Skp2RNA干扰对人结肠癌HCT116细胞p27表达及对5-氟尿嘧啶敏感性影响的研究

目的:细胞S期激酶相关蛋白2(S-phase kinase associated protein,Skp2)作为泛素化降解过程中的一种F-box蛋白,在泛素化降解中起着特异性的底物识别和关键性的速率限制作用.依赖Skp2的泛素化降解途径参与p27、p21等众多细胞周期调控因子的降解,进而通过影响G1-S检测点而调控细胞周期.本研究探讨靶向干扰人结肠癌HCT116细胞中Skp2基因对细胞p27表达的影响及细胞对5-氟尿嘧啶(5-FU)敏感性的变化.方法:将已合成好的特异性的Skp2RNA干扰载体转染人结肠癌HCT116细胞,G418稳定筛选后,通过RT-PCR和Western印迹法分别检测细胞内p27mRNA和蛋白的表达情况,MTT法检测细胞对5-Fu敏感性的变化.结果:在转染干扰载体后,HCT116细胞内的p27mRNA表达无明显变化,蛋白水平却明显上升.MTT显示HCT116细胞对5-FU敏感性较其他组显著提高,IC50值明显下降(P＜0.05).结论:Skp2基因的RNA干扰能够上调结肠癌细胞内源性p27蛋白的表达,并提高5-FU对癌细胞的杀伤作用,为大肠癌的基因治疗提供了新的思路.     

miR-155-TP53INP1调节轴在结直肠癌化疗药物敏感性中的作用机制

摘要 目的：初步揭示miR-155通过靶向调节TP53INP1表达水平影响结直肠癌细胞对5-FU化疗敏感性。方法：将人结肠直肠癌细胞系HCT116进行培养,提取细胞总RNA后,采用miR-155逆转录特异性引物构建反转录体系进行PCR扩增,通过qRT-PCR检测miR-155在5-FU耐药细胞HCT116/FU及敏感细胞株HCT116中的表达情况;取对数生长期细胞,分别转染miR-155mimics、miR-155抑制剂、miR-155阴性对照后,采用CCK-8法检测miR-155对细胞5-FU药物敏感性的影响,双荧光素酶报告基因系统验证miR-155与TP53INP1的靶基因关系,Western blot检测miR-155对 TP53INP1表达的影响。结果：miR-155在HCT116 /Fu细胞中的表达量是HCT116细胞的7.25倍;在相同5-FU浓度时,HCT116+阴性对照的细胞生长抑制率均高于HCT116+mimics、半数抑制浓度显著低于HCT116+mimics,差异均具有统计学意义(P＜0.05);TP53INP1是miR-155的靶基因,能显著降低野生型TP53INP1 3''-UTR的荧光素酶活性;转染miR-155 mimics后,TP53INP1的相对表达量显著下降,转染miR-155抑制剂后,TP53INP1的相对表达量显著升高,差异均具有统计学意义(P＜0.05)。结论：miR-155水平升高使HCT116细胞对5-FU的敏感性降低,miR-155可能通过靶向调节TP53INP1的表达水平,从而影响结直肠癌细胞对5-FU的敏感性。     

RNA干扰抑制Snail表达对于胃癌细胞上皮间充质转化以及体外侵袭的影响

目的用RNA干扰(RNAinterference,RNAi)技术抑制转录因子Snail表达,观察其对人胃腺癌SGC-7901细胞上皮-间充质转化表型和体外侵袭能力的影响。方法构建能表达针对Snail的小干扰RNA(Small interferingRNA,si RNA)的RNA干扰载体(Snail si RNAvector)和表达不针对任何已知mRNA的si RNA的阴性对照RNA干扰载体(control si RNAvector),分别转染SGC-7901细胞,筛选得到Snail表达受抑制的SGC-7901-siSnail细胞和Snail表达未受影响的SGC-7901-siControl细胞。分别采用RT-PCR和Western blot技术检测非转染组、SGC-7901-siSnail、SGC-7901-siControl三组细胞Snail、α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)和E-cadherin表达,用Boyden chamber模型检测细胞侵袭能力。结果 SGC-7901-siSnail组与SGC-7901-nontransfection组相比,Snail和α-SMA表达显著减弱(P0.01),E-cadherin表达显著增强(P0.01),Boyden chamber穿膜细胞数显著减少(P0.01);SGC-7901-siControl组中Snail、α-SMA、E-cadherin表达、Boyden chamber穿膜细胞数分别和SGC-7901-nontransfection组比较无显著差异(P0.05)。结论通过RNA干扰阻滞Snail表达能有效地抑制SGC-7901细胞上皮-间充质转化及体外侵袭能力。Snail可能在胃腺癌上皮-间充质转化及侵袭过程中扮演重要角色,抑制Snail表达可能成胃腺癌治疗的可行策略。     

PEI-CS/siRNA复合颗粒对肝癌耐药细胞BEL7402/5-FU中MRE11表达的影响

目的:探讨聚乙烯亚胺-壳聚糖(PEI-CS)/si RNA复合颗粒对肝癌耐药细胞BEL7402/5-FU中MRE11表达的影响。方法:采用复凝聚法将PEI-CS(100μg/m L)与不同浓度的MRE11 si RNA-FAM形成PEI-CS/si RNA复合颗粒,并转染BEL7402/5-FU细胞,用荧光显微镜和Real-time PCR检测转染效率和沉默效率。结果:荧光显微镜观察结果显示:转染细胞48 h后,3.125、6.25、12.5、25、50μg/m L的si RNA与PEI-CS形成的复合颗粒的转染率分别为62.31%、76.09%、79.99%、86.49%、96.59%。转染细胞48、72、96 h后,12.5μg/m L的si RNA与PEI-CS形成的复合颗粒的转染率分别为78.22%、55.76%、42.85%,25μg/m L的si RNA与PEI-CS形成的复合颗粒的转染率分别为83.67%、74.23%、67.45%。Real-time PCR检测结果显示:25μg/m L的si RNA与PEI-CS形成的复合颗粒转染48小时后,对BEL7402/5-FU细胞中MRE11基因的沉默效率为35.4%。结论:聚乙烯亚胺-壳聚糖/si RAN复合颗粒能有效转染肝癌耐药细胞Bel7402/5-FU,并对BEL7402/5-FU细胞中MRE11基因表达有一定抑制作用。     

siRNA抑制Survivin基因对大肠癌细胞HCT116增殖及凋亡的的影响

目的探讨si RNA沉默Survivin基因后对人大肠癌细胞系HCT116的Survivin蛋白表达、细胞增殖及凋亡的影响。方法以脂质体lip-2000为载体,用针对Survivin特异靶点的si RNA转染人大肠癌细胞系HCT116后,应用免疫细胞化学S-P法、Western Blot检测Survivin蛋白表达变化;MTT法检测细胞增殖;流式细胞技术检测细胞凋亡。结果免疫细胞化学结果显示:HCT116的正常对照组、脂质体对照组及阴性错配对照组细胞浆均呈强阳性表达,Survivin-si R-NA组细胞浆Survivin呈弱阳性表达;Western blot结果显示:HCT116细胞系Survivin-si RNA组细胞的蛋白条带亮度均明显低于正常对照组、脂质体对照组和阴性错配对照组;MTT检测结果:与阴性错配对照组相比,Survivin-si RNA组细胞生长出现明显的抑制(P0.05),不同时段(24h、48h、72h)肿瘤细胞增殖抑制率之间有显著差异(P0.05)。流式细胞术检测Survivin-si RNA组细胞凋亡比例为9.72%,明显高于空白对照组及阴性错配对照组(P0.01)。结论si RNA抑制Survivin基因可以抑制大肠癌细胞增殖,促进凋亡;Survivin有望成为大肠癌基因治疗的新靶点。     

黄芪甲苷IV调节MRP3的表达及功能研究

目的:研究黄芪甲苷IV(AS-IV)对人肝癌细胞HepG2中多药耐药相关蛋白-3(MRP3)的调节作用,为AS-IV可能引发的药物相互作用阐明机制。方法:培养HepG2细胞,用不同浓度AS-IV进行干预,Western blotting方法检测细胞中MRP3的蛋白水平,流式细胞术检测胞内5-羧基荧光素(5-CF)的荧光强度,反映MRP的功能;给予MRP3 si RNA干扰,观察AS-IV诱导的MRP3蛋白表达是否增加其外排转运功能;提取胞核、总蛋白,检测胞核核因子E2相关因子2(Nrf2)、总Nrf2蛋白水平;给予Nrf2 si RNA干扰,观察AS-IV诱导的MRP3蛋白表达是否依赖于Nrf2。结果:200μmol/L AS-IV作用48 h后,细胞MRP3的蛋白水平显著增加(P0.05),胞内5-CF的平均荧光强度(MFI)明显低于对照组(P0.05),与单独给予AS-IV组相比,给予MRP3 si RNA干扰显著增加了胞内5-CF的MFI(P0.05)。AS-IV增加了胞核内Nrf2的蛋白水平(P0.01),亦增加了总Nrf2的蛋白表达(P0.01)。给予Nrf2 si RNA干扰后,AS-IV诱导上调的MRP3被显著抑制(P0.05)。结论:AS-IV可通过上调MRP3的蛋白表达,增加其外排转运功能,Nrf2的激活在AS-IV诱导MRP3蛋白表达中起着重要的作用。本研究提示,AS-IV与MRP3底物合用时,可能会产生药物-药物相互作用。     

c-Myc通过调控ATP结合盒转运蛋白表达对CD133~+肠癌干细胞耐药性的影响

本文旨在探讨c-Myc通过调控ATP结合盒(ATP-binding cassette,ABC)转运蛋白表达对CD133~+肠癌干细胞耐药性的影响及机制。以人肠癌HT29细胞系为模型,通过流式细胞分选术获得CD133~+肠癌干细胞,以核心基因c-Myc为靶点设计小干扰RNA(siRNA),靶向抑制CD133~+细胞中c-Myc基因表达;免疫印迹法检测c-Myc沉默后ABC转运蛋白家族成员(ABCG2、MDR-1和ABCB5)表达水平变化;药敏实验检测肠癌干细胞对化疗药物(5-FU或/和奥沙利铂)的耐药性。结果显示,CD133~+细胞高表达核心基因c-Myc,si RNA显著抑制肠癌干细胞中c-Myc的表达水平;CD133~+肠癌干细胞对化疗药物(5-FU或/和奥沙利铂)具有耐药性;si RNA通过抑制c-Myc下调CD133~+肠癌干细胞ABC转运蛋白(ABCG2、MDR-1和ABCB5)的表达水平;靶向抑制c-Myc表达提高CD133~+肠癌干细胞对化疗药物的敏感性(P0.05)。以上结果表明,c-Myc通过调控ABC转运蛋白表达水平参与肿瘤干细胞的耐药机理,靶向抑制c-Myc能提高CD133~+肠癌干细胞对化疗药物的敏感性。     

冬凌草甲素对人结肠癌细胞株HCT116生长的影响及其机制研究

目的:研究冬凌草甲素(ORI)对人结肠癌细胞株HCT116生长的影响及其可能机制。方法:以体外培养的HCT116细胞为研究对象,给予不同浓度(0、2.5、5、10、20μM)ORI处理HCT116细胞不同时间(0、24、48、72 h),通过MTT法检测其对HCT116细胞增殖的影响,DAPI染色观察其对细胞核的形态的影响,western blot检测细胞内β-catenin、c-myc蛋白表达的变化。结果:1ORI可显著抑制HCT116细胞的增殖,且此作用随着浓度和作用时间的增加或延长而增强(P0.05)。2ORI处理HCT116细胞24小时后,细胞核固缩的百分率随药物作用浓度的增加而增加。35、10、20μM ORI处理HCT116细胞24小时后,细胞内的β-catenin、c-myc蛋白水平均显著下调,且随着ORI浓度的增加逐渐减少。结论:ORI能以浓度和时间依赖性的方式抑制HCT116细胞的增殖,其机制可能与Wnt/β-catenin信号通路有关。     

FBW7泛素化修饰Snail促进上皮间质转化的实验研究

目的:探讨FBW7(F-box/WD repeat-containing protein 7)是否参与转录抑制因子Snail的泛素化修饰,通过调节上皮间质转化(EMT)进而导致非小细胞肺癌的侵袭和转移,为治疗非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)患者晚期转移提供新的思路。方法:首先,通过Western Blot方法检测多种人肺细胞系中Snail的表达水平。上调(药物处理)及下调(设计并合成特异性sh RNA转染)H460细胞中FBW7的表达后,检测Snail的表达水平。采用平板克隆及Transwell方法检测下调FBW7的H460细胞形态改变和侵袭转移能力变化。结果:人非小细胞肺癌H460细胞中Snail表达水平较高。上调FBW7表达可使Snail表达下降,经蛋白酶抑制剂MG132处理后Snail表达升高;而下调FBW7表达后Snail表达增加。下调FBW7表达细胞后,细胞形态改变,侵袭转移能力增强。结论:FBW7参与了Snail泛素化修饰,进而经蛋白酶体途径将其降解引起EMT,导致肿瘤转移和进展的发生。     

lncRNA XIST-miR137-ATG5调节细胞自噬功能在肠癌细胞5-氟胞嘧啶耐药性中的作用

摘要 目的：本文旨在研究长链非编码RNA XIST-miR137-ATG5的相互作用,同时探讨其调节细胞自噬功能与肠癌细胞5-氟胞嘧啶敏感性的关系。方法：实时聚合酶链反应(real time PCR)检测XIST与miR-137在肠癌细胞中的表达;采用脂质体转染法将si-XIST,miR-137转染入肠癌SW480及HCT116细胞中。采用CCK-8检测瞬时转染si-XIST对肠癌细胞增殖及5-FU敏感性的影响;并利用双荧光素酶报告实验检测miR-137与XIST, miR-137与ATG5相互关系。Western blot方法检测XIST- miR137- ATG5对细胞自噬的影响。结果：与正常结肠细胞FHC比较, XIST在结肠癌细胞系明显高表达,miR-137在结肠癌细胞系明显低表达。与阴性对照组比较,转染si-XIST后,SW480及HCT116细胞增殖能力明显受到抑制,对F-5U的敏感性增强,且抑制自噬蛋白Beclin-1及LC3II/LC3 I的表达。miR-137可与XIST,ATG5 3''UTR结合,抑制XIST和ATG5的表达及功能。在结肠癌SW480细胞中共转染miR-137 inhibitor或过表达ATG5可逆转XIST沉默引起的5-FU耐药,同时可逆转因XIST沉默引起的自噬蛋白表达的抑制。结论：LncRNA XIST或可通过调控mir137-ATG促进结直肠癌细胞SW480自噬从而提高其对5-FU的耐药,针对其这一机制,可为将来针对结肠癌的靶向治疗提供一定的实验基础。     

Chemoresistance to 5-fluorouracil induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition via up-regulation of Snail in MCF7 human breast cancer cells

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is commonly used to treat breast cancer; however, it becomes increasingly ineffective with tumor progression. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process whereby cells acquire morphologic and molecular alterations facilitating tumor metastasis and progression. Emerging evidence associates chemoresistance with acquisition of EMT in cancer. However, it is not clear whether this phenomenon is involved in acquired resistance to 5-FU. Using a previously established in vitro cell model of 5-fluorouracil-resistant MCF7 cells (MCF7/5-FU), we assessed the cellular morphology, molecular changes, migration and invasion consistent with EMT. We found that silencing of Snail by stable RNA interference reversed the EMT and greatly abolished invasion behavior of MCF7/5-FU cells. We also showed that inhibition of Snail increased the sensitivity of 5-FU-resistant cells to 5-FU. Our study provided a new insight into EMT-like phenotypic changes associated with 5-FU resistance in MCF7 cells. We believed that down-regulation of Snail could be a potential novel therapeutic approach to overcoming chemoresistance and preventing metastasis during 5-FU chemotherapy.     

Inhibition of Fas expression by RNAi modulates 5-fluorouracil-induced apoptosis in HCT116 cells expressing wild-type p53

Drug resistance to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is still a major limitation to its clinical use. In addition, the clinical value of p53 as a predictive marker for 5-FU-based chemotherapy remains a matter of debate. Here, we used HCT116 human colorectal cancer cells expressing wild-type p53 and investigated whether inhibition of Fas expression by interference RNA modulates 5-FU-induced apoptosis. Cells were treated with 5-FU (1, 4 or 8 microM) for 8-48 h. Cell viability was evaluated by trypan blue dye exclusion. Apoptosis was assessed by changes in nuclear morphology and caspase activity. The interference RNA technology was used to silence Fas expression. Caspase activation, p53, Fas, cytochrome c, and Bcl-2 family protein expression was evaluated by immunoblotting. 5-FU was cytotoxic in HCT116 cells (p<0.001). Nuclear fragmentation and caspase-3, -8 and -9 activities were also markedly increased in HCT116 cells after 5-FU (p<0.001). In addition, wild-type p53 and Fas expression were 25- and 4-fold increased (p<0.05). Notably, when interference RNA was used to inhibit Fas, 5-FU-mediated nuclear fragmentation and caspase activity were markedly reduced in HCT116 cells. Finally, western blot analysis of mitochondrial extracts from HCT116 cells exposed to 5-FU showed a 6-fold increase in Bax, together with a 3-fold decrease in cytochrome c (p<0.001). In conclusion, 5-FU exerts its cytotoxic effects, in part, through a p53/Fas-dependent apoptotic pathway that involves Bax translocation and mitochondrial permeabilization.     

Curcumin Enhances the Effect of Chemotherapy against Colorectal Cancer Cells by Inhibition of NF-κB and Src Protein Kinase Signaling Pathways

Objective

Development of treatment resistance and adverse toxicity associated with classical chemotherapeutic agents highlights the need for safer and effective therapeutic approaches. Herein, we examined the effectiveness of a combination treatment regimen of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and curcumin in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells.

Methods

Wild type HCT116 cells and HCT116+ch3 cells (complemented with chromosome 3) were treated with curcumin and 5-FU in a time- and dose-dependent manner and evaluated by cell proliferation assays, DAPI staining, transmission electron microscopy, cell cycle analysis and immunoblotting for key signaling proteins.

Results

The individual IC₅₀ of curcumin and 5-FU were approximately 20 µM and 5 µM in HCT116 cells and 5 µM and 1 µM in HCT116+ch3 cells, respectively (p<0.05). Pretreatment with curcumin significantly reduced survival in both cells; HCT116+ch3 cells were considerably more sensitive to treatment with curcumin and/or 5-FU than wild-type HCT116 cells. The IC₅₀ values for combination treatment were approximately 5 µM and 1 µM in HCT116 and 5 µM and 0.1 µM in HCT116+ch3, respectively (p<0.05). Curcumin induced apoptosis in both cells by inducing mitochondrial degeneration and cytochrome c release. Cell cycle analysis revealed that the anti-proliferative effect of curcumin and/or 5-FU was preceded by accumulation of CRC cells in the S cell cycle phase and induction of apoptosis. Curcumin potentiated 5-FU-induced expression or cleavage of pro-apoptotic proteins (caspase-8, -9, -3, PARP and Bax), and down-regulated anti-apoptotic (Bcl-xL) and proliferative (cyclin D1) proteins. Although 5-FU activated NF-κB/PI-3K/Src pathway in CRC cells, this was down-regulated by curcumin treatment through inhibition of IκBα kinase activation and IκBα phosphorylation.

Conclusions

Combining curcumin with conventional chemotherapeutic agents such as 5-FU could provide more effective treatment strategies against chemoresistant colon cancer cells. The mechanisms involved may be mediated via NF-κB/PI-3K/Src pathways and NF-κB regulated gene products.     

LncRNA HAND2-AS1 inhibits 5-fluorouracil resistance by modulating miR-20a/PDCD4 axis in colorectal cancer

BackgroundChemoresistance is one of the main obstacles in the therapy of human cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Long non-coding RNA heart and neural crest derivatives expressed 2-antisense RNA 1 (lncRNA HAND2-AS1) has been demonstrated to be associated with CRC. However, the function of HAND2-AS1 in 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) resistance of CRC remains unclear.MethodsQuantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to detect the expression of HAND2-AS1, miR-20a and programmed cell death factor 4 (PDCD4) mRNA. 3-(4, 5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2, 5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was conducted to evaluate IC50 of 5-FU and cell proliferation. Flow cytometry analysis was used to determine cell apoptosis. Transwell assay was carried out to measure cell migration and invasion. Western blot assay was conducted to examine the protein levels of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), BCL2-Associated X (Bax), matrix metalloprotein 2 (MMP2), MMP9 and PDCD4. Dual-luciferase reporter assay, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay and RNA pull down assay were utilized to verify the combination between miR-20a and HAND2-AS1. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to analyze the association between miR-20a and PDCD4. Murine xenograft assay was used to confirm the function of HAND2-AS1 in vivo.ResultsHAND2-AS1 and PDCD4 were downregulated and miR-20a was upregulated in 5-FU-resistant CRC tissues and cells. HAND2-AS1 suppressed 5-FU resistance, cell proliferation, migration and invasion and promoted cell apoptosis in 5-FU-resistant CRC cells. HAND2-AS1 acted as a sponge of miR-20a to regulate PDCD4 expression. Moreover, HAND2-AS1 suppressed cell progression and 5-FU resistance by upregulating PDCD4 via sponging miR-20a in 5-FU-resistant CRC cells. Besides, HAND2-AS1 inhibited tumor growth in vivo.ConclusionHAND2-AS1/miR-20a/PDCD4 axis inhibited cell progression and 5-FU resistance in 5-FU-resistant CRC cells.     

Curcumin Suppresses Crosstalk between Colon Cancer Stem Cells and Stromal Fibroblasts in the Tumor Microenvironment: Potential Role of EMT

Objective

Interaction of stromal and tumor cells plays a dynamic role in initiating and enhancing carcinogenesis. In this study, we investigated the crosstalk between colorectal cancer (CRC) cells with stromal fibroblasts and the anti-cancer effects of curcumin and 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), especially on cancer stem cell (CSC) survival in a 3D-co-culture model that mimics in vivo tumor microenvironment.

Methods

Colon carcinoma cells HCT116 and MRC-5 fibroblasts were co-cultured in a monolayer or high density tumor microenvironment model in vitro with/without curcumin and/or 5-FU.

Results

Monolayer tumor microenvironment co-cultures supported intensive crosstalk between cancer cells and fibroblasts and enhanced up-regulation of metastatic active adhesion molecules (β1-integrin, ICAM-1), transforming growth factor-β signaling molecules (TGF-β3, p-Smad2), proliferation associated proteins (cyclin D1, Ki-67) and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) factor (vimentin) in HCT116 compared with tumor mono-cultures. High density tumor microenvironment co-cultures synergistically increased tumor-promoting factors (NF-κB, MMP-13), TGF-β3, favored CSC survival (characterized by up-regulation of CD133, CD44, ALDH1) and EMT-factors (increased vimentin and Slug, decreased E-cadherin) in HCT116 compared with high density HCT116 mono-cultures. Interestingly, this synergistic crosstalk was even more pronounced in the presence of 5-FU, but dramatically decreased in the presence of curcumin, inducing biochemical changes to mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET), thereby sensitizing CSCs to 5-FU treatment.

Conclusion

Enrichment of CSCs, remarkable activation of tumor-promoting factors and EMT in high density co-culture highlights that the crosstalk in the tumor microenvironment plays an essential role in tumor development and progression, and this interaction appears to be mediated at least in part by TGF-β and EMT. Modulation of this synergistic crosstalk by curcumin might be a potential therapy for CRC and suppress metastasis.     

GJA1在结直肠癌组织中表达及促进侵袭转移的研究

摘要 目的：间隙连接Alpha-1蛋白（Gap Junction Alpha-1,GJA1）是间隙连接中分布最广泛的蛋白,并在多种肿瘤中起促癌作用,但其在结直肠癌发生、发展的作用研究甚少。本实验旨在探究GJA1在结直肠癌组织中的表达情况及其对结直肠癌细胞系侵袭、转移能力的影响,以期为结直肠癌的诊断和预后寻找新的生物标志物。方法：收集92对结直肠癌及其癌旁组织样本,提取组织RNA,利用qRT-PCR检测GJA1相对表达量,并分析GJA1表达与临床病理特征及预后的相关性。在HCT116和HCT8两种结直肠癌细胞系中分别构建GJA1过表达载体和敲减载体,利用qRT-PCR和、Western Blot检测上皮间充质转化（epithelial-mesenchymal transition, EMT）相关蛋白E-Cadherin、N-Cadherin、Vimentin和Snail的表达变化,利用Wound healing和Transwell实验观察其迁移、侵袭能力的变化。结果：相对于癌旁组织,GJA1在结直肠癌组织中显著低表达。并且结直肠癌中低表达的GJA1与肿瘤分化程度、浸润深度、淋巴血管转移相关,低表达GJA1结直肠癌患者显示更差的总体生存率和更低的无病生存率。此外,过表达GJA1后,结直肠癌细胞E-cadherin的表达升高,N-cadherin、Vimentin和Snail的表达降低,划痕愈合减慢,Transwell转移细胞减少;而敲减GJA1后,结直肠癌细胞E-Cadherin的表达降低,N-Cadherin、Vimentin和Snail的表达升高,划痕愈合加快,Transwell转移细胞增多。结论：GJA1在结直肠癌中低表达,其表达降低可通过EMT促进结直肠癌的侵袭、转移并影响病人预后。     

Design and synthesis of novel oridonin analogues as potent anticancer agents

To identify anticancer agents with higher potency and lower toxicity, a series of oridonin derivatives with substituted benzene moieties at the C17 position were designed, synthesised, and evaluated for their antiproliferative properties. Most of the derivatives exhibited antiproliferative effects against AGS, MGC803, Bel7402, HCT116, A549, and HeLa cells. Compound 2p (IC_50?=?1.05?µM) exhibited the most potent antiproliferative activity against HCT116 cells; it was more potent than oridonin (IC₅₀?=?6.84?µM) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (IC_50?=?24.80?µM). The IC₅₀ value of 2p in L02 cells was 6.5-fold higher than that in HCT116 cells. Overall, it exhibited better selective antiproliferative activity and specificity than oridonin and 5-FU. Furthermore, compound 2p arrested HCT116 cells at the G2 phase of the cell cycle and increased the percentage of apoptotic cells to a greater extent than oridonin.     

Mitochondrial control of cell death induced by hyperosmotic stress

HeLa and HCT116 cells respond differentially to sorbitol, an osmolyte able to induce hypertonic stress. In these models, sorbitol promoted the phenotypic manifestations of early apoptosis followed by complete loss of viability in a time-, dose-, and cell type-specific fashion, by eliciting distinct yet partially overlapping molecular pathways. In HCT116 but not in HeLa cells, sorbitol caused the mitochondrial release of the caspase-independent death effector AIF, whereas in both cell lines cytochrome c was retained in mitochondria. Despite cytochrome c retention, HeLa cells exhibited the progressive activation of caspase-3, presumably due to the prior activation of caspase-8. Accordingly, caspase inhibition prevented sorbitol-induced killing in HeLa, but only partially in HCT116 cells. Both the knock-out of Bax in HCT116 cells and the knock-down of Bax in A549 cells by RNA interference reduced the AIF release and/or the mitochondrial alterations. While the knock-down of Bcl-2/Bcl-X_L sensitized to sorbitol-induced killing, overexpression of a Bcl-2 variant that specifically localizes to mitochondria (but not of the wild-type nor of a endoplasmic reticulum-targeted form) strongly inhibited sorbitol effects. Thus, hyperosmotic stress kills cells by triggering different molecular pathways, which converge at mitochondria where pro- and anti-apoptotic members of the Bcl-2 family exert their control. A. Criollo and L. Galluzzi contributed equally to this work.