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.     

New Castanospermine Glycoside Analogues Inhibit Breast Cancer Cell Proliferation and Induce Apoptosis without Affecting Normal Cells

sp²-Iminosugar-type castanospermine analogues have been shown to exhibit anti-tumor activity. However, their effects on cell proliferation and apoptosis and the molecular mechanism at play are not fully understood. Here, we investigated the effect of two representatives, namely the pseudo-S- and C-octyl glycoside 2-oxa-3-oxocastanospermine derivatives SO-OCS and CO-OCS, on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer and MCF-10A mammary normal cell lines. We found that SO-OCS and CO-OCS inhibited breast cancer cell viability in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. This effect is specific to breast cancer cells as both molecules had no impact on normal MCF-10A cell proliferation. Both drugs induced a cell cycle arrest. CO-OCS arrested cell cycle at G1 and G2/M in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231cells respectively. In MCF-7 cells, the G1 arrest is associated with a reduction of CDK4 (cyclin-dependent kinase 4), cyclin D1 and cyclin E expression, pRb phosphorylation, and an overexpression of p21^Waf1/Cip1. In MDA-MB-231 cells, CO-OCS reduced CDK1 but not cyclin B1 expression. SO-OCS accumulated cells in G2/M in both cell lines and this blockade was accompanied by a decrease of CDK1, but not cyclin B1 expression. Furthermore, both drugs induced apoptosis as demonstrated by the increased percentage of annexin V positive cells and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Interestingly, in normal MCF-10A cells the two drugs failed to modify cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, cyclins, or CDKs expression. These results demonstrate that the effect of CO-OCS and SO-OCS is triggered by both cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, suggesting that these castanospermine analogues may constitute potential anti-cancer agents against breast cancer.     

Molecular Modification of Metadherin/MTDH Impacts the Sensitivity of Breast Cancer to Doxorubicin

BackgroundBreast cancer is a leading cause of death in women and with an increasing worldwide incidence. Doxorubicin, as a first-line anthracycline-based drug is conventional used on breast cancer clinical chemotherapy. However, the drug resistances limited the curative effect of the doxorubicin therapy in breast cancer patients, but the molecular mechanism determinants of breast cancer resistance to doxorubicin chemotherapy are not fully understood. In order to explore the association between metadherin (MTDH) and doxorubicin sensitivity, the differential expressions of MTDH in breast cancer cell lines and the sensitivity to doxorubicin of breast cancer cell lines were investigated.MethodsThe mRNA and protein expression of MTDH were determined by real-time PCR and Western blot in breast cancer cells such as MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, MDA-MB-435S, MCF-7/ADR cells. Once MTDH gene was knocked down by siRNA in MCF-7/ADR cells and overexpressed by MTDH plasmid transfection in MDA-MB-231 cells, the cell growth and therapeutic sensitivity of doxorubicin were evaluated using MTT and the Cell cycle assay and apoptosis rate was determined by flow cytometry.ResultsMCF-7/ADR cells revealed highly expressed MTDH and MDA-MB-231 cells had the lowest expression of MTDH. After MTDH gene was knocked down, the cell proliferation was inhibited, and the inhibitory rate of cell growth and apoptosis rate were enhanced, and the cell cycle arrest during the G0/G1 phase in the presence of doxorubicin treatment. On the other hand, the opposite results were observed in MDA-MB-231 cells with overexpressed MTDH gene.ConclusionMTDH gene plays a promoting role in the proliferation of breast cancer cells and its high expression may be associated with doxorubicin sensitivity of breast cancer.     

Copper complex derived from <Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>-benzyldithiocarbazate and 3-acetylcoumarin induced apoptosis in breast cancer cell

Copper complexes have been widely studied for the anti-tumour application as cancer cells are reported to take up greater amounts of copper than normal cells. Preliminary study revealed that the newly synthesised copper complex [Cu(SBCM)₂] displayed marked anti-proliferative towards triple-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Therefore, Cu(SBCM)₂ has great potential to be developed as an agent for the management of breast cancer. The present study was carried out to investigate the mode of cell death induced by Cu(SBCM)₂ towards MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. The inhibitory and morphological changes of MDA-MB-231 cells treated with Cu(SBCM)₂ was determined by using MTT assay and inverted light microscope, respectively. The safety profile of Cu(SBCM)₂ was also evaluated towards human dermal fibroblast (HDF) normal cells. Confirmation of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest were determined by flow cytometry analysis. The expression of p53, Bax, Bcl-2 and MMP2 protein were detected with western blot analysis. Cu(SBCM)₂ significantly inhibited the growth of MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent manner with GI₅₀ 18.7?±?3.06 µM. Indeed, Cu(SBCM)₂ was less toxic towards HDF normal cells with GI₅₀ 31.8?±?4.0 µM. Morphological study revealed that Cu(SBCM)₂-treated MDA-MB-231 cells experienced cellular shrinkage, membrane blebbing, chromatin condensation and formation of apoptotic bodies, suggesting that Cu(SBCM)₂ induced apoptosis in the cells, which was confirmed by Annexin-V/PI flow cytometry analysis. It was also found that Cu(SBCM)₂ induced G₂/M phase cell cycle arrest towards MDA-MB-231 cells. The induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in the present study is possibly due to the down-regulation of the mutant p53 and MMP2 protein. In conclusion, Cu(SBCM)₂ can be developed as a targeted therapy for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer.     

Induction of Fas-mediated extrinsic apoptosis, p21WAF1-related G2/M cell cycle arrest and ROS generation by costunolide in estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer cells, MDA-MB-231

Costunolide (C(15)H(20)O(2)) is a sesquiterpene lactone that was isolated from many herbal medicines and it has diverse effects according to previous reports. However, the anti-cancer effects and the mechanism of actions are still unknown in breast cancer. In this study, we first observed that costunolide inhibits cell growth in a dose-and time-dependent manner. To examine the mechanism by which costunolide inhibits cell growth, we checked the effect of costunolide on apoptosis and the cell cycle. Costunolide induced apoptosis through the extrinsic pathway, including the activation of Fas, caspase-8, caspase-3, and degradation of PARP. However, did not have the same effect on the intrinsic pathway as revealed by analysis of mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) with JC-1 dye and expression of Bcl2 and Bax proteins level. Furthermore, costunolide induced cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase via decrease in Cdc2, cyclin B1 and increase in p21WAF1 expression, independent of p53 pathway in p53-mutant MDA-MB-231 cells and increases Cdc2-p21WAF1 binding. In addition, costunolide had a slight induced effect on ROS generation. Among the mechanisms of p21WAF1 induction examined, costunolide-induced increase in p21WAF1 expression was related with protein stability and ROS generation. Through this study we confirm that costunolide induces G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptotic cell death via extrinsic pathway in MDA-MB-231 cells suggesting that it could be a promising anticancer drug especially for ER-negative breast cancer.     

MicroRNA-221/222对乳腺癌MDA-MB-231/DOX细胞阿霉素耐药性的影响

目的:探讨微小RNA-221/222(miR-221/222)对乳腺癌MDA-MB-231/阿霉素(DOX)细胞DOX耐药性的影响。方法:采用脂质体法转染miR-221/222抑制物(miR-221/222 inhibitor)至MDA-MB-231/DOX细胞内(Inhibitor组),同时设立空白对照组和转染无关序列的阴性对照组,采用实时荧光定量PCR (qRT-PCR)检测MDA-MB-231细胞株及MDA-MB-231/DOX细胞株的miR-221/222表达水平及转染效率;CCK-8法检测转染48 h后MDA-MB-231/DOX细胞对DOX药物敏感性的变化;流式细胞术(FCM)检测转染MDA-MB-231/DOX细胞的细胞凋亡率;蛋白免疫印迹实验(WB)检测转染后MDA-MB-231/DOX细胞内促凋亡蛋白p53上调凋亡调控因子(PUMA),Bcl2蛋白修饰因子(BMF)以及细胞周期蛋白激酶抑制因子p27(p27Kip1)的表达情况。结果:MDA-MB-231/DOX细胞中的miR-221/222表达水平高于亲本MDA-MB-231细胞(P0.05);MDA-MB-231/DOX细胞转染miR-221/222 inhibitor 96 h后,miR-221/222的表达水平低于空白对照组和阴性对照组(P0.05);与空白对照组相比,MDA-MB-231/DOX细胞转染miR-221/222 inhibitor 48h后,DOX继续处理48 h后,细胞的凋亡率明显升高,且细胞内的促凋亡蛋白PUMA,BMF以及p27Kip1的表达均增加(P0.05);DOX对inhibitor组耐药细胞的半数抑制浓度(IC50)显著低于空白对照组细胞及阴性对照组(P0.05)。结论:miR-221/222能够增加MDA-MB-231/DOX细胞对DOX的耐药性,这可能与下调促凋亡蛋白的表达有关;降低miR-221/222水平可诱导MDA-MB-231/DOX凋亡,并且上调促凋亡蛋白的表达,从而部分逆转MDA-MB-231/DOX对DOX的耐药性。     

SETD8基因表达对乳腺癌细胞周期、活性氧及药物敏感性的影响

目的:构建SETD8重组慢病毒载体,探讨SETD8对人乳腺癌细胞周期、氧化应激的影响,并观察稳定敲低SETD8后对乳腺癌细胞多西他赛敏感性的影响。方法:构建含SETD8基因的重组慢病毒载体,经转染,荧光显微镜观察感染效率;采用RT-qPCR和Western blot检测SETD8 m RNA和蛋白相对表达量;采用流式细胞技术检测细胞周期及活性氧水平,通过CCK-8试剂检测稳定敲低SETD8基因的乳腺癌细胞对多西他赛的敏感性变化。结果:成功包装慢病毒,荧光观察慢病毒感染效率在85%左右,通过PCR和WB验证SETD8过表达及敲低稳转细胞系的效率显著(P0.01)。低表达SETD8的乳腺癌细胞周期停滞在G2/M和S期,细胞内ROS水平高于对照组。不同浓度多西他赛处理的SETD8敲低稳转细胞系的细胞活性较对照组明显降低(P0.01)。结论:慢病毒介导下调SETD8表达,使得乳腺癌细胞周期阻滞在G2/M期,细胞内ROS增多,与多西他赛发生协同作用,从而增加了药物敏感性。     

Effects of triptolide from Tripterygium wilfordii on ERα and p53 expression in two human breast cancer cell lines

The aim of the study was to discover possible differential cytotoxicity of triptolide towards estrogen-sensitive MCF-7 versus estrogen-insensitive MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. Considering that MCF-7 cells express functional Estrogen receptor α (ERα) and wild-type p53, whereas MDA-MB-231 cells which are ERα-negative express mutant p53, the anti-proliferation effect of triptolide on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells were examined, the apoptotic effect and cell cycle arrest caused by triptolide were investigated, ERα and p53 expression were also observed in this paper. The results showed that the anti-proliferation effects were induced by triptolide in both cell lines. But the value of IC₅₀ in MCF-7 cells for its anti-proliferation effect was about one tenth of that in MDA-MB-231 cells, which indicated that the effect is more potent in MCF-7 cells. Condensed chromatin or fragmented nuclei could be found in MCF-7 cells treated with only 40 nM triptolide but in MDA-MB-231 cells they couldn’t be observed until the concentration reached to 400 nM. Triptolide induced significant S cell cycle arrest along with the presence of sub-G0/G1 peak in MDA-MB-231 cells, whereas there was only slightly S cell cycle arrest on cell cycle distribution in MCF-7 cells. The role of p53 in two breast cancer cells was examined, the results showed that the mutant p53 in MDA-MB-231 cells was suppressed and the wild-type p53 in MCF-7 was increased. Moreover, triptolide could down regulate the expression of ERα in MCF-7 cells. The results showed that triptolide is much more sensitive to ERα-positive MCF-7 cells than to ERα-negative MDA-MB-231 cells, and the sensitivity is significantly associated with the ERα and p53 status.     

Different anticancer effects of Saxifragifolin A on estrogen receptor-positive and estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer cells

BackgroundBreast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death among women worldwide. For treating breast cancer, numerous natural products have been considered as chemotherapeutic drugs.Hypothesis/purposeThe present study aims to investigate the apoptotic effect of Saxifragifolin A (Saxi A) isolated from Androsace umbellata in two different human breast cancer cells which are ER-positive MCF-7 cells and ER-negative MDA-MB-231 cells, and examine the molecular basis for its anticancer actions.Study designThe inhibitory effects of Saxi A on cell survival were examined in MCF-7 cells and MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro.MethodsMTT assays, Annexin V/PI staining analysis, ROS production assay, Hoechst33342 staining and Western blot analysis were performed.ResultsOur results showed that MDA-MB-231 cells were more sensitive to Saxi A-induced apoptosis than MCF-7 cells. Saxi A induced apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells through ROS-mediated and caspase-dependent pathways, whereas treatment with Saxi A induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells in a caspase-independent manner. In spite of Saxi A-induced activation of MAPKs in both breast cancer cell lines, only p38 MAPK and JNK mediated Saxi A-induced apoptosis. In addition, cell survival of shERα-transfected MCF-7 cells was decreased, while MDA-MB-231 cells that overexpress ERα remained viable.ConclusionSaxi A inhibits cell survival in MCF-7 cells and MDA-MB-231 cells through different regulatory pathway, and ERα status appears to be important for regulating Saxi A-induced apoptosis in breast cancer cells. Thus, Saxi A may have a potential therapeutic use for treating breast cancer.     

Cellular effect of styrene substituted biscoumarin caused cellular apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in human breast cancer cells

BackgroundCoumarins occurs naturally across plant kingdoms exhibits significant pharmacological properties and pharmacokinetic activity. The conventional, therapeutic agents are often associated with poor stability, absorption and increased side effects. Therefore, identification of a drug that has little or no-side effect on humans is consequential. Here, we investigated the antiproliferative activity of styrene substituted biscoumarin against various human breast cancer cell lines, such as MCF-7, (ER-) MDA-MB-231 and (AR+) MDA-MB-453. Styrene substituted biscoumarin induced cell death by apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cell line was analyzed.MethodsAntiproliferative activity of Styrene substituted biscoumarin was performed by using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Styrene substituted biscoumarin induced apoptosis was assessed by Hoechst staining, Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide (Annexin V-FITC/PI) staining and flow cytometric analysis. Migratory and proliferating characteristic of breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 was also analyzed by wound healing and colony formation assay. Furthermore, mRNA expression of BAX and BCL-2 were quantified using qRT-PCR and protein expression level analyzed by Western blot.ResultsThe inhibition concentration (IC₅₀) of styrene substituted biscoumarin was assayed against three breast cancer cell lines. The inhibition concentration (IC₅₀) value of styrene substituted biscoumarin toward MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-453 and MCF-7 cell lines was 5.63, 7.30 and 10.84 μg/ml respectively. Styrene substituted biscoumarin induced apoptosis was detected by Hoechst staining, DAPI/PI analysis and flow-cytometric analysis. The migration and proliferative efficiency of MDA-MB-231 cells were completely arrested upon styrene substituted biscoumarin treatment. Also, mRNA gene expression and protein expression of pro-apoptotic (BAX) and anti-apoptotic (BCL-2) genes were analyzed by qRT-PCR and western blot analysis upon styrene substituted biscoumarin treatment to MDA-MB-231 cells. Our results showed that styrene substituted biscoumarin downregulated BCL-2 gene expression and upregulated BAX gene expression to trigger apoptotic process.ConclusionStyrene substituted biscoumarin could induce apoptosis through intrinsic mitochondrial pathway in breast cancer cell lines, particularly in MDA-MB-231. Our data suggest that styrene substituted biscoumarin may act as a potential chemotherapeutic agent against breast cancer.     

Diversity oriented synthesis of chromene-xanthene hybrids as anti-breast cancer agents

A diverse library of chromene-xanthene hybrids were synthesized through intramolecular Friedel-Crafts reaction of the arenoxy carbinols. Examples include first incorporation of amino acid tyrosine into xanthene skeletons with polar functionalities. A careful structural evaluation revealed that tyrosine crafted chromene-xanthene hybrids exhibited good activities against breast cancer cell lines MCF-7, MDA-MB-231. The lead compound 16 displays significant cell cycle arrest at G1 phase and induces apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells.     

Quercetin Suppresses Twist to Induce Apoptosis in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells

Quercetin is a dietary flavonoid which exerts anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. In this study, we investigated the anti-proliferative effect of quercetin in two breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231), which differed in hormone receptor. IC₅₀ value (37μM) of quercetin showed significant cytotoxicity in MCF-7 cells, which was not observed in MDA-MB-231 cells even at 100μM of quercetin treatment. To study the response of cancer cells to quercetin, with respect to different hormone receptors, both the cell lines were treated with a fixed concentration (40μM) of quercetin. MCF-7 cells on quercetin treatment showed more apoptotic cells with G1 phase arrest. In addition, quercetin effectively suppressed the expression of CyclinD1, p21, Twist and phospho p38MAPK, which was not observed in MDA-MB-231 cells. To analyse the molecular mechanism of quercetin in exerting an apoptotic effect in MCF-7 cells, Twist was over-expressed and the molecular changes were observed after quercetin administration. Quercetin effectively regulated the expression of Twist, in turn p16 and p21 which induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. In conclusion, quercetin induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells through suppression of Twist via p38MAPK pathway.     

Selective Induction of DNA Damage and Cell Cycle Arrest Mediated by Chromone-Triazole Dyads Derivatives: Effects on Breast and Prostate Cancer Cells

Chromones and triazoles are groups of heterocyclic compounds widely known to exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activities. The combination of these two pharmacophores could result in multiple mechanisms of action to increase the potency of anticancer drugs and reduce their side effects. The in vitro antitumor effect of eight chromone-based compounds was evaluated in breast (T-47D and MDA-MB-231) and prostate (PC3) cancer cell lines, and in non-cancerous human mammary epithelial cells (HuMEC) using a resazurin-based method. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate the cell cycle and cell death, and ɣ-H2AX detection to identify DNA damage. The compounds showed selective cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines, with (E)-2-(2-(5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)vinyl)-4H-chromen-4-one (compound 2 a ) being more potent in non-metastatic T-47D cells (IC₅₀ 0.65 μM). Replacing the hydrogen by a methyl group on the triazole ring in compound 2 b enhanced the cytotoxic activity up to IC₅₀ 0.24 μM in PC3, 0.32 μM in MDA-MB-231 and 0.52 μM in T-47D. Compound 2 b was 3-fold more potent than doxorubicin in PC3 (IC₅₀ 0.73 μM) and 4-fold in MDA-MB-231 (IC₅₀ 1.51 μM). The addition of tetrahydroisoindole-1,3-dione moiety in compound 5 did not improve its effectiveness in any of the cell lines but it exerted the lowest cytotoxic effect in HuMEC (IC₅₀ 221.35 μM). The compounds revealed different cytotoxic mechanisms: 2 a and 2 b induced G2/M arrest, and compound 5 did not affect the cell cycle.     

Genistein induces G<Subscript>2</Subscript>/M cell cycle arrest via stable activation of ERK1/2 pathway in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells

Genistein is an isoflavonoid present in soybeans that exhibits anti-carcinogenic effect. Several studies have shown that genistein can trigger G2/M cell cycle arrest and inhibit cell growth in human breast cancer cells. In the present study, we assessed the role of MEK-ERK cascade in regulation of genistein-mediated G2/M cell cycle arrest in the hormone-independent cell line MDA-MB-231. Flow cytometric analysis showed that treatment of MDA-MB-231 cells with genistein induced a concentration-dependent accumulation of cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle, with a parallel depletion of the percentage of cells in G0/G1. Genistein-mediated G2/M arrest was associated with a decrease in the protein levels of Cdk1, cyclinB1, and Cdc25C as determined by Western blot analysis. Genistein induced a slow and stable activation of phosphorylated ERK1/2 in a concentration- and time-dependent manner in MDA-MB-231 cells. MEK1/2-specific inhibitor PD98059 blocked genistein-induced activation of ERK1/2 and markedly attenuated genistein-induced G2/M arrest. Furthermore, genistein induced the expression of Ras and Raf-1 protein. Genistein also up-regulated steady-state levels of both c-Jun and c-Fos. PD98059 did not depress genistein-induced up-regulation of Ras and Raf-1 protein. However, it markedly blocked genistein-induced up-regulation of c-Jun and c-Fos. These results suggest that the Ras/MAPK/AP-1 signal pathway may be involved in genistein-induced G2/M cell cycle arrest in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells.     

Allicin induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of breast cancer cells in vitro via modulating the p53 pathway

Background

The tumor suppressor protein p53 is a most promising target for the development of anticancer drugs. Allicin (diallylthiosulfinate) is one of the most active components of garlic (Alliium sativum L.) and possesses a variety of health-promoting properties with pharmacological applications. However, whether allicin plays an anti-cancer role against breast cancer cells through the induction of p53-mediated apoptosis remains unknown.

Methods and results

In this study, we investigate the anti-breast cancer effect of allicin in vitro by using MCF-7 and MD-MBA-231 cells. We found that allicin reduces cell viability, induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in both cells. Allicin activated p53 and caspase 3 expressions in both cells but produced different effects on the expression of p53-related biomarkers. In MDA-MB-231 cells, allicin up-regulated the mRNA and protein expression of A1BG and THBS1 while down-regulated the expression of TPM4. Conversely, the mRNA and protein expression of A1BG, THBS1 and TPM4 were all reduced in MCF-7 cells. Hence, allicin induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in breast cancer cells through p53 activation but it effects on the expression of p53-related biomarkers were dependent upon the specific type of breast cancer involved.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that allicin induces apoptosis and regulates biomarker expression in breast cancer cell lines through modulating the p53 signaling pathway. Furthermore, our results promote the utility of allicin as compound for further studies as an anticancer drug targeting p53.

     

PTHrP Expression in Human MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells Is Critical for Tumor Growth and Survival and Osteoblast Inhibition

This study examined the effects of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) derived from human MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells on the tumor growth and osteoblast inhibition. Results revealed that knocking down PTHrP expression in the breast cancer cells strikingly inhibited the formation of subcutaneous tumors in nude mice. PTHrP knockdown dramatically decreased the levels of cyclins D1 and A1 proteins and arrested the cell cycle progression at the G1 stage. PTHrP knockdown led to the cleavage of Caspase 8 and induced apoptosis of the tumor cells. Interestingly, knocking down PTHrP increased the levels of Beclin1 and LC3-II and promoted the formation of autophagosomes. Knocking down PTHrP expression significantly reduced the abilities of the breast cancer cells to inhibit osteoblast differentiation and bone formation in vitro and in vivo. Finally, we found that PTHrP activated its own expression through an autocrine mechanism in MDA-MB-231 cells. Collectively, these studies suggest that targeting PTHrP expression in the tumor cells could be a potential therapeutic strategy for breast cancers, especially those with skeletal metastases.     

大豆苷元增强多西紫杉醇体外杀伤三阴性乳腺癌作用研究

目的:研究大豆苷元通过调节BRCA1表达逆转多西紫杉醇耐药的具体机制。方法:应用三阴性人乳腺癌细胞系MDA-MB-231、SUM-1315作为研究对象,通过MTT法评估分析不同治疗组的抑瘤率,应用流式细胞仪检测各治疗组细胞的凋亡情况;应用western-blot分析各治疗组BRCA1及凋亡相关蛋白的表达情况。结果:研究发现大豆苷元、多西紫杉醇及联合组对乳腺癌MDA-MB-231、SUM1315细胞的抑制呈浓度依赖的原则。并且BRCA1表达的细胞系MDA-MB-231比BRCA1突变的细胞系SUM1315抑瘤率更高,两个细胞系不同治疗组分别与对照组相比较,凋亡率明显升高,均具有统计学意义;且随着大豆苷元的加入,可使多西紫杉醇的凋亡率显著增加,并且可减少多西紫杉醇的用量。在SUM-1315细胞系,大豆苷元逆转多西紫杉醇耐药,增加凋亡比率更为显著。大豆苷元可使BRCA1突变型的三阴性乳腺癌细胞系SUM-1315表达BRCA1,并具有浓度依赖性。对各组细胞的凋亡蛋白的变化进行免疫印迹分析表明大豆苷元联合多西紫杉醇可通过调节caspase依赖的凋亡通路活性来增强多西紫杉醇的凋亡作用,从而增强乳腺癌细胞杀伤。结论:大豆苷元可通过调节BRCA1表达量,协同增强多西紫杉类药物杀伤三阴性乳腺癌细胞,促进凋亡进而逆转化疗耐药。     

Arthpyrone L,a New Pyridone Alkaloid from a Deep-Sea Arthrinium sp., Inhibits Proliferation of MG63 Osteosarcoma Cells by Inducing G0/G1 Arrest and Apoptosis

Fractionation of the ethanol extract of a marine fungus, Arthrinium sp., afforded a new pyridone alkaloid (arthpyrone L ( 1 )), the structure with absolute configuration of which was established by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses. In vitro cell viability assays revealed that compound 1 showed antiproliferative effects toward human A549 (lung), MG63, U2OS (bone), MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 (breast) cancer cells. MG63 cell lines were chosen for further biological evaluations and presented apoptosis and cell cycle arrest (G0/G1 phase) upon treatment of 1 . Subsequent mechanism studies demonstrated that the growth inhibition of 1 against MG63 cells was via activation of caspase-modulated apoptotic pathway and inhibition of PI3K/Akt pathway.