mad—overexpression down regulates the malignant growth and p53 mediated apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma BEL—7404 cells

Mad protein has been shown as an antagonist of cMyc protein in some cell lines.The effect of Mad protein to the malignant phenotype of human hepatoma BEL-7404 cell line was investigated experimentally.An eukarryotic vector pCDNA Ⅲ containing full ORF fragment of mad cDNA was transfected into targeted cells.Under G418 selection,stable Mad-overexpressed cells were cloned.Studies on the effect of Mad over-expression in cell proliferation and cell cycle revealed that cell morphology of the Mad-overexpressed BEL-7404-M1 cells was significantly different from the parent and control vector transfected cells.DNA synthesis,cell proliferation and anchorage-independent growth in soft-agar of the madtransfected cells were partially inhibited in comparison to control cells.Flos cytometry analysis indicated that mad over-expression might block more transfectant cells at G0/G1 phase,resulting in the retardation of cell proliferation.RT-PCR detected a marked inhibition of the expression of cdc25A,an important regulator gene of G0/G1 to S phase in cell cycle.It was also found that Mad protein overexpression could greatly suppress p53-mediated apoptosis in BEL-74040M1 cells in the absence of serume.Thus,Mad proteins may function as a negative regulator antagonizing c-Myc activity in the control of cell growth and apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma BEL-7404 cells.     

Antisense EGFR sequence reverses the growth properties of human liver carcinoma cell line BEL-7404 in vitro

A recombinant plasmid containing a full length human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) cDNA sequence in antisense orientation was transferred into cells of a human liver carcinoma cell line BEL-7404. Compared with the control cell clone JX-0 transferred with the vector plasmid and the parent BEL-7404 cells, the antisense EGFR transferred cell clone JX-1 showed a decreased EGFR gene expression and reduced significantly the growth potential either in anchorage-dependent or anchorage-independent growth. Furthermore, JX-1 cells appeared to be distinctly dependent on serum concentration for monolayer growth. The results suggested that antisense EGFR could partly block the EGFR gene expression and reverse the malignant growth properties of human liver carcinoma cells in vitro.     

Effects of basic fibroblast growth factor on angiogenin expression and cell proliferation in H7402 human hepatoma cells

Hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Basic fibroblast growth factor （bFGF）, which is highly expressed in developing tissues and malignant cells, regulates cell growth, differentiation, and migration. Its expression is essential for the progression and metastasis of HCC. This study aims to investigate the effects of bFGF on the expression of angiogenin, another growth factor, which plays an important role in tumor angiogenesis, and on cell proliferation in H7402 human hepatoma cells. The bFGF sense cDNA or antisense cDNA was stably transfected into H7402 cells. Genomic DNA PCR analysis demonstrated that human bFGF sense cDNA or antisense cDNA was inserted into the genome. Furthermore, the expression of bFGF and angiogenin was examined by RT-PCR and Western blot assays. MTT and colony formation assays were employed to determine cell proliferation. Stable bFGF over-expressing and under-expressing transfectants were successfully established. Expression of angiogenin was decreased in the over-expressing bFGF cells （sense transfectants） and was increased in the under-expressing bFGF cells （antisense transfectants）. Cell proliferation increased in the bFGF sense transfectants and decreased in the bFGF antisense transfectants. These results demonstrated that the endogenous bFGF may not only negatively regulate the angiogenin expression but also contribute to the overall cell proliferation in H7402 human hepatoma cells. This study may be helpful in finding a potential therapeutic approach to HCC.     

Antisense EGFR sequence enhances apoptosis in a human hepatoma cell line BEL—7404

Effects of antisense epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) sequence on apoptotic cell death were examined in a human hepatoma cell line BEL-7404 cells.In the cells of JX-1,a sub clone of BEL-7404 stably transfected with antisense EGFR vector (Cell Research,3:75,1993),an enhanced rate(9.5%) of spontaneous apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry,whereas the rates of spontaneous apoptosis in JX-0 cells,a sub-clone of BEL-7404 transfected by control vector,and the parent BEL-7404 transfected by control vector,and the parent BEL-7404 transfected by control vector,and the parent BEL-7404 cells were almost equal and about 1.7%.Serum-starvation for 72h increased the rate of apoptosis of JX-lcells up to 33.7%,while JX-0 and BEL-7404 cells,under the same condition,produced less than 5% of apoptotic cells.Observation with electron microscope demonstrated that condensation and fragmentation of chromatin and formation of apoptotic bodies often occurred in JX-1 cells,especially during serumstarvation.These results,combined with the data of DNA fragmentation Elisa test,suggested that antisense EGFR sequence enhances apoptosis in the human hepatoma cells.Comparison of intracellular Ca^2 level and the responsiveness of JX-1 cells to the induced action of EGF and tharpsigargin (TG) treatment with that of control JX-0 cells indicated that antisense egfr might interrupt the EGF/EGFR sigaling pathway resulting in the decreass of intracellular Ca^2 pool content as well as the responsiveness of these cells to the extracellular signals.These findings suggest that antisense EGFR either directly or indirectly regulates Ca^2 storage in endoplasmic reticulum,thereby enhances apoptosis in the human hepatoma cells.     

Overexpression of PTEN induces cell growth arrest and apoptosis in human breast cancer ZR-75-1 cells

Phosphatase and tensin homolog （PTEN） is a tumor suppressor gene located at human chromosome 10q23, might play an important role in cell proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis of cancer cells. In this study, the eukaryotic expression vectors pBP-wt-PTEN （containing a wild-type PTEN gene） and pBP-G129R-PTEN （containing a mutant PTEN gene） were used to transfect breast cancer ZR-75-1 cells. After transfection, ZR-75-1 cells expressing PTEN were obtained and tested. The blue exclusion assay showed the growth rate of the cells transfected with pBP-wt-PTEN was significantly lower than that of the control cells transfected with pBP-G129R-PTEN. Analysis of the cell cycle by flow cytometry showed that the progression from the G1 to the S phase was arrested in cells expressing wild-type PTEN. Some typical morphological changes of apoptosis were also observed in cells transfected with pBP-wt-PTEN, but not in those transfected with pBP-G 129R-PTEN. This study shows that overexpression of PTEN in ZR-75-1 cells leads to cell growth arrest and apoptosis.     

Construction and packaging of pseudotype retrovirus containing human N—ras cDNA antisense sequence and its biological effects on human hepatoma cells

N-ras is one of the transforming genes in human hepatic cancer cells.It has been found that N-ras was overexpressed at the mRNA and protein level in hepatoma cells.In order to explore the biological roles of N-ras in human hepatic carcinogenesis and the potential application in control of cancer cell growth,a preudotype retrovirus containing antisense sequence of human N-ras was constructed and packaged.A recombinant retrovirus vector containing antisense or sense sequences of N-ras cDNA was constructed by pZIP-NeoSV(X)1.The pseudotype virus was packaged ang rescued by transfection and infection in PA317 and ψ 2 helper cells.It has been demonstrated that the pseudotype retrovirus containing antisense N-ras sequence did inhibit the growth of human PLC/PRF/5 hepatoma cells accompanied with inhibition of p21 expression,while the retrovirus containing sense sequence had none.The pseudotype virus had no effect on human diploid fibroblasts.     

Effect of cell cycle inhibitor p19ARF on senescence of human diploid cell

To investigate the effect of cell cycle inhibitor p19ARF on replicative senescence of human diploid cell, recombinant p19ARF eukaryotic expression vector was constructed and p19ARF gene was transfected into human diploid fibroblasts (WI-38 cells) by liposome-mediated transfection for overexpression. Then, the effects of p19ARF on replicative senescence of WI-38 cells were observed. The results re- vealed that, compared with control cells, the WI-38 cells in which p19ARF gene was introduced showed significant up-regulation of p53 and p21 expression level, decrease of cell generation by 10 12 generations, decline of cell growth rate with cell cycle being arrested at G1 phase, increase of positive rate of senescent marker SA-β-gal staining, and decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential. The morphology of the transfected fibroblasts presented the characteristics changes similar to senescent cells. These results indicated that high expression of p19ARF may promote the senescent process of human diploid cells.     

The inhibitory effect of transthyretin gene on growth of human hepatoma cells

Transthyretin(TTR) gene was highly expressed in normal liver and it has been found to be deleted in part of DNA samples from human hepatic cancer.Its mRNA expression was suppressed in most hepatoma samples.In order to study the biological effect of TTR gene on the growth of hepatoma cells,a recombinant vector containing TTR cDNA was constructed by pCMV,then it was transfected into hepatoma cell lines SMMC-7721 and Q3.It has been demonstrated that the inhibition of growth rate of TTR cDNA transfected hepatoma cells was about 50% in strength compared with that of the control.This inhibition was further enhanced when the transfected hepatoma cells were treated with all-trans retinoic acid.Hepatoma cells of cell lines PLC/PRF/5,SMMC-7721 and Q3 as well as hepatoma cells SMMC-7721 transfected with pCMV or pCMV-TTR were analyzed for TTR expression by Northern hybridization.The low level of TTR expression was found in both hepatoma cell lines and in SMMC-7721 cells transfected with pCMV alone.However,a remarkable TTR mRNA expression was observed in hepatoma SMMV-7721 cells transfected with pCMV-TTR.It seems possible that TTR gene might be a candidate of cancer suppressor gene for human hepatic cancer.     

EGF receptor—mediated intracellular calcium increase in human hepatoma BEL—7404 cells

Epidermal growth factor(EGF) induced intracellular free calcium ([Ca^2 ]i) response was studied in fura-2- or fluo-3-loaded human hepatoma cells of BEL-7404 cell line.Single cell[Ca^2 ]i analysis and [Ca^2 ]i measurement in cell populations revealed that EGF triggered a rapid[Ca^2 ]i increase in the dose-dependent and time-dependent manner.Pretreatment of cells with an endoplasmic reticulum(ER) Ca^2 -ATPase inhibitor,thapsigargin(TG) at 100nM concentration for 20 min,completely abolished EGF-induced [Ca^2 ]i increase,and chelating extracellular calcium by excess EGTA partially inhibited the increase.Furthermore,the expression of antisense EGF receptor sequence in BEL-7404 cells suppressed the [Ca^2 ]i response to EGF.The results suggest that EGF receptor-mediated [Ca^2 ]i increase in the human hepatoma cells is essentially dependent on the Ca^2 storage in ER.     

乳腺癌细胞中人血小板衍生生长因子受体β启动子的基础活性研究

目的:探讨低迁移表型的乳腺癌细胞MCF-7和高迁移表型的乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231中血小板衍生生长因子β启动子的基础活性及转录调控差异。方法:Real-Time PCR,Weastern blot等技术检测PDGFRβ在2株细胞中的转录和表达差异。双荧光报告系统检测PDGFRβ启动子各缺失突变片段在2株细胞中的活性,筛选差异片段。生物信息学预测启动子区可能存在的转录因子。凝胶迁移实验研究转录因子在两株乳腺癌细胞中对PDGFRβ启动子的调节活性。结果:两株细胞中都有PDGFRβ的内源性表达,且在MDA-MB-231中表达较高。在2株细胞中找到了人PDGFRB 启动子的重要活性调节区,(+539bp,+1457bp)在2株细胞中均呈负调控,(+54bp,+539bp)在两株细胞中均呈正调控,(-983bp,+54bp)在MDA-MB-231中呈显著正调控,在MCF-7中没有活性。转录因子AP1的转录活性和与DNA的结合活性在MDA-MB-231中均高于MCF-7。结论:不同迁移表型的乳腺癌细胞中PDGFRβ存在不同的表达调控机制,PDGFRβ启动子活性片段(-983bp,+54bp)在两株细胞中存在显著活性差异。转录因子AP-1在两株细胞中有表达水平和结合活性差异。     

Indole-3-carbinol-induced death in cancer cells involves EGFR downregulation and is exacerbated in a 3D environment

Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) is a promising anticancer dietary compound, which inhibits breast cancer in animal models. The objective of the current study was to characterize I3C-induced cell death in a panel of human breast tumorigenic cells (MCF7, MDA-MB-468, MDA-MB-231 and HBL100) in comparison with normal fibroblasts. Since epithelial cells are protected from cell death by a three-dimensional environment, 3D cell culture (collagen I gel and spheroids) was employed to investigate susceptibility to I3C. Cell viability in the presence of 256 μM I3C, a concentration close to the physiologically achievable range, was in the order fibroblasts = HBL100>MDA-MB-231>MCF7>MDA-MB-468 in monolayer culture. However, 3D culture conditions increased the susceptibility of MCF7 and MDA-MB-468 cancer cells towards I3C. I3C induced cell death in breast cancer MCF7, MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB–231 cells via the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. I3C significantly reduced levels of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in MDA-MB-468 after 6 h and in MDA-MB-231 and HBL100 cells after 30 h. Downregulation of EGFR in MDA-MB468 and MDA-MB-231 cells using an EGFR inhibitor resulted in apoptosis. EGFR modulation using EGF or an EGFR inhibitor markedly influenced viability and response to I3C in MDA-MB-468 cells in 3D conditions. EGFR expression was modulated by 3D conditions. Therefore, I3C-induced EGFR reduction in these cells is likely to be responsible for I3C-induced apoptosis.     

Cas9蛋白对亲骨转移人乳腺癌细胞株生物学性质和超微结构的影响

目的：构建表达Cas9蛋白的亲骨转移人乳腺癌细胞株,并研究Cas9蛋白的表达对细胞生物学性质和超微结构的影响,为利用CRISPR/Cas9技术研究乳腺癌骨转移分子机制提供实验基础。方法：通过慢病毒载体介导Cas9蛋白基因转染亲骨转移人乳腺癌细胞株MDA-MB-231BO,通过G418筛选转染细胞,采用流式细胞术、Western blot、免疫细胞化学验证Cas9基因转染是否成功;运用实时无标记动态细胞分析技术和细胞划痕实验检测Cas9蛋白表达对细胞增殖及迁移的影响;透射电镜观察Cas9蛋白表达对细胞超微结构的影响。结果：成功构建稳定表达Cas9蛋白的亲骨转移人乳腺癌细胞株MDA-MB-231BO-Cas9,Cas9蛋白的表达对细胞的增殖、迁移和超微结构无明显影响。结论：MDA-MB-231BO-Cas9细胞可用于CRISPR/Cas9技术进一步研究。     

Akt3稳定表达细胞株的建立及其对MDA-MB-231细胞增殖的影响

目的 构建人蛋白激酶Bγ（Akt3）基因编码区序列（cDNA）的真核表达载体、建立其稳定表达细胞株并观察其对MDA-MB-231细胞增殖的影响.方法 从流产胎儿脑组织中提取总RNA,采用RT-PCR方法扩增Akt3 cDNA的全长序列后克隆入pEGFP-N2质粒中,构建成Akt3基因真核表达载体,然后转染入MDA-MB-231细胞中,新霉素筛选稳定转染细胞克隆,通过MTT实验,研究转染Akt3基因前后细胞增殖的变化.结果 重组载体经酶切鉴定和测序证实目的 基因正确无误.Western印迹检测结果显示AKT3融合蛋白在MDA-MB-231细胞中表达良好,而转染空载体及未转染细胞对照中未见有此融合蛋白质条带;MTT结果显示AKT3表达上调的稳定克隆组,其增殖活性显著高于空载体稳定转染细胞组及未转染亲代细胞组,差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.01）,而后两者差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）.结论 Akt3过表达可增强MDA-MB-231细胞的增殖.     

靶向下调FOXM1基因表达对乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞增殖的影响

目的：探讨靶向抑制FOXM1对乳腺癌细胞增殖能力的影响,为乳腺癌的个性化靶向治疗提供理论依据。方法：利用重组真核转录载体pSilencer1．0-U6-FOXMI—shRNA,脂质体法转染乳腺癌细胞株MDA-MB-231,下调其FOXM1基因表达。采用四甲基偶氮唑盐（MTT）比色法、平板克隆形成实验观察细胞增值曲线以及克隆形成能力;采用实时定量·聚合酶链反应（Real—timeqPCR）、蛋白免疫印迹法（Westemblot）分别检测FOXMl基因在mRNA、蛋白水平的表达变化。结果：重组载体pSileneerl．0-U6-FOXMl-shRNA转染MDA-MB-231细胞后,与对照组相比,增殖速率明显下降（P〈0．05）,平板克隆形成显著减少（P〈0．05）,重组载体转染后显著抑制MDA—MB-231细胞中FOXM1基因在mRNA、蛋白水平的表达。结论：沉默FOXMI基因对乳腺癌细胞株MDA—MB-231生长具有抑制作用,为阐明乳腺癌发病机制提供了新的切入点,也为临床抑制肿瘤生长提供了新的作用靶点。     

Regulation by estrogen through the 5'-flanking region of the transforming growth factor alpha gene.

Expression of transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha) mRNA and protein can be stimulated by estrogens such as 17 beta-estradiol (E2) in estrogen-responsive rodent and human breast cancer cells. To ascertain if E2 can directly regulate TGF alpha expression through the 5'-flanking region of the human TGF alpha gene, E2-responsive MCF-7 or ZR-75-1 human breast cancer cells or E2-nonresponsive MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells were transiently transfected with a plasmid containing an 1140-base pair (bp) Sac-I fragment of the TGF alpha 5'-flanking region ligated to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene. Cells that were transfected and subsequently treated with physiological concentrations of E2 (10(-11)-10(-8) M) for 24 h exhibited a 2- to 10-fold increase in CAT activity. The E2 stimulation of CAT activity was dose-dependent with an increase first found at 10(-10) M E2. The increase in CAT activity could be detected within 24-36 h after the addition of E2. There was no significant change in CAT activity in transiently transfected MDA-MB-231 cells as mediated through the TGF alpha 5'-flanking region after E2 treatment. MCF-7 cells were also transiently transfected with different fragments of the TGF alpha 5'-flanking region ligated to the luciferase gene. In the absence of E2 treatment, no detectable luciferase activity was found.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

DC Electric Fields Direct Breast Cancer Cell Migration, Induce EGFR Polarization, and Increase the Intracellular Level of Calcium Ions

Migration of cancer cells leads to invasion of primary tumors to distant organs (i.e., metastasis). Growing number of studies have demonstrated the migration of various cancer cell types directed by applied direct current electric fields (dcEF), i.e., electrotaxis, and suggested its potential implications in metastasis. MDA-MB-231 cell, a human metastatic breast cancer cell line, has been shown to migrate toward the anode of dcEF. Further characterizations of MDA-MB-231 cell electrotaxis and investigation of its underlying signaling mechanisms will lead to a better understanding of electrically guided cancer cell migration and metastasis. Therefore, we quantitatively characterized MDA-MB-231 cell electrotaxis and a few associated signaling events. Using a microfluidic device that can create well-controlled dcEF, we showed the anode-directing migration of MDA-MB-231 cells. In addition, surface staining of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and confocal microscopy showed the dcEF-induced anodal EGFR polarization in MDA-MB-231 cells. Furthermore, we showed an increase of intracellular calcium ions in MDA-MB-231 cells upon dcEF stimulation. Altogether, our study provided quantitative measurements of electrotactic migration of MDA-MB-231 cells, and demonstrated the electric field-mediated EGFR and calcium signaling events, suggesting their involvement in breast cancer cell electrotaxis.     

靶向下调FOXM1 基因表达对乳腺癌MDA-MB-231 细胞增殖的影响

目的：探讨靶向抑制FOXM1 对乳腺癌细胞增殖能力的影响,为乳腺癌的个性化靶向治疗提供理论依据。方法：利用重组真 核转录载体pSilencer1.0-U6-FOXM1-shRNA,脂质体法转染乳腺癌细胞株MDA-MB-231,下调其FOXM1基因表达。采用四甲基 偶氮唑盐(MTT) 比色法、平板克隆形成实验观察细胞增值曲线以及克隆形成能力;采用实时定量- 聚合酶链反应(Real-time qPCR)、蛋白免疫印迹法（Western blot）分别检测FOXM1 基因在mRNA、蛋白水平的表达变化。结果：重组载体pSilencer1. 0-U6-FOXM1-shRNA转染MDA-MB-231细胞后,与对照组相比,增殖速率明显下降（P<0.05）,平板克隆形成显著减少（P<0.05）, 重组载体转染后显著抑制MDA-MB-231 细胞中FOXM1 基因在mRNA、蛋白水平的表达。结论：沉默FOXM1 基因对乳腺癌细胞 株MDA-MB-231 生长具有抑制作用,为阐明乳腺癌发病机制提供了新的切入点,也为临床抑制肿瘤生长提供了新的作用靶点。     

Role of ornithine decarboxylase in breast cancer

Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), the rate-limiting enzyme in polyamine biosynthesis that decarboxylates ornithine to putrescine, has become a promising target for cancer research. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of ODC in breast cancer. We detected expression of ODC in breast cancer tissues and four breast cancer cell lines, and transfected breast cancer cells with an adenoviral vector carrying antisense ODC (rAd-ODC/Ex3as) and examined their growth and migration. ODC was overexpressed in breast cancer tissues and cell lines compared with non-tumor tissues and normal breast epithelial cells, and there was a positive correlation between the level of ODC mRNA and the staging of tumors. The expression of ODC correlated with cyclin D1, a cell cycle protein, in synchronized breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. Gene transfection of rAd-ODC/Ex3as markedly down-regulated expression of ODC and cyclin D1, resulting in suppression of proliferation and cell cycle arrest at G₀–G₁ phase, and the inhibition of colony formation, an anchorage-independent growth pattern, and the migratory ability of MDA-MB-231 cells. rAd-ODC/Ex3as also markedly reduced the concentration of putrescine, but not spermidine or spermine, in MDA-MB-231 cells. The results suggested that the ODC gene might act as a prognostic factor for breast cancer and it could be a promising therapeutic target.