Lentinan exerts synergistic apoptotic effects with paclitaxel in A549 cells via activating ROS‐TXNIP‐NLRP3 inflammasome

Paclitaxel is generally used to treat cancers in clinic as an inhibitor of cell division. However, the acquired resistance in tumours limits its clinical efficacy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to detect whether co‐treatment with lentinan enhanced the anti‐cancer effects of paclitaxel in A549 cells. We found that the combination of paclitaxel and lentinan resulted in a significantly stronger inhibition on A549 cell proliferation than paclitaxel treatment alone. Co‐treatment with paclitaxel and lentinan enhanced cell apoptosis rate by inducing caspase‐3 activation. Furthermore, co‐treatment with paclitaxel and lentinan significantly triggered reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and increased thioredoxin‐interacting protein (TXNIP) expression. Moreover, co‐treatment with paclitaxel and lentinan enhanced TXNIP‐NLRP3 interaction, and activated NLRP3 inflammasome whereat interleukin‐1β levels were increased and cell apoptosis was induced. In addition, combination of paclitaxel and lentinan could activate apoptosis signal regulating kinase‐1 (ASK1)/p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal which also contributed to cell apoptosis. Taken together, co‐treatment with paclitaxel and lentinan exerts synergistic apoptotic effects in A549 cells through inducing ROS production, and activating NLRP3 inflammasome and ASK1/p38 MAPK signal pathway.     

Suppressive effect of polysaccharides from the edible and medicinal mushrooms,Lentinus edodes and Agaricus blazei,on the expression of cytochrome P450s in mice

To investigate the effects of lentinan from Lentinas edodes and polysaccharides from Agaricus blazei (ABPS) on the expression of cytochrome P450s (CYPs), lentinan (10 mg/kg/day) or ABPS (200 mg/kg/day) was administered to female BALB/c mice four times every other day by intraperitoneal injection. Lentinan and ABPS suppressed both the constitutive and 3-methylcholanthrene-induced CYP1A expression and ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylation activity in the liver.     

Analysis of immunomodulating cytokine mRNAs in the mouse induced by mushroom polysaccharides

The immunomodulating action of two mushroom antitumor polysaccharides, polysaccharide-protein complex (PSPC) and lentinan, was elucidated through analysing the expression profile of cytokines during a time course (0 h to 48 h) after their administration. Among the 5 cytokine genes, the induction of a marked increase in the mRNA levels of IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma and M-CSF by PSPC and lentinan was observed in the peritoneal exudate cells and splenocytes. However, the time point of their increased production was different after PSPC and lentinan administration.     

毛头鬼伞子实体中甾类化合物的结构鉴定及其抑制肿瘤细胞增殖活性的研究

从毛头鬼伞子实体中分离得到4个甾类化合物,通过波谱分析,分别鉴定为麦角甾醇(1)、啤酒甾醇(2)、麦角甾醇葡萄糖甙(3)和tuberoside(4)。4个化合物均为首次从毛头鬼伞中得到。通过体外细胞毒性筛选试验,结果表明化合物4有较强的抑制人乳腺癌细胞MCF-7和狗肾细胞MDCK增殖的活性,其抑制增殖的IC50值分别为10.9μg/mL(18.4μmol/L)和5.8μg/mL(9.8μmol/L)。化合物3对MCF-7和MDCK的抑制作用则较弱,当其浓度为10.0μg/mL(17.9μmol/L)时,对MCF-7和MDCK的增殖抑制率分别为12.5%和7.5%。     

响应面分析法优化香菇多糖发酵培养基

香菇多糖是香菇中分离出的一种重要的具有生理活性的物质。采用深层发酵技术培养香菇菌丝体生产多糖,可利用农副产品作原料,成本低,周期短,易于大规模生产。采用响应面优化香菇Lentinula edodes135发酵培养基产多糖,首先Plackett-Burman设计对培养基8因素进行筛选,获得影响多糖产量的3个主要因素:葡萄糖,鱼粉和KH2PO4;然后用最陡爬坡路径逼近最大响应区域;最后通过Box-Behnken设计及响应面分析确定了主要影响因素的最佳浓度:葡萄糖2.2533%,鱼粉0.9756%,VB10.003%,NaCl0.8%,MgSO4·7H2O0.1%,FeSO4·7H2O0.04%,KH2PO40.0993%,初始pH值5.5。在优化后的培养基中,粗多糖产量为2.33g/L,实测值与预测值的误差为+3.61%,比初始培养基多糖产量提高1.91倍。     

Intestinal Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Lentinan: Influence on IL-8 and TNFR1 Expression in Intestinal Epithelial Cells

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. It is unknown whether β-1,3;1,6-glucan can induce immune suppressive effects. Here, we study intestinal anti-inflammatory activity of Lentinula edodes-derived β-1,3;1,6-glucan, which is known as lentinan. Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mice were used to elucidate effects of lentinan in vivo. In the cellular level assessment, lentinan was added into a co-culture model consisting of intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells and LPS-stimulated macrophage RAW264.7 cells. Ligated intestinal loop assay was performed for assessing effects of lentinan on intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) in vivo. Oral administration of lentinan (100 µg/mouse) significantly ameliorated DSS-induced colitis in body weight loss, shortening of colon lengths, histological score, and inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression in inflamed tissues. Lentinan reduced interleukin (IL)-8 mRNA expression and nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation in Caco-2 cells without decreasing of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α production from RAW264.7 cells. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that surface levels of TNF receptor (TNFR) 1 were decreased by lentinan treatment. A clathrin-mediated endocytosis inhibitor, monodansylcadaverine, canceled lentinan inhibition of IL-8 mRNA expression. Moreover, lentinan inhibited TNFR1 expression in Caco-2 cells in both protein and mRNA level. Lentinan also inhibited TNFR1 mRNA expression in mouse IECs. These results suggest that lentinan exhibits intestinal anti-inflammatory activity through inhibition of IL-8 mRNA expression associated with the inhibition of NF-κB activation which is triggered by TNFR1 endocytosis and lowering of their expression in IECs. Lentinan may be effective for the treatment of gut inflammation including IBD.     

CYP1B1 prevents proteasome-mediated XIAP degradation by inducing PKCε activation and phosphorylation of XIAP

Cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) is a key enzyme that catalyzes the metabolism of 17β-estradiol (E2) into catechol estrogens, such as 2-hydroxyestradiol (2-OHE2) and 4-hydroxyestradiol (4-OHE2). CYP1B1 is related to tumor formation and is over-expressed in a variety of cancer cells. In particular, CYP1B1 is highly expressed in hormone-related cancers such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer, or prostate cancer compared to other cancers. However, the detailed mechanisms involving this protein remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that CYP1B1 affects X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) expression. When CYP1B1 was over-expressed in cells, there was significant increase in the XIAP protein level, whereas the XIAP mRNA level was not affected by CYP1B1 expression. Treatment with 4-OHE2, mainly formed by CYP1B1 activity, also increased XIAP protein levels, whereas treatment with 2-OHE2 did not have a significant effect. Treatment with 4-OHE2 significantly prevented proteasome-mediated XIAP degradation. In addition, phosphorylation of XIAP on serine 87, which is known to stabilize XIAP, was up-regulated by 4-OHE2, indicating that 4-OHE2 affects XIAP stability through XIAP phosphorylation. We also found that phosphorylation of protein kinase C (PKC)ε, which is required for XIAP phosphorylation, increased when cells were treated with 4-OHE2. In summary, our data show that CYP1B1 may play an important role in preventing ubiquitin-proteasome-mediated XIAP degradation through the activation of PKCε signaling in cancer cells.     

Corneal damage and lacrimal gland dysfunction in a smoking rat model

Smoking is a serious public health problem around the world and causes many diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and some eye diseases. Cytochrome P450s (CYPs) are xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes and are distributed in the corneas, protecting the ocular surface against chemical compounds in the environment. Although CYPs are principally detoxification enzymes, CYP1A1 and CYP2A6 are known to participate in the induction of lung cancer by smoking. We studied the participation of CYPs in corneal dysfunction caused by exposure to mainstream cigarette smoke (MCS) in a smoking rat model. Six-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to MCS. Exposure to MCS caused corneal damage and lacrimal gland dysfunction. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that CYP1A1 expression was upregulated in the corneal epithelium and ducts of the lacrimal glands, accompanied by an increase in production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). An increase in 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, which is a marker of oxidative DNA damage, was detected only in areas where CYP1A1 was expressed, whereas the level of hexanoyl-lysine adduct, which is an initial marker of oxidative damage of phospholipids, did not increase. Exposure to MCS damaged the corneas and lacrimal glands probably through DNA oxidation by ROS produced by CYP1A1. Although the influence of other components in MCS remains unclear, CYPs, especially CYP1A1, probably participate in corneal damage and lacrimal gland dysfunction induced by smoking.     

CYP17 inhibitors for prostate cancer therapy

Prostate cancer (PC) is now the second most prevalent cause of death in men in the USA and Europe. At present, the major treatment options include surgical or medical castration. These strategies cause ablation of the production of testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and related androgens by the testes. However, because these procedures do not affect adrenal, prostate and other tissues' androgen production, they are often combined with androgen receptor antagonists to block their action. Indeed, recent studies have unequivocally established that in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) many androgen-regulated genes become re-expressed and tissue androgen levels increase despite low serum levels. Clearly, inhibition of the key enzyme which catalyzes the biosynthesis of androgens from pregnane precursors, 17α-hydroxy/17,20-lyase (hereafter referred to as CYP17) could prevent androgen production from all sources. Thus, total ablation of androgen production by potent CYP17 inhibitors may provide effective treatment of prostate cancer patients. This review highlights the role of androgen biosynthesis in the progression of prostate cancer and the impact of CYP17 inhibitors, such as ketoconazole, abiraterone acetate, VN/124-1 (TOK-001) and TAK-700 in the clinic and in clinical development. Article from the special issue on Targeted Inhibitors.     

小鼠 CYP2R1的异源表达及其对癌细胞增殖的差异作用

细胞色素P450 (cytochrome P450, CYP450)是一类血红素氧化酶。细胞色素P450家族2亚家族R成员1（cytochrome P450 family 2 subfamily R member 1, CYP2R1）是一种主要在肝组织中表达的维生素D羟化酶。目前,对于小鼠CYP2R1蛋白质的结构、物化特性和病理机制的理了解仍十分有限。本研究结合基因克隆和生物信息学分析,获得小鼠CYP2R1基因CDS序列及其生物学特征。随后,利用pcDNA3.1-CYP2R1真核表达载体,通过细胞划痕、MTT分析、real-time qPCR方法检测异源表达CYP2R1对肺癌细胞A549、胃癌细胞7901、肝癌细胞HepG2以及正常细胞HEK293T细胞的迁移、增殖和细胞周期基因表达的影响,探明其对癌细胞增殖的作用。结果显示,由C57BL/6小鼠肝组织的CYP2R1基因,序列长度1 506 bp,其中,CD_S 468 bp。其编码的155个氨基酸,与其他11个物种间的同源性均较高,其三级结构与人CYP2R1略有不同。构建的pcDNA3.1-CYP2R1真核表达载体,可在体外培养细胞中提高CYP2R1基因mRNA表达105倍以上,蛋白质水平提高约30倍。值得注意的是,异源表达CYP2R1在癌细胞增殖中的作用具有差异性,其中,CYP2R1通过显著降低细胞周期蛋白基因CyclinD1(P<0.05)和Caspase3(P<0.01),而抑制7901细胞的增殖。该研究结果为进一步探索CYP2R1的生物学作用,特别是在分析其对癌细胞增殖方面提供了基础研究数据,并为进一步明确CYP2R1在癌症相关治疗中的重要意义奠定了理论基础。     

HIV gp120- and methamphetamine-mediated oxidative stress induces astrocyte apoptosis via cytochrome P450 2E1

HIV-1 glycoprotein 120 (gp120) is known to cause neurotoxicity via several mechanisms including production of proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines and oxidative stress. Likewise, drug abuse is thought to have a direct impact on the pathology of HIV-associated neuroinflammation through the induction of proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines and oxidative stress. In the present study, we demonstrate that gp120 and methamphetamine (MA) causes apoptotic cell death by inducing oxidative stress through the cytochrome P450 (CYP) and NADPH oxidase (NOX) pathways. The results showed that both MA and gp120 induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in concentration- and time-dependent manners. The combination of gp120 and MA also induced CYP2E1 expression at both mRNA (1.7±0.2- and 2.8±0.3-fold in SVGA and primary astrocytes, respectively) and protein (1.3±0.1-fold in SVGA and 1.4±0.03-fold in primary astrocytes) levels, suggesting the involvement of CYP2E1 in ROS production. This was further confirmed by using a selective inhibitor of CYP2E1, diallylsulfide (DAS), and CYP2E1 knockdown using siRNA, which significantly reduced ROS production (30–60%). As the CYP pathway is known to be coupled with the NOX pathway, including Fenton–Weiss–Haber (FWH) reaction, we examined whether the NOX pathway is also involved in ROS production induced by either gp120 or MA. Our results showed that selective inhibitors of NOX, diphenyleneiodonium (DPI), and FWH reaction, deferoxamine (DFO), also significantly reduced ROS production. These findings were further confirmed using specific siRNAs against NOX2 and NOX4 (NADPH oxidase family). We then showed that gp120 and MA both induced apoptosis (caspase-3 activity and DNA lesion using TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling) assay) and cell death. Furthermore, we showed that DAS, DPI, and DFO completely abolished apoptosis and cell death, suggesting the involvement of CYP and NOX pathways in ROS-mediated apoptotic cell death. In conclusion, this is the first report on the involvement of CYP and NOX pathways in gp120/MA-induced oxidative stress and apoptotic cell death in astrocytes, which has clinical implications in neurodegenerative diseases, including neuroAIDS.     

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha potentiates genotoxic effects of benzo[a]pyrene in rat liver epithelial cells through upregulation of cytochrome P450 1B1 expression

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant, which may contribute to the development of human cancer. The ultimate carcinogenic BaP metabolite produced by cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP), such as CYP1A1 and CYP1B1, anti-BaP-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide, binds covalently to DNA and causes mutations. The levels of various CYP isoforms can be significantly modulated under inflammatory conditions. As the chronic inflammation is known to contribute to carcinogenesis, we investigated interactions of a major proinflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and BaP in regulation of the expression of CYP1A1/1B1 and induction of DNA damage in rat liver epithelial WB-F344 cells. TNF-alpha enhanced induction of CYP1B1, while it simultaneously suppressed the BaP-induced CYP1A1 expression. The observed deregulation of CYP1 induction was found to be associated with a significantly enhanced formation of DNA adducts. The elevated DNA damage corresponded with increased phosphorylation of p53 tumor suppressor at Ser-15 residue, enhanced accumulation of cells in the S-phase of cell cycle and potentiation of BaP-induced apoptosis. Inhibition of CYP1B1 by fluoranthene significantly decreased both the formation of DNA adducts and the induction of apoptosis in WB-F344 cells treated with BaP and TNF-alpha, thus suggesting that this isoform might be responsible for genotoxic effects of BaP in nonparenchymal liver cells. Our results seem to indicate that inflammatory conditions might enhance genotoxic effects of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons through upregulation of CYP1B1 expression.     

Role of cytochromes P450 in chemical toxicity and oxidative stress: studies with CYP2E1

Cytochromes P450 are responsible for metabolism of most xenobiotics and are required for the efficient elimination of foreign chemicals from the body. Paradoxically, these enzymes also metabolically activate biologically inert compounds to electrophilic derivatives that can cause toxicity, cell death and sometimes cellular transformation resulting in cancer. To establish the role of these enzymes in toxicity and carcinogenicity in vivo, gene knockout mice have been developed. To illustrate the role of P450s in toxicity, CYP2E1-null mice were employed with the commonly used analgesic drug acetaminophen. CYP2E1 is the rate-limiting enzyme that initiates the cascade of events leading to acetaminophen hepatotoxicity; in the absence of this P450, toxicity will only be apparent at high concentrations. Other enzymes and nuclear receptors are also involved in activation or inactivating chemicals. CYP2E1 is induced by alcohol and the primary P450 that carries out ethanol oxidation that can lead to the production of activated oxygen species and oxidative stress that elevate ERK1/2 phosphorylation through EGRF/c-Raf signaling. Paradoxically, activation of this pathway inhibits apoptotic cell death stimulated by reactive oxygen generating chemicals but accelerates necrotic cell death produced by polyunsaturated fatty acids. CYP2E1 is thought to contribute to liver pathologies that result from alcoholic liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.     

CYP27A1 inhibits bladder cancer cells proliferation by regulating cholesterol homeostasis

CYP27A1, an enzyme involved in regulating cellular cholesterol homeostasis, converts cholesterol into 27-hydroxycholesterol (27-HC). The relationship between CYP27A1 and cell proliferation was studied to determine the role of CYP27A1 in bladder cancer. The expression of CYP27A1 in three bladder cancer cell lines (T24, UM-UC-3 and 5637) were assessed by qRT-PCR and Western blotting, and cells with stable CYP27A1 expression were generated by lentiviral infection. Cell proliferation was detected by MTT assays, colony formation assays and a tumor xenograft model in vitro and in vivo, and the intracellular 27-HC and cholesterol secretion levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The results revealed that CYP27A1 expression was downregulated in androgen receptor (AR)-positive T24/UM-UC-3 cells compared with AR-negative 5637 cell. After CYP27A1 expression was restored, cell proliferation was inhibited in vitro and in vivo because much more intracellular 27-HC was produced in the CYP27A1-overexpressing cells than in the control cells. Both T24 and UM-UC-3 cells treated with 27-HC showed similar results. In addition, CYP27A1/27HC could reduce the cellular cholesterol level in both T24 and UM-UC-3 cells by upregulating ATP-binding cassette transporters G1 and A1 (ABCG1 and ABCA1) through Liver X receptors (LXRs) pathway and downregulating low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) expression. These findings all suggest that CYP27A1 is a critical cholesterol sensor in bladder cancer cells that may contribute significantly to bladder cancer proliferation.     

Inhibition of VEGF expression and corneal neovascularization by siRNA targeting cytochrome P450 4B1

Injury to the cornea leads to formation of mediators that initiate and amplify inflammatory responses and neovascularization. Among these are lipid mediators generated by a cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme identified as CYP4B1. Increased corneal CYP4B1 expression increases limbal angiogenic activity through the production of 12-hydroxyeicosatrienoic acid (12-HETrE), a potent inflammatory and angiogenic eicosanoid. We used siRNA duplexes targeting CYP4B1 to substantiate the link between CYP4B1 expression, 12-HETrE production and angiogenesis in a model of suture-induced corneal neovascularization. Intrastromal sutures induced a time-dependent neovascular response which was significantly attenuated by CYP4B1-specific siRNAs but not by nonspecific siRNA. CYP4B1 mRNA was reduced by 60% and 12-HETrE's levels were barely detected in corneal homogenates from eyes treated with the CYP4B1-specific siRNA. The decreased neovascular response in CYP4B1 siRNA-treated eyes was associated with a 75% reduction in corneal VEGF mRNA levels. Transfection of rabbit corneal epithelial cells with CYP4B1 cDNA induced VEGF expression. Conversely, treatment with CYP4B1 siRNA or addition of a CYP4B1 inhibitor significantly decreased VEGF mRNA levels; addition of 12-HETrE potently increased them. The results strongly implicate the corneal CYP4B1 as a component of the inflammatory and neovascular cascade initiated by injury and further suggest that CYP4B1-12-HETrE is a proximal regulator of VEGF expression.     

Influence of lifestyle choices on risks of CYP1B1 polymorphisms for prostate cancer

Cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) converts xenobiotics to carcinogens and how lifestyle choices may interact with CYP1B1 polymorphisms and affect prostate cancer risk was assessed. Blood genomic DNA from a Caucasian population was analysed at polymorphic sites of the 5′ untranslated region of CYP1B1 using TaqMan genotyping assays. Overall, drinker status and minor alleles at rs2551188, rs2567206 and rs10175368 were associated with prostate cancer. Linkage was observed between rs2551188, rs2567206, rs2567207 and rs10175368, and the G‐C‐T‐G haplotype (major allele at respective sites) was decreased in cancer. Interestingly when classified by lifestyle factors, no associations of genotypes were found for non‐smokers and non‐drinkers, whereas on the contrary, minor type at rs2567206 and rs10175368 increased and major G‐C‐T‐G decreased risk for cancer among smokers and drinkers. Interestingly, rs2551188, rs2567206 and rs10175368 minor genotypes correlated with increased tissue CYP1B1 as determined by immunohistochemistry. Further, rs10175368 enhanced luciferase activity and mobility shift show stronger binding of nuclear factor for the minor allele. These results demonstrate smoking and alcohol consumption to modify the risks of CYP1B1 polymorphisms for prostate cancer which may be through rs10175368, and this is of importance in understanding their role in the pathogenesis and as a biomarker for this disease.