Inhibition of tumor cell growth by a human B-cell line

An Adenocarcinoma cell line (Breast-M) and an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-infected B-cell line (Hairy-BM) were established from breast tumor tissue. The Hairy-BM was CD20⁺, CD25 (Tac)+ and surface immunoglobulin (sIg)+. Hairy-BM suppressed the in vitro proliferation of Breast-M in a time and a dose-dependent manner. The suppression was also found in 5 different human tumor targets showing tumor-Hairy-BM binding, but not; in 2 murine tumor targets showing no significant tumor-Hairy-BM binding. Lytic activity of Hairy-BM was found only against Breast-M.Abbreviations sIg Surface immunoglobulin - CTL Cytotoxic T-cells - NK Natural killer - IL2 Interleukin 2 - LAK Lymphokine activated killer - CSN Culture supernatant - MTT 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoolium bromide - PCR Polymerase chain reaction - TIL Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes - HCL Hairy cell leukemia - TNF Tumor necrosis factor     

Inhibition of yes‐associated protein suppresses brain metastasis of human lung adenocarcinoma in a murine model

Yes‐associated protein (YAP) is a main mediator of the Hippo pathway and promotes cancer development and progression in human lung cancer. We sought to determine whether inhibition of YAP suppresses metastasis of human lung adenocarcinoma in a murine model. We found that metastatic NSCLC cell lines H2030‐BrM3(K‐ras^G12C mutation) and PC9‐BrM3 (EGFR^Δexon19 mutation) had a significantly decreased p‐YAP(S127)/YAP ratio compared to parental H2030 (K‐ras^G12C mutation) and PC9 (EGFR^Δexon19 mutation) cells (P < .05). H2030‐BrM3 cells had significantly increased YAP mRNA and expression of Hippo downstream genes CTGF and CYR61 compared to parental H2030 cells (P < .05). Inhibition of YAP by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) and small interfering RNA (siRNA) significantly decreased mRNA expression in downstream genes CTGF and CYR61 in H2030‐BrM3 cells (P < .05). In addition, inhibiting YAP by YAP shRNA significantly decreased migration and invasion abilities of H2030‐BrM3 cells (P < .05). We are first to show that mice inoculated with YAP shRNA‐transfected H2030‐BrM3 cells had significantly decreased metastatic tumour burden and survived longer than control mice (P < .05). Collectively, our results suggest that YAP plays an important role in promoting lung adenocarcinoma brain metastasis and that direct inhibition of YAP by shRNA suppresses H2030‐BrM3 cell brain metastasis in a murine model.     

Ceramide kinase regulates growth and survival of A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells

Ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P) is emerging as a new addition to the family of bioactive sphingolipid metabolites. At low concentrations, C1P enhanced survival of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts and A549 lung cancer cells, while at high concentrations, it reduced survival and induced apoptosis. Apoptosis correlated with degradation of C1P to pro-apoptotic ceramide. To examine the role of endogenous C1P, expression of ceramide kinase, the enzyme that produces C1P, was downregulated, which reduced cellular proliferation, progression into S phase and enhanced apoptosis induced by serum starvation. Our results suggest that ceramide kinase determines the balance between pro-apoptotic ceramide and anti-apoptotic C1P to regulate cell fate, reminiscent of its function in plants.     

Arachidonic acid metabolism in growth control of A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells

The role of individual eicosanoids of the arachidonic acid (AA) cascade in the growth control of A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells has been studied. Cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase metabolites of [¹⁴C]AA incorporated were actively synthesized in the cultures of tumor cells with full confluence unaccomplished. In such cultures inhibitors of AA metabolism (indomethacin and esculetin) and also a lipoxygenase metabolite of AA, 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE), significantly suppressed the incorporation of [³H]thymidine and biosynthesis of prostaglandin E₂(PGE₂). Other lipoxygenase metabolites of AA (5-HETE and 12-HETE) had no effect on these parameters. The basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) had practically no affect on the growth of A549 cells and the PGE₂ production in cultures with 5% fetal calf serum (FCS); however, in the presence of 0.5% FCS this factor significantly increased the number of tumor cells. The growth-stimulating effect of bFGF was completely abolished by a cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin. The data suggest a key role of PGE₂ in the growth control of A549 cells with an active synthesis of cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase metabolites of AA, its importance in realization of the mitogenic effect of bFGF, and specific features of 15-HETE as a down-regulator of the PGE₂-dependent proliferation.     

Periostin mediates human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell-stimulated tumor growth in a xenograft lung adenocarcinoma model

Mesenchymal stem cells stimulate tumor growth in vivo through a lysophosphatidic acid (LPA)-dependent mechanism. However, the molecular mechanism by which mesenchymal stem cells stimulate tumorigenesis is largely elusive. In the present study, we demonstrate that conditioned medium from A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells (A549 CM) induces expression of periostin, an extracellular matrix protein, in human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hASCs). A549 CM-stimulated periostin expression was abrogated by pretreatment of hASCs with the LPA receptor 1 (LPA(1)) inhibitor Ki16425 or short hairpin RNA-mediated silencing of LPA(1), suggesting a key role of the LPA-LPA(1) signaling axis in A549 CM-stimulated periostin expression. Using a xenograft transplantation model of A549 cells, we demonstrated that co-injection of hASCs potentiated tumor growth of A549 cells in vivo and that co-transplanted hASCs expressed not only periostin but also α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), a marker of carcinoma-associated fibroblasts. Small interfering RNA- or short hairpin RNA-mediated silencing of periostin resulted in blockade of LPA-induced α-SMA expression in hASCs. In addition, silencing of periostin resulted in blockade of hASC-stimulated growth of A549 xenograft tumors and in vivo differentiation of transplanted hASCs to α-SMA-positive carcinoma-associated fibroblasts. Conditioned medium derived from LPA-treated hASCs (LPA CM) potentiated proliferation and adhesion of A549 cells and short interfering RNA-mediated silencing or immunodepletion of periostin from LPA CM abrogated proliferation and adhesion of A549 cells. These results suggest a pivotal role for hASC-secreted periostin in growth of A549 xenograft tumors within the tumor microenvironment.     

Inhibition of cellular proliferation and induction of apoptosis in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells by T-type calcium channel antagonist

The anti-proliferative and apoptotic activities of new T-type calcium channel antagonist, 6e (BK10040) on human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells were investigated. The MTT assay results indicated that BK10040 was cytotoxic against human lung adenocarcinoma (A549) and pancreatic cancer (MiaPaCa2) cells in a dose-dependent manner with IC₅₀ of 2.25 and 0.93 μM, respectively, which is ca. 2-fold more potent than lead compound KYS05090 despite of its decreased T-type calcium channel blockade. As a mode of action for cytotoxic effect of BK10040 on lung cancer (A549) cells, this cancer cell death was found to have the typical features of apoptosis, as evidenced by the accumulation of positive cells for annexin V. In addition, BK10040 triggered the activations of caspases 3 and 9, and the cleavages of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Moreover, the treatment with z-VAD-fmk (a broad spectrum caspase inhibitor) significantly prevented BK10040-induced apoptosis. Based on these results, BK10040 may be used as a potential therapeutic agent for human lung cancer via the potent apoptotic activity.     

Inhibition of cell growth by a fused protein of human ribonuclease 1 and human basic fibroblast growth factor

Pancreatic-type RNases are considered to have cytotoxic potential due to their ability to degrade RNA molecules when they enter the cytosol. However, most of these RNases show little cytotoxicity because cells have no active uptake mechanism for these RNases and because the ubiquitous cytoplasmic RNase inhibitor is considered to play a protective role against the endocytotic leak of RNases from the outside of cells. To study the cytotoxic potential of RNase toward malignant cells targeting growth factor receptors, the C-terminus of human RNase 1 was fused to the N-terminus of human basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). This RNase-FGF fused protein effectively inhibited the growth of mouse melanoma cell line B16/BL6 with high levels of cell surface FGF receptor. This effect appeared to result from prolongation of the overall cell cycle rather than the killing of cells or specific arrest in a particular phase of the cell cycle. Thus, human RNase 1 fused to a ligand of cell surface molecules, such as the FGF receptor, is shown to be an effective candidate for a selective cell targeting agent with low toxic effects on normal cell types.     

A glycopeptide from adenocarcinoma tissue of human lung

A glycopeptide from adenocarcinoma tissue of human lung was extracted by protein digestion with papain (EC 3.4.22.2) and trypsin (EC 3.4.21.4). This component was isolated by Pevikon block electrophoresis. It possessed hexose, glucosamine, fucose, galactosamine, and sialic acid. In its carbohydrate composition and also the abundance of threonin in the peptide moiety it was quite similar to the glycoprotein from gastrointestinal tract. The physical characteristic of the two, such as their optical rotation and viscosity, were also very similar each other.     

Identification of ING4 (inhibitor of growth 4) as a modulator of docetaxel sensitivity in human lung adenocarcinoma

Resistance to docetaxel (DTX) usually occurs in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. To better elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in resistance to DTX-based chemotherapy, we established a DTX-resistant lung adenocarcinoma cell line (SPC-A1/DTX). By gene array analysis, the expression of ING4 was found to be significantly downregulated in SPC-A1/DTX cells. Additionally, the decreased expression of the ING4 gene was induced upon DTX treatment of SPC-A1 cells. Overexpression of ING4 reverses DTX or paclitaxel resistance of DTX-resistant lung adenocarcinoma cells (SPC-A1/DTX or A549/Taxol) by inducing apoptosis enhancement and G₂/M arrest, and small interfering RNA–mediated ING4 knockdown renders DTX-sensitive lung adenocarcinoma cells more resistant to DTX or paclitaxel. Also, overexpression of ING4 could enhance the in vivo sensitivity of SPC-A1/DTX cells to DTX. The phenotypical changes of SPC-A1/DTX cells induced by overexpression of ING4 might be associated with the decreased ratio of Bcl-2/Bax, which resulted in the activation of caspase-3. The level of ING4 expression in tumors of nonresponding patients was significantly lower than that in those of responders, suggesting that the expression of ING4 was positively correlated with tumor response to DTX. Our results provide the first evidence that ING4 might be essential for DTX resistance in lung adenocarcinoma. Thus, ING4 will be a potential molecular target for overcoming resistance to DTX-based chemotherapies in lung adenocarcinoma.     

Inhibition of cell growth and tumorigenesis of human glioblastoma cells by a neutralizing antibody against human basic fibroblast growth factor.

We report here that a neutralizing mouse monoclonal antibody against basic FGF inhibited both anchorage-dependent and anchorage-independent growth of U-87MG and T98G human glioblastoma cells and HeLa cells, all of which express both the basic FGF and the FGF receptor genes. In addition, the subcutaneous administration of this antibody significantly suppressed the tumor development of these tumor cells in nude mice. Therefore, basic FGF plays an important role in neoplastic growth of these cells. The neutralization of basic FGF will be effective in controlling the growth of tumors, such as glioblastoma and other cancer cells which bear basic FGF and FGF receptors.     

Induction of nucleolin translocation by acharan sulfate in A549 human lung adenocarcinoma

Acharan sulfate (AS), isolated from the giant African snail Achatina fulica, is a novel glycosaminoglycan, consisting primarily of the repeating disaccharide structure α‐D ‐N‐acetylglucosaminyl (1 → 4) 2‐sulfoiduronic acid. AS shows anti‐tumor activity in vitro and in vivo. Despite this activity, AS is only weakly cytotoxic towards cancer cells. We examine the interactions between AS and cell‐surface proteins in an effort to explain this anti‐tumor activity. Using flow cytometry and affinity column chromatography, we confirm that AS has strong affinity to specific cell‐surface proteins including nucleolin (NL) in A549 human lung adenocarcinomas. Surprisingly, we found the translocation of NL from nucleus to cytoplasm under the stimulation of AS (100 µg/ml) in vitro. Also, as NL exits the nucleus, the levels of growth factors such as bFGF and signaling cascade proteins, such as p38, p53, and pERK, are altered. These results suggest that the communication between AS and NL plays a critical role on signal transduction in tumor inhibition. J. Cell. Biochem. 110: 1272–1278, 2010. Published 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Inhibition of lung cancer cell proliferation mediated by human mesenchymal stem cells

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are mostly studied for their potential clinical use. Recently, much attention in the field of cancer research has been paid to hMSCs. In this study, we investigated the influence of hMSCs on the proliferation of lung cancer cell lines SK-MES-1 and A549 in vitro and in vivo by using a co-culture system and the hMSCs-conditioned medium. Our results demonstrated that hMSCs could inhibit the proliferation of SK-MES-1 and A549 cells, and induce the apoptosis of tumor cells in vitro via some soluble factors. Animal study showed that these soluble factors from hMSCs could suppress tumorigenesis and tumor angiogenesis by treating preliminarily tumor cells with the hMSCs-conditioned medium. The downregulated expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in tumor cells might be the mechanism of interference in tumor angiogenesis, which was verified by western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry assay. Taken together, our results suggested that the hMSCs could inhibit tumor cell growth by secreting some soluble factors.     

Simulated microgravity alters the metastatic potential of a human lung adenocarcinoma cell line

Simulated microgravity (SM) has been implicated in affecting diverse cellular pathways. Although there is emerging evidence that SM can alter cellular functions, its effect in cancer metastasis has not been addressed. Here, we demonstrate that SM inhibits migration, gelatinolytic activity, and cell proliferation of an A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cell line in vitro. Expression of antigen MKI67 and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) was reduced in A549 cells stimulated by clinorotation when compared with the 1×g control condition, while overexpression of each gene improves ability of proliferation and migration, respectively, under SM conditions. These findings suggest that SM reduced the metastatic potential of human lung adenocarcinoma cells by altering the expression of MKI67 and MMP2, thereby inhibiting cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, which may provide some clues to study cancer metastasis in the future.