大黄素提高HeLa细胞对三氧化二砷促凋亡敏感性的研究

活性氧(reactive oxygen specis ROS)在三氧化二砷(arsenic trioxide,As_2O_3)诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡中扮演重要角色。本研究用一种天然蒽醌类物质——大黄素(emodin)作为提高HeLa细胞ROS水平的手段,考察其对As_2O_3促凋亡敏感性的影响,并探究可能涉及的信号传导机制。结果显示大黄素10μmol/L提高ROS并增加了HeLa细胞在As_2O_32μmol/L作用下的凋亡率,对正常成纤维细胞却无影响。该联合作用可以促进HeLa细胞线粒体跨膜电位降低;抑制转录因子NF-kB激活。本研究提示:大黄素通过提高ROS介导凋亡信号传导的增强和生存信号传导的抑制,增加HeLa细胞对As_2O_3促凋亡的敏感性。     

活性氧水平决定白血病细胞对三氧化二砷诱导凋亡的敏感性

旨在探索三氧化二砷（As2O3)诱导白血病细胞株（NB4和U937）凋亡的敏感性与细胞活性氧（reactive oxy-gen species,ROS)水平的关系。以二甲萘醌（DMNQ）温育NB4和U937细胞,双氢罗丹明123（DHR）捕获ROS,流式细胞仪检测两种细胞ROS水平的差异。As2O3单独或联用DMNQ温育NB4和U937细胞,流式细胞仪及电镜检测凋亡并分析两种细胞凋亡敏感性的差异及其在用药前后的变化。结果显示,NB4的ROS水平明显高于U937,DMNQ可提高NB4和U937的ROS水平,诱发U937对As2O3的敏感性,增强As2O3促NB4细胞凋亡的效应,过氧化氢酶可逆转DMNQ的效应,结果提示,白血病细胞NB4和U937对As2O3促凋亡的敏感性决定于细胞固有的ROS水平。     

12a-羟基明杜西酮通过Wnt/β-catenin信号通路促进人肝癌细胞凋亡的作用研究

为了探讨化合物12a-羟基明杜西酮对人肝癌细胞系Hep G2增殖与凋亡的影响及其作用机制,本研究采用MTT法检测人肝癌细胞系Hep G2的增殖情况;应用流式细胞术检测细胞的周期分布、凋亡率和ROS水平;通过Western Blotting法检测Wnt/β-catenin信号通路相关蛋白的表达情况。结果表明,化合物12a-羟基明杜西酮可抑制人肝癌细胞系Hep G2的增殖,其抑制率与作用浓度呈时间和剂量依赖性,24 h、48 h和72 h的IC50分别为(12.8±0.67)μmol/L、(8.8±0.43)μmol/L和(6.6±0.42)μmol/L;12a-羟基明杜西酮可剂量依赖性地(5μmol/L、10μmol/L和20μmol/L)使Hep G2细胞阻滞在G2/M期(p0.05),同时可增加细胞凋亡率(p0.05),提高细胞内ROS水平(p0.05)。此外,12a-羟基明杜西酮对Hep G2细胞内总的、细胞质的和细胞核的β-catenin蛋白表达均有降低作用,这说明Wnt/β-catenin通路可能受到了抑制。进一步的研究结果也证实了上述推测:12a-羟基明杜西酮可使Dvl-2、Dvl-3、GSK-3β(p-ser9)、c-myc、survivin的蛋白表达下降,而使GSK-3(p-tyr216)、Axin-2的蛋白表达水平升高,对总的GSK-3β蛋白水平则无明显影响。上述结果表明,化合物12a-羟基明杜西酮可以抑制人肝癌细胞系Hep G2的增殖并诱导其凋亡,其主要作用机制可能与升高细胞内ROS水平和抑制Dvl/GSK-3β/β-catenin信号通路有关。     

三氧化二砷对人脐静脉内皮细胞凋亡及VCAM-1/ICAM-1 表达的影响

目的:观察三氧化二砷(As2O3)对血管内皮细胞增殖、凋亡及VCAM-1/ICAM-1表达的影响,探讨As2O3对血管内皮细胞增殖生长以及炎症反应的影响。方法:人脐静脉内皮细胞(HUVEC)体外培养,以不同As2O3浓度及时间对其进行干预。采用CCK-8测定细胞增殖活性,流式细胞仪AnnexinⅤ/PI双染法检测细胞的凋亡率,实时荧光定量PCR检测VCAM-1mRNA表达,酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测细胞间黏附分子(VCAM-1)及血管细胞黏附分子(ICAM-1)的表达情况。结果:当As2O3浓度在3μmol.L-1时HUVEC培养24 h的的凋亡率为(0.134±0.03)%,48 h为(3.305±0.53)%,72 h为(3.748±0.84)%(P<0.05),凋亡率均在一较低水平。当As2O3浓度>3μmol.L-1时HUVEC凋亡率明显增加(P<0.01)。不同浓度As2O3作用HUVEC48 h后检测上清液中ICAM-1与VCAM-1浓度时发现1μmol.L-1时VCAM-1表达即开始增加(123.32±3.78 mmol.L-1,P<0.01),而HUVEC表达ICAM-1含量与对照组相比差异并不明显(38.94±2.59 mmol.L-1,P>0.05),随着As2O3浓度的增加,HUVEC表达ICAM-1/VCAM-1的量均增加但敏感性不同。对照组及(1.0、2.0、3.0、4.0、5.0)μmol.L-1As2O3作用于HUVEC 48 h实时荧光定量PCR法检测VCAM-1mRNA表达量明显增加,与对照组相比实验组的表达量分别为(1.657±0.287,1.858±0.241,2.321±0.280,3.012±0.235,3.508±0.342)(P<0.01)。结论:As2O3可直接降低细胞活性,诱导细胞凋亡,并且呈一定的时间-浓度依赖性。在较低浓度时VCAM-1/ICAM-1的表达在一个相对较低的水平,随着As2O3浓度的逐渐升高,内皮细胞凋亡率增高,VCAM-1/ICAM-1表达增加,并且VCAM-1/ICAM-1对As2O3的敏感性呈现一定的差异性。     

三氧化二砷对鼻咽癌细胞Cx43表达的影响

目的:探讨三氧化二砷(As2O3)抑制鼻咽癌的作用机制。方法:采用流式细胞仪(FCM)、激光扫描共聚焦显微镜(LSCM)和荧光技术,检测人鼻咽癌细胞株(CNE1)经As2O3诱导后细胞连接蛋白43(Cx43)表达的变化。结果:FCM显示,经过浓度为4μmol L的As2O3处理后,其Cx43阳性细胞计数率明显升高,与未经As2O3处理和经2μmol L的As2O3处理的CNE1比较,其差异具有非常显著性意义(p<0.01);LSCM图像观察到,经4μmol LAs2O3处理后,标记Cx43的绿色荧光显著增强,集中分布于细胞膜。结论:较高剂量浓度的As2O3能提高鼻咽癌细胞Cx43的表达率,升高细胞膜Cx43的含量。As2O3抑制鼻咽癌细胞生长的作用机制之一,是通过恢复细胞间隙连接通讯功能来实现的。     

三氧化二砷对K562细胞凋亡的诱导及生长抑制作用的研究

目的：研究三氧化二砷(As2O3)对人红白血病细胞株K562的生长抑制和凋亡诱导作用。方法：以As2O3作为耐药逆转剂,用台盼兰排染法,噻唑兰(MTT)还原法,Hoechst 33342和PI荧光染色法,流式细胞仪技术和荧光分光光度法,观察了不同浓度的As2O3(0．2—5．0μmol/L)对人红白血病细胞株K562的生长抑制和凋亡诱导作用。结果：As2O3对K562细胞具有明显生长抑制和凋亡诱导作用,其作用强度在一定范围内均具药物浓度和时间依赖性。结论：As2O3主要以诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡而表现其毒性作用。     

三氧化二砷对食管癌细胞增殖和热休克蛋白70表达的影响

目的：研究三氧化二砷（As2O3）对食管癌细胞增殖和热休克蛋白70（HSP70）表达的影响。方法：通过相差显微镜、流式细胞术、免疫细胞化学染色和免疫印迹分析等方法观察As2O3对人食管癌细胞株EC1的作用效果和作用机制。结果：与对照组相比,经2μmol/L和5μmol/Las2O3作用的细胞出现明显的生长抑制,G2/M期细胞比例增加;2μmol/Las2O3作用48h后经Ecl细胞HSP70（heat shock protein70）及HSC70(heat shock cognate protein70)表达均增加。结论：As2O3诱导食管癌细胞G2/M期阻滞抑制细胞增殖和生长;HSP70的升高是细胞对As2O3作用后出现的应激反应,并与细胞周期阻滞相关。     

过氧化氢预处理对抗氧化应激诱导的PC12细胞凋亡

氧化应激可明显地诱导细胞凋亡。本研究旨在探讨H2O2预处理能否对H2O2诱导的PC12细胞凋亡生产保护作用及ATP敏感性K^ （ATP-sensitive potassinm,KATP）通道在其中的作用。采用PI染色流式细胞仪（flow cytometry, FCM）检测PC12细胞凋亡。结果表明,经10μmol/L H2O2预处理90min的PC12细胞,分别在20、30、50和100μmol/L H2O2作用24h后,其细胞凋亡率明显下降,与未经H2O2的预处理的PC12细胞相比,差异极显著（P＜0.01）,表明H2O2预处理对H2O2诱导PC12细胞凋亡具有保护作用。用10μmol/L的KATP通道激动齐pinacidil(Pin)可显著减少30和50μmol/L H2O2诱导的PC12细胞凋亡,10μmol/L的KATP通道拮抗齐glybenclamide（Gly）则可显著地抑制甚至取消KATP通道激动剂Pin对H2O3诱导PC12细胞凋亡的保护作用,但并不影响H2O2预处理对H2O2诱导PC12细胞凋亡的保护作用;然而,当联合应用H2O2预处理与Pin时,对PC12细胞凋亡的保护作用显大于各自的细胞凋亡作用。提示KATP通道开放不仅对H2O2诱导PC12细胞凋亡具有保护作用,而且与H2O2预处理一起产生抗PC12细胞凋亡的协同作用。但KATP通道开放可能不参与H2O2预处理的适应性保护作用。     

半边旗二萜类成分PAG通过ROS诱导肝癌细胞凋亡的作用研究

探讨半边旗二萜类成分Pteisolic acid G(PAG)对人肝癌细胞HepG2增殖和凋亡的影响及作用机制。用不同浓度的PAG处理HepG2细胞后,采用MTT法检测细胞存活率;采用PI单染法检测细胞周期分布;采用Annexin V-FITC/PI双染法检测细胞凋亡率;采用RT-PCR和Western Blotting检测细胞内mRNA和蛋白表达情况;采用DCFH-DA法检测细胞内ROS水平,采用ROS抑制剂乙酰半胱氨酸(NAC)评价PAG细胞增殖抑制作用对ROS的依赖性。结果表明,在24 h、48 h和72 h时,PAG可剂量依赖性地抑制HepG2细胞的增殖(p0.05),IC_(50)分别为64.8μmol/L,38.5μmol/L和24.8μmol/L;用药24 h时PAG可剂量依赖性地使HepG2细胞阻滞在G_2/M期,同时增加HepG2细胞凋亡率(p0.05);PAG可剂量依赖性地降低HepG2细胞内Bcl-2 mRNA和caspase 3、PARP、Bcl-2蛋白的表达(p0.05),增加Bax mRNA和actived-caspase 3、cleaved-PARP、Bax蛋白的表达(p0.05)。当使用1 mmol/L的ROS抑制剂NAC预处理HepG2细胞时,PAG对HepG2细胞增殖抑制作用被显著阻断。上述结果表明,半边旗二萜类成分PAG可提高Bax/Bcl-2的基因和蛋白表达比值,从而诱导肝癌细胞HepG2凋亡,该作用可能是通过升高细胞内ROS水平来实现的。     

大黄素抑制胃癌细胞糖酵解并促进凋亡

目的:探讨大黄素对人胃癌BGC-823细胞凋亡及糖酵解的影响。方法:采用不同浓度大黄素(30μmol/L、90μmol/L、180μmol/L)、磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶(Phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase,PI3K)抑制剂处理人胃癌BGC-823细胞,通过四甲基偶氮唑盐(MTT)检测细胞活力,采用试剂盒检测细胞葡萄糖消耗及乳酸水平,western blotting检测细胞己糖激酶Ⅱ、Bcl-2相关蛋白(Bcl-2 Associated X Protein,Bax)、PI3K、人低氧诱导因子1α(Human Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α,HIF-α)的表达。结果:大黄素能浓度依赖性的抑制BGC-823细胞增殖、葡萄糖消耗,降低乳酸水平;并降低己糖激酶Ⅱ的表达,促进凋亡蛋白Bax表达。PI3K抑制剂可抑制胃癌细胞糖酵解水平,而将大黄素与PI3K抑制剂联合使用后,与单一抑制剂组比,对细胞糖酵解抑制水平进一步加强,大黄素可下调PI3K下游蛋白及HIF-α的表达。结论:大黄素对人胃癌BGC-823细胞的增殖抑制作用其作用机制与调节PI3K途径及HIF-α,并抑制己糖激酶Ⅱ表达降低胃癌细胞糖酵解水平相关。     

Alteration of subcellular redox equilibrium and the consequent oxidative modification of nuclear factor kappaB are critical for anticancer cytotoxicity by emodin, a reactive oxygen species-producing agent

We previously found that emodin produced reactive oxygen species (ROS) intracellularly. In various tumor cells at low doses it enhances the cytotoxicity of As₂O₃, and at higher doses it renders cytotoxicity independently in vitro and in vivo. The effects involve redox-mediated inhibition of NF-κB activation. In this study, we focus on the mechanisms by which emodin inhibits NF-κB activation. Results in HeLa cells demonstrated that emodin at high doses or in combination with As₂O₃, via generation of ROS especially in the nucleus, altered subcellular redox equilibrium and thus oxidized the redox-sensitive site on NF-κB and prevented its binding to the target DNA. In vivo study showed that tumors exposed to the arsenic/emodin cotreatment had dramatically smaller sizes and weaker antioxidant capacity, compared with arsenic alone. NF-κB binding and transactivation were inhibited in these tumors. These data help in the understanding of the mechanisms by which manipulation of cellular redox and NF-κB activation may enhance chemotherapy.     

Surfactin induces apoptosis in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells through a ROS/JNK-mediated mitochondrial/caspase pathway

Surfactin has been known to inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in cancer cells. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in surfactin-induced apoptosis remain poorly understood. The present study was undertaken to elucidate the underlying network of signaling events in surfactin-induced apoptosis of human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. In this study, surfactin caused reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and the surfactin-induced cell death was prevented by antioxidants N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and catalase, suggesting involvement of ROS generation in surfactin-induced cell death. Surfactin induced a sustained activation of the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and JNK, but not p38. Moreover, surfactin-induced cell death was reversed by PD98059 (an inhibitor of ERK1/2) and SP600125 (an inhibitor of JNK), but not by SB203580 (an inhibitor of p38). However, the phosphorylation of JNK rather than ERK1/2 activation by surfactin was blocked by NAC/catalase. These results suggest that the action of surfactin on MCF-7 cells was via ERK1/2 and JNK, but not via p38, and the ERK1/2 and JNK activation induce apoptosis through two independent signaling mechanisms. Surfactin triggered the mitochondrial/caspase apoptotic pathway indicated by enhanced Bax-to-Bcl-2 expression ratio, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, cytochrome c release, and caspase cascade reaction. The NAC and SP600125 blocked these events induced by surfactin. Moreover, the general caspase inhibitor z-VAD-FMK inhibited the caspase-6 activity and exerted the protective effect against the surfactin-induced cell death. Taken together, these findings suggest that the surfactin induces apoptosis through a ROS/JNK-mediated mitochondrial/caspase pathway.     

The involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase in TRAIL/Apo2L-induced apoptosis

To determine the apoptotic signaling pathway which tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL/Apo2L) induced, we investigated the contribution of reactive oxygen species (ROS), p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and caspases in human adenocarcinoma HeLa cells. Here we show that upon TRAIL/Apo2L exposure there was pronounced ROS accumulation and activation of p38 MAP kinase, and that activation of caspases and apoptosis followed. Pretreatment with antioxidants such as glutathione or estrogen attenuated TRAIL/Apo2L-induced apoptosis through a reduction of ROS generation and diminished p38 MAP kinase and caspase activation. The p38 MAP kinase inhibitor SB203580 prevented apoptosis through a blockage of caspase activation, although ROS generation was not attenuated. Furthermore, the pan-caspase inhibitor Z-Val-Ala-DL-Asp-fluoromethyl ketone fully prevented apoptosis, while neither ROS accumulation nor p38 MAP kinase activation were affected. Therefore, our results suggest that TRAIL/Apo2L-induced apoptosis is mediated by ROS-activated p38 MAP kinase followed by caspase activation in HeLa cells.     

Globular adiponectin, acting via AdipoR1/APPL1, protects H9c2 cells from hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced apoptosis

Cardiomyocyte apoptosis is an important remodeling event contributing to heart failure and adiponectin may mediate cardioprotective effects at least in part via attenuating apoptosis. Here we used hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R) induced apoptosis in H9c2 cells to examine the effect of adiponectin and cellular mechanisms of action. We first used TUNEL labeling in combination with laser scanning cytometry to demonstrate that adiponectin prevented H/R-induced DNA fragmentation. The anti-apoptotic effect of adiponectin was also verified via attenuation of H/R-induced phosphatidylserine exposure using annexin V binding. H/R-induced apoptosis via the mitochondrial-mediated intrinsic pathway of apoptosis as assessed by cytochrome c release into cytosol and caspase-3 activation, both of which were attenuated by adiponectin. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that adiponectin enhanced anti-oxidative potential in these cells which led to attenuation of the increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) caused by H/R. To further address the mechanism of adiponctins anti-apoptotic effects we used siRNA to efficiently knockdown adiponectin receptor (AdipoR1) expression and found that this attenuated the protective effects of adiponectin on ROS production and caspase 3 activity. Knockdown of APPL1, an important intracellular binding partner for AdipoR, also significantly reduced the ability of adiponectin to prevent H/R-induced ROS generation and caspase 3 activity. In summary, H/R-induced ROS generation and activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway was prevented by adiponectin via AdipoR1/APPL1 signaling and increased anti-oxidant potential.     

Arsenic Induces Thioredoxin 1 and Apoptosis in Human Liver HHL-5 Cells

To further characterize the mechanisms underlying liver toxicity induced by arsenic, we examined in this study the effect of arsenic on thioredoxin (Trx) and the apoptotic signaling pathways in human liver HHL-5 cells. The cells were treated with 0, 2, 5, and 10 μM of sodium arsenite for 24 h, and the changes of Trx1 and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR1) as well as intracellular ROS and apoptosis were examined. A concentration-dependent increase in mRNA and protein levels of Trx1 and TrxR1 was observed in arsenic-treated cells. Intracellular ROS levels and apoptosis were also significantly increased in a concentration-dependent manner. In line with this, protein levels of Bax and cytochrome C were increased and Bcl-2 was decreased by arsenic treatments. Increases in caspase 3 activity were observed. These results indicate that Trx is involved in arsenic-induced liver cell injury, probably through the apoptotic signaling pathway. However, further studies are needed to elucidate on these findings.     

Curcumin and Emodin Down-Regulate TGF-β Signaling Pathway in Human Cervical Cancer Cells

Cervical cancer is the major cause of cancer related deaths in women, especially in developing countries and Human Papilloma Virus infection in conjunction with multiple deregulated signaling pathways leads to cervical carcinogenesis. TGF-β signaling in later stages of cancer is known to induce epithelial to mesenchymal transition promoting tumor growth. Phytochemicals, curcumin and emodin, are effective as chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic compounds against several cancers including cervical cancer. The main objective of this work was to study the effect of curcumin and emodin on TGF-β signaling pathway and its functional relevance to growth, migration and invasion in two cervical cancer cell lines, SiHa and HeLa. Since TGF-β and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways are known to cross talk having common downstream targets, we analyzed the effect of TGF-β on β-catenin (an important player in Wnt/β-catenin signaling) and also studied whether curcumin and emodin modulate them. We observed that curcumin and emodin effectively down regulate TGF-β signaling pathway by decreasing the expression of TGF-β Receptor II, P-Smad3 and Smad4, and also counterbalance the tumorigenic effects of TGF-β by inhibiting the TGF-β-induced migration and invasion. Expression of downstream effectors of TGF-β signaling pathway, cyclinD1, p21 and Pin1, was inhibited along with the down regulation of key mesenchymal markers (Snail and Slug) upon curcumin and emodin treatment. Curcumin and emodin were also found to synergistically inhibit cell population and migration in SiHa and HeLa cells. Moreover, we found that TGF-β activates Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in HeLa cells, and curcumin and emodin down regulate the pathway by inhibiting β-catenin. Taken together our data provide a mechanistic basis for the use of curcumin and emodin in the treatment of cervical cancer.     

A critical role for IkappaB kinase beta in metallothionein-1 expression and protection against arsenic toxicity

Arsenic is a widespread environmental toxic agent that has been shown to cause diverse tissue and cell damage and at the same time to be an effective anti-cancer therapeutic agent. The objective of this study is to explore the signaling mechanisms involved in arsenic toxicity. We show that the IkappaB kinase beta (IKKbeta) plays a crucial role in protecting cells from arsenic toxicity. Ikkbeta(-)(/)(-) mouse 3T3 fibroblasts have decreased expression of antioxidant genes, such as metallothionein 1 (Mt1). In contrast to wild type and IKKbeta-reconstituted Ikkbeta(-)(/)(-) cells, IKKbeta-null cells display a marked increase in arsenic-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, which leads to activation of the MKK4-c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway, c-Jun phosphorylation, and apoptosis. Pretreatment with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and expression of MT1 in the Ikkbeta(-)(/)(-) cells prevented JNK activation; moreover, NAC pretreatment, MT1 expression, MKK4 ablation, and JNK inhibition all protected cells from death induced by arsenic. Our data show that two signaling pathways appear to be important for modulating arsenic toxicity. First, the IKK-NF-kappaB pathway is crucial for maintaining cellular metallothionein-1 levels to counteract ROS accumulation, and second, when this pathway fails, excessive ROS leads to activation of the MKK4-JNK pathway, resulting in apoptosis.