Celecoxib-Induced Cytotoxic Effect Is Potentiated by Inhibition of Autophagy in Human Urothelial Carcinoma Cells

Celecoxib, a cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, can elicit anti-tumor effects in various malignancies. Here, we sought to clarify the role of autophagy in celecoxib-induced cytotoxicity in human urothelial carcinoma (UC) cells. The results shows celecoxib induced cellular stress response such as endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, phosopho-SAPK/JNK, and phosopho-c-Jun as well as autophagosome formation in UC cells. Inhibition of autophagy by 3-methyladenine (3-MA), bafilomycin A1 or ATG7 knockdown potentiated celecoxib-induced apoptosis. Up-regulation of autophagy by rapamycin or GFP-LC3B-transfection alleviated celecoxib-induced cytotoxicity in UC cells. Taken together, the inhibition of autophagy enhances therapeutic efficacy of celecoxib in UC cells, suggesting a novel therapeutic strategy against UC.     

奈达铂联合调强放疗对局部晚期鼻咽癌的疗效的作用分析

目的：分析奈达铂联合强调放疗在局部晚期鼻咽癌患者中的疗效。方法：选择我院局部晚期鼻咽癌患者87 例,随机分为两个组,分别是奈达铂组（A组）和顺铂组（B组）,对两组患者接受治疗后的近期疗效、远期疗效以及毒性反应进行比较分析。结果：A、B两组患者鼻咽原发灶完全缓解（CR）率分别为91.8%、86.8%（P=0.632〉0.05）,颈部淋巴结转移灶的完全缓解（CR）率分别为87.8%、84.2%（P=0.864〉0.05）,均不存在统计学显著性差异。A、B 两组患者3 年的总生存率（OS）分别为：81.6%、78.9%,P=0.762;局部控制率（LC）分别为：93.9%、94.7%,P=0.890;两组患者3 年的区域控制率（RC）分别为：98.0%、97.3%,P=0.849;两组患者3年的无远处转移生存率（DMFS）分别为：79.6%、76.3%,P= 0.724。A 组患者Plt 下降发生率为46.9%显著高于B 组发生率34.2%（P〈0.05）,具有统计学显著性差异;A 组患者恶心呕吐的发生率36.7%显著低于B 组患者的发生率76.3%（P〈0.05）,具有统计学显著性差异;其余毒性反应的发生率均不存在统计学显著性差异（P〉0.05）。结论：奈达铂联合强调放疗治疗局部晚期鼻咽癌的近期疗效与远期疗效与顺铂相当,但是奈达铂胃肠道不良反应发生率较顺铂低,血小板的降低程度比顺铂更加严重。     

奈达铂联合调强放疗对局部晚期鼻咽癌的疗效的作用分析 *

摘要 目的： 分析奈达铂联合强调放疗在局部晚期鼻咽癌患者中的疗效。方法： 选择我院局部晚期鼻咽癌患者 87 例, 随机分为两 个组, 分别是奈达铂组 （ A 组） 和顺铂组 （B 组 ） ,对两组患者接受治疗后的近期疗效、 远期疗效以及毒性反应进行比较分析。结果： A、 B 两组患者鼻咽原发灶完全缓解 （CR ） 率分别为 91.8%、 86.8% （ P=0.632>0.05 ）, 颈部淋巴结转移灶的完全缓解 （CR ） 率分别为 87.8%、 84.2% （ P=0.864>0.05 ）, 均不存在统计学显著性差异。A、 B 两组患者 3 年的总生存率 （ OS ） 分别为： 81.6%、 78.9%, P=0.762; 局部控制率 （ LC ） 分别为： 93.9%、 94.7%, P=0.890; 两组患者 3 年的区域控制率 （RC ） 分别为： 98.0%、 97.3%, P=0.849; 两组患者 3 年 的无远处转移生存率 （DMFS ） 分别为： 79.6%、 76.3%, P= 0.724。A 组患者 Plt 下降发生率为 46.9%显著高于 B 组发生率 34.2% （ P<0.05 ）, 具有统计学显著性差异; A 组患者恶心呕吐的发生率 36.7%显著低于 B 组患者的发生率 76.3% （ P<0.05 ）, 具有统计学显 著性差异; 其余毒性反应的发生率均不存在统计学显著性差异 （P>0.05 ）。结论： 奈达铂联合强调放疗治疗局部晚期鼻咽癌的近期 疗效与远期疗效与顺铂相当, 但是奈达铂胃肠道不良反应发生率较顺铂低, 血小板的降低程度比顺铂更加严重。     

Silybin-Mediated Inhibition of Notch Signaling Exerts Antitumor Activity in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a global health burden that is associated with limited treatment options and poor patient prognoses. Silybin (SIL), an antioxidant derived from the milk thistle plant (Silybum marianum), has been reported to exert hepatoprotective and antitumorigenic effects both in vitro and in vivo. While SIL has been shown to have potent antitumor activity against various types of cancer, including HCC, the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of SIL remain largely unknown. The Notch signaling pathway plays crucial roles in tumorigenesis and immune development. In the present study, we assessed the antitumor activity of SIL in human HCC HepG2 cells in vitro and in vivo and explored the roles of the Notch pathway and of the apoptosis-related signaling pathway on the activity of SIL. SIL treatment resulted in a dose- and time-dependent inhibition of HCC cell viability. Additionally, SIL exhibited strong antitumor activity, as evidenced not only by reductions in tumor cell adhesion, migration, intracellular glutathione (GSH) levels and total antioxidant capability (T-AOC) but also by increases in the apoptotic index, caspase3 activity, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, SIL treatment decreased the expression of the Notch1 intracellular domain (NICD), RBP-Jκ, and Hes1 proteins, upregulated the apoptosis pathway-related protein Bax, and downregulated Bcl2, survivin, and cyclin D1. Notch1 siRNA (in vitro) or DAPT (a known Notch1 inhibitor, in vivo) further enhanced the antitumor activity of SIL, and recombinant Jagged1 protein (a known Notch ligand in vitro) attenuated the antitumor activity of SIL. Taken together, these data indicate that SIL is a potent inhibitor of HCC cell growth that targets the Notch signaling pathway and suggest that the inhibition of Notch signaling may be a novel therapeutic intervention for HCC.     

鼻咽癌细胞中ezrin基因增强子区的定位分析

本研究采用嵌套缺失和荧光素酶检测技术对鼻咽癌CNE2细胞ezrin基因增强子区进行定位分析。实验结果显示,CNE2细胞中,ezrin基因-1541/-706具有转录激活和转录增强作用,存在转录正调控区和负调控区。对5个潜在转录调控区的进一步研究发现,ezrin基因-1297/-1186对ezrin启动子和SV40启动子具有显著的转录增强作用;其它4个区域对启动子不表现转录调控作用,或表现弱的转录增强作用。结果表明,ezrin基因-1297/-1186是具有增强子作用的关键转录调控区,它有可能与其它潜在转录调控区以共同或协同的方式调控ezrin基因转录。     

NAG7基因转染对鼻咽癌细胞生长的影响

为了探讨鼻咽癌表达下调基因NAG7对鼻咽癌细胞系HNE1生长的影响, 构建了NAG7基因的真核表达载体pcDNA3.1(+)/NAG7, 并采用脂质体转染技术将真核重组体pcDNA3.1(+)/NAG7质粒和真核空载体pcDNA3.1(+)质粒分别导入HNE1细胞, 经G418筛选后获得稳定转染细胞克隆, RT-PCR和RNA印迹检测NAG7基因的表达, 并通过细胞生长曲线、裸鼠接种和流式细胞等方法对转染细胞的生物学行为进行检测.结果显示：转染NAG7基因后,基因表达增加,细胞生长倍增时间较空载体转染和HNE1明显延长,流式细胞技术检测表明,NAG7可延缓细胞由G0～G1期进入S期;裸鼠接种实验显示转染NAG7基因后的HNE1细胞致瘤性受到抑制.上述结果表明：NAG7基因转染后鼻咽癌细胞生长受到抑制,提示NAG7基因是一鼻咽癌相关的抑瘤基因候选者.     

Inhibition of Autophagy by Chloroquine Enhances the Antitumor Efficacy of Sorafenib in Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive and common brain tumor in adults. Sorafenib, a multi-kinase inhibitor, has been shown to inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis through inhibition of STAT3 signaling in glioblastoma cells and in intracranial gliomas. However, sorafenib also induces cell autophagy. Due to the dual roles of autophagy in tumor cell survival and death, the therapeutic effect of sorafenib on glioblastoma is uncertain. Here, we combined sorafenib treatment in GBM cells (U373 and LN229) and tumors with the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine. We found that blockage of autophagy further inhibited cell proliferation and migration and induced cell apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. These findings suggest the possibility of combination treatment with sorafenib and autophagy inhibitors for GBM.     

An Active Efflux System for Heavy Metals in Cisplatin-Resistant Human KB Carcinoma Cells

The mechanism for cisplatin resistance in cisplatin-resistant KCP-4 cells was studied. Although multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) was not detected in KCP-4 cells, the cells were more resistant to heavy metals than multidrug-resistant C-A120 cells that overexpressed MRP. KCP-4 cells expressed metallothionein, but it was scarcely involved in cisplatin resistance in these cells. KCP-4 cells did not express canalicular multispecific organic anion transporter (cMOAT). The glutathione(GSH) level was 4.7-fold higher in KCP-4 cells than in KB-3-1 cells. When the GSH level in KCP-4 cells was decreased by treating the cells with buthionine sulfoximine and nitrofurantoin, the accumulation of and sensitivity to cispaltin in the cells were increased. C-A120 cells were only 3.0-fold more resistant to cisplatin than KB-3-1 cells and this resistance was not affected by the increased glutathione level. The accumulation of platinum in C-A120 and KCP-4 cells was 68.5 and 20.4% of that in KB-3-1 cells, respectively, while the intracellular levels of antimony potassium tartrate in C-A120 and KCP-4 cells were 13.2 and 9.9% of that in KB-3-1 cells, respectively. The ATP-dependent efflux of antimony was enhanced in both C-A120 and KCP-4 cells. These results, taken together, suggest an efflux pump for heavy metals different from MRP and cMOAT is involved in cisplatin resistance in KCP-4 cells.     

奈达铂联合长春瑞滨结合同步放疗治疗晚期鼻咽癌的疗效分析

目的:研究奈达铂联合长春瑞滨结合同步放射治疗晚期鼻咽癌的有效性和安全性.方法:选择我院收治41例病理证实为晚期鼻咽癌患者,给予奈达铂(100mg/m2,d1)和长春瑞滨(25mg/m2,d1,8)化疗,每21天为一周期,完成第一周期后行放疗,放疗期间同步化疗.结果:本组患者CR为70.7%.PR为26.8%,SD为2.4%,总有效率为97.6%,1a无复发生存率为97.6%,1a无远处转移生存率为87.8%,毒副反应主要为血液性毒性,治疗后均恢复,均可以耐受.结论:奈达铂联合长春瑞滨结合同步放射治疗晚期鼻咽癌近期疗效较好,耐受性良好且安全性较高.     

UBAP1 基因真核表达载体的构建 及对人鼻咽癌细胞生长的影响

为研究鼻咽癌相关新基因 UBAP1 的功能,探讨其对鼻咽癌细胞生长特性的影响,构建了 UBAP1 真核表达载体并转染到鼻咽癌细胞株 HNE1 中,借助细胞生长曲线、软琼脂集落形成试验、裸鼠接种和流式细胞计数方法对转染细胞的生物学行为进行了检测 . 结果显示, UBAP1 基因转染细胞生长速度明显减慢,在软琼脂中集落形成率较对照组显著下降,裸鼠接种试验显示, UBAP1 基因转染细胞 HNE1 生长速度受到抑制,流式细胞计数分析发现, UBAP1 基因表达升高能延缓细胞由 G0-G1 期进入 S 期 . 因此, UBAP1 基因的表达有助于 HNE1 恶性表型的逆转,初步证明 UBAP1 是一个鼻咽癌相关的抑瘤基因 .     

NGX6基因抑制高转移鼻咽癌细胞的侵袭运动能力

 NGX6 基因是我室利用定位候选克隆策略,在鼻咽癌的高频杂合性缺失区9p21-22克隆的新基因.前期研究结果提示,它与鼻咽癌细胞的侵袭转移密切相关.为了进一步阐明其作用的结构基础,本研究成功构建了含NGX6基因及突变体的pCMV-myc瞬时和pcDNA3.1-his-myc(-)B稳定表达载体.通过脂质体转染技术,构建了NGX6及突变体的稳定表达细胞系5-8F.用免疫荧光试验和免疫电镜观察了NGX6在5-8F细胞中的亚细胞定位主要位于胞膜、核膜以及胞浆中的膜质结构,缺失突变的功能域对其定位没有明显的影响.基质胶侵袭试验和划痕试验研究了NGX6及突变体对细胞运动的影响.NGX6能抑制高转移潜能的鼻咽癌细胞5-8F的运动和侵袭能力,缺失胞内区（CYTO）后NGX6不能抑制5-8F细胞的运动和侵袭,提示CYTO可能是其发挥作用的重要功能域.     

NAG11和NAG12基因转染对鼻咽癌细胞生长的影响

为了考察鼻咽癌表达下调／缺失基因NAG11和NAG12对鼻咽癌细胞系HNE1生长的影响,构建了NAG11和NAG12基因真核表达载体pcDNA3.1（＋）／NAG11和pcDNA3.1（＋）／NAG12,采用脂质体转染技术将真核重组质粒和空载体质粒分别导入HNE1细胞,观察转染后HNE1细胞生物学特性的变化,结果显示,NAG11重表达对HNE1细胞生长和细胞周期没有明显的影响,而NAG12重表达对HNE1细胞有生长抑制作用,与空载体转染组相比,倍增时间由24.1h延长至31.1h,停滞于G0－G1期细胞数由51.42%增加至68.14%。以上实验进一步说明鼻咽癌是多基因改变的疾病,NAG12的重表达有助于处国咽癌恶性表型的逆转。     

Cytoprotective Effect of the Elongation Factor-2 Kinase-Mediated Autophagy in Breast Cancer Cells Subjected to Growth Factor Inhibition

Background

Autophagy is a highly conserved and regulated cellular process employed by living cells to degrade proteins and organelles as a response to metabolic stress. We have previously reported that eukaryotic elongation factor-2 kinase (eEF-2 kinase, also known as Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase III) can positively modulate autophagy and negatively regulate protein synthesis. The purpose of the current study was to determine the role of the eEF-2 kinase-regulated autophagy in the response of breast cancer cells to inhibitors of growth factor signaling.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We found that nutrient depletion or growth factor inhibitors activated autophagy in human breast cancer cells, and the increased activity of autophagy was associated with a decrease in cellular ATP and an increase in activities of AMP kinase and eEF-2 kinase. Silencing of eEF-2 kinase relieved the inhibition of protein synthesis, led to a greater reduction of cellular ATP, and blunted autophagic response. We further showed that suppression of eEF-2 kinase-regulated autophagy impeded cell growth in serum/nutrient-deprived cultures and handicapped cell survival, and enhanced the efficacy of the growth factor inhibitors such as trastuzumab, gefitinib, and lapatinib.

Conclusion/Significance

The results of this study provide new evidence that activation of eEF-2 kinase-mediated autophagy plays a protective role for cancer cells under metabolic stress conditions, and that targeting autophagic survival may represent a novel approach to enhancing the effectiveness of growth factor inhibitors.     

Autophagy Inhibitor Chloroquine Enhanced the Cell Death Inducing Effect of the Flavonoid Luteolin in Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells

Background

Flavonoids are widely proposed as very interesting compounds with possible chemopreventive and therapeutic capacities.

Methods & Results

In this study, we showed that in vitro treatment with the flavonoid Luteolin induced caspase-dependent cell death in a model of human cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) derived cells, representing a matched pair of primary tumor and its metastasis. Notably, no cytotoxic effects were observed in normal human keratinocytes when treated with similar doses of Luteolin. Luteolin-induced apoptosis was accompanied by inhibition of AKT signaling, and sensitivity decreased with tumor progression, as the primary MET1 SCC cells were considerably more sensitive to Luteolin than the isogenic metastatic MET4 cells. Extensive intracellular vacuolization was observed in Luteolin-treated MET4 cells, which were characterized as acidic lysosomal vacuoles, suggesting the involvement of autophagy. Transmission electron microscopy, mRFP-GFP-LC3 assay and p62 protein degradation, confirmed that Luteolin stimulated the autophagic process in the metastatic MET4 cells. Blocking autophagy using chloroquine magnified Luteolin-induced apoptosis in the metastatic SCC cells.

Conclusion

Together, these results suggest that Luteolin has the capacity to induce selectively apoptotic cell death both in primary cutaneous SCC cells and in metastatic SCC cells in combination with chloroquine, an inhibitor of autophagosomal degradation. Hence, Luteolin might be a promising agent for the treatment of cutaneous SCC.     

Inhibition of Autophagic Flux by Salinomycin Results in Anti-Cancer Effect in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Salinomycin raised hope to be effective in anti-cancer therapies due to its capability to overcome apoptosis-resistance in several types of cancer cells. Recently, its effectiveness against human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells both in vitro and in vivo was demonstrated. However, the mechanism of action remained unclear. Latest studies implicated interference with the degradation pathway of autophagy. This study aimed to determine the impact of Salinomycin on HCC-autophagy and whether primary human hepatocytes (PHH) likewise are affected. Following exposure of HCC cell lines HepG2 and Huh7 to varying concentrations of Salinomycin (0–10 µM), comprehensive analysis of autophagic activity using western-blotting and flow-cytometry was performed. Drug effects were analyzed in the settings of autophagy stimulation by starvation or PP242-treatment and correlated with cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis induction, mitochondrial mass accumulation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. Impact on apoptosis induction and cell function of PHH was analyzed.Constitutive and stimulated autophagic activities both were effectively suppressed in HCC by Salinomycin. This inhibition was associated with dysfunctional mitochondria accumulation, increased apoptosis and decreased proliferation and cell viability. Effects of Salinomycin were dose and time dependent and could readily be replicated by pharmacological and genetic inhibition of HCC-autophagy alone. Salinomycin exposure to PHH resulted in transient impairment of synthesis function and cell viability without apoptosis induction. In conclusion, our data suggest that Salinomycin suppresses late stages of HCC-autophagy, leading to impaired recycling and accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria with increased ROS-production all of which are associated with induction of apoptosis.     

甲基转移酶对鼻咽癌细胞中DLC-1基因表达的影响

肝癌缺失基因-1(deleted in liver cancer-1,DLC-1)在多种肿瘤中呈现表达缺失或表达下调,这种异常表达主要与由DNA甲基转移酶(DNA methyltransferases,DNMTs)参与的启动子区异常甲基化有关。RT-PCR结果显示DLC-1在永生化鼻咽上皮细胞NP69和干扰DNMTs的5-8F细胞中的表达水平较未干扰的鼻咽癌细胞明显升高。甲基化特异性PCR(methylation-specific PCR,MSPCR)结果则表明DLC-1启动子区在表达下调或缺失的鼻咽癌细胞中均存在异常高甲基化,而干扰DNMTs后5-8F细胞中DLC-1启动子区甲基化状态被逆转,其中特异性干扰DNMT1后效果略为显著,提示DNA甲基转移酶活性对于鼻咽癌中DLC-1启动子区甲基化水平具有重要的调控作用,而DNMT1的调控作用更为突出。     

人鼻咽癌细胞纤维肌动蛋白的共聚焦激光扫描显微镜观察

为探讨高分化和低分化鼻咽癌细胞纤维肌动蛋白（F-actin)的空间结构,采用共聚焦激光扫描显微镜光学切片技术结合异硫酸氢荧光素－鬼笔环肽（FITC－phalloidin)标记F-actin、碘化吡啶（PI）标记核酸的荧光探针双重标记技术,对鼻咽癌细胞F－actin进行光学切片、三维重组及形态学观察。实验结果可见高分化鼻咽癌细胞F－actin呈芒刺状分布于细胞表面,而在细胞突起末端细胞间连接处呈束状,放射状密集分布;代分化鼻咽癌细胞F－actin明显少于高分化鼻咽癌细胞,仅沿细胞膜表面呈弯曲细小绒毛状分布。结果表明F－actin在细胞内的空间分布与鼻咽癌的分化类型有关,肿瘤或恶性转化细胞的F－actin在形态和结构方面有异常改变;共聚焦激光扫描显微镜光学切片结合荧光双重标记技术是研究细菌骨架结构的理想方法。     

Inhibition of Autophagy Suppresses Sertraline-Mediated Primary Ciliogenesis in Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells

Primary cilia are conserved cellular organelles that regulate diverse signaling pathways. Autophagy is a complex process of cellular degradation and recycling of cytoplasmic proteins and organelles, and plays an important role in cellular homeostasis. Despite its potential importance, the role of autophagy in ciliogenesis is largely unknown. In this study, we identified sertraline as a regulator of autophagy and ciliogenesis. Sertraline, a known antidepressant, induced the growth of cilia and blocked the disassembly of cilia in htRPE cells. Following treatment of sertraline, there was an increase in the number of cells with autophagic puncta and LC3 protein conversion. In addition, both a decrease of ATG5 expression and the treatment of an autophagy inhibitor resulted in the suppression of the sertraline-induced activation of autophagy in htRPE cells. Interestingly, we found that genetic and chemical inhibition of autophagy attenuated the growth of primary cilia in htRPE cells. Taken together, our results suggest that the inhibition of autophagy suppresses sertraline-induced ciliogenesis.