迷迭香酸对乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞增殖、凋亡和迁移能力的影响

研究迷迭香酸对乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞增殖、凋亡和迁移能力的影响。采用磺酰罗丹明B(SRB)法测定迷迭香酸对乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞增殖的影响,Hoechst 33258荧光染色法观察细胞凋亡形态,Annexin VFITC/PI检测细胞凋亡率;同时,细胞划痕实验检测迷迭香酸对MDA-MB-231细胞体外迁移能力的影响,实时荧光PCR(qPCR)法检测Bax、Bcl-2、Caspase-3、MMP-2和MMP-9基因的表达水平。研究结果显示迷迭香酸能抑制乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞的增殖,且呈时间剂量依赖性;迷迭香酸处理后的MDA-MB-231细胞出现明显的凋亡形态,且细胞凋亡率明显增加,Bax和caspase-3 mRNA表达水平增加,而Bcl-2 mRNA表达水平降低。另外,迷迭香酸作用后可剂量依赖性地降低MDA-MB-231细胞的体外迁移能力;同时降低MMP-2和MMP-9 mRNA的表达。因此,迷迭香酸能有效的抑制MDA-MB-231细胞的增殖,诱导细胞凋亡,降低细胞迁移能力。     

姜黄素通过MAPK信号通路诱导人肝癌SMMC-7721细胞凋亡

本文阐述了姜黄素(Curcumin)对体外培养的人肝癌SMMC-7721细胞增殖和凋亡的影响,并探讨了其诱导凋亡的信号转导机制。采用MTT法和细胞计数法检测不同浓度姜黄素对人肝癌细胞株SMMC-7721增殖的影响,利用流式细胞术检测姜黄素对人肝癌SMMC-7721细胞凋亡的影响,通过RT-PCR及Western blot检测姜黄素对人肝癌SMMC-7721细胞中凋亡相关蛋白Caspase-3、Survivin、Bcl-2和Bax表达的影响,最后通过检测MAPK的磷酸化水平分析姜黄素诱导SMMC-7721细胞凋亡的信号转导机制,通过MAPK抑制剂实验进一步证实诱导凋亡的分子机制。研究结果显示,姜黄素呈时间和剂量依赖性抑制人肝癌SMMC-7721细胞的增殖,其中40μmol/L姜黄素可明显诱导SMMC-7721细胞的凋亡,并呈时间依赖性上调促凋亡蛋白Caspase-3和Bax的表达、下调抗凋亡蛋白Survivin和Bcl-2的表达,姜黄素对凋亡相关蛋白表达的调节及诱导凋亡可以通过激活JNK、抑制ERK和p38 MAPK信号通路实现。表明姜黄素可诱导人肝癌SMMC-7721细胞凋亡,其机制与姜黄素激活JNK、抑制ERK和p38 MAPK信号通路从而上调Caspase-3和Bax的表达,下调Survivin和Bcl-2的表达有关。     

曲古抑菌素A（TSA）对骨肉瘤细胞株143B增殖和凋亡的作用及其机制

观察曲古抑菌素A（TSA）对骨肉瘤细胞株143B增殖及凋亡的作用,并探讨其机制。TSA与p38抑制剂（SB203580,3μmol／L）及JNK抑制剂（SP600125,0．5μmol／L）单独或同时处理143B细胞,分别以MTT、台盼蓝染色、流式细胞术和JC—1（测定线粒体跨膜电位）法检,TSA对143B细胞的增殖、存活、周期以及凋亡的影响。应用RT-PCR、Westernblot检测Bax、Bcl．2、p38／JNK表达。结果显示,TsA能够以时间和剂量依赖方式抑制143B细胞增殖,使细胞周期阻滞于GdG。与G2／M期,并能诱导143B细胞凋亡,引起线粒体膜电位降低,促凋亡蛋白Bax表达上调,抑凋亡蛋白Bcl．2表达下调,同时使p38／ⅢK活化增加。p38／JNK4检测剂则能逆转TSA对Bax／Bcl．2的上调及抑制作用。研究结果揭示,TSA可以时间剂量依赖方式抑制143BN胞增殖,阻滞细胞周期,诱导细胞凋亡;其诱导细胞凋亡的机制可能与活化MAPK通路中p38和JNK的活性从而激发线粒体凋亡通路有关。     

藻蓝蛋白抑制人结肠癌SW480细胞增殖的初步研究

目的研究藻蓝蛋白对人结肠癌SW480细胞的体外抑瘤作用,为进一步探讨藻蓝蛋白抑制肿瘤的机制提供依据。方法用不同浓度的藻蓝蛋白处理结肠癌SW480细胞后,应用MTT实验来检测藻蓝蛋白对细胞增殖的抑制作用并计算出半数抑制率,利用HE染色法和电镜技术观察凋亡细胞形态结构,采用流式细胞术分析其对SW480细胞周期的影响。结果 MTT试验证明藻蓝蛋白能够抑制SW480细胞的增殖,且呈时间和剂量依赖性;HE染色以及电镜的观察结果显示藻蓝蛋白能够诱导SW480细胞的凋亡,流式细胞术显示SW480细胞被阻滞在G2/M期,G0/G1期细胞比例降低。结论藻蓝蛋白在体外能够抑制结肠癌SW480细胞的增殖,具有可开发人结肠癌治疗光敏剂应用前景。     

薯蓣皂苷激活p38MAPK/FOXO3a信号抑制三阴性乳腺癌细胞上皮–间质转化及侵袭

该研究探讨了薯蓣皂苷(Dioscin)对三阴性乳腺癌MDA-MB-231、BT549细胞体外侵袭及上皮–间质转化(epithelial to mensenchymal transition,EMT)的影响及其作用机制。以正常人乳腺上皮MCF-10A细胞为对照,通过MTS法、克隆形成实验检测细胞增殖能力;Transwell实验检测细胞侵袭、迁移能力;Western blot法检测p38MAPK、p-p38MAPK、FOXO3a及上皮–间质转化(epithelial to mensenchymal transition,EMT)相关标志物的表达。结果显示,Dioscin能明显抑制MDA-MB-231、BT549细胞的增殖,且具有浓度依赖性,对MCF-10A细胞抑制作用较弱;Dioscin处理后肿瘤细胞的侵袭、迁移能力明显降低,Dioscin可显著下调细胞间质样标志物波形蛋白(vimentin)、N-钙黏蛋白(N-cadherin)并促进上皮样标志物E-钙黏蛋白(E-cadherin)的表达,EMT关键转录因子Snail的表达也受到抑制。进一步研究发现,Dioscin能够上调p38MAPK磷酸化水平并促进转录因子FOXO3a的表达,而干扰FOXO3a能够逆转Dioscin对细胞EMT及侵袭的抑制作用。以上研究表明,Dioscin能够抑制三阴性乳腺癌细胞EMT及体外侵袭、迁移能力,其机制可能与Dioscin调控p38MAPK/FOXO3a信号有关。     

表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯抑制乳腺癌细胞增殖和迁移

表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯（epigallocatechin-3-gallate, EGCG）是茶叶活性物质主要成分.EGCG可预防或治疗多种肿瘤.本文旨在探讨EGCG对人乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞增殖、凋亡及迁移力的作用及其机制. 经EGCG处理后,通过流式细胞术及噻唑蓝（MTT）法发现,EGCG使MDA-MB-231细胞周期阻滞,细胞凋亡数量上升,明显抑制乳腺癌细胞的存活率. EGCG处理后,MDA-MB-231细胞的形态由正常的纤维状变为鹅卵石状. 免疫荧光染色及免疫印迹结果表明,其上皮细胞标志物表达量增加,而间质标志物表达量下降. 通过划痕实验发现,EGCG明显抑制了细胞迁移能力. 本文揭示了EGCG通过抑制乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞周期进程,促进间质-上皮转化,抑制乳腺癌细胞增殖和迁移.     

SK-1基因敲除联合阿霉素抑制乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231的增殖和迁移

目的:将乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞的SK-1基因敲除,结合阿霉素对细胞增殖和迁移的抑制作用,研究乳腺癌的治疗新方法.方法:将阿霉素分 别感染野生型及SK-1敲除型MDA-MB-231细胞,3H-TdR掺入法分析细胞增殖,RT-PCR检测细 胞内SK-1的mRNA表达量,Western blot 检测SK-1蛋白表达及细胞凋亡相关因子caspase 3的蛋白表达,Transwell法分析细胞迁移. 结果:阿霉素感染MDA-MB-231细胞,抑制细胞增殖和迁移,细胞存活率明 显下降;阿霉素呈浓度依赖性及时间依赖性抑制SK-1 mRNA及蛋白水平表达;将SK-1基因敲 除,细胞迁移率下降,协同阿霉素的作用,迁移率进一步下降,且将导致细胞凋亡.结论: SK-1基因敲除可增强阿霉素对乳腺癌细胞增殖和迁移的抑制作用.     

E1A激活基因阻遏子过表达抑制体外人血管平滑肌细胞凋亡

为探讨E1A激活基因阻遏子（cellular repressor of E1A-stimulated genes,CREG）对人血管平滑肌细胞（vascular smooth muscl ecells,VSMCs）凋亡的影响及调控机制,应用正、反义重组逆转录病毒表达载体pLNCX,（＋）／CREG及pLXSN（-）／CREG制备稳定感染人胸廓内动脉平滑肌细胞克隆株（human internal thoracic artery-Shenyang,HITASY）细胞模型,观察CREG蛋白过表达及表达抑制对平滑肌细胞凋亡的影响。荧光显微镜下观察DAPI染色后凋亡细胞核形态,AnnexinV／PI流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率,RT-PCR技术分析凋亡相关基因caspase-9mRNA的表达,蛋白质印迹法分析p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶（p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase,p38MAPK）、磷酸化p38MAPK（phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated proteinkinase,P-p38 MAPK）的表达变化。研究结果显示,CREG蛋白过表达明显抑制血清饥饿诱导的HITASY细胞凋亡的发生;同时细胞中p38MAPK、P-p38MAPK的表达增加。相反,抑制CREG蛋白表达则引起正常血清培养状态下VSMCs的自发凋亡明显增加,同时细胞内p38MAPK、P-p38MAPK表达显著下降。进一步研究发现,预先应用特异性抑制剂SB203580阻断p38MAPK信号转导通路后,CREG蛋白过表达引起的细胞凋亡抑制作用被明显减弱,血清饥饿后CREG蛋白过表达引起的HITASY细胞凋亡现象明显增加。上述结果提示,CREG蛋白过表达可以抑制体外培养的VSMCs凋亡,p38MAPK信号转导通路可能介导CREG蛋白对VSMCs凋亡的抑制作用。     

E1A激活基因阻遏子(CREG)过表达通过抑制p38/JNK信号分子活化对抗人血管平滑肌细胞凋亡

血管平滑肌细胞(VSMCs)凋亡参与了动脉粥样硬化(AS)及冠状动脉介入治疗(PCI)术后再狭窄(RS)等心血管疾病的发生发展过程．E1A激活基因阻遏子(CREG)是新近发现的一种分泌型糖蛋白,在维持细胞和组织稳态方面发挥重要作用．前期研究发现CREG蛋白过表达能够对抗血清饥饿诱导的人血管平滑肌细胞(hVSMCs)凋亡,进一步探讨CREG对hVSMCs凋亡的调控作用及相关的分子机制．以逆转录病毒稳定转染的CREG过表达及表达抑制的hVSMCs为模型,应用两种药物Staurosporine (STS) 和Etoposide (VP-16) 诱导细胞发生凋亡,检测细胞凋亡和相关信号通路变化．结果显示,在药物干预后,CREG表达抑制时细胞凋亡明显增多,而CREG过表达明显抑制hVSMCs凋亡．同时也发现,CREG表达抑制时p38及JNK活性明显增强,而CREG过表达时p38和JNK活性被抑制．经腺病毒转染和药物干预抑制p38表达后,细胞凋亡均受到抑制,而且在p38活性被抑制的同时,JNK活化也受到抑制．说明p38和JNK表现为协同作用．结果也显示,VSMCs分化指标SM α-actin和SM MHC与CREG表达呈一致趋势,而细胞外基质蛋白Fibronection与CREG表达呈负相关．以上结果提示,CREG在维持VSMCs表型转换方面发挥重要作用,并且通过p38和JNK信号转导通路对hVSMCs凋亡进行调控．CREG可能对于AS和PCI术后RS的防治具有重要价值．     

白皮杉醇对子宫内膜癌HEC-1A细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的影响

本研究旨在考察白皮杉醇(piceatannol, PIC)对子宫内膜癌细胞HEC-1A的初步抗肿瘤作用。分别通过CCK-8实验、平板克隆形成实验、流式细胞术、划痕损伤修复实验和Transwell小室实验检测不同浓度的PIC对HEC-1A细胞增殖、凋亡、迁移和侵袭能力的影响。Western blot实验检测细胞增殖相关蛋白和侵袭迁移相关蛋白的表达水平。结果显示，与空白组相比，PIC能显著抑制HEC-1A细胞增殖、克隆形成能力、诱导其凋亡并减少细胞迁移距离和侵袭细胞数(P<0.01),下调p-Akt、p-Erk1/2、p-p38MAPK、β-catenin、CD44和Slug蛋白的表达水平，上调E-cadherin蛋白的表达水平(P<0.01)。综上所述，PIC呈浓度依赖性抑制子宫内膜癌HEC-1A细胞的增殖、迁移与侵袭，其机制可能与抑制AKT/ERK/MAPK信号通路和影响Wnt/β-catenin信号通路和上皮-间质转化标志物的改变有关。     

Benzyl isothiocyanate targets mitochondrial respiratory chain to trigger reactive oxygen species-dependent apoptosis in human breast cancer cells

Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC), a dietary cancer chemopreventive agent, causes apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 human breast cancer cells, but the mechanism of cell death is not fully understood. We now demonstrate that the BITC-induced apoptosis in human breast cancer cells is initiated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to inhibition of complex III of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. The BITC-induced ROS production and apoptosis were significantly inhibited by overexpression of catalase and Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase and pharmacological inhibition of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. The mitochondrial DNA-deficient Rho-0 variant of MDA-MB-231 cells was nearly completely resistant to BITC-mediated ROS generation and apoptosis. The Rho-0 MDA-MB-231 cells also resisted BITC-mediated mitochondrial translocation (activation) of Bax. Biochemical assays revealed inhibition of complex III activity in BITC-treated MDA-MB-231 cells as early as at 1 h of treatment. The BITC treatment caused activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), which function upstream of Bax activation in apoptotic response to various stimuli. Pharmacological inhibition of both JNK and p38 MAPK conferred partial yet significant protection against BITC-induced apoptosis. Activation of JNK and p38 MAPK resulting from BITC exposure was abolished by overexpression of catalase. The BITC-mediated conformational change of Bax was markedly suppressed by ectopic expression of catalytically inactive mutant of JNK kinase 2 (JNKK2(AA)). Interestingly, a normal human mammary epithelial cell line was resistant to BITC-mediated ROS generation, JNK/p38 MAPK activation, and apoptosis. In conclusion, the present study indicates that the BITC-induced apoptosis in human breast cancer cells is initiated by mitochondria-derived ROS.     

Novel effects of sphingosylphosphorylcholine on the apoptosis of breast cancer via autophagy/AKT/p38 and JNK signaling

Sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC), an important lipid mediator in blood, inhibits the proliferation and migration of various cancer cells. However, its effect as a cell-specific sphingolipid in breast cancer cells is still unknown. Here, we showed that SPC promoted autophagy and apoptosis in triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. Autophagy worked as a negative regulator of apoptosis-induced by SPC. Mechanistically, SPC mediated apoptosis via activating c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Meanwhile, p38MAPK (p38) and protein kinase B (PKB or AKT) signaling pathways were also activated to inhibit apoptosis, suggesting that SPC could evoke multiple signaling pathways to modulate cell apoptosis. In addition, the crosstalk between autophagy, p38, AKT and JNK is that autophagy, p38, and AKT attenuated the JNK. AKT and p38 were in the downstream of autophagy, which is autophagy/AKT/p38 signaling evoked by SPC to antagonize JNK signaling and subsequent apoptosis. Although the pathways that antagonize apoptosis were evoked, the cells eventually reached apoptosis by SPC. Therefore, the combination with pharmacological autophagy inhibitors would be a more effective therapeutic strategy for eliminating breast cancer cells by SPC.     

Induction of G1 phase arrest and apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells by troglitazone, a synthetic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) ligand

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) ligands inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in cancer cells. Here we wished to determine whether the PPARgamma ligand induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest of the MDA-MB-231 cell, an estrogen receptor alpha negative breast cancer cell line. The treatment of MDA-MB-231 cell with PPARgamma ligands was shown to induce inhibition of cell growth in a dose-dependent manner as determined by MTT assay. Cell cycle analysis showed a G1 arrest in MDA-MB-231 cells exposed to troglitazone. An apoptotic effect by troglitazone demonstrated that apoptotic cells elevated by 2.5-fold from the control level at 10 microM, to 3.1-fold at 50 microM and to 3.5-fold at 75 microM. Moreover, troglitazone treatment, applied in a dose-dependent manner, caused a marked decrease in pRb, cyclin D1, cyclin D2, cyclin D3, Cdk2, Cdk4 and Cdk6 expression as well as a significant increase in p21 and p27 expression. These results indicate that troglitazone causes growth inhibition, G1 arrest and apoptotic death of MDA-MB-231 cells.     

NHE1 mediates MDA-MB-231 cells invasion through the regulation of MT1-MMP

Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger 1 (NHE1), an important regulator of intracellular pH (pH_i) and extracellular pH (pH_e), has been shown to play a key role in breast cancer metastasis. However, the exact mechanism by which NHE1 mediates breast cancer metastasis is not yet well known. We showed here that inhibition of NHE1 activity, with specific inhibitor Cariporide, could suppress MDA-MB-231 cells invasion as well as the activity and expression of MT1-MMP. Overexpression of MT1-MMP resulted in a distinguished increase in MDA-MB-231 cells invasiveness, but treatment with Cariporide reversed the MT1-MMP-mediated enhanced invasiveness. To explore the role of MAPK signaling pathways in NHE1-mediated breast cancer metastasis, we compared the difference of constitutively phosphorylated ERK1/2, p38 MAPK and JNK in non-invasive MCF-7 cells and invasive MDA-MB-231cells. Interestingly, we found that the phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK in MDA-MB-231 cells were higher than in MCF-7 cells, but both MCF-7 cells and MDA-MB-231 cells expressed similar constitutively phosphorylated JNK. Treating MDA-MB-231 cells with Cariporide led to decreased phosphorylation level of both p38 MAPK and ERK1/2 in a time-dependent manner, but JNK activity was not influenced. Supplementation with MAPK inhibitor (MEK inhibitor PD98059, p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 and JNK inhibitor SP600125) or Cariporide all exhibited significant depression of MDA-MB-231 cells invasion and MT1-MMP expression. Furthermore, we co-treated MDA-MB-231 cells with MAPK inhibitor and Cariporide. The result showed that Cariporide synergistically suppressed invasion and MT1-MMP expression with MEK inhibitor and p38 MAPK inhibitor, but not be synergistic with the JNK inhibitor. These findings suggest that NHE1 mediates MDA-MB-231 cells invasion partly through regulating MT1-MMP in ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK signaling pathways dependent manner.     

Aplidin induces apoptosis in human cancer cells via glutathione depletion and sustained activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor,Src, JNK,and p38 MAPK

We report that Aplidin, a novel antitumor agent of marine origin presently undergoing Phase II clinical trials, induced growth arrest and apoptosis in human MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells at nanomolar concentrations. Aplidin induced a specific cellular stress response program, including sustained activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), the non-receptor protein-tyrosine kinase Src, and the serine/threonine kinases JNK and p38 MAPK. Aplidin-induced apoptosis was only partially blocked by the general caspase inhibitor benzyloxycarbonyl-VAD-fluoromethyl ketone and was also sensitive to AG1478 (an EGFR inhibitor), PP2 (an Src inhibitor), and SB203580 (an inhibitor of JNK and p38 MAPK) in MDA-MB-231 cells. Supporting a role for EGFR in Aplidin action, EGFR-deficient mouse embryo fibroblasts underwent apoptosis upon treatment more slowly than wild-type EGFR fibroblasts and also showed delayed JNK and reduced p38 MAPK activation. N-Acetylcysteine and ebselen (but not other antioxidants such as diphenyleneiodonium, Tiron, catalase, ascorbic acid, and vitamin E) reduced EGFR activation by Aplidin. N-Acetylcysteine and PP2 also partially inhibited JNK and p38 MAPK activation. The intracellular level of GSH affected Aplidin action; pretreatment of cells with GSH or N-acetylcysteine inhibited, whereas GSH depletion caused, hyperinduction of EGFR, Src, JNK, and p38 MAPK. Remarkably, Aplidin also induced apoptosis and activated EGFR, JNK, and p38 MAPK in two cell lines (A-498 and ACHN) derived from human renal cancer, a neoplasia that is highly refractory to chemotherapy. These data provide a molecular basis for the anticancer activity of Aplidin.     

Anti-tumor potential of ethanol extract of Curcuma phaeocaulis Valeton against breast cancer cells

Curcuma phaeocaulis Valeton is a commonly prescribed Chinese medical herb for tumor therapy. In this study, an extract of Curcuma phaeocaulis Valeton referred as Cpv was prepared and its anti-tumor effect was evaluated with MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Curcuma phaeocaulis Valeton power was extracted with ethanol and the main components of the extract (Cpv) were analyzed with HPLC. The effect of Cpv on MCF-7 cells proliferation, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), apoptosis, apoptotic related proteins, MDA-MB-231 cell migration, and integrins expression were determined. Furthermore, the effect of Cpv on some key signal transduction molecules was also investigated. Furanodienone, germacrone and furanodiene were identified as the main components of Cpv. Cpv treatment significantly inhibited cell proliferation, increased LDH release, induced intracellular ROS formation, and decreased ΔΨm in a dose-dependent manner in MCF-7 cells. Cpv induced apoptosis without affecting cell migration. Cpv increased protein expression of Bax, PARP, cleaved PARP, caspase-3, 7, JNK1, p-p42/44MAPK, NF-κB, IKKα, IKKβ, decreased protein expression of Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, Bim, Bik, Bad, integrin β5, p42/44MAPK without affecting integrin α5, β1, and p38MAPK protein expression. We concluded that Cpv inhibited MCF-7 cells proliferation by inducing apoptosis mediated by increasing ROS formation, decreasing ΔΨm, regulating Bcl-2 family proteins expression, and activating caspases. Cpv treatment also modulated several signaling transduction pathways. These results might provide some molecular basis for the anti-tumor activity of Curcuma phaeocaulis Valeton.