell lines. The main aim of this study was optimizing and improving lipocomplex based transient transfection procedures into HeLa cell line which is being used widely as a typical cell in biological studies. This study was an experimental research. In this work, pCMV β-Gal DNA plasmid was used as a reporter DNA for determining the rate of gene transfection into HeLa cells. To accomplish the highest gene delivery into HeLa cells, optimizing experiments were car- ried out in different volumes of FuGENE-HD, Lipofectamine(TM)2000 and X-tremeGENE. Also, we investigated tranasfection efficiency in presence of various cell densities of HeLa cells. Then, transfection efficiency and cell toxicity were measured by beta gal staining and trypan blue methods, respectively. Using FuGENE-HD in volume of 4µl along with 10(5) HeLa cells, transfection efficiency was higher (43.66 ± 1.52%) in comparison with the cationic lipids Lipofectamine(TM)2000 and X-tremeGENE. In addition, the rate of cell toxicity in presence of FuGENE-HD was less than 5%. In summary, the cationic lipid FuGENE-HD indicates a suitable potential to transfer DNA into HeLa cells and it can be an efficient reagent for gene delivery for HeLa cells in vitro. Moreover, it is worth designing and optimizing gene transfer experiments for other cell lines with FuGENE-HD due to its low toxicity and high efficiency.