Modulation of glutathione level during butyrate-induced differentiation in human colon derived HT-29 cells

Glutathione plays an important role in various cellular functions including cell growth and differentiation. In the present study, cell differentiation was induced by butyrate in human colon cell line HT-29 and cellular thiol status was assessed. It was observed that butyrate-induced differentiation was associated with decrease in cellular GSH level and this was prominent at early stages of differentiation. Buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), a specific cellular GSH depleting agent, did not induce differentiation in cells but potentiated the differentiation induced by butyrate. Both BSO and butyrate individually and together inhibited cell growth. These studies suggest that cellular GSH level is modulated in butyrate-induced differentiation and decrease of GSH at the initial stage might facilitate cellular differentiation.     

Energy state in HT-29 cells is linked to differentiation

Summary The relationship between the energy source used by HT-29 cells and their state of differentiation was determined. Short chain fatty acids and acetoacetate were applied to the cells for 9 d, after which the medium was replaced with conventional culture medium for a further 9 d so that the permanence of the changes could be assessed (18 d). Glucose utilization and lactic acid, acetoacetate, and β-hydroxybutyrate production by the cells were determined. Differentiation was assessed by the presence of the enzymes sucrase-isomaltase and carbonic anhydrase 1, as well as morphological changes of the cells. By tracing carbon from acetate, propionate, and butyrate through the cells, it was found that the carbon from the short-chain fatty acids was fluxed into acetoacetate. Significant amounts of acetoacetate were released by the propionate-treated culture after 9 d and the acetate-, propionate-, valerate-, and caproate-treated cultures after 18 d. A significant positive correlation was found between acetoacetate synthesis and differentiation. Acetoacetate applied to HT-29 cells also induced their differentiation. The acetate-, butyrate-, valerate-, isovalerate-, and caproate-treated cells underwent terminal differentiation, while the propionate- and isocaproate-treated cultures underwent programming events. We, therefore, conclude that HT-29 cells utilize short chain fatty acids in preference to glucose, metabolize these to ketones, thereby raising the energy state and effecting the observed morphological and functional changes in the cells.     

HT-29 colorectal cancer cells undergoing apoptosis overexpress COX-2 to delay ursolic acid-induced cell death

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancer types and the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the western world. Generally, colorectal cancers are resistant to anticancer drugs. Several lines of evidence support a critical role for cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) during colorectal tumorigenesis and its role in chemoresistance. In this study, we focused our interest on the role played by COX-2 in apoptosis induced in HT-29 human colorectal cancer cells by ursolic acid (UA), a triterpenoid found in a large variety of plants. We showed that UA-induced apoptosis and that COX-2 was overexpressed only in apoptotic cells. We demonstrated that this overexpression was mediated by the p38 MAP kinase pathway as inhibiting its activation using a p38-specific inhibitor, SB 203580, abrogated COX-2 expression. Inhibiting COX-2 expression either by using a p38-specific inhibitor or COX-2-specific siRNA increased apoptosis. These results demonstrated that COX-2 was involved in a resistance mechanism to UA-induced apoptosis in HT-29 cells. Cells undergoing apoptosis were able to trigger a resistance mechanism by overexpressing a protein such as COX-2 to delay their death. Furthermore, we demonstrated that this resistance mechanism was independent of PGE₂ production as the addition of the specific COX-2 activity inhibitor, NS-398, did not affect apoptosis in UA-treated cells.     

HMGB1 siRNA 对HT-29 细胞侵袭转移能力的影响

目的:观察干扰HMGB1表达对HT-29细胞侵袭转移能力的影响。方法:HMGB1 siRNA通过脂质体转染HT-29细胞,western blot和实时定量RT-PCR检测HT-29细胞中HMGB1蛋白和mRNA的表达,Transwell小室观察HT-29的转移侵袭能力。结果:干扰HMGB1后HMGB1蛋白和mRNA的表达均减少,HT-29的转移侵袭能力下降。结论:HMGB1能促进HT-29的转移侵袭能力,干扰其表达可抑制HT-29的转移侵袭。     

Lactobacillus plantarum AS1 binds to cultured human intestinal cell line HT-29 and inhibits cell attachment by enterovirulent bacterium Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Aim: Lactobacillus plantarum AS1 was incubated with HT‐29 adenocarcinoma cell line to assess its adhesion potency and examined for its inhibitory effect on the cell attachment by an enterovirulent bacterium Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Methods and Results: Lactobacillus plantarum AS1 attached efficiently to HT‐29 cells as revealed by scanning electron microscopy and bacterial adhesion assay. Lactobacillus plantarum AS1 significantly reduced V. parahaemolyticus attached to HT‐29 cells by competition, exclusion and displacement mode. Lactobacillus plantarum AS1 seems to adhere to human intestinal cells via mechanisms that involve different combinations of carbohydrate and protein factors on the bacteria and eukaryotic cell surface. Conclusion: Strain Lact. plantarum AS1 inhibits the cell attachment of a pathogen V. parahaemolyticus by steric hindrance mechanism. Also, antibacterial factors such as bacteriocins, lactic acid and exopolysaccharides could be involved. Significance and Impact of the Study: The ability to inhibit the adhesion of V. parahaemolyticus to intestinal cell line warrants further investigation to explore the use of probiotic strain Lact. plantarum AS1 in the management of gastroenteritis caused by V. parahaemolyticus.     

HMGB1 siRNA对HT-29细胞侵袭转移能力的影响

目的：观察干扰HMGBl表达对HT-29细胞侵袭转移能力的影响。方法：HMGB1siRNA通过脂质体转染HT-29细胞,westernblot和实时定量RT—PCR检测HT-29细胞中HMGB1蛋白和mRNA的表达,Transwell小室观察HT-29的转移侵袭能力。结果：干扰HMGBl后HMGB1蛋白和mRNA的表达均减少,HT-29的转移侵袭能力下降。结论：HMGB1能促进HT-29的转移侵袭能力,干扰其表达可抑制HT-29的转移侵袭。     

大黄素对HT-29细胞MAPKs信号通路活化及IL-8分泌的影响

目的：研究大黄素对IFN-和LPS刺激的人结肠癌细胞株HT-29细胞的ERK、JNK和p38MARK和IL-8表达的影响。方法：人结肠癌细胞株HT-29细胞与40ng／mL的IFN．共培养12h,再加入100ng／mLLPS刺激15min,用大黄素预处理进行干预。ELISA检测HT-29细胞内的ERK、JNK和p38MARK含量和细胞上清IL-8含量。结果：IFN-1和LPS刺激后HT-29细胞的ERK、JNK和p38MARK磷酸化水平和IL．8分泌明显升高。大黄素对p38和JNK磷酸化有明显的抑制作用,而对ERK磷酸化则没有明显抑制作用;大黄素能显著降低IFN-γ＋LPS所引起的HT-29细胞IL-8的大量产生,并且呈明显的剂量依赖关系。结论：大黄素能有效抑制IFN-γ＋LPS所引起的HT．29细胞p38和ⅢK的磷酸化,并显著降低IL-8分泌。     

大黄素对HT-29 细胞MAPKs 信号通路活化及IL-8 分泌的影响

目的:研究大黄素对IFN-和LPS刺激的人结肠癌细胞株HT-29细胞的ERK、JNK和p38 MARK和IL-8表达的影响。方法:人结肠癌细胞株HT-29细胞与40 ng/mL的IFN-共培养12 h,再加入100 ng/mL LPS刺激15 min,用大黄素预处理进行干预。ELISA检测HT-29细胞内的ERK、JNK和p38 MARK含量和细胞上清IL-8含量。结果:IFN-γ和LPS刺激后HT-29细胞的ERK、JNK和p38 MARK磷酸化水平和IL-8分泌明显升高。大黄素对p38和JNK磷酸化有明显的抑制作用,而对ERK磷酸化则没有明显抑制作用;大黄素能显著降低IFN-γ+LPS所引起的HT-29细胞IL-8的大量产生,并且呈明显的剂量依赖关系。结论:大黄素能有效抑制IFN-γ+LPS所引起的HT-29细胞p38和JNK的磷酸化,并显著降低IL-8分泌。     

Immunomodulatory activity of two potential probiotic strains in LPS-stimulated HT-29 cells

The relative expression of mucin, pro- and anti-inflammatory genes besides other signaling molecules in HT-29 cells by two test probiotic strains of Lactobacillus plantarum Lp9 and Lp91 and the reference strain L. plantarum 5276 was evaluated by RT-qPCR using Relative Expression Software Tool qBase-Plus under in vitro simulated gut conditions. Ten house keeping genes were evaluated by using geNorm 3.4 excel based application. The most stable genes were RPL27, ACTB and B2M which were subsequently used for calculating the normalization factor. Under pretreatment conditions (4 h probiotic treatment, followed by lipopolysaccharide challenge for 3 h), all the three strains evoked downregulation of IL-8 expression by ~100 %, while in case of TNF-α, the downregulation of the relative gene expression was at the rate of 98.2, 93.8 and 98.0 % with Lp5276, Lp9 and Lp91, respectively, under the same set of conditions. Lp91 evoked maximum downregulation of IL12p35 and IFN-γ with corresponding fold reduction in relative expression of the two genes by 96.5 and 96.7 % during pre-treatment conditions. However, IL-10 and IFN-α were significantly upregulated to the extent of 8.13 ± 0.36 and 2.62 ± 0.14 fold by Lp91 under the same conditions. Lp9 and Lp91 were also quite effective in inducing the expression of Cox-1 and Cox-2 in HT-29 cells as can be reflected from their ratios, i.e., 5.90 and 6.50 (under pretreatment conditions); 3.79 and 4.36 (under co-culture conditions). Thus, the two putative indigenous L. plantarum strains Lp9 and Lp91 demonstrated immunomodulating functions in HT-29 cells at significant levels under different experimental conditions.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s12263-014-0398-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Effects of increased cellular zinc levels on gene and protein expression in HT-29 cells

High cellular zinc concentrations lead to impairments in ATP synthesis and cell cycle control particularly in neurons and epithelial cells. The molecular basis for these dysfunctions is still not fully elucidated. Here we analyzed the effects of a high zinc exposure (10ppm) on gene and protein expression in the human epithelial cell line HT-29. Of the 1176 genes analyzed with cDNA arrays, nine differentially expressed genes were identified. Proteome analysis based on 1310 detected proteins identified 11 molecular targets. Most of the identified genes/proteins have not been linked to cellular zinc status before (e.g. PEC-60, R-ras3). More than half of the targets participate in ATP production or stress response. Therefore, it appears that higher zinc concentrations mediate their effects mainly via impairments in cellular energy metabolism and stress response.This work was in part supported by the Degussa Bio Actives GmbH, Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany.     

Cyclooxygenase-independent induction of p21WAF-1/cip1, apoptosis and differentiation by L-745,337, a selective PGH synthase-2 inhibitor, and salicylate in HT-29 cells

In order to dissect out cyclooxygenase-dependent from cyclooxygenase-independent mechanisms in the antiproliferative effects of selective prostaglandin H synthase (PGHS)-2 inhibitors, we compared the effects of L-745,337 (a highly selective PGHS-2 inhibitor) with sodium salicylate (a weak PGHS inhibitor) on prostanoid production, induction of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21^WAF-1/cip1, mutant p53 (m273-p53) levels, apoptosis and differentiation in human colon adenocarcinoma HT-29 cells. L-745,337 dose-dependently suppressed the cyclooxygenase activity of HT-29 cells (IC₅₀: 0.24 M). Four-day treatment with L-745,337 caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of cell growth (IC₅₀: 0.9 mM) associated with the induction of p21^WAF-1/cip1 and an increase in the proportion of apoptotic nuclei (EC₅₀: 0.1 and 0.34 mM, respectively) while reducing the levels of m273-p53 (IC₅₀: 0.2 mM). Sodium salicylate, at the concentration of 10 mM that did not affect prostanoid formation, caused a 60% reduction of cell growth associated with a 3-fold induction of p21^WAF-1/cip1 and a 60% increase in the proportion of apoptotic nuclei. Ultrastructural analysis showed that L-745,337 (0.5 mM) and sodium salicylate (10 mM) caused the induction of a differentiated phenotype. We conclude that high concentrations of L-745,337 and sodium salicylate inhibit colon cancer cell growth by a mechanism unrelated to cyclooxygenase inhibition that may involve p53-independent induction of the tumor suppressor p21^WAF-1/cip1.     

乳杆菌DM9811发酵液提取物中RNA组分对人结肠癌细胞系HT-29增殖影响及分子机制研究

目的观察乳杆菌DM9811发酵液提取物中RNA组分对人结肠癌细胞系HT-29增殖的影响,探讨其对肠道肿瘤细胞的作用及其分子机制,为阐明乳杆菌与宿主相互作用规律的分子机制奠定基础。方法应用MTT方法研究不同时间不同浓度RNA组分对HT-29增殖的影响,应用流式细胞术、RT-PCR研究RNA组分对HT-29细胞周期的影响。结果乳杆菌DM9811发酵液中RNA组分能抑制HT-29细胞增殖,并呈现出时间-剂量依赖性;RNA组分作用于HT-29细胞24 h、48 h时,细胞周期G0/G1期所占比例明显上升,S期所占比例明显降低(P0.01),细胞周期调控因子CDK6、p27Kip1、p53的表达升高,CDK2、CDK4、PCNA的表达降低。结论乳杆菌DM9811代谢产物RNA在体外具有抑制癌细胞周期活性。     

Phenotypic modulation of arterial smooth muscle cells is associated with prolonged activation of ERK1/2

Arterial smooth muscle cells grown in primary culture on a substrate of fibronectin in serum-free medium are converted from a contractile to a synthetic phenotype. This process is dependent on integrin signaling and includes a major structural reorganization with loss of myofilaments and formation of a large secretory apparatus. Functionally, the cells lose their contractility and become competent to migrate, secrete extracellular matrix components, and proliferate in response to growth factor stimulation. Here, it is demonstrated that the mitogen-activated protein kinases ERK1/2 play a vital role in the fibronectin-mediated modification of rat aortic smooth muscle cells. Immunoblotting showed that phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p44/p42) were expressed throughout the period when the change in phenotypic properties of the cells took place. Moreover, phosphorylated ERK1/2 accumulated in the nucleus as revealed by immunocytochemical staining. Additional support for an active role of ERK1/2 in the shift in smooth muscle phenotype was obtained by the finding that PD98059, an inhibitor of the upstream kinase MEK1, potently suppressed both the expression of phosphorylated ERK1/2 and the fine structural rebuilding of the cells. In conclusion, the observations point to an important and multifaceted role of ERK1/2 in the regulation of differentiated properties and growth of vascular smooth muscle cells.     

Phenotypic modulation of arterial smooth muscle cells is associated with prolonged activation of ERK1/2

Abstract Arterial smooth muscle cells grown in primary culture on a substrate of fibronectin in serum-free medium are converted from a contractile to a synthetic phenotype. This process is dependent on integrin signaling and includes a major structural reorganization with loss of myofilaments and formation of a large secretory apparatus. Functionally, the cells lose their contractility and become competent to migrate, secrete extracellular matrix components, and proliferate in response to growth factor stimulation. Here, it is demonstrated that the mitogen-activated protein kinases ERK1/2 play a vital role in the fibronectin-mediated modification of rat aortic smooth muscle cells. Immunoblotting showed that phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p44/p42) were expressed throughout the period when the change in phenotypic properties of the cells took place. Moreover, phosphorylated ERK1/2 accumulated in the nucleus as revealed by immunocytochemical staining. Additional support for an active role of ERK1/2 in the shift in smooth muscle phenotype was obtained by the finding that PD98059, an inhibitor of the upstream kinase MEK1, potently suppressed both the expression of phosphorylated ERK1/2 and the fine structural rebuilding of the cells. In conclusion, the observations point to an important and multifaceted role of ERK1/2 in the regulation of differentiated properties and growth of vascular smooth muscle cells.     

Synthesis and characterization of folate conjugated chitosan and cellular uptake of its nanoparticles in HT-29 cells

Folate–chitosan (FA–CS) conjugates synthesized by coupling FA with CS render new and improved functions because the original properties of CS are maintained and the targeting ligand of FA is incorporated. In this work, FA–CS conjugates were synthesized based on chemical linking of carboxylic group of FA with amino group of CS as confirmed by Fourier transform spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR). FA–CS conjugates displayed less crystal nature when compared to CS. The FA–CS nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by crosslinking FA–CS conjugates with sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP). Positively charged FA–CS nanoparticles were spherical in shape with a particle size of about 100 nm. Cellular uptake of CS or FA–CS nanoparticles was assayed by fluorescent microscopy using calcein as fluorescent marker in colon cancer cells (HT-29). The FA–CS nanoparticles exhibited improved uptake of HT-29 and could become a potential targeted drug delivery system for colorectal cancer.     

Unbalanced activation of ERK1/2 and MEK1/2 in apigenin-induced HeLa cell death

Apigenin, a dietary bioflavonoid with anticarcinogenic properties, was highly cytotoxic for HeLa cells (incubated with 0.5% FBS). This effect was accompanied with a marked increase in ERK1/2 but not MEK1/2 phosphorylation. The cytotoxic effects of apigenin were attenuated by the stimulation of these cells with 10% FBS, which provoked an increase in the phosphorylation levels of MEK1/2 and ERK1/2. The steps in the ERK1/2 pathway relevant to the cytotoxic effects of apigenin, as well as the contribution of other signaling pathways, were investigated. The activation of the pathway by transfection with the constitutively active Ras mutant (RasV12) conferred protection to serum-starved HeLa cells against apigenin, whereas the constitutively active MEK(E) mutant did not. MEK inhibitors (PD098059 or U0126) blocked ERK1/2 phosphorylation induced by apigenin and conferred partial protection against this flavonoid. The effects of apigenin did not involve p38-MAPK or JNK1/2, and were not simply due to inhibition of PI3kinase or protein kinase CK2. These data suggest that the deregulation of the ERK1/2 pathway, due to the potentiation of ERK1/2 phosphorylation without increasing MEK1/2 phosphorylation, is involved in apigenin-induced HeLa cell death.     

Annexin1 regulates the erythroid differentiation through ERK signaling pathway

K562 cells can be used as a model of erythroid differentiation on being induced by hemin. We found that the level of annexin1 gene expression was notably increased during this indicated process. To test the hypothesis that annexin1 can regulate erythropoiesis, K562 cell clones in which annexin1 was stably increased and was knocked down by RNAi were established, respectively. With analysis by hemoglobin quantification, benzidine staining, and marker gene expression profile determination, we confirmed that hemin-induced erythroid differentiation of K562 cells was modestly stimulated by overexpression of annexin1 while it was significantly blocked by knock down of annexin1. Further studies revealed that the mechanisms of annexin1 regulation of the erythroid differentiation was partially related to the increased ERK phosphorylation and expression of p21(cip/waf), since specific inhibitor of MEK blocked the function of annexin1 in erythroid differentiation. We concluded that annexin1 exerted its erythropoiesis regulating effect by ERK pathway.     

Urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor crosslinking in an NK cell line increases integrin surface expression by the MAP kinase/ERK 1/2 signaling pathway

Urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) is attached to cell membranes by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor, and as such is devoid of an intracellular domain, but is nevertheless able to initiate signal transduction. Herein, we report a relationship between integrins and uPAR on the surface of the human NK cell line, YT. Our data reveals that crosslinking uPAR, which mimics uPAR clustering at focal adhesion sites, causes increases in expression of the alpha(M), alpha(V), and beta(2) integrins on the surface of YT cells. Activation of the MEK/ERK signaling cascade occurs following uPAR crosslinking, as phosphorylation of both MEK 1/2 and ERK 1/2 results from receptor clustering. The MEK-specific inhibitors PD98059 and U0126 blocked MAP kinase phosphorylation; furthermore, PD98059 inhibited the increase in integrin expression induced by uPAR clustering. This study suggests that uPAR is a signaling receptor and regulator of integrins in NK cells and may impact NK cell function, including the potential for their accumulation within tumor metastases following adoptive transfer.