miR-195 Inhibits EMT by Targeting FGF2 in Prostate Cancer Cells

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the leading causes of deaths in America. The major cause of mortality can be attributed to metastasis. Cancer metastasis involves sequential and interrelated events. miRNAs and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) are implicated in this process. miR-195 is downregulated in many human cancers. However, the roles of miR-195 in PCa metastasis and EMT remain unclear. In this study, data from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) prostate cancer database were re-analysed to detect miR-195 expression and its roles in PCa. miR-195 was then overexpressed in castration-resistant PCa cell lines, DU-145 and PC-3. The role of miR-195 in migration and invasion in vitro was also investigated, and common markers in EMT were evaluated through Western blot analysis. A luciferase reporter assay was conducted to confirm the target gene of miR-195; were validated in PCa cells. In MSKCC data re-analyses, miR-195 was poorly expressed in metastatic PCa; miR-195 could be used to diagnose metastatic PCa by measuring the corresponding expression. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) was 0.705 (P = 0.017). Low miR-195 expression was characterised with a shorter relapse-free survival (RFS) time. miR-195 overexpression suppressed cell migration, invasion and EMT. Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) was confirmed as a direct target of miR-195. FGF2 knockdown also suppressed migration, invasion and EMT; by contrast, increased FGF2 partially reversed the suppressive effect of miR-195. And data from ONCOMINE prostate cancer database showed that PCa patients with high FGF2 expression showed shorter RFS time (P = 0.046). Overall, this study demonstrated that miR-195 suppressed PCa cell metastasis by downregulating FGF2. miR-195 restoration may be considered as a new therapeutic method to treat metastatic PCa.     

Genistein Inhibits Prostate Cancer Cell Growth by Targeting miR-34a and Oncogenic HOTAIR

Objective

Genistein is a soy isoflavone that has antitumor activity both in vitro and in vivo. It has been shown that genistein inhibits many type of cancers including prostate cancer (PCa) by regulating several cell signaling pathways and microRNAs (miRNAs). Recent studies suggest that the long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are also involved in many cellular processes. At present there are no reports about the relationship between gensitein, miRNAs and lncRNAs. In this study, we focused on miRNAs, lncRNA that are regulated by genistein and investigated their functional role in PCa.

Method

Microarray (SurePrint G3 Human GE 8×60K) was used for expression profiling of genistein treated and control PCa cells (PC3 and DU145). Functional assay (cell proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis and cell cycle assays) were performed with the PCa cell lines, PC3 and DU145. Both in vitro and in vivo (nude mouse) models were used for growth assays. Luciferase reporter assays were used for binding of miR-34a to HOTAIR.

Results

LncRNA profiling showed that HOTAIR was highly regulated by genistein and its expression was higher in castration-resistant PCa cell lines than in normal prostate cells. Knockdown (siRNA) of HOTAIR decreased PCa cell proliferation, migration and invasion and induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. miR-34a was also up-regulated by genistein and may directly target HOTAIR in both PC3 and DU145 PCa cells.

Conclusions

Our results indicated that genistein inhibited PCa cell growth through down-regulation of oncogenic HOTAIR that is also targeted by tumor suppressor miR-34a. These findings enhance understanding of how genistein regulates lncRNA HOTAIR and miR-34a in PCa.     

miR-29a靶向调控PDGFB促进非小细胞肺癌细胞凋亡

为了探究miR-29a对非小细胞肺癌细胞增殖和凋亡的影响及分子机制,本研究通过荧光定量PCR检测肺癌组织、癌旁组织、肺癌细胞以及人正常肺支气管上皮细胞BEAS-2B中miR-29a的表达,在肺癌A549转染miR-29a mimics后,使用荧光定量PCR和CCK-8法分别检测miR-29a的表达以及各组细胞的活力,使用流式细胞术检测A549细胞凋亡;通过荧光定量PCR检测肺癌组织、癌旁组织PDGFB m RNA的表达,采用Western blot检测PDGFB蛋白的表达;使用双荧光素酶报告基因检测miR-29a可能的靶基因;在肺癌A549细胞转染miR-29a mimics后继续转染PDGFB过表达质粒,通过qPCR和Western blotting分别检测PDGFB mRNA和蛋白的表达。结果表明,与癌旁组织相比,miR-29a在肺癌组织的表达显著下调(p<0.01),PDGFB在肺癌组织的表达显著增加(p<0.01);转染miR-29a mimics后,肺癌A549细胞中miR-29a表达显著增加(p<0.01);CCK-8法结果显示miR-29a mimics组A549肺癌细胞在24 h和48 h后细胞增值率较miR-NC对照组显著降低(p<0.01);流式细胞术结果显示miR-29a mimics组的细胞凋亡率较miR-NC对照组显著增加(p<0.01);与miR-NC+PDGFB 3’UTR WT组相比,miR-29a mimics+PDGFB 3’UTR WT组的荧光强度显著降低(p<0.01);荧光定量PCR和Western blotting显示miR-29a mimics+PDGFB组PDGFB m RNA和蛋白表达量与miR-29a mimics+vector组相比显著增加(p<0.01)。本研究结果表明miR-29a在肺癌组织和肺癌细胞株中低表达,及抑制PDGFB的表达并且促进肺癌细胞凋亡。     

Novel Analogue of Colchicine Induces Selective Pro-Death Autophagy and Necrosis in Human Cancer Cells

Colchicine, a natural product of Colchicum autumnae currently used for gout treatment, is a tubulin targeting compound which inhibits microtubule formation by targeting fast dividing cells. This tubulin-targeting property has lead researchers to investigate the potential of colchicine and analogs as possible cancer therapies. One major study conducted on an analogue of allocolchicine, ZD 6126, was halted in phase 2 clinical trials due to severe cardio-toxicity associated with treatment. This study involves the development and testing of novel allocolchicine analogues that hold non-toxic anti-cancer properties. Currently we have synthesized and evaluated the anti-cancer activities of two analogues; N-acetyl-O-methylcolchinol (NSC 51046 or NCME), which is structurally similar to ZD 6126, and (S)-3,8,9,10-tetramethoxyallocolchicine (Green 1), which is a novel derivative of allocolchicine that is isomeric in the A ring. NSC 51046 was found to be non-selective as it induced apoptosis in both BxPC-3 and PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells and in normal human fibroblasts. Interestingly, we found that Green 1 was able to modestly induce pro-death autophagy in these pancreatic cancer cells and E6-1 leukemia cells but not in normal human fibroblasts. Unlike colchicine and NSC 51046, Green 1 does not appear to affect tubulin polymerization indicating that it has a different molecular target. Green 1 also caused increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in mitochondria isolated from pancreatic cancer cells. Furthermore, in vivo studies revealed that Green 1 was well tolerated in mice. Our findings suggest that a small change in the structure of colchicine has apparently changed the mechanism of action and lead to improved selectivity. This may lead to better selective treatments in cancer therapy.     

Hypoxia Induces Autophagy through Translational Up-Regulation of Lysosomal Proteins in Human Colon Cancer Cells

Hypoxia occurs in a wide variety of physiological and pathological conditions, including tumorigenesis. Tumor cells have to adapt to hypoxia by altering their gene expression and protein synthesis. Here, we showed that hypoxia inhibits translation through activation of PERK and inactivation of mTOR in human colon cancer HCT116 cells. Prolonged hypoxia (1% O₂, 16 h) dramatically inhibits general translation in HCT116 cells, yet selected mRNAs remain efficiently translated under such a condition. Using microarray analysis of polysome- associated mRNAs, we identified a large number of hypoxia-regulated genes at the translational level. Efficiently translated mRNAs during hypoxia were validated by polysome profiling and quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that many of the up-regulated genes are involved in lysosome, glycan and lipid metabolism, antigen presentation, cell adhesion, and remodeling of the extracellular matrix and cytoskeleton. The majority of down-regulated genes are involved in apoptosis, ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, and oxidative phosphorylation. Further investigation showed that hypoxia induces lysosomal autophagy and mitochondrial dysfunction through translational regulation in HCT116 cells. The abundance of several translation factors and the mTOR kinase activity are involved in hypoxia-induced mitochondrial autophagy in HCT116 cells. Our studies highlight the importance of translational regulation for tumor cell adaptation to hypoxia.     

Novel Pharmacologic Targeting of Tight Junctions and Focal Adhesions in Prostate Cancer Cells

Cancer cell resistance to anoikis driven by aberrant signaling sustained by the tumor microenvironment confers high invasive potential and therapeutic resistance. We recently generated a novel lead quinazoline-based Doxazosin® derivative, DZ-50, which impairs tumor growth and metastasis via anoikis. Genome-wide analysis in the human prostate cancer cell line DU-145 identified primary downregulated targets of DZ-50, including genes involved in focal adhesion integrity (fibronectin, integrin-α6 and talin), tight junction formation (claudin-11) as well as insulin growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) and the angiogenesis modulator thrombospondin 1 (TSP-1). Confocal microscopy demonstrated structural disruption of both focal adhesions and tight junctions by the downregulation of these gene targets, resulting in decreased cell survival, migration and adhesion to extracellular matrix (ECM) components in two androgen-independent human prostate cancer cell lines, PC-3 and DU-145. Stabilization of cell-ECM interactions by overexpression of talin-1 and/or exposing cells to a fibronectin-rich environment mitigated the effect of DZ-50. Loss of expression of the intracellular focal adhesion signaling effectors talin-1 and integrin linked kinase (ILK) sensitized human prostate cancer to anoikis. Our findings suggest that DZ-50 exerts its antitumor effect by targeting the key functional intercellular interactions, focal adhesions and tight junctions, supporting the therapeutic significance of this agent for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer.     

Delphinidin Reduces Cell Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Cells by Targeting EGFR/VEGFR2 Signaling Pathways

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) have emerged as two effective clinical targets for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In the present study, we found that delphinidin, an anthocyanidin, present in pigmented fruits and vegetables, is a potent inhibitor of both EGFR and VEGFR2 in NSCLC cells that overexpress EGFR/VEGFR2. Using these cells, we next determined the effects of delphinidin on cell growth and apoptosis in vitro and on tumor growth and angiogenesis in vivo. Delphinidin (5-60 µM) treatment of NSCLC cells inhibited the activation of PI3K, and phosphorylation of AKT and MAPKs. Additionally, treatment of NSCLC cells with delphinidin resulted in inhibition of cell growth without having significant toxic effects on normal human bronchial epithelial cells. Specifically, treatment of NCI-H441 and SK-MES-1 cells with delphindin (5-60 µM) resulted in (i) cleavage of PARP protein, (ii) activation of caspase-3 and -9, (iii) downregulation of anti-apoptotic proteins (Bcl2, Bcl-xL and Mcl-1), (iv) upregulation of pro-apoptotic proteins (Bax and Bak), and (v) decreased expression of PCNA and cyclin D1. Furthermore, in athymic nude mice subcutaneously implanted with human NSCLC cells, delphinidin treatment caused a (i) significant inhibition of tumor growth, (ii) decrease in the expression of markers for cell proliferation (Ki67 and PCNA) and angiogenesis (CD31 and VEGF), and (iii) induction of apoptosis, when compared with control mice. Based on these observations, we suggest that delphinidin, alone or as an adjuvant to current therapies, could be used for the management of NSCLC, especially those that overexpress EGFR and VEGFR2.     

上调miR-216a-5p通过靶向双特异性磷酸酶10抑制胃癌细胞自噬并增强放射敏感性

摘要 目的：探究miR-216a-5p对胃癌细胞自噬和放射敏感性的调控机制及其对双特异性磷酸酶10（DUSP10）的调控作用。方法：采用直线加速器6-MV X射线照射SGC-7901细胞,剂量率为0.8Gy/min,总剂量为8Gy。用Lipofectamine 2000试剂将miR-216a-5p mimic、NC mimic、pcDNA DUSP10或pcDNA NC转染到SGC-7901细胞中。转染后,将细胞分为miR-216a-5p mimic组和NC mimic组,每组又分为0Gy和8Gy两个亚组。在拯救实验中,将细胞分为miR-216a-5p mimic+pcDNA DUSP10组和miR-216a-5p mimic+pcDNA NC组。通过qRT-PCR检测miR-216a-5p和DUSP10 mRNA水平。通过5-乙炔基-2''-脱氧尿苷（EdU）掺入实验和集落形成测定检测细胞增殖。通过流式细胞仪评估细胞凋亡。通过Western blot检测DUSP10、Bax、Bad、Bcl-2、LC3和p62的蛋白表达。通过免疫荧光法检测γH2AX的表达,用于评估细胞中的DNA双链断裂（DSB）。通过荧光素酶报告基因检测miR-216a-5p和DUSP10的靶向关系。通过GFP-mRFP-LC3检测自噬体。结果：与8Gy NC-mimic组相比,8Gy miR-216a-5p-mimic组的集落数量、EdU阳性率和Bcl-2蛋白表达水平降低,而γH2AX阳性率、细胞凋亡率和Bax和Bad蛋白表达水平升高（P<0.01）。与8Gy NC-mimic组相比,8Gy miR-216a-5p-mimic组的自噬体数量和LC3II蛋白表达水平降低,而p62蛋白表达水平升高（P<0.001）。与miR-216a-5p-mimic共培养后,与DUSP10-3''-UTR-MUT组相比,DUSP10-3''-UTR-WT的相对荧光素酶活性显著降低（P<0.001）。与NC-mimic组相比,miR-216a-5p-mimic组的DUSP10 mRNA和蛋白表达水平均降低（P<0.001）。与miR-216a-5p mimic+pcDNA NC组相比,miR-216a-5p mimic+pcDNA DUSP10组的集落数量和自噬体数量升高,而细胞凋亡率降低（P<0.001）。结论：miR-216a-5p通过抑制DUSP10来抑制细胞增殖、增加放射诱导的细胞凋亡并抑制放射诱导的自噬,从而增强胃癌细胞的放射敏感性。     

miR-125a-5p通过靶向调控GAB2抑制乳腺癌细胞的迁移能力

miR-125a-5p可负性调节GAB2表达,抑制胶质瘤细胞的侵袭和转移。本研究旨在证明miR-125a-5p抑癌作用的普遍性,即miR-125a-5p是否可通过靶向抑制GAB2抑制乳腺癌细胞的迁移。荧光素酶实验结果显示,miR-125a-5p可特异识别GAB2的3′-UTR,抑制报告酶的表达。荧光定量PCR结果揭示,与正常乳腺上皮细胞MCF-10A比较,miR-125a-5p在乳腺癌细胞MDA231和MCF-7中的表达明显降低;与迁移能力相对较低的MCF-7细胞比较,miR-125a-5p在迁移能力较高的MDA231细胞中的表达量更低。Western 印迹结果证明,与空载体（对照）和anti-miR125a 5p转染细胞比较,转染miR-125a-5p明显抑制GAB2蛋白在乳腺癌细胞中的表达。Transwell结果显示,与空载体转染的对照细胞比较,转染miR-125a-5p的乳腺癌细胞穿过基质胶的细胞数明显减少;相反,转染anti-miR125a-5p的细胞穿过基质胶的细胞数却明显增多。上述结果提示,miR-125a-5p在正常的乳腺细胞中高表达,而在乳腺癌细胞中低表达,其表达水平与癌细胞的迁移能力和GAB2表达呈反向关系。本研究结果还提示,miR-125a-5p通过靶向负调控GAB2抑制乳腺癌细胞的迁移能力。总之,本研究证明,miR-125a-5p在肿瘤中发挥抑癌作用。     

Heat-Modified Citrus Pectin Induces Apoptosis-Like Cell Death and Autophagy in HepG2 and A549 Cancer Cells

Cancer is still one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and finding new treatments remains a major challenge. Previous studies showed that modified forms of pectin, a complex polysaccharide present in the primary plant cell wall, possess anticancer properties. Nevertheless, the mechanism of action of modified pectin and the pathways involved are unclear. Here, we show that citrus pectin modified by heat treatment induced cell death in HepG2 and A549 cells. The induced cell death differs from classical apoptosis because no DNA cleavage was observed. In addition, Z-VAD-fmk, a pan-caspase inhibitor, did not influence the observed cell death in HepG2 cells but appeared to be partly protective in A549 cells, indicating that heat-modified citrus pectin might induce caspase-independent cell death. An increase in the abundance of the phosphatidylethanolamine-conjugated Light Chain 3 (LC3) protein and a decrease in p62 protein abundance were observed in both cell types when incubated in the presence of heat-modified citrus pectin. These results indicate the activation of autophagy. To our knowledge, this is the first time that autophagy has been revealed in cells incubated in the presence of a modified form of pectin. This autophagy activation appears to be protective, at least for A549 cells, because its inhibition with 3-methyladenine increased the observed modified pectin-induced cytotoxicity. This study confirms the potential of modified pectin to improve chemotherapeutic cancer treatments.     

KML001 Induces Apoptosis and Autophagic Cell Death in Prostate Cancer Cells via Oxidative Stress Pathway

We investigated the effects of KML001 (NaAsO₂, sodium metaarsenite, Kominox), an orally bioavailable arsenic compound, on the growth and death of human prostate cancer cells and its mechanism of action. Growth inhibition was assessed by cytotoxicity assays in the presence or absence of inhibitor of apoptosis, inhibitor of autophagy or antioxidant N-Acetyl-_L-cysteine to study mechanism of cell death induced by KML001 in PC3, DU145 and LNCaP prostate cancer cell lines. Electron microscopy, flow cytometry and Western blotting were used to study apoptotic and autophagic mechanisms. The DU145 xenograft model was used to determine the efficacy of KML001 in vivo. KML001 decreased the viability of cells and increased the percentage of annexin V-positive cells dose-dependently in prostate cancer cells, and LNCaP cells were more sensitive to KML001 than PC3 or DU145 cells. Electron microscopy revealed typical apoptotic characters and autophagic vacuoles in cells treated with KML001. Exposure to KML001 in prostate cancer cells induced apoptosis and autophagy in a time- and dose-dependent manner. KML001 induced dose-dependent accumulation of reactive oxygen species, and scavenging the reactive oxygen species with N-Acetyl-_L-cysteine reduced LC3 and cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. KML001 significantly inhibited tumor growth in the DU145 xenograft model. In addition, significant decrease of proliferation and significant increases of apoptosis and autophagy were observed in KML001-treated tumors than in vehicle-treated tumors. Exposure of human prostate cancer cells to KML001 induced both apoptosis and autophagic cell death via oxidative stress pathway. And KML001 had an antiproliferative effect on DU145 cells in xenograft mice.     

雷公藤甲素诱导HeLa细胞p53依赖的自噬和凋亡

自噬与凋亡被认为是细胞程序性死亡的两种重要途径,二者的交互联系对阐明药物的抗肿瘤机理有重要价值.众多的研究表明,雷公藤甲素对多种肿瘤细胞都具有显著的抑制作用.细胞凋亡与自噬可被相同的因素所诱导,p53蛋白可以同时对二者起调控作用,在自噬与凋亡的交互作用(crosstalk)中扮演着重要角色.本文以He La细胞为模型,研究雷公藤甲素诱导He La细胞发生自噬和凋亡的机制,并通过抑制p53依赖的转录,研究雷公藤甲素诱导He La细胞p53依赖的自噬和凋亡交互联系.     

miR-126 调控前列腺癌机制研究

miR-126通过靶向作用于表皮生长因子域7(EGFL7)、同源框A9(HOXA9)、胰岛素受体底物-1(IlLS-1)、p85-B基因等,在转录后水平调控靶基因表达,在肿瘤形成中起重要作用。前列腺癌细胞中高表达miR-126,能明显下调VEGF-A、EGLF7、HOXA9、VCAM-l等与肿瘤生长、转移密切相关的蛋白分子。miR-126作为抑癌因子,在多种肿瘤中均下调。其抑癌作用及机制在肺癌、白血病、乳腺癌、宫颈癌等中均已得到证实。本课题拟对miR-126调控前列腺癌机制做一综述。     

miR-126调控前列腺癌机制研究

miR-126通过靶向作用于表皮生长因子域7（EGFL7）、同源框A9（HOXA9）、胰岛素受体底物-1（11LS-1）、p85-B基因等,在转录后水平调控靶基因表达,在肿瘤形成中起重要作用。前列腺癌细胞中高表达miR,126,能明显下调VEGF—A、EGLF7、HOXA9、VCAM—1等与肿瘤生长、转移密切相关的蛋白分子。miR-126作为抑癌因子,在多种肿瘤中均下调。其抑癌作用及机制在肺癌、白血病、乳腺癌、宫颈癌等中均已得到证实。本课题拟对miR-126调控前列腺癌机制做一综述。     

血管内皮细胞通过诱导ERG表达促进前列腺癌耐药

目的:探讨血管内皮细胞对前列腺癌细胞耐药能力的影响,并进一步研究血管内皮细胞作用于前列腺癌细胞的可能的分子机制。方法:1.利用Transwell小室构建共培养体系,通过CCK-8和Annexin V-FITC/PI检测细胞耐药的能力并通过蛋白印迹法(WB)检测凋亡相关分子的表达;2.利用聚合酶链式反应(PCR)及WB检测共培养后前列腺癌细胞中成红细胞病毒E26致癌物(ERG)的表达情况;利用酶联免疫吸附实验(ELISA)筛选出共培养组与非共培养组细胞上清之间有差异的细胞因子,并通过WB检测各个细胞因子与ERG的关系,确定影响ERG表达最明显的细胞因子。结果:1.前列腺癌细胞与血管内皮细胞共培养后,前列腺癌细胞对多西他赛的耐药性增加,细胞凋亡减少;2.共培养后前列腺癌细胞ERG的表达增高;血管内皮细胞分泌的成纤维细胞生长因子2(FGF2)在共培养后有明显增加,FGF2可以促进前列腺癌ERG的表达,并且这种病效应会被FGF2的抑制剂所逆转。结论:血管内皮细胞分泌的FGF2可促进前列腺癌细胞ERG的表达,促进前列腺癌细胞对多西他赛的耐药性。