沉默Bmi-1基因表达对MCF-7细胞阿霉素敏感性的影响

目的研究Bmi-1对MCF-7细胞阿霉素敏感性的影响及机制。方法阿霉素处理MCF-7／Bmilsi、MCF-7／GFPsi和MCF一7细胞株,M1Tr法检测阿霉素的IC50;DAPI检测阿霉素处理后细胞的凋亡,计算凋亡指数（apoptosisindex,AI）;Western印迹检测相关蛋白P53,phospho—Akt（Ser473）（pAkt）,totle—Akt（tAkt）,Bcl-2,Bax的表达。结果阿霉素处理72h的MCF-7／Bmi．1si组生长抑制率明显高于MCF-7和MCF-7／GFPsi组,MCF-7／Bmilsi组的IC50为（0．15±0．02）μg／ml,而MCF-7组和MCF-7／GFPsi组的IC50分别为（0．87±0．06）μg/ml和（0．81±0．02）μg/ml（P〈0．05）。阿霉素处理48h后用DAPI检测凋亡发现,MCF-7／Bmi．lsi＋doxorubiein组可见大量凋亡细胞,而MCF-7＋doxorubicin和MCF-7／GFPsi＋doxo—rubicin组出现较少的凋亡细胞,MCF-7／Bmi-1si＋doxorubicin组凋亡指数明显高于对照组（P〈0．05）。进一步研究发现：MCF-7／Bmi．1si＋doxorubicin组与MCF-7＋doxorubiein及MCF-7／GFPsi＋doxorubiein组相比,P53表达量增加,tAkt表达未发生改变,而pAkt的表达明显减少,另外,Bcl-2表达量减少而Bax表达量增加,差异具有显著性（P〈0．05）。结论沉默Bmi—l基因表达能增加MCF-7细胞对阿霉素的敏感性,增加阿霉素引起的凋亡。     

RNAi-mediated silencing of the Bmi-1 gene causes growth inhibition and enhances doxorubicin-induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells

The oncogene Bmi-1 is a member of the Polycomb group gene family. Its expression is found to be greatly increased in a number of malignant tumors including breast cancer. This could suggest Bmi-1 as a potent therapeutic target. In this study, RNAi was introduced to down-regulate the expression of Bmi-1 in a highly malignant breast adenocarcinoma cell line, MCF-7. A thorough study of the biological behavior and chemosensitivity changes of the MCF-7 cells was carried out in context to the therapeutic potential of Bmi-1. The results obtained indicated that siRNA targeting of Bmi-1 could lead to an efficient and specific inhibition of endogenous Bmi-1 activity. The mRNA and protein expression of Bmi-1 were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. Furthermore, silencing of Bmi-1 resulted in a drastic inhibition of the growth of MCF-7 cells as well as G(1) /S phase transition. The number of target cells was found to increase in phase G (0) /G (1) and decrease in the S phase, but no increase in the basal level of apoptosis was noticed. On the other hand, a reduction in the expression of cyclin D1 and an increase in the expression of p21 were also noticed. Silencing of Bmi-1 made the MCF-7 cells more sensitive to the chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin and induced a significantly higher percentage of apoptotic cells. Here, we report on a study regarding the RNAi-mediated silencing of the Bmi-1 gene in breast cancer.     

Silencing of Bcl-2 expression by small interfering RNA induces autophagic cell death in MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Apoptosis (programmed cell death type I) and autophagy (type II) are crucial mechanisms regulating cell death and homeostasis. The Bcl-2 proto-oncogene is overexpressed in 50-70% of breast cancers, potentially leading to resistance to chemotherapy, radiation and hormone therapy-induced apoptosis. Here, we investigated the role of Bcl-2 in autophagy in breast cancer cells. Silencing of Bcl-2 by siRNA in MCF-7 breast cancer cells downregulated Bcl-2 protein levels (>85%) and led to inhibition of cell growth (71%) colony formation (79%), and cell death (up to 55%) by autophagy but not apoptosis. Induction of autophagy was demonstrated by acridine orange staining, electron microscopy and an accumulation of GFP-LC3-II in autophagosomal membranes in MCF-7 cells transfected with GFP-LC-3(GFP-ATG8). Silencing of Bcl-2 by siRNA also led to induction of LC-3-II, a hallmark of autophagy, ATG5 and Beclin-1 autophagy promoting proteins. Knockdown of ATG5 significantly inhibited Bcl-2 siRNA-induced LC3-II expression, the number of GFP-LC3-II-labeled autophagosome positive cells and autophagic cell death (p < 0.05). Furthermore, doxorubicin at a high dose (IC(95), 1 microM) induced apoptosis but at a low dose (IC(50), 0.07 microM) induced only autophagy and Beclin-1 expression. When combined with Bcl-2 siRNA, doxorubicin (IC(50)) enhanced autophagy as indicated by the increased number cells with GFP-LC3-II-stained autophagosomes (punctuated pattern positive). These results provided the first evidence that targeted silencing of Bcl-2 induces autophagic cell death in MCF-7 breast cancer cells and that Bcl-2 siRNA may be used as a therapeutic strategy alone or in combination with chemotherapy in breast cancer cells that overexpress Bcl-2.     

腺病毒载体AdING4 对MCF-7乳腺癌细胞的增殖抑制及化疗增敏作用

目的:研究腺病毒载体AdING4对人MCF-7乳腺癌细胞的生长抑制及化疗增敏作用。方法:将搭载有ING-4基因的重组腺病毒载体AdING4感染人MCF-7乳腺癌细胞,用荧光显微镜观察感染后的MCF-7细胞形态学变化;RT-PCR和Western-Blot法检测ING-4基因在MCF-7细胞中的转录和表达;RT-PCR法检测凋亡相关基因在MCF-7细胞中的表达;CCK法测定Ad-ING4感染MCF-7乳腺癌细胞后所发挥的细胞增殖抑制作用。流式细胞技术检测ING-4对MCF-7乳腺癌细胞的促凋亡作用。CCK-8法分别测定病毒感染前后的MCF-7乳腺癌细胞的药物半数抑制浓度IC50,并观察Ad-ING4与化疗药物合用后对MCF-7细胞增殖抑制和化疗增敏现象。结果:MCF-7细胞在转染ING-4基因后,明显出现变圆、脱落、皱缩、聚集等现象;外源性ING-4基因在MCF-7细胞中获得成功表达;外源性ING-4基因作用下MCF-7细胞的增殖受到了明显抑制,凋亡率有所升高,凋亡相关基因Bax的表达水平明显上调,Bcl-2、Survivin的表达水平明显下调。ING-4基因感染MCF-7细胞后,使MCF-7细胞对相关化疗药物的敏感度更高;ING-4基因与化疗药物合用后对MCF-7细胞的增殖抑制作用,较之单用化疗药物更为明显。结论:MCF-7细胞在转染ING4基因后其增殖受到了明显抑制并更易凋亡,该现象可能是通过改变Bax,Bcl-2及Survivin表达水平来实现的,且对化疗药物的敏感性更高。     

Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 modulates expression of Bax and Bcl-2 and potentiates p53-independent radiation-induced apoptosis in human breast cancer cells

We report that transfection of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) cDNA in human breast cancer cell lines expressing either mutant p53 (T47D) or wild-type p53 (MCF-7) induces apoptosis. IGFBP-3 also increases the ratio of pro-apoptotic to anti-apoptotic members of the Bcl-2 family. In MCF-7, an increase in Bad and Bax protein expression and a decrease in Bcl-x(L) protein and Bcl-2 protein and mRNA were observed. In T47D, Bax and Bad proteins were up-regulated; Bcl-2 protein is undetectable in these cells. As T47D expresses mutant p53 protein, these modulations of pro-apoptotic proteins and induction of apoptosis are independent of p53. The effect of IGFBP-3 on the response of T47D to ionizing radiation (IR) was examined. These cells do not G(1) arrest in response to IR and are relatively radioresistant. Transfection of IGFBP-3 increased the radiosensitivity of T47D and increased IR-induced apoptosis but did not effect a rapid G(1) arrest. IR also caused a much greater increase in Bax protein in IGFBP-3 transfectants compared with vector controls. Thus, IGFBP-3 increases the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins and apoptosis both basally and in response to IR, suggesting it may be a p53-independent effector of apoptosis in breast cancer cells via its modulation of the Bax:Bcl-2 protein ratio.     

甲基莲心碱抗乳腺癌 MCF-7细胞的研究

目的:观察甲基莲心碱对乳腺癌细胞系MCF-7增殖和凋亡的影响,并探讨其诱导乳腺癌细胞系MCF-7凋亡的可能作用机制。方法:采用体外培养人乳腺癌细胞系MCF-7,CCK-8实验检测不同浓度甲基莲心碱对MCF-7细胞增殖抑制作用;乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)试剂盒(微板法)检测细胞上清液LDH含量;流式细胞术分析甲基莲心碱对MCF-7细胞周期及凋亡的影响;实时定量PCR(RT-PCR)检测线粒体凋亡相关基因Bax和Bcl-2的表达水平。结果:CCK-8、LDH结果显示甲基莲心碱以时间、浓度依耐性的方式抑制乳腺癌MCF-7细胞的增殖及促进细胞毒性的增加;流式细胞术结果表明不同甲基莲心碱作用下MCF-7的平均凋亡率分别为(15.44±0.52)、(18.81±2.24)、(24.26±2.84)、(36.90±3.15)、(59.27±5.86),且使其周期阻滞于G0/G1期;RT-PCR检测结果证明甲基莲心碱可上调乳腺癌细胞中促凋亡基因Bax的表达,而下调抑制凋亡基因Bcl-2。结论:甲基莲心碱以时间和浓度依赖的方式抑制乳腺癌细胞增殖、细胞毒性增加,导致细胞周期于G0/G1阻滞并促进癌细胞凋亡。甲基莲心碱抗乳腺癌的可能作用机制是激活线粒体凋亡途径。     

沉默Bmi-1基因表达稳定细胞株的建立及其生物学特性的研究

B细胞特异性莫洛尼鼠白血病病毒插入位点1(B-cell-specific moloney murine leukemia virus insertionsite 1,Bmi-1)基因是多梳基因家族成员,参与细胞增殖调控.研究发现Bmi-1基因可能参与肿瘤的形成,可能成为肿瘤潜在的治疗靶点.用RNA干扰(RNA interference,RNAi)沉默Bmi-1基因表达观察其对乳腺癌细胞株MCF-7侵袭和转移等生物学特性的影响,以探讨Bmi-1在乳腺癌发生发展中的作用.PT67细胞包装质粒后产生的逆转录病毒感染MCF-7细胞,嘌呤霉素筛选建立稳定细胞株,稳定抑制Bmi-1的细胞株命名为MCF-7/Bmi-1si.通过RT-PCR和Western blot分别从mRNA和蛋白水平检测Bmi-1的表达量;平板克隆形成实验检测细胞克隆形成能力;Transwell侵袭小室模型检测细胞体外侵袭和转移能力.MCF-7/Bmi-1si组与MCF-7和MCF-7/GFPsi组相比,Bmi-1 mRNA和蛋白表达量明显减少,克隆形成数及形成率也明显减少(P<0.05).侵袭和转移实验表明:与MCF-7和MCF-7/GFPsi组相比,MCF-7/Bmi-1si组细胞在Transwell侵袭小室中24 h穿膜细胞数明显减少(P<0.05).结果表明沉默Bmi-1基因表达稳定细胞株构建成功,Bmi-1基因表达的沉默能显著降低MCF-7细胞的体外增殖及侵袭转移能力.     

槟榔碱对人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞增殖和凋亡的影响

目的：观察槟榔碱对人乳腺癌细胞（MCF-7）增殖和凋亡的影响,并探讨其机制。方法：采用四甲基偶氮唑盐（MTT）法检测不同浓度（0、10、30、50、100、300、500μmol/L）槟榔碱对MCF-7细胞增殖的影响,Hoechst 33342染色和流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡,Western blot法检测Bax,Bcl-2和P53蛋白表达。结果：低浓度（0、10、30、50μmol/L）槟榔碱不影响细胞的增殖和凋亡;而高浓度（100、300、500 μmol/L）槟榔碱呈浓度依赖性抑制MCF-7细胞增殖、诱导MCF-7细胞凋亡、提高P53和Bax蛋白表达、降低Bcl-2蛋白表达。结论：高浓度槟榔碱抑制MCF-7细胞增殖、诱导凋亡,其机制可能与提高P53和Bax蛋白表达,降低Bcl-2蛋白表达有关。     

九香虫血淋巴对肿瘤细胞凋亡相关蛋白表达的影响

探索九香虫血淋巴诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡的作用通路。利用Bradford法检测九香虫血淋巴浓度并将其作用于体外培养的人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞、人胃癌SGC-7901细胞,Western blot法检测经九香虫血淋巴干预后肿瘤细胞凋亡相关蛋白Caspase-3、Caspase-8、Caspase-9、Bcl-2、Bax等的表达。结果显示,九香虫血淋巴作用的SGC-7901、MCF-7细胞中Caspase-3、Caspase-9、Bax蛋白的表达较对照组细胞明显上调;两种细胞的Bcl-2蛋白,较对照组细胞表达明显下调;两种细胞的Caspase-8蛋白,较对照组细胞表达无明显差异。结果表明,经九香虫血淋巴诱导的SGC-7901、MCF-7细胞可能通过触发其线粒体凋亡途径使肿瘤细胞发生不可逆的凋亡。     

Antiproliferative and apoptosis-induction studies of 5-hydroxy 3′,4′,7-trimethoxyflavone in human breast cancer cells MCF-7: an in vitro and in silico approach

The aim of this study was to find the efficacy of 5-hydroxy 3′,4′,7-trimethoxyflavone (HTMF), a flavonoid compound isolated from the medicinal plant Lippia nodiflora, in inhibiting the proliferation and inducing apoptosis in human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. The anti-proliferative effect of the compound HTMF was confirmed using MTT cytotoxicity assay. Increased apoptotic induction by HTMF was demonstrated by acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EtBr) and Hoechst 33258 staining studies. The phosphatidylserine translocation, an early feature of apoptosis and DNA damage were revealed through AnnexinV-Cy3 staining and comet assay. Moreover, the significant elevation of cellular ROS was observed in the treated cells, as measured by 2,7-diacetyl dichlorofluorescein (DCFH-DA). The mRNA expression studies also supported the effectiveness of HTMF by shifting the Bax:Bcl-2 ratio. The treatment of MCF-7 cells with HTMF encouraged apoptosis through the modulation of apoptotic markers, such as p53, Bcl-2, Bax, and cleaved PARP. In silico molecular docking and dynamics studies with MDM2-p53 protein revealed that HTMF was more potent compound that could inhibit the binding of MDM2 with p53 and, therefore, could trigger apoptosis in cancer cell. Overall, this study brings up scientific evidence for the efficacy of HTMF against MCF-7 breast cancer cells.     

Styrylpyrone derivative induces apoptosis through the up-regulation of Bax in the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7

In the fight against cancer, novel chemotherapeutic agents are constantly being sought to complement existing drugs. Various studies have presented evidence that the apoptosis that is induced by these anticancer agents is implicated in tumor regression, and Bcl-2 family genes play a part in apoptosis following treatment with various stimuli. Here, we present data that a styrylpyrone derivative (SPD) that is extracted from the plant Goniothalamus sp. showed cytotoxic effects on the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. SPD significantly increased apoptosis in MCF-7 cells, as visualized by phase contrast microscopy and evaluated by the Tdt-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling assay and nuclear morphology. Western blotting and immunostaining revealed up-regulation of the proapoptotic Bax protein expression. SPD, however, did not affect the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2. These results, therefore, suggest SPD as a potent cytotoxic agent on MCF-7 cells by inducing apoptosis through the modulation of Bax levels.     

Synergistic anticancer effects of lectin and doxorubicin in breast cancer cells

We studied the effects, either combined or alone, of lectin from Korean mistletoe (Viscum album var. coloratum agglutinin, VCA) and doxorubicin (DOX) in MCF-7 (estrogen receptor-positive) and MDA-MB231 (estrogen receptor-negative) human breast cancer cells. When VCA and DOX were combined, a strong synergistic effect was shown in cell growth inhibition, compared to VCA or DOX treatment alone. In quantitative apoptosis studies analyzed by flow cytometry, a combination of two agents showed an increase in apoptosis in both cells, compared to agents alone. Also, pro-apoptotic proteins including Bax, Bik, and Puma were increased in both cells, and the survival factor Bcl-2 was inhibited in MCF-7 cells when drugs were combined. Furthermore, VCA combined with DOX mediated S phase arrest, accompanied with a decrease of cell number at G0/G1 phase. This suggests that VCA and DOX combination may possibly lead to a novel strategy for the treatment of breast cancer.     

软骨多糖诱导MCF-7乳腺癌细胞凋亡的实验研究

研究软骨多糖诱导MCF-7乳腺癌细胞凋亡及其作用机理。方法:选用MCF-7人类乳腺癌细胞系体外培养,应用MTT法检测细胞生长抑制率,TUNEL法检测细胞凋亡率,HE染色法观察细胞形态学改变,流式细胞仪检测细胞周期的变化,免疫荧光方法检测BCL-2BAD及波形蛋白Vimentin的表达率。结果:软骨多糖对MCF-7细胞体外生长具有明显的抑制作用,且呈时间和浓度依赖性;软骨多糖可诱导MCF-7细胞发生凋亡并伴随有凋亡小体出现等形态学变化;软骨多糖促进BCL-2蛋白的表达水平下降,BAD表达水平上升,及Vimentin的降解。结论:软骨多糖能够在体外诱导MCF-7细胞凋亡,是一种新型的抗乳腺癌活性物质。     

Cytotoxic effect of sanguiin H-6 on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 human breast carcinoma cells

Sanguiin H-6 is a dimer of casuarictin linked by a bond between the gallic acid residue and one of the hexahydroxydiphenic acid units. It is an effective compound extracted from Rubus coreanus. It has an anticancer effect against several human cancer cells; however, its effect on breast cancer cells has not been clearly demonstrated. Thus, we aimed to investigate the anticancer effect and mechanism of action of sanguiin H-6 against two human breast carcinoma cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231). We found that sanguiin H-6 significantly reduced cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner. It also increased the rates at which MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells underwent apoptosis. Furthermore, sanguiin H-6 induced the cleavage of caspase-8, caspase-3, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, which resulted in apoptosis. However, cleavage of caspase-9 was only detectable in MCF-7 cells. In addition, sanguiin H-6 increased the ratio of Bax to Bcl-2 in both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. These findings suggest that sanguiin H-6 is a potent therapeutic agent against breast cancer cells. In addition, it exerts its anticancer effect in an estrogen-receptor-independent manner.     

Oestrogen-mediated suppression of tumour necrosis factor alpha-induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells: subversion of Bcl-2 by anti-oestrogens

In oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast carcinoma cells, 17β-oestradiol suppresses a dose-dependent induction of cell death by tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF). The ability of oestrogens to promote cell survival in ER-positive breast carcinoma cells is linked to a coordinate increase in Bcl-2 expression, an effect that is blocked with the pure anti-oestrogen ICI 182,780. The role of Bcl-2 in MCF-7 cell survival was confirmed by stable overexpression of Bcl-2 which resulted in suppression of apoptosis induced by doxorubicin (DOX), paclitaxel (TAX) and TNF as compared to vector-control cells. The pure anti-oestrogen ICI 182,780 in combination with TNF, DOX or TAX potentiated apoptosis in vector-transfected cells. Interestingly, pre-treatment with ICI 182,780 markedly enhanced chemotherapeutic drug- or TNF-induced apoptosis in Bcl-2 expressing cells, an effect that was correlated with ICI 182,780 induced activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase. Our results suggest that the effects of oestrogens/anti-oestrogens on the regulation of apoptosis may involve coordinate activation of signalling events and Bcl-2 expression.     

Molecular Modification of Metadherin/MTDH Impacts the Sensitivity of Breast Cancer to Doxorubicin

BackgroundBreast cancer is a leading cause of death in women and with an increasing worldwide incidence. Doxorubicin, as a first-line anthracycline-based drug is conventional used on breast cancer clinical chemotherapy. However, the drug resistances limited the curative effect of the doxorubicin therapy in breast cancer patients, but the molecular mechanism determinants of breast cancer resistance to doxorubicin chemotherapy are not fully understood. In order to explore the association between metadherin (MTDH) and doxorubicin sensitivity, the differential expressions of MTDH in breast cancer cell lines and the sensitivity to doxorubicin of breast cancer cell lines were investigated.MethodsThe mRNA and protein expression of MTDH were determined by real-time PCR and Western blot in breast cancer cells such as MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, MDA-MB-435S, MCF-7/ADR cells. Once MTDH gene was knocked down by siRNA in MCF-7/ADR cells and overexpressed by MTDH plasmid transfection in MDA-MB-231 cells, the cell growth and therapeutic sensitivity of doxorubicin were evaluated using MTT and the Cell cycle assay and apoptosis rate was determined by flow cytometry.ResultsMCF-7/ADR cells revealed highly expressed MTDH and MDA-MB-231 cells had the lowest expression of MTDH. After MTDH gene was knocked down, the cell proliferation was inhibited, and the inhibitory rate of cell growth and apoptosis rate were enhanced, and the cell cycle arrest during the G0/G1 phase in the presence of doxorubicin treatment. On the other hand, the opposite results were observed in MDA-MB-231 cells with overexpressed MTDH gene.ConclusionMTDH gene plays a promoting role in the proliferation of breast cancer cells and its high expression may be associated with doxorubicin sensitivity of breast cancer.     

BCL-2 antisense and cisplatin combination treatment of MCF-7 breast cancer cells with or without functional p53

Summary Chemotherapy has been used for treatment of breast cancer but with limited success. We characterized the effects of bcl-2 antisense and cisplatin combination therapy in two human isogenic breast carcinoma cells p53(+)MCF-7 and p53(−)MCF-7/E6. The transferrin-facilitated lipofection strategy we have developed yielded same transfection efficiency in both cells. Bcl-2 antisense delivered with this strategy significantly induced more cell death, apoptosis, and cytochrome c release in MCF-7/E6 than in MCF-7, but did not affect Fas level in both cells and activated caspase-8 equally. Cisplatin exerted same effects on cell viability and apoptosis in both cells, but released smaller amounts of cytochrome c while activated more caspase-8 in MCF-7/E6. The combination treatment yielded greater effects on cell viability, apoptosis, cytochrome c release, and caspase-8 activation than individual treatments in both cells although p53(−) cells were more sensitive. The potentiated activation of caspase-8 in the combination treatment suggested that caspase-8-mediated (but cytochrome c-independent) apoptotic pathway is the major contributor of the enhanced cell killing. Thus, bcl-2 antisense delivered with transferrin-facilitated lipofection can achieve the efficacy of killing breast cancer cells and sensitizing them to chemotherapy. Bcl-2 antisense and cisplatin combination treatment is a potentially useful therapeutic strategy for breast cancer irrespective of p53 status. Hesham Basma and Hesham El-Refaey contributed equally