Impaired G2/M cell cycle arrest induces apoptosis in pyruvate carboxylase knockdown MDA-MB-231 cells

BackgroundPrevious studies showed that suppression of pyruvate carboxylase (PC) expression in highly invasive breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231 inhibits cell growth as a consequence of the impaired cellular biosynthesis. However, the precise cellular mechanism underlying this growth restriction is unknown.MethodsWe generated the PC knockdown (PCKD) MDA-MB-231 cells and assessed their phenotypic changes by fluorescence microscopy, proliferation, apoptotic, cell cycle assays and proteomics.ResultsPC knockdown MDA-MB-231 cells had a low percentage of cell viability in association with accumulation of abnormal cells with large or multi-nuclei. Flow cytometric analysis of annexin V-7-AAD positive cells showed that depletion of PC expression triggers apoptosis with the highest rate at day 4. The increased rate of apoptosis is consistent with increased cleavage of procaspase 3 and poly (ADP-Ribose) polymerase. Cell cycle analysis showed that the apoptotic cell death was associated with G2/M arrest, in parallel with marked reduction of cyclin B levels. Proteomic analysis of PCKD cells identified 9 proteins whose expression changes were correlated with the degree of apoptosis and G2/M cell cycle arrest in the PCKD cells. STITCH analysis indicated 3 of 9 candidate proteins, CCT3, CABIN1 and HECTD3, that form interactions with apoptotic and cell cycle signaling networks linking to PC via MgATP.ConclusionsSuppression of PC in MDA-MB-231 cells induces G2/M arrest, leading to apoptosis. Proteomic analysis supports the potential involvement of PC expression in the aberrant cell cycle and apoptosis, and identifies candidate proteins responsible for the PC-mediated cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in breast cancer cells.General significanceOur results highlight the possibility of the use of PC as an anti-cancer drug target.     

阿帕替尼与白蛋白结合型紫杉醇在MDA-MB-231乳腺癌细胞系中的协同抗癌作用

目的阐明阿帕替尼 (apatinib)和白蛋白结合型紫杉醇 (nab-Paclitaxel)诱导MDA-MB-231乳腺癌细胞凋亡的分子机制。方法本研究以MDA-MB-231乳腺癌细胞为研究对象,并以apatinib和nab-Paclitaxel处理细胞后分组:0.1 %DMSO处理为阴性对照组;10 μmol/L apatinib处理组 (APA组);经5、10、15、20 nmol/L nab-Paclitaxel 处理组 (Nab-p 5组、Nab-p 10组、Nab-p 15组和Nab-p 20组);以及10 μmol/L apatinib分别与5、10、15、20 nmol/L nab-Paclitaxel 联合处理组 (APA+Nab-p 5组、APA+Nab-p 10组、APA+Nab-p 15组和APA+Nab-p 20组)。使用乳酸脱氢酶释放测定法测定apatinib和nab-Paclitaxel对MDA-MB-231细胞诱导的细胞毒活性,结合流式细胞术分析不同处理组细胞凋亡情况,通过JC-1染色法测定不同干预方式对MDA-MB-231细胞线粒体膜电位变化 (ΔΨ_m)的影响,借助FAM-FLICA荧光成像检测caspase-8和caspase-9 活性,通过彗星试验评估apatinib和nab-Paclitaxel对非致瘤上皮细胞株MCF-10A细胞DNA损伤的影响。两组之间独立样本t检验或单向ANOVA进行比较,多组之间使用Tukey事后检验。结果细胞毒性检测结果显示,与阴性对照组相比,Nab-p 20组MDA-MB-231细胞杀伤率在24 h时接近90 %;与单药处理组 (Nab-p 5组和Nab-p 10组)相比,APA+Nab-p 5组和APA+Nab-p 10组联合处理24 h和48 h后,分别检测到约85 %和95 %细胞死亡,差异均具有统计学意义 (P 均 < 0.001)。流式细胞术统计结果显示,与Nab-p5组和Nab-p10组相比,APA+Nab-p 5组和APA+Nab-p 10组24 h时MDA-MB-231细胞凋亡率(31.8 %±1.48 %、33.25 %±1.77 %比76.11 %±1.14 %、89.4 %±1.07%)升高 (P 均 < 0.05)。线粒体膜电位检测结果表明,与对照组相比,在单药处理组中,仅APA组和Nab-p 10组24 h时去极化细胞 (12.35 %±1.05%比78.33%±1.11%、46.74%±1.75%)增多;在联用处理组中,APA+Nab-p 5组和APA+Nab-p 10组24 h时去极化细胞 (68.47%±1.94%比90.03%±1.79%)增多,差异均有统计学意义 (P 均 < 0.05)。FAM-FLICA荧光成像结果显示,相较于单一处理组,apatinib和nab-Paclitaxel联用处理组的caspase-8和caspase-9蛋白高度活化。结合彗星试验分析,apatinib和nab-Paclitaxel 干预对MCF-10A非致瘤上皮细胞株DNA完整性没有显著影响。结论 apatinib/nab-Paclitaxel联用通过内源性的线粒体功能扰动和外源性的caspase激活诱导三阴性乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231凋亡,发挥协同抗癌作用。     

二甲双胍联合阿霉素应用对人乳腺癌细胞增殖和凋亡的影响

目的：观察二甲双胍联合阿霉素应用对人乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231增殖和凋亡的影响。方法：MTT法分别检测二甲双胍、阿霉素和二甲双胍联合阿霉素对MDA-MB-231细胞生长的抑制作用;平板克隆实验检测二甲双胍联合阿霉素对MDA-MB-231细胞克隆形成能力的影响;流式细胞仪检测二甲双胍联合阿霉素对MDA-MB-231细胞凋亡的影响。结果：二甲双胍和阿霉素分别对MDA-MB-231细胞生长有抑制作用,二甲双胍联合阿霉素应用对MDA-MB-231细胞生长的抑制作用更加显著,并且随着药物浓度的增加而增加;二甲双胍联合阿霉素应用与单药相比能够明显降低MDA-MB-231细胞克隆形成率,并且促进细胞凋亡。结论：二甲双胍联合阿霉素应用与单药相比能够显著抑制人乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231细胞的增值,促进其凋亡,可见两药联用对肿瘤细胞的杀伤具有协同性。     

Critical role of p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis in benzyl isothiocyanate-induced apoptotic cell death

Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC), a constituent of edible cruciferous vegetables, decreases viability of cancer cells by causing apoptosis but the mechanism of cell death is not fully understood. The present study was undertaken to determine the role of Bcl-2 family proteins in BITC-induced apoptosis using MDA-MB-231 (breast), MCF-7 (breast), and HCT-116 (colon) human cancer cells. The B-cell lymphoma 2 interacting mediator of cell death (Bim) protein was dispensable for proapoptotic response to BITC in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells as judged by RNA interference studies. Instead, the BITC-treated MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells exhibited upregulation of p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA) protein. The BITC-mediated induction of PUMA was relatively more pronounced in MCF-7 cells due to the presence of wild-type p53 compared with MDA-MB-231 with mutant p53. The BITC-induced apoptosis was partially but significantly attenuated by RNA interference of PUMA in MCF-7 cells. The PUMA knockout variant of HCT-116 cells exhibited significant resistance towards BITC-induced apoptosis compared with wild-type HCT-116 cells. Attenuation of BITC-induced apoptosis in PUMA knockout HCT-116 cells was accompanied by enhanced G2/M phase cell cycle arrest due to induction of p21 and down regulation of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 protein. The BITC treatment caused a decrease in protein levels of Bcl-xL (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells) and Bcl-2 (MCF-7 cells). Ectopic expression of Bcl-xL in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells and that of Bcl-2 in MCF-7 cells conferred protection against proapoptotic response to BITC. Interestingly, the BITC-treated MDA-MB-231 cells exhibited induction of Bcl-2 protein expression, and RNA interference of Bcl-2 in this cell line resulted in augmentation of BITC-induced apoptosis. The BITC-mediated inhibition of MDA-MB-231 xenograft growth in vivo was associated with the induction of PUMA protein in the tumor. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicate that Bim-independent apoptosis by BITC in cancer cells is mediated by PUMA.     

BCG对乳腺癌细胞增殖和凋亡的影响

目的从细胞增殖和凋亡两方面观察BCG对乳腺癌细胞MDA—MB-231的抑制作用。方法用MTT法检测BCG作用后MDA—MB-231细胞的增殖能力,采用TUNEL法检测凋亡。结果BCG能明显降低MDA-MB-231细胞的增殖代谢活性而抑制其增殖。TUNEL法染色显示BCG可显著增加凋亡细胞。结论BCG不仅能显著抑制MDA—MB-231细胞增殖,还能有效诱导其凋亡。     

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。     

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.     

Photodynamic treatment with anionic nanoclays containing curcumin on human triple-negative breast cancer cells: Cellular and biochemical studies

Photodynamic treatment is a minimally invasive and clinically approved procedure for eliminating selected malignant cells with activation of a photosensitizer agent at a specific light. Little is known, however, about the phototoxic properties of curcumin, as a natural phenolic compound, against different types of cancers. It is generally accepted that cellular damage occurs during photo treatment. There is a limitation in using of curcumin as a drug due to its low solubility, but nanoparticles such as anionic nanoclays or layered double hydroxide (LDH) could overcome it. The aim of this study was to investigate cellular responses to curcumin-LDH nanoparticles after photodynamic treatment of MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. For this purpose, the MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell line treated with curcumin-LDH nanoparticle and then irradiated (photodynamic treatment). After irradiation, lactate dehydrogenase assay, clonogenic cell survival, cell death mechanisms such as autophagy and apoptosis were determined. Cell cycle distribution after photodynamic therapy (PDT) and also intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation were measured. The result showed that curcumin-LDH–PDT has a cytotoxic and antiprolifrative effect on MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. Curcumin-LDH–PDT induced autophagy, apoptosis, and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in human breast cancer cell line. Intracellular ROS increased in MDA-MB-231 cancer cell line after treatment with curcumin-LDH along with irradiation. The results suggest that curcumin-LDH nanoparticle could be considered as a novel approach in the photodynamic treatment of breast cancer.     

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.     

The POPX2 phosphatase regulates cancer cell motility and invasiveness

Rho GTPases play major roles in the regulation of actin cytoskeleton, cell movement and cell cycle. PAK, one of the effector kinases of these small GTPases, has long been associated with different types of cancer. Therefore, it is likely that deregulation of PAK activity or expression may contribute to the development of cancer. POPX2, a PP2C serine/threonine phosphatase, is known to dephosphorylate PAK and down regulate its activity. We find that POPX2 is expressed in a wide variety of tumour cell lines, the levels being highest in the more invasive MDA-MB-231 and lowest in the non-invasive MCF7 breast cancer lines. We show that silencing of POPX2 reduces the amount of stress fibres and focal adhesions in both cells lines. Interestingly, POPX2 deficiency dramatically reduces cell motility and invasiveness in MDA-MB-231 cells, and cell motility in MCF7 cells. Conversely, overexpression of POPX2 in MDA-MB-231 and MCF7 cells increased their motility. The silencing of POPX2 also inhibits the expression of beta1 integrin implying that POPX2 may modulate cell attachment to the extra-cellular matrix, as reflected in diminished initial colonization of POPX2 knockdown cells in nude mice. Based on these results, we propose a mechanism by which POPX2 regulates the invasive behavior of the cells.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

SmacN7诱导乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-157凋亡的作用及其机制*

目的:探讨SmacN7对乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-157凋亡的作用及机制。方法:将0-20 μmol/L的SmacN7应用于乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-157,用MTS法检测细胞增殖活性,流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡、细胞周期,hoechst33342染色观察细胞核型变化,JC-1染色检测线粒体膜电位,LDH释放实验检测药物细胞毒性,qPCR检测各基因转录水平,并通过抑瘤实验证实该药抑制乳腺癌增殖的作用。结果:应用SmacN7后,乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-157增殖抑制率和细胞凋亡率均增加(P＜0.01),核型发生显著变化,细胞线粒体膜电位降低,LDH释放量增加,并上调TRAIL、DR4、DR5、p53、PARP-1、Bax、Bid、BAK、caspase-3、caspase-8、caspase-9基因的转录水平(P＜0.01),下调 Ras、PI3K、AKT、mTOR、Bcl2、Bcl-xL、MCL-1、Survivin、cIAP-1、cIAP-2基因的转录水平(P＜0.01)。结论:SmacN7可通过TRAIL介导的死亡受体途径和线粒体介导的内源性凋亡途径诱导乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-157凋亡,发挥抗乳腺癌的作用。     

Chemotherapy cytotoxicity of human MCF-7 and MDA-MB 231 breast cancer cells is altered by osteoblast-derived growth factors

One-third of women with breast cancer will develop bone metastases and eventually die from disease progression at these sites. Therefore, we analyzed the ability of human MG-63 osteoblast-like cells (MG-63 cells), MG-63 conditioned media (MG-63 CM), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta1) to alter the effects of adriamycin on cell cycle and apoptosis of estrogen receptor negative (ER-) MDA-MB-231 and positive (ER+) MCF-7 breast cancer cells, using cell count, trypan blue exclusion, flow cytometry, detection of DNA fragmentation by simple agarose gel, and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated nick end-labeling method for apoptosis (TUNEL assay). Adriamycin arrested MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells at G2/M phase in the cell cycle and inhibited cell growth. In addition, adriamycin arrested the MCF-7 cells at G1/G0 phase and induced apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 cells. Exogenous IGF-I partially neutralized the adriamycin cytotoxicity/cytostasis of cancer cells. MG-63 CM and TGF-beta1 partially neutralized the adriamycin cytotoxicity of MDA-MB-231 cells but enhanced adriamycin blockade of MCF-7 cells at G1/G0 phase. MG-63 osteoblast-like cells inhibited growth of MCF-7 cells while promoting growth and rescued MDA-MB-231 cells from adriamycin apoptosis in a collagen co-culture system. These data suggest that osteoblast-derived growth factors can alter the chemotherapy response of breast cancer cells. Conceivably, host tissue (bone)-tumor cell interactions can modify the clinical response to chemotherapy in patients with advanced breast cancer.     

Quantitative determination of the induction of apoptosis in a murine B cell line using flow cytometric bivariate cell cycle analysis.

WEHI-231 cells have been used extensively as a model of tolerance induction in B cells. Recent evidence has shown that anti-IgM treatment of WEHI-231 cells resulted in the induction of apoptosis. In this study, using acridine orange staining and flow cytometric analysis, we demonstrated that apoptotic cells are detected as a distinct population of cells separate from the cells in normal cell cycle progression. The validity of analysis gates was confirmed by cell sorting of the apoptotic population versus normal cells and subsequent gel analysis. Using this technique, we have demonstrated that F(ab')2 anti-mu, A23187, or PMA induced apoptosis in the WEHI-231 cells. The addition of LPS reversed apoptotic induction as seen previously with the WEHI-231 cell line. In contrast, however, PMA did not prevent the induction of apoptosis in anti-mu-treated cells. Additionally, we were interested in determining if the induction of apoptosis was restricted to a specific phase of cell cycle. Since growth inhibition results in most cells arresting in the G1 phase of cell cycle, we wanted to demonstrate apoptosis as a G1-dependent event. This was examined with WEHI-231 cells treated with known cell cycle inhibitors. Interestingly, inhibition of cells in each phase of cycle resulted in the induction of apoptosis. LPS was able to inhibit the induction of apoptosis with each of the cell cycle inhibitors except actinomycin D. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that the WEHI-231 cells contain a Ca(2+)-Mg(2+)-dependent preexisting endonuclease.     

Trichosanthin inhibits breast cancer cell proliferation in both cell lines and nude mice by promotion of apoptosis

Breast cancer ranks as a common and severe neoplasia in women with increasing incidence as well as high risk of metastasis and relapse. Translational and laboratory-based clinical investigations of new/novel drugs are in progress. Medicinal plants are rich sources of biologically active natural products for drug development. The 27-kDa trichosanthin (TCS) is a ribosome inactivating protein purified from tubers of the Chinese herbal plant Trichosanthes kirilowii Maximowicz (common name Tian Hua Fen). In this study, we extended the potential medicinal applications of TCS from HIV, ferticide, hydatidiform moles, invasive moles, to breast cancer. We found that TCS manifested anti-proliferative and apoptosis-inducing activities in both estrogen-dependent human MCF-7 cells and estrogen-independent MDA-MB-231 cells. Flow cytometric analysis disclosed that TCS induced cell cycle arrest. Further studies revealed that TCS-induced tumor cell apoptosis was attributed to activation of both caspase-8 and caspase-9 regulated pathways. The subsequent events including caspase-3 activation, and increased PARP cleavage. With regard to cell morphology, stereotypical apoptotic features were observed. Moreover, in comparison with control, TCS- treated nude mice bearing MDA-MB-231 xenograft tumors exhibited significantly reduced tumor volume and tumor weight, due to the potent effect of TCS on tumor cell apoptosis as determined by the increase of caspase-3 activation, PARP cleavage, and DNA fragmentation using immunohistochemistry. Considering the clinical efficacy and relative safety of TCS on other human diseases, this work opens up new therapeutic avenues for patients with estrogen-dependent and/or estrogen-independent breast cancers.     

沉默CXCL1基因抑制三阴性乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231的迁移、侵袭的研究

为探讨CXCL1基因对三阴性乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231的迁移、侵袭作用的影响,该研究设计针对CXCL1基因的小干扰RNA,用实时荧光定量PCR和酶联免疫吸附测定试验分别在RNA和蛋白质水平上检测干扰效率;采用流式细胞术学技术检测细胞的周期和凋亡情况;采用transwell迁移和侵袭试验分别检测细胞的迁移及侵袭能力。结果显示,与siRNA-NC组细胞相比,siCXCL1-1、siCXCL1-2、siCXCL1-3细胞中CXCL1基因的mRNA和蛋白表达均下调,且si CXCL1-3干扰效率最高,mRNA及蛋白表达水平分别降低了75%(p<0.01)和46%(p<0.01)。细胞凋亡试验和细胞周期试验结果显示,沉默CXCL1基因后对三阴性乳腺癌细胞系MDA-MB-231细胞的凋亡和周期无明显影响,差异无统计学意义(p>0.05)。transwell小室迁移和侵袭试验显示,沉默CXCL1基因能够显著抑制三阴性乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231的迁移和侵袭能力(p<0.01)。研究成果为临床乳腺癌中以CXCL1基因为靶点的分子治疗提供了理论依据。     

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.     

Different effects of genistein on molecular markers related to apoptosis in two phenotypically dissimilar breast cancer cell lines

The association between consumption of genistein-containing soybean products and lower risk of breast cancer suggests a cancer chemopreventive role for genistein. Consistent with this suggestion, exposing cultured human breast cancer cells to genistein inhibits cell proliferation, although this is not completely understood. To better understand how genistein works, the ability of genistein to induce apoptosis was compared in phenotypically dissimilar MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells that express the wild-type and mutant p53 gene, respectively. After 6 days of incubation with 50 microM genistein, MCF-7 but not MDA-MB-231 cells, showed morphological signs of apoptosis. Marginal proteolytic cleavage of poly-(ADP-ribose)-polymerase and significant DNA fragmentation were also detected in MCF-7 cells. In elucidating these findings, it was determined that after 2 days of incubation with genistein, MCF-7 but not MDA-MB-231 cells, had significantly higher levels of p53. Accordingly, the expression of certain proteins modulated by p53 was studied next. Levels of p21 increased in both of the genistein-treated cell lines, suggesting that p21 gene expression was activated but in a p53-independent manner, whereas no significant changes in levels of the pro-apoptotic protein, Bax, were found. In MCF-7 cells, levels of the anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2, decreased slightly at 18-24 h but then increased considerably after 48 h. Hence, the Bax:Bcl-2 ratio initially increased but later decreased. These data suggest that at the genistein concentration tested, MCF-7 cells in contrast to MDA-MB-231 cells were sensitive to the induction of apoptosis by genistein, but Bax and Bcl-2 did not play clear roles.