Celecoxib increases retinoid sensitivity in human colon cancer cell lines

Retinoid resistance has limited the clinical application of retinoids as differentiation-inducing and apoptosis-inducing drugs. This study was designed to investigate whether celecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, has effects on retinoid sensitivity in human colon cancer cell lines, and to determine the possible mechanism of said effects. Cell viability was measured using the MTT assay. Apoptosis was detected via Annexin-V/PI staining and the flow cytometry assay. PGE₂ production was measured with the ELISA assay. The expression of RARβ was assayed via western blotting. The results showed that celecoxib enhanced the inhibitory effect of ATRA in both COX-2 high-expressing HT-29 and COX-2 low-expressing SW480 cell lines. Further study showed the ATRA and celecoxib combination induced greater apoptosis, but that the addition of PGE₂ did not affect the enhanced growth-inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing effects of the combination. Moreover, NS398 (another selective COX-2 inhibitor) did not affect the inhibitory effects of ATRA in the two cell lines. Western blotting showed that the expression of RARβ in HT-29 cell lines was increased by celecoxib, but not by NS398, and that the addition of PGE₂ did not affect the celecoxib-induced expression of the retinoic acid receptor beta. In conclusion, celecoxib increased the expression of RARβ and the level of cellular ATRA sensitivity through COX-2-independent mechanisms. This finding may provide a potential strategy for combination therapy.     

KLF9 suppresses cell growth and induces apoptosis via the AR pathway in androgen-dependent prostate cancer cells

Kruppel-like factors (KLFs) play an important role in many biological processes including cell proliferation, differentiation and development. Our study showed that the level of KLF9 is lower in PCa cell lines compared to a benign prostate cell line; the androgen-independent cell line PC3 expresses significantly lower KLF9 than the androgen-dependent cell line, LNCaP. Forced overexpression of KLF9 suppressed cell growth, colony formation, and induced cell apoptosis in LNCaP cells. We also found that KLF9 expression was induced in response to apoptosis caused by flutamide, and further addition of dihydrotestosterone antagonized the action of flutamide and significantly decreased KLF9 expression. Furthermore, activation of the androgen receptor (AR) was inhibited by the overexpression of KLF9. Our research shows that KLF9 is lower in androgen-independent cell lines than in androgen-dependent cell lines; Overexpression of KLF9 dramatically suppresses the proliferation, anchorage-independent growth, and induces apoptosis in androgen-dependent cells; KLF9 inhibition on prostate cancer cell growth may be acting through the AR pathway. Our results therefore suggest that KLF9 may play a significant role in the transition from androgen-dependent to androgen-independent prostate cancer and is a potential target of prevention and therapy.     

IL-8 increases integrin expression and cell motility in human chondrosarcoma cells

Chondrosarcoma is a type of highly malignant tumor with a potent capacity to invade locally and cause distant metastasis. Chondrosarcoma shows a predilection for metastasis to the lungs. Interleukin-8 (IL-8), a chemokine with a defining CXC amino acid motif, is known to possess tumorigenic and proangiogenic properties. Over-expression of IL-8 has been detected in many human tumors. However, the effects of IL-8 in migration and integrin expression in chondrosarcoma cells are largely unknown. In this study, we found that IL-8 increased the migration and the expression of αvβ3 integrin in human chondrosarcoma cells. Activations of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), Akt, and AP-1 pathways after IL-8 treatment were demonstrated, and IL-8-induced expression of integrin and migration activity was inhibited by the specific inhibitor and mutant of PI3K, Akt, and AP-1 cascades. Taken together, our results indicated that IL-8 enhances the migration of chondrosarcoma cells by increasing αvβ3 integrin expression through the PI3K/Akt/AP-1 signal transduction pathway.     

Luteolin suppresses growth and migration of human lung cancer cells

Luteolin, 3′,4′,5,7-tetrahydroxyflavone, has been shown to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammation and anti-cancer properties. However, its role in lung cancer remains poorly understood. Here we examined the anti-tumorigenic role of luteolin in a commonly used lung cancer cell line. Luteolin inhibited the growth of A549 cells by inducing G1 phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Furthermore, stress fiber assembly and cell migration in A549 cells was markedly suppressed by luteolin.     

Cyr61 suppresses growth of human endometrial cancer cells

Cyr61 (CCN1) is a member of the CCN protein family; these secreted proteins are involved in diverse biological processes such as cell adhesion, angiogenesis, apoptosis, and either growth arrest or growth stimulation depending on the cellular context. We studied the role of Cyr61 in endometrial tumorigenesis. Levels of Cyr61 were decreased in endometrial tumors compared with normal endometrium. Knockdown of Cyr61 expression by RNA interference in a well differentiated endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line (Ishikawa) stimulated its cellular growth. Conversely, overexpression of the protein in the undifferentiated AN3CA endometrial cancer cell line decreased their growth concurrently with increased apoptosis in liquid culture. These same cells had decreased clonogenic capacity and a nearly complete loss of tumorigenicity in vivo. Furthermore, partially purified Cyr61 suppressed growth of endometrial cancer cells. The increased apoptosis in these endometrial cancer cells with forced overexpression of Cyr61 was associated with elevated expression of the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax, Bad, and TRAIL (tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated ligand). Cyr61-induced caspase-3 activation and depolarization of mitochondrial membrane. In summary, endometrial cancer cells have decreased expression of Cyr61 compared with normal endometrium, and this lowered expression may provide the transformed cells a growth advantage over their normal counterpart.     

Ad-IL-24对SGC-7901胃癌细胞生长抑制的体外实验

旨在研究携带人IL-24基因的腺病毒表达载体(Ad-IL-24)对SGC-7901人胃癌细胞的生长抑制作用并分析其分子机制。以不同MOI(感染复数)的Ad空载体腺病毒感染SGC-7901人胃癌细胞,筛选出最佳感染剂量;Ad-IL-24以最佳感染剂量感染SGC-7901胃癌细胞,RT-PCR法和Western blotting法检测腺病毒介导的IL-24基因在SGC-7901胃癌细胞中的转录;MTT法检测Ad-IL-24对SGC-7901胃癌细胞的生长抑制作用,流式细胞仪检测其诱导SGC-7901人胃癌细胞凋亡和细胞周期改变的效应,Hoechst33258染色荧光显微镜检测其诱导胃癌细胞凋亡的核形态改变;RT-PCR半定量法进一步检测SGC-7901胃癌细胞中凋亡相关基因的转录。结果显示,100MOI为感染SGC-7901胃癌细胞的腺病毒最佳感染剂量;Ad-IL-24能成功介导IL-24基因在SGC-7901胃癌细胞中转录性表达;Ad-IL-24感染SGC-7901胃癌细胞后,能明显抑制胃癌细胞生长和诱导凋亡;Ad-IL-24能显著上调SGC-7901胃癌细胞中bax、caspase-3和p53的表达和下调bc...     

Targeted inhibition of c-MET by podophyllotoxin promotes caspase-dependent apoptosis and suppresses cell growth in gefitinib-resistant non-small cell lung cancer cells

BackgroundLung cancer has the highest incidence and cancer-related mortality of all cancers worldwide. Its treatment is focused on molecular targeted therapy. c-MET plays an important role in the development and metastasis of various human cancers and has been identified as an attractive potential anti-cancer target. Podophyllotoxin (PPT), an aryltetralin lignan isolated from the rhizomes of Podophyllum species, has several pharmacological activities that include anti-viral and anti-cancer effects. However, the mechanism of the anti-cancer effects of PPT on gefitinib-sensitive (HCC827) or -resistant (MET-amplified HCC827GR) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells remains unexplored.PurposeIn the present study, we investigated the underlying mechanisms of PPT-induced apoptosis in NSCLC cells and found that the inhibition of c-MET kinase activity contributed to PPT-induced cell death.MethodsThe regulation of c-MET by PPT was examined by pull-down assay, ATP-competitive binding assay, kinase activity assay, molecular docking simulation, and Western blot analysis. The cell growth inhibitory effects of PPT on NSCLC cells were assessed using the MTT assay, soft agar assay, and flow cytometry analysis.ResultsPPT could directly interact with c-MET and inhibit kinase activity, which further induced the apoptosis of HCC827GR cells. In contrast, PPT did not significantly affect EGFR kinase activity. PPT significantly inhibited the cell viability of HCC827GR cells, whereas the PPT-treated HCC827 cells showed a cell viability of more than 80%. PPT dose-dependently induced G2/M cell cycle arrest, as shown by the downregulation of cyclin B1 and cdc2, and upregulation of p27 expression in HCC827GR cells. Furthermore, PPT treatment induced Bad expression and downregulation of Mcl-1, survivin, and Bcl-xl expression, subsequently activating multi-caspases. PPT thereby induced caspase-dependent apoptosis in HCC827GR cells.ConclusionThese results suggest the potential of PPT as a c-MET inhibitor to overcome tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance in lung cancer.     

microRNA-195 promotes apoptosis and suppresses tumorigenicity of human colorectal cancer cells

Deregulated microRNAs and their roles in cancer development have attracted much attention. In the present study, we analyzed the roles of miR-195 in colorectal cancer pathogenesis, as its participation in some other types of cancer has been suggested by previous reports. By comparing miR-195 expression in 81 human colorectal cancer tissues and matched non-neoplastic mucosa tissues, we found that miR-195 was downregulated in cancer tissues. And restoration of miR-195 in colorectal cancer cell lines HT29 and LoVo could reduce cell viability, promote cell apoptosis and suppress tumorigenicity. Moreover, important antiapoptotic Bcl-2 was identified to be directly targeted by miR-195, and miR-195 was further suggested to exert its proapoptotic function mainly through targeting Bcl-2 expression. Taken together, our study provides important roles of miR-195 in colorectal cancer pathogenesis and implicates its potential application in cancer therapy.     

RNA interference targeting against S100A4 suppresses cell growth and motility and induces apoptosis in human pancreatic cancer cells

S100A4 protein belongs to the S100 subfamily, which has grown to be one of the large subfamilies of the EF-hand Ca²⁺-binding proteins, and overexpression of S100A4 is suggested to associate with cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. We observed frequent overexpression of S100A4 in pancreatic cancer cell lines and further analyzed RNAi-mediated knockdown to address the possibility of its use as a therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer. The specific knockdown of S100A4 strongly suppressed cell growth, induced G2 arrest and eventual apoptosis, and decreased cell migration. Furthermore, microarray analyses revealed that knockdown of S100A4 induced expression of the tumor suppressor genes PRDM2 and VASH1. Our present results suggest the possibility that the inhibition of S100A4 can be utilized in antitumor applications for patients with pancreatic cancer.     

Ran suppresses paclitaxel-induced apoptosis in human glioblastoma cells

Yeast-based functional screening of a human glioblastoma cDNA library identified ras-related nuclear protein (Ran) as a novel suppressor of Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), a pro-apoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family of proteins. Yeast cells that expressed human Ran were resistant to Bax-induced cell death. In U373MG glioblastoma cells, stable overexpression of Ran significantly attenuated apoptotic cell death induced by the chemotherapeutic agent paclitaxel. FACS analysis demonstrated that Ran is involved in paclitaxel-induced cell cycle arrest. Stable overexpression of Ran also markedly inhibited the phosphorylation of Bcl-2 by paclitaxel, and inhibited the translocation of Bax, the release of cytochrome c and activation of caspase-3. Paclitaxel-induced phosphorylation of c-JUN N-terminal kinase (JNK), but not p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinase and Akt, was markedly suppressed in U373MG cells that stably expressed Ran. These results suggest that Ran suppresses paclitaxel-induced cell death through the downregulation of JNK-mediated signal pathways. Im Sun Woo and Han-Su Jang contributed equally to this work.     

Morusin induces apoptosis and suppresses NF-kappaB activity in human colorectal cancer HT-29 cells

Morusin is a pure compound isolated from root bark of Morusaustralis (Moraceae). In this study, we demonstrated that morusin significantly inhibited the growth and clonogenicity of human colorectal cancer HT-29 cells. Apoptosis induced by morusin was characterized by accumulation of cells at the sub-G₁ phase, fragmentation of DNA, and condensation of chromatin. Morusin also inhibited the phosphorylation of IKK-α, IKK-β and IκB-α, increased expression of IκB-α, and suppressed nuclear translocation of NF-κB and its DNA binding activity. Dephosphorylation of NF-κB upstream regulators PI3K, Akt and PDK1 was also displayed. In addition, activation of caspase-8, change of mitochondrial membrane potential, release of cytochrome c and Smac/DIABLO, and activation of caspase-9 and -3 were observed at the early time point. Downregulation in the expression of Ku70 and XIAP was exhibited afterward. Caspase-8 or wide-ranging caspase inhibitor suppressed morusin-induced apoptosis. Therefore, the antitumor mechanism of morusin in HT-29 cells may be via activation of caspases and inhibition of NF-κB.     

T-oligos inhibit growth and induce apoptosis in human ovarian cancer cells

Ovarian cancer remains a leading cause of death among women worldwide, and current treatment regimens for advanced disease are inadequate. Oligonucleotides with sequence homology to telomeres (called T-oligos) have been shown to mimic DNA damage responses in cells and induce cytotoxic effects in certain tumor cell lines. We studied the effects of 2 distinct 16 mer T-oligos in 4 human ovarian epithelial carcinoma cell lines. A T-oligo with perfect homology to the telomere overhang region demonstrated some cytotoxic activity in half of the cell lines. A G-rich T-oligo derivative showed more potency and broader cytotoxic activity in these lines than the parental T-oligo. Activation of apoptotic pathways in ovarian cancer cells by exposure to the T-oligo was demonstrated by multiple independent assays. T-oligo was shown to have additive, or more than additive, activity in combination with 2 different histone deacetylase drugs currently in clinical testing. T-oligos may therefore provide a new and tumor-targeted approach to ovarian cancers.     

IL-4 suppresses UVB-induced apoptosis in skin

In this study, cutaneous role of IL-4 in UVB-induced apoptosis was investigated using transgenic mice with skin-specific expression of IL-4 (IL-4 Tg mice). The transgenic mice did not show any gross clinical abnormalities. However, epidermis was thickened and increased MHC class II positive cells were detected as well as enhanced expression of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1 and TNF-alpha in skin. In addition, histological analysis revealed increased infiltration of lymphocytes, acanthosis, hyperkeratosis, and parakeratosis in skin of IL-4 Tg mice. The physiological effect of IL-4 overexpression in skin against environmental stimulus such as UVB was investigated by irradiating wild-type and IL-4 Tg mice with UVB followed by evaluation of apoptosis. The result demonstrated suppressed apoptosis in epidermis of IL-4 Tg mice compared with wild-type mice. To further assess anti-apoptotic function of IL-4 in keratinocytes, stable cell clones were made where IL-4 was constitutively overexpressed and examined for UVB-induced apoptosis. The results showed that apoptosis was remarkably decreased in IL-4 over-expressing cell clones compared with that in mock transfected cells. Collectively, data presented here shows that IL-4 has an inhibitory effect against UVB-induced apoptosis in keratinocytes, suggesting that IL-4 may be an important regulator in cutaneous immunity against UVB.     

Dichloroacetate alters Warburg metabolism,inhibits cell growth,and increases the X-ray sensitivity of human A549 and H1299 NSC lung cancer cells

We investigated whether altering Warburg metabolism (aerobic glycolysis) by treatment with the metabolic agent dichloroacetate (DCA) could increase the X-ray-induced cell killing of the radiation-resistant human non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines A549 and H1299. Treatment with 50 mM DCA decreased lactate production and glucose consumption in both A549 and H1299, clear indications of attenuated aerobic glycolysis. In addition, we found that DCA treatment also slowed cell growth, increased population-doubling time, and altered cell cycle distribution. Furthermore, we report that treatment with 50 mM DCA significantly increased single and fractionated X-ray-induced cell killing of A549 and H1299 cells. Assay of DNA double-strand break repair by neutral comet assays demonstrated that DCA inhibited both the fast and the slow kinetics of X-ray-induced DSB repair in both A549 and H1299 NSCL cancer cells. Taken together the data suggest a correlation between an attenuated aerobic glycolysis and enhanced cytotoxicity and radiation-induced cell killing in radiation-resistant NSCLC cells.     

The TF-antigen binding lectin from Sclerotium rolfsii inhibits growth of human colon cancer cells by inducing apoptosis in vitro and suppresses tumor growth in vivo

Glycan array analysis of Sclerotium rolfsii lectin (SRL) revealed its exquisite binding specificity to the oncofetal Thomsen-Friedenreich (Galβ1-3GalNAcα-O-Ser/Thr, T or TF) antigen and its derivatives. This study shows that SRL strongly inhibits the growth of human colon cancer HT29 and DLD-1 cells by binding to cell surface glycans and induction of apoptosis through both the caspase-8 and -9 mediated signaling. SRL showed no or very weak binding to normal human colon tissues but strong binding to cancerous and metastatic tissues. Intratumor injection of SRL at subtoxic concentrations in NOD-SCID mice bearing HT29 xenografts resulted in total tumor regression in 9 days and no subsequent tumor recurrence. As the increased expression of TF-associated glycans is commonly seen in human cancers, SRL has the potential to be developed as a therapeutic agent for cancer.     

IL-6 receptors and sensitivity to growth inhibition by IL-6 in clones of human breast carcinoma cells.

Pure recombinant human IL-6 inhibits growth of T47D, MCF-7 and SK-BR-3 human breast carcinoma and OVCAR-3 ovarian carcinoma cells in cultures. Subcloning of the breast ductal carcinoma T47D cells yields clones with high and low sensitivity to the growth inhibitory effect of IL-6. The subclones vary 40 fold in their sensitivity for inhibition of colony formation in sparse cultures and 200 fold for inhibition of thymidine incorporation in subconfluent cultures. Binding studies with 125I-rIL6 show that T47D cells and their subclones, as well as SK-BR-3 and MCF-7 cells, express high-affinity receptors for IL-6. The number and affinity constant of these receptors are comparable to those on lymphocytic and myeloid cells, and show no correlation with the high or low sensitivity phenotype. Proliferation of the breast cancer cells is inhibited by IL-6 in a cell density dependent manner, and is not due to a cytotoxic effect. In addition, IL-6 induces a morphological change with loss of epithelial characteristics and of cell-cell adhesion. Sensitivity to growth inhibition by IL-6 is independent from that of IFN-beta 1, IFN-gamma or TNF.     

Geraniin suppresses tumor cell growth and triggers apoptosis in human glioma via inhibition of STAT3 signaling

Natural phytochemicals are attracting increasing interest as anticancer agents. The aim of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic potential of geraniin, a major ellagitannin extracted from Geranium sibiricum L., in human glioma. Human U87 and LN229 glioma cells were treated with different concentrations of geraniin, and cell viability, apoptosis, and gene expression were assessed. The involvement of STAT3 signaling in the action of geraniin was examined. We found that geraniin treatment for 48 h significantly (P < 0.05) impaired the phosphorylation of STAT3 and reduced the expression of downstream target genes Bcl-xL, Mcl-1, Bcl-2, and cyclin D1. Exposure to geraniin led to a concentration-dependent decline in cell viability and increase in apoptosis in glioma cells, but had no significant impact on the viability of normal human astrocytes. Measurement of caspase-3 activity showed that geraniin-treated U87 and LN229 cells showed a 1.8–2.5-fold higher caspase-3 activity than control cells. Overexpression of constitutively active STAT3 significantly (P < 0.05) reversed geraniin-mediated growth suppression and apoptosis, which was accompanied by restoration of Bcl-xL, Mcl-1, Bcl-2, and cyclin D1 expression. In an xenograft tumor mouse model, geraniin treatment significantly retarded tumor growth and induced apoptosis. Western blot analysis confirmed the suppression of STAT3 phosphorylation in glioma xenograft tumors by geraniin. Taken together, these data suggest that geraniin exerts growth-suppressive and pro-apoptotic effects on glioma cells via inhibition of STAT3 signaling and may have therapeutic benefits in malignant gliomas.