Positive Effects of PI3K/Akt Signaling Inhibition on PTEN and P53 in Prevention of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Tumor Cells

Purpose: The PI3K/Akt signaling pathway regulates cell growth, proliferation and viability in hematopoietic cells. This pathway always dysregulates in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). PTEN and P53 are tumor suppressor genes correlated with PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, and both have a tight link in regulation of cell proliferation and cell death. In this study, we investigated the effects of dual targeting of PI3K/Akt pathway by combined inhibition with nvp-BKM-120 (PI3K inhibitor) and MK-2206 (Akt inhibitor) in relation with PTEN and P53 on apoptosis and proliferation of leukemia cells.

Methods: Both T and B ALL cell lines were treated with both inhibitors alone or in combination with each other, and induction of apoptosis and inhibition of proliferation were evaluated by flow cytometry. Expression levels of PTEN as well as p53 mRNA and protein were measured by real-time qRT-PCR and western blot, respectively.

Results: We indicated that both inhibitors (BKM-120 and MK-2206) decreased cell viability and increased cytotoxicity in leukemia cells. Reduction in Akt phosphorylation increased PTEN and p53 mRNA and p53 protein level (in PTEN positive versus PTEN negative cell lines). Additionally, both inhibitors, particularly in combination with each other, increased apoptosis (evaluated with Annexin V and caspase 3) and reduced proliferation (Ki67 expression) in leukemia cells. However, administration of IL7 downregulated PTEN and P53 mRNA expression and rescued cancer cells following inhibition of BKM-120 and MK-2206.

Conclusion: This investigation suggested that inhibition of Akt and PI3K could be helpful in leukemia treatment.

Regulation and modulation of PTEN activity

PTEN (Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten) is a tumor suppressor that is frequently mutated in most human cancers. PTEN is a lipid and protein phosphatase that antagonizes PI3K/AKT pathway through lipid phosphatase activity at the plasma membrane. More recent studies showed that, in addition to the putative role of PTEN as a PI(3,4,5)P3 3-phosphatase, it is a PI(3,4)P2 3-phosphatase during stimulation of class I PI3K signaling pathway by growth factor. Although PTEN tumor suppressor function via it's lipid phosphatase activity occurs primarily in the plasma membrane, it can also be found in the nucleus, in cytoplasmic organelles and extracellular space. PTEN has also shown phosphatase independent functions in the nucleus. PTEN can exit from the cell through exosomal export or secretion and has a tumor suppressor function in adjacent cells. PTEN has a critical role in growth, the cell cycle, protein synthesis, survival, DNA repair and migration. Understanding the regulation of PTEN function, activity, stability, localization and its dysregulation outcomes and also the intracellular and extracellular role of PTEN and paracrine role of PTEN-L in tumor cells as an exogenous therapeutic agent can help to improve clinical conceptualization and treatment of cancer.

Effects of Polygonum aviculare herbal extract on sperm parameters after EMF exposure in mouse

Electromagnetic fields with high energy same as ionizing radiation inserts their destructive effects via free radical production. Using antioxidants or herbal plants with antioxidants components could diminish hazardous effects of EMF. Polygonum aviculare has a high amount of phenolic and flavonoid and proved that has antioxidants effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Polygonum aviculare herbal extract on sperm parameters after EMF exposure in mouse. Twenty four male mice, 8 weeks divided to 4 groups (one control and three experimental groups). Control group didn't receive EMF exposure. EMF group mice received 3 mT EMF during 2 months, 4 h daily and 5 days weekly. Polygonum aviculare group received 50 mg kg(-1) herbal extract during 2 months and poly -EMF group received 3 mT EMF during 2 months, 4 h daily and 5 days weekly and 50 mg kg(-1) herbal extract during 2 months. After 2 months the mice sacrificed with cervical dislocation and sperm obtained from tail of epididymis and motility and morphology of them were analyzed. Sperm analysis results showed that in group with Polygonum aviculare, morphology and motility of sperm developed (p < 0.05). Present results showed that EMF can reduce motility of sperm and treatment of Polygonum aviculare after EMF exposure developed sperm quality after EMF exposure.

Effect of dietary and topical Celecoxib on expression of bcl-2, bax, c-erb-B2 and Ki67 in carcinogen-induced tongue carcinoma in rat

The aim of the study is to determine the effect of Celecoxib administration, dietary or topical, on expression of Ki-67, c-erb-B2, bcl-2 and bax genes in rat tongue by the immunohistochemistry methods and also tdt-mediated dupt-biotin nick end labeling assay in order to explore their role in malignant transformation and the proliferation rate, apoptosis rate in tongue squamous cell carcinoma. Effects of celecoxib on tongue carcinogenesis were investigated in 40 adult male Sprague Dawley 3-3.5 months rats initiated with 30 ppm 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide. The immunohistochemical expression of Ki-67, bcl2, bax and c-erb-B2 were also examined for analysis of the effects of Celecoxib on tongue carcinogenesis. Differences among groups were statistically analyzed with one-way analysis of variance (SPSS-13, p < 0.05). At week 8, the incidence of tongue precancer lesions was reduced by Celecoxib and there were significant differences in the average expression of Ki-67 (p = 0.00), c-erb-B2 (p = 0.01), bax (p = 0.02), bcl2 (p = 0.02) and also in TUNEL assay (p = 0.00). The results suggest probably that the level of c-erb-B2, bcl-2 and bax expression could show behavior of squamous cell carcinoma in initiation phase of developing carcinoma.

A study on the effect of thiotepa on mice spermatogenesis using light and electronic microscope

The present study was designed to explore the spermatogenic effect of intraperitoneal administration of thiotepa in mice. It is known the chemotherapy could affect testicular function and result in infertility. There are few reports on the side effect of thiotepa on spermatogenesis when are used as anticancer drug. Therefore, in the present study the effect of thiotepa on spermatogenesis was evaluated by electron microscopy. A total of 20 balb/c mice were used in this study. They were divided into control and thiotepa treated groups. Thiotepa was administrated as 2.5 mg kg(-1) for 5 days. The mice were sacrificed after 5 weeks and testicular specimens were removed, fixed in boueins fixative and 2.5% Glutaraldehide then prepared for light and electron microscopic study. Light microscopy showed that the thickness of germinal epithelium was decreased in thiotepa treated group and many seminiferous tubules have lost germinal cells. Electron microscopy revealed that in experimental group several intercellular spaces appeared between spermatogonial and sertoli cells. The basement membrane became irregular and intercellular vacuoles were present in sertoli and spermatogonial cells. Nuclear chromatin was condensed and there were several vacuolated mitochondria. It was indicated that thiotepa affected testicular germinal epithelium by both cytotoxic effect and induction of apoptosis.

The effects of an electromagnetic field on the boundary tissue of the seminiferous tubules of the rat: A light and transmission electron microscope study

Human beings are unavoidably exposed to ambient electromagnetic fields (EMF) generated from various electrical devices and from power transmission lines. Controversy exists about the effects of EMF on various organs. One of the critical issues is that EMF may adversely affect the reproductive system. In order to examine this 30 rat pups were exposed to 50 Hz EMF (non-ionising radiation) during in utero development (approximately 3 weeks) and postnatal life (5 weeks). Groups of exposed rats were subsequently left in an environment free of EMF in order to observe recovery, if any, from the changes induced by EMF on the boundary tissue of the seminiferous tubules. The materials were processed and observed under a light and a transmission electron microscope. In the experimental rats boundary tissue was found disrupted at various layers. This tissue showed infoldings, which were perhaps due to the loss of collagen and reticular fibrils from the inner and outer non-cellular layers. The outer non-cellular layer, which was thinner than that of the control, was stripped away from the myoid cell layer in multiple regions, giving a "blister-like" appearance. The myoid cells showed fewer polyribosomes, pinocytotic vesicles and glycogen granules. Most mitochondria were found to lack cristae. The connections between individual myoid cells were apparently lost. There were signs of recovery in the boundary tissue following withdrawal from EMF exposure. These results suggest that EMF exposure may cause profound changes in the boundary tissue of the seminiferous tubules. Therefore exposure to EMF may result in pathological changes that lead to subfertility and infertility.

Role of calcitriol in phosphate regulation by the chick embryo

Chick embryos were injected on the 14th day of incubation with 100 ng calcitriol. The concentration of Ca in their serum rose significantly 4 hours after the injection and the concentration of Pi started to decrease 10 hours after. When embryos of the same age were injected with a solution containing CaCl2, the concentrations of both Ca and P rose significantly 2 hours after the injection and remained high until the end of the experiment. The fact that both treatments produced hypercalcemia but had opposite effects on the concentration of Pi does not agree with the idea that the hypophosphatemic response to calcitriol might be secondary to the hypercalcemia which precedes it. The injection of a solution of NaHCO3 to embryos of the same age failed to produce hypophosphatemia. The fact that calcium salts and bicarbonate, when injected separately, fail to induce hypophosphatemia does not contradict the possibility that the hypophosphatemic response to calcitriol might result from the simultaneous increase in flux of Ca and -HCO3 from the shell. Three days after the injection of calcitriol to 14-day-old embryos, the total amount of Ca and P in the urine was significantly higher than in the controls. The concentration of Ca and P in kidney tissue was also significantly higher in the injected embryos. In addition, calcified precipitates were detected histochemically in the lumen of the kidney tubules from the treated embryos. These results are interpreted as demonstrating that an increase in the excretion of P in the urine is the main mechanism explaining calcitriol-induced hypophosphatemia in the chick embryo.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The role of ultimobranchial bodies in the modulation of the response of chick embryos to 1,25-dihydroxy-cholecalciferol

Ultimobranchial bodies (UBBs) were dissected from 17-day-old chick embryos and grafted onto the chorioallantoic membrane of 8-day-old embryos. The embryos with UBB grafts as well as sham-grafted controls were injected on the 10th day of incubation with 100 ng 1,25(OH)2D3 dissolved in ethyl alcohol or with an equal volume of ethyl alcohol alone; embryos were sacrificed on the 13th day. Grafted UBBs showed ultrastructural characteristics typical of actively secreting glands. A histological study of the tibiae from all embryos showed that while the grafted embryos responded to the injection of 1,25(OH)2D3 with a peripheral rim of undermineralized bone trabeculae, sham-grafted embryos never did so. These results confirm the original hypothesis that the presence of differentiated UBBs is a precondition for the production of undermineralized bone (osteoid) by 1,25(OH)2D3. In a second series of experiments, similarly treated embryos were sacrificed on the 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th day; the levels of calcium and inorganic phosphate were determined in their blood. The injection of 1,25(OH)2D3 produced in all embryos hypercalcaemia and hypophosphataemia. However, the hypophosphataemic response was more prolonged in the embryos with UBB grafts than in sham-grafted ones. These results suggest that the grafted UBBs prolonged the hypophosphataemic response, probably by secreting calcitonin and thus reducing the rate of bone resorption. It is also probable that the prolonged hypophosphataemia produced or contributed to the undermineralization of the peripheral (subperiosteal) trabeculae.