miR-218与口腔癌顺铂耐药性的相关性分析

本研究检测了顺铂敏感性和非敏感性口腔癌组织中的miR-218表达,发现在非敏感性口腔癌中miR-218的表达水平显著增加。本研究将人舌鳞状细胞癌细胞系(UM1)暴露在顺铂中6个月,发现miR-218在顺铂耐药的UM1细胞中明显上调。通过转染miR-218抑制剂可显著增加UM1细胞对顺铂的敏感性。转染miR-218模拟物可抑制PPP2R5A的表达。转染过表达PPP2R5A的慢病毒可增加UM1细胞对顺铂的敏感性。转染miR-218模拟物增强了UM1细胞活力,而转染过表达PPP2R5A的慢病毒则抑制了miR-218诱导的细胞活力。转染miR-218模拟物上调了β-catenin的表达,而转染过表达PPP2R5A的慢病毒则抑制了β-catenin的上调。本研究证明miR-218是口腔癌中顺铂耐药性的重要调节因子。miR-218的上调通过抑制PPP2R5A,从而激活Wnt信号通路,进而降低了口腔癌的顺铂敏感性。     

靶向抑制铜伴侣蛋白CCS逆转卵巢癌C13*细胞的顺铂耐药性

顺铂（cisplatin）,即二胺二氯铂/diaminedichloroplatinum（DDP）,是治疗卵巢癌最有效的化疗药物;然而,耐药性是限制顺铂临床治疗效果的最重要因素。目前,卵巢癌对顺铂的耐药机制仍不十分清楚。超氧化物歧化酶1铜伴侣蛋白（copper chaperone for superoxide dismutase 1, CCS）介导Cu2+特异性传递给超氧化物歧化酶1（superoxide dismutase1, SOD1）,为维持细胞增殖和生存所必需;相反,抑制CCS可减缓肿瘤细胞增殖。本研究旨在证明,AMPK依赖的CCS表达与卵巢癌的顺铂耐药有关。实时定量PCR及免疫印迹结果显示,与顺铂敏感细胞株OV2008比较,顺铂耐药细胞株C13*中的CCS mRNA和蛋白质表达水平明显上调。shRNA靶向沉默CCS或采用抑制剂DC_AC50抑制CCS后,可明显增强顺铂对C13*细胞增殖的抑制作用,提示CCS高表达与顺铂耐药相关,而抑制CCS可逆转顺铂的耐药性。同样,免疫印迹结果证明,CCS在A549、H1944等6种不同肺癌细胞中的表达水平高低与顺铂敏感性密切相关。采用siRNA干扰CCS在A549细胞中的高表达,或在CCS低表达的H1944细胞中过表达CCS,可明显增加A549或减弱H1944细胞对顺铂的敏感性,进一步证明CCS表达与顺铂耐药性相关。此外,采用AMPK抑制剂化合物C阻断AMPKα Thr172磷酸化（激活）,即抑制AMPK信号通路,可明显抑制CCS在C13*细胞中的表达,提高其对顺铂的敏感性。以上研究结果提示,AMPK信号通路依赖的CCS表达参与肿瘤的顺铂耐药机制,而抑制CCS逆转顺铂耐药。本文的结果还提示,CCS有望成为克服顺铂耐药的潜在靶点。     

靶向抑制铜伴侣蛋白CCS逆转卵巢癌C13~*细胞的顺铂耐药性北大核心CSCD

顺铂(cisplatin),即二胺二氯铂/diaminedichloroplatinum(DDP),是治疗卵巢癌最有效的化疗药物;然而,耐药性是限制顺铂临床治疗效果的最重要因素。目前,卵巢癌对顺铂的耐药机制仍不十分清楚。超氧化物歧化酶1铜伴侣蛋白(copper chaperone for superoxide dismutase 1,CCS)介导Cu2+特异性传递给超氧化物歧化酶1(superoxide dismutase1,SOD1),为维持细胞增殖和生存所必需;相反,抑制CCS可减缓肿瘤细胞增殖。本研究旨在证明,AMPK依赖的CCS表达与卵巢癌的顺铂耐药有关。实时定量PCR及免疫印迹结果显示,与顺铂敏感细胞株OV2008比较,顺铂耐药细胞株C13*中的CCS mRNA和蛋白质表达水平明显上调。shRNA靶向沉默CCS或采用抑制剂DC_AC50抑制CCS后,可明显增强顺铂对C13*细胞增殖的抑制作用,提示CCS高表达与顺铂耐药相关,而抑制CCS可逆转顺铂的耐药性。同样,免疫印迹结果证明,CCS在A549、H1944等6种不同肺癌细胞中的表达水平高低与顺铂敏感性密切相关。采用siRNA干扰CCS在A549细胞中的高表达,或在CCS低表达的H1944细胞中过表达CCS,可明显增加A549或减弱H1944细胞对顺铂的敏感性,进一步证明CCS表达与顺铂耐药性相关。此外,采用AMPK抑制剂化合物C阻断AMPKα-Thr172磷酸化(激活),即抑制AMPK信号通路,可明显抑制CCS在C13*细胞中的表达,提高其对顺铂的敏感性。以上研究结果提示,AMPK信号通路依赖的CCS表达参与肿瘤的顺铂耐药机制,而抑制CCS逆转顺铂耐药。本文的结果还提示,CCS有望成为克服顺铂耐药的潜在靶点。     

siRNA抑制S100A4 表达对卵巢癌细胞CP70生物学特性的影响

摘要 目的：探讨人卵巢癌顺铂耐药细胞株CP70沉默S100A4 基因后,CP70细胞对顺铂敏感性、凋亡及细胞迁移的影响。方法：设计并合成S100A4基因特异性的siRNA并转染入卵巢癌细胞CP70,48 h后应用RT-PCR和Western Blot检测在mRNA和蛋白水平siRNA对S100A4的影响,MTT法检测转染 siRNA后卵巢癌细胞CP70对顺铂敏感性的变化。;用流式细胞术检测顺铂（40 μM） 对转染S100A4 siRNA后对卵巢癌细胞CP70凋亡的影响,Transwell法观察siRNA抑制S100A4后对卵巢癌CP70迁移能力的影响。 结果：与空白对照组、阴性对照组相比,S100A4 siRNA转染组CP70细胞的S100A4基因和蛋白表达降低(P<0.01)。MTT法检测顺铂敏感性发现S100A4 siRNA转染组CP70细胞顺铂敏感性增强。在顺铂刺激下,siRNA转染组细胞凋亡率高于其他各组,差异具有统计学意义（P<0.05）。Transwell发现CP70细胞迁移能力明显下降（P<0.05）。结论：S100A4 siRNA能够明显抑制CP70细胞S100A4的表达,从而增强细胞对顺铂的敏感性,促进细胞凋亡,减弱细胞的迁移能力。S100A4有望成为逆转卵巢癌铂类耐药的治疗靶点。     

siRNA抑制S100A4表达对卵巢癌细胞CP70生物学特性的影响

目的：探讨人卵巢癌顺铂耐药细胞株CP70沉默S100A4基因后,CP70细胞对顺铂敏感性、凋亡及细胞迁移的影响。方法：设计并合成S100A4基因特异性的siRNA并转染入卵巢癌细胞CP70,48 h后应用RT-PCR和Western Blot检测在mRNA和蛋白水平siRNA对S100A4的影响,MTT法检测转染siRNA后卵巢癌细胞CP70对顺铂敏感性的变化。用流式细胞术检测顺铂（40μM）对转染S100A4 siRNA后对卵巢癌细胞CP70凋亡的影响,Transwell法观察siRNA抑制S100A4后对卵巢癌CP70迁移能力的影响。结果：与空白对照组、阴性对照组相比,S100A4siRNA转染组CP70细胞的S100A4基因和蛋白表达降低（P〈0.01）。MTT法检测顺铂敏感性发现S100A4 siRNA转染组CP70细胞顺铂敏感性增强。在顺铂刺激下,siRNA转染组细胞凋亡率高于其他各组,差异具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。Transwell发现CP70细胞迁移能力明显下降（P〈0.05）。结论：S100A4 siRNA能够明显抑制CP70细胞S100A4的表达,从而增强细胞对顺铂的敏感性,促进细胞凋亡,减弱细胞的迁移能力。S100A4有望成为逆转卵巢癌铂类耐药的治疗靶点。     

iNOS抑制剂1400W通过p53途径增强顺铂对宫颈癌SiHa细胞的化疗效果

该文探讨了iNOS抑制剂1400W联合顺铂对宫颈癌SiHa细胞株生长抑制作用及其机制。应用MTT法检测1400W及顺铂对宫颈癌Si Ha细胞生长的抑制作用;流式细胞仪检测1400W及顺铂对宫颈癌Si Ha细胞凋亡的影响;quantitative RT-PCR和Western blot检测1400W及顺铂对宫颈癌Si Ha细胞p53、鼠双微基因2(murine double minut 2,MDM2)、DNA依赖蛋白激酶(DNA-dependent protein kinase,DNA-PK)蛋白及m RNA表达的影响。结果显示,通过i NOS抑制剂1400W联合顺铂作用于宫颈癌Si Ha细胞株发现,1400W联合顺铂能明显抑制Si Ha细胞生长,其抑制作用与剂量呈正相关。1400W可以增强顺铂诱导的细胞凋亡作用。进一步研究证实,1400W可以抑制顺铂诱导的p53积聚,增加鼠双微基因2及DNA依赖蛋白激酶的表达。该实验结果为治疗宫颈癌患者提供了新的治疗策略,即通过联合使用i NOS抑制剂,可以增强顺铂对宫颈癌细胞的杀伤作用,提高顺铂对宫颈癌患者的治疗作用。     

AIB1影响卵巢癌预后及增强卵巢癌对顺铂抵抗的研究

据报道,乳腺癌扩增因子(AIB1)能促进乳腺癌的发生发展和转移。然而,AIB1和卵巢癌的发生发展关系尚不清楚。本研究提取了TCGA数据库中卵巢癌患者癌组织的m RNA表达数据,利用在线软件Kaplan-Meier plotter分别分析了aib1基因表达与卵巢癌患者以及经过顺铂治疗过的患者的总生存期(OS)、进展后生存期(PPS)和无进展生存期(PFS)之间的相关性。结果表明,无论在总的卵巢癌患者群体中还是在顺铂治疗后的群体中,aib1基因高表达患者的OS、PPS以及PFS都显著降低。在人卵巢癌细胞系(SKVO3)中,通过转染AIB1过表达质粒和小干扰RNA(si RNA),分别上调和下调AIB1表达来检测SKVO3对顺铂的敏感性。结果表明,上调AIB1表达抑制了SKVO3细胞对顺铂的敏感性,而下调AIB1表达促进了SKVO3细胞对顺铂的敏感性。进一步研究发现,AIB1高表达上调了卵巢癌细胞中B淋巴细胞瘤-2(BCL2)、B细胞淋巴瘤/白血病x基因长片段(BCL2L1)的表达,而干扰AIB1表达下调了细胞中BCL2、BCL2L1的表达。通过提取TCGA数据库中的卵巢癌患者癌组织m RNA表达数据,利用在线软件GEPIA分析了aib1基因m RNA表达与bcl2、bcl2l1基因m RNA表达的相关性。结果发现,aib1基因表达与bcl2、bcl2l1基因表达呈显著正相关。其结果进一步表明,AIB1可能调节BCL2和BCL2L1的表达。总之,AIB1能作为判断卵巢癌预后的标志物以及卵巢癌治疗的潜在分子靶点,并且抑制AIB1能够增强顺铂对卵巢癌的治疗效果。本研究为卵巢癌对顺铂抵抗的机制提供了新的见解,对克服卵巢癌化疗抵抗具有一定的价值。     

Keap1-Nrf2信号通路参与子宫内膜癌细胞增殖、转移、耐药机制的研究

目的:研究Kelch样环氧氯丙烷相关蛋白1(Keap1)-核转录因子E2相关因子(Nrf2)信号通路对子宫内膜癌细胞生长、转移及耐药的影响。方法:选择代表I型子宫内膜癌细胞的KLE细胞株和代表II型子宫内膜癌的ARK2细胞株,采用real-time PCR和Western blot法测定两细胞株Keap1和Nrf2基因m RNA、蛋白表达,MTT法检测两细胞株对顺铂耐药性。对Keap1表达更低、耐药性更强的ARK2细胞株的Keap1基因过表达。Real-time PCR、Western blot、平板克隆实验、MTT法、Transwell迁徙、侵袭实验等方法研究ARK2细胞中Keap1过表达对Nrf2及下游靶基因表达、细胞生长、侵袭、耐药的影响。结果:在ARK2和KLE细胞中Nrf2基因m RNA表达无明显差异,ARK2细胞中Keap1基因表达无论是m RNA还是蛋白水平在的表达均要低于KLE细胞株,而Nrf2蛋白水平的表达在ARK2细胞株中则要明显高于KLE细胞株。Keap1表达较低的ARK2细胞较Keap1高表达的KLE细胞耐药性更高。ARK2细胞株中Keap1过表达能够明显下调Nrf2蛋白及下游基因ABCC2、γ-GCS表达;MTT实验和平板克隆实验表明Keap1过表达能够降低ARK2细胞增殖能力;Keap1过表达能够降低ARK2细胞迁徙和侵袭能力;Keap1过表达能够显著提高ARK2细胞对顺铂的敏感性。结论:Keap-Nrf2信号通路在子宫内膜浆液性癌细胞株ARK2中活化程度显著高于子宫内膜样癌细胞株KLE,Keap1对Nrf2蛋白表达调控是基于转录后的,且低表达的Keap1及高表达的Nrf2蛋白和肿瘤细胞的高耐药性有关。在子宫内膜浆液性癌细胞株ARK2中上调Keap1基因表达能够有效的下调Nrf2蛋白及其下游基因的表达,并降低肿瘤细胞的生长、迁徙、侵袭能力,且能提高肿瘤细胞对顺铂的敏感性。     

10种ABC转运蛋白在鼻咽癌顺铂耐药细胞系中的表达

为研究鼻咽癌细胞CNE2中顺铂耐药与10种ABC转运蛋白的关系,分别用顺铂、顺铂+5-氟脲嘧啶来诱导CNE2耐药,在脱药培养2个月后通过MTT法测定细胞的生长曲线及其与顺铂的量效关系和耐药指数,同时,通过荧光定量PCR法检测耐药细胞与敏感细胞中10种ABC转运蛋白mRNA表达的差异,并通过免疫细胞化学法验证．MTT法结果提示,成功诱导出两株分别对顺铂、顺铂+5-氟脲嘧啶耐药的细胞株(分别命名为CNE2/DDP、CNE2/DDP+5Fu),耐药指数分别为2.58和5.31,ABCC2在两株耐药细胞株中表达均上调,分别为2.50和4.08倍,免疫细胞化学法结果表明,ABCC2在两株耐药细胞中表达均增强,同时ABCC2还可在CNE2/DDP+5Fu细胞核中表达．上述结果表明ABCC2在CNE2细胞对顺铂的耐药性中可能发挥着重要的作用．     

干扰SET8在胃癌细胞肿瘤进展和顺铂敏感性中的作用

目的 探究SET8对胃癌的进展以及对顺铂敏感性的影响。方法 采用免疫组织化学和蛋白质免疫印迹分析胃癌癌组织中SET8表达,采用qRT-PCR检测胃癌细胞中SET8 mRNA水平;胃癌BGC-823细胞转染SET8-shRNA后,采用CCK-8法检测细胞增殖,采用细胞集落形成实验检测细胞集落形成能力,采用transwell法检测细胞的迁移和侵袭能力;最后,采用CCK-8法检测干扰SET8表达对胃癌BGC-823细胞顺铂敏感性的影响。结果 胃癌组织及胃癌细胞中SET8表达明显升高;干扰SET8表达可抑制胃癌BGC-823细胞增殖、集落形成、迁移与侵袭,并提高胃癌细胞对顺铂敏感性。结论 干扰SET8表达可抑制胃癌细胞进展并提高顺铂敏感性。     

Baicalein inhibits cell growth and increases cisplatin sensitivity of A549 and H460 cells via miR‐424‐3p and targeting PTEN/PI3K/Akt pathway

Lung cancer is the leading cause of death in individuals with malignant disease. Non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer, and chemotherapy drugs such as cisplatin are the most widely used treatment for this disease. Baicalein is a purified flavonoid compound that has been reported to inhibit cancer cell growth and metastasis and increase sensitization to chemotherapeutic drugs via different pathways. Therefore, we assessed the effects of baicalein on the proliferation, apoptosis and cisplatin sensitivity in the NSCLC A549 and H460 cell lines and determined the pathways through which baicalein exerts its effects. Baicalein was slightly toxic to normal human bronchial NHBE cells but inhibited growth, induced apoptosis and increased cisplatin sensitivity in A549 and H460 cells. Baicalein down‐regulated miR‐424‐3p, up‐regulated PTEN expression and down‐regulated expression of PI3K and p‐Akt in A549 and H460 cells. Dual‐luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that PTEN is a target gene of miR‐424‐3p, and overexpression of miR‐424‐3p or silencing of PTEN partially attenuated the effects of baicalein on A549 and H460 cells. Taken together, we concluded that baicalein inhibits cell growth and increases cisplatin sensitivity to A549 and H460 cells via down‐regulation of miR‐424‐3p and targeting the PTEN/PI3K/Akt pathway.     

MicroRNA-217 Functions as a Tumour Suppressor Gene and Correlates with Cell Resistance to Cisplatin in Lung Cancer

MiR-217 can function as an oncogene or a tumour suppressor gene depending on cell type. However, the function of miR-217 in lung cancer remains unclear to date. This study aims to evaluate the function of miR-217 in lung cancer and investigate its effect on the sensitivity of lung cancer cells to cisplatin. The expression of miR-217 was detected in 100 patients by real-time PCR. The effects of miR-217 overexpression on the proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of SPC-A-1 and A549 cells were investigated. The target gene of miR-217 was predicted by Targetscan online software, screened by dual luciferase reporter gene assay and demonstrated by Western blot. Finally, the effects of miR-217 up-regulation on the sensitivity of A549 cells to cisplatin were determined. The expression of miR-217 was significantly lower in lung cancer tissues than in noncancerous tissues (p < 0.001). The overexpression of miR-217 significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion as well as promoted the apoptosis of lung cancer cells by targeting KRAS. The up-regulation of miR-217 enhanced the sensitivity of SPC-A-1 and A549 cells to cisplatin. In conclusion, miR-217 suppresses tumour development in lung cancer by targeting KRAS and enhances cell sensitivity to cisplatin. Our results encourage researchers to use cisplatin in combination with miR-217 to treat lung cancer. This regime might lead to low-dose cisplatin application and cisplatin side-effect reduction.     

鼻咽癌差异表达基因PROL4特性分析

在正常成人鼻咽与鼻咽癌活检组织之间进行抑制性消减杂交和微阵列(microarray)杂交,获得了鼻咽癌差异表达基因PROL4的全长cDNA序列,其GenBank登录号为：AF530472.该基因包含567个核苷酸,其编码产物是由134个氨基酸组成的富含脯氨酸蛋白.采用RT-PCR证实了PROL4基因在鼻咽癌细胞株HNE1和鼻咽癌活检组织中表达下调或缺失（42/48）.12种组织RNA印迹显示：PROL4基因在人骨骼肌、胸腺和肺组织中表达,其转录本大小约为0.6 kb,与所克隆的PROL4基因的cDNA大小一致.进而通过肿瘤表达谱阵列（cancer profiling array）杂交检测了其在乳腺癌、子宫癌、结肠癌、胃癌、卵巢癌、肺癌、肾癌、直肠癌、甲状腺癌、子宫颈癌、前列腺癌、胰腺癌、小肠癌组织及其配对的正常组织的表达状况.     

顺铂联合VEGF抗体对食管癌移植瘤小鼠免疫调节以及癌细胞增殖和肺转移的影响

摘要 目的：研究顺铂联合血管内皮生长因子（vascular endothelial growth factor,VEGF）治疗对食管癌移植瘤小鼠免疫功能、癌细胞增殖以及肺转移的影响。方法：30只BALB/c小鼠通过皮下注射食管癌移植瘤模型。一周后,30只食管癌移植瘤模型小鼠被随机均分为3组,即模型组、顺铂组和联合组。模型组不进行治疗,顺铂组腹腔注顺铂治疗,联合组腹腔注射顺铂联合尾静脉注射VEGF抗体进行治疗,共治疗7周。比较各组小鼠体重,食管癌移植瘤体积和重量,卵巢癌细胞肺组织转移结节数、癌细胞转移面积和转移病灶总数,以及食管癌移植瘤外周血CD4⁺、CD8⁺以及CD4⁺/CD8⁺ T淋巴细胞比例。结果：（1）顺博组和联合组小鼠体重均显著高于对照组,而联合组小鼠体重显著高于顺铂组（P<0.05）;（2）顺铂组和联合组小鼠CD4+和CD8+细胞比例均显著低于对照组（P<0.05）,而CD4⁺/CD8⁺却显著高于对照组（P<0.05）;（3）联合组小鼠CD4⁺和CD8⁺细胞比例均显著高于对照组（P<0.05）,而CD4⁺/CD8⁺却显著低于顺铂组（P<0.05）;（4）顺铂组和联合组小鼠食管癌肿瘤组织体积和重量,肺转移结节数、转移面积和转移病灶数均显著低于对照组（P<0.05）,而联合组小鼠显著低于顺铂组（P<0.05）。结论：VEGF抗体可以显著增强顺铂在体内对食管癌的抗癌特性,并有助于增强食管癌移植瘤小鼠免疫功能、抑制癌细胞体内增殖和肺部转移。     

EPS8 Inhibition Increases Cisplatin Sensitivity in Lung Cancer Cells

Cisplatin, a commonly used chemotherapeutic, is associated with ototoxicity, renal toxicity and neurotoxicity, thus identifying means to increase the therapeutic index of cisplatin may allow for improved outcomes. A SNP (rs4343077) within EPS8, discovered through a genome wide association study of cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis in lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs), provided impetus to further study this gene. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the role of EPS8 in cellular susceptibility to cisplatin in cancerous and non-cancerous cells. We used EPS8 RNA interference to determine the effect of decreased EPS8 expression on LCL and A549 lung cancer cell sensitivity to cisplatin. EPS8 knockdown in LCLs resulted in a 7.9% increase in cisplatin-induced survival (P = 1.98×10⁻⁷) and an 8.7% decrease in apoptosis (P = 0.004) compared to control. In contrast, reduced EPS8 expression in lung cancer cells resulted in a 20.6% decrease in cisplatin-induced survival (P = 5.08×10⁻⁵). We then investigated an EPS8 inhibitor, mithramycin A, as a potential agent to increase the therapeutic index of cisplatin. Mithramycin A decreased EPS8 expression in LCLs resulting in decreased cellular sensitivity to cisplatin as evidenced by lower caspase 3/7 activation following cisplatin treatment (42.7%±6.8% relative to control P = 0.0002). In 5 non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cell lines, mithramycin A also resulted in decreased EPS8 expression. Adding mithramycin to 4 NSCLC cell lines and a bladder cancer cell line, resulted in increased sensitivity to cisplatin that was significantly more pronounced in tumor cell lines than in LCL lines (p<0.0001). An EGFR mutant NSCLC cell line (H1975) showed no significant change in sensitivity to cisplatin with the addition of mithramycin treatment. Therefore, an inhibitor of EPS8, such as mithramycin A, could improve cisplatin treatment by increasing sensitivity of tumor relative to normal cells.     

Association of p73 G4C14‐to‐A4T14 polymorphism at exon 2 with the response of human lung adenocarcinoma cell lines to chemotherapy

In order to assess the effect of p73 gene polymorphism G4C14‐A4T14 on cisplatin‐based chemosensitivity of human lung adenocarcinoma cell lines, we examined the differences in biological character and drug sensitivity affected by cisplatin between human lung adenocarcinoma cell lines A549 and P15. The allelic expression ofp73 in A549 and P15 was studied by Sty I polymorphism analysis. MTT [3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay was used to analyse the response of these two cell lines to cisplatin. The changes in the biological behaviour of the cells were observed by colony formation assay. The drug‐induced apoptosis of cells was measured by Hoechst and TUNEL techniques. Homozygous allelic expression was demonstrated in the two cell lines. AT/AT genotype appeared in A549, GC/GC genotype was detected in P15. Although the colony formation number decreased with an increasing cisplatin dose (P<0.05), there was no significant difference in colony‐formation rate in these two cell lines (P>0.05). MTT assay also determined that the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) for A549 and P15 was 8.9 and 11.6 μmol/l, respectively; the IC₅₀ value did not differ significantly between A549 and P15 (P>0.05). The cell apoptosis induced by cisplatin was demonstrated in both A549 and P15. P73 G4C14‐A4T14 polymorphisms at exon 2 existed in human NSCLC (non‐small‐cell lung cancer) cell lines. Our data in vitro suggest that p73 G4C14‐A4T14 polymorphism has no significant relationship to the cisplatin‐based chemosensitivity in human lung adenocarcinoma.     

USP7 promotes cell proliferation through the stabilization of Ki-67 protein in non-small cell lung cancer cells

The Ki-67 antigen (Ki-67) is the most reliable immunohistochemical marker for evaluation of cell proliferation in non-small cell lung cancer. However, the mechanisms underlying the regulation of protein levels of Ki-67 in non-small cell lung cancer have remained elusive. In this study, we found that Ki-67 and ubiquitin-specific processing protease 7 (USP7) protein were highly expressed in the nucleus of non-small cell lung cancer cells. Furthermore, statistical analysis uncovered the existence of a strong correlation between Ki-67 and USP7 levels. We could also show that the protein levels of Ki-67 in non-small cell lung cancer cells significantly decreased after treatment with P22077, a selective chemical inhibitor of USP7, while the Ki-67 mRNA levels were unperturbed. Similar results were obtained by knocking down USP7 using short hairpin RNA (shRNA) in lung cancer cells. Interestingly, we noticed that ubiquitination levels of Ki-67 increased dramatically in USP7-silenced cells. The tests in vitro and vivo showed a significant delay in tumor cell growth upon knockdown of USP7. Additionally, drug sensitivity tests indicated that USP7-silenced A549 cells had enhanced sensitivity to paclitaxel and docetaxel, while there was no significant change in sensitivity toward carboplatin and cisplatin. Taken together, these data strongly suggest that the overexpression of USP7 might promote cell proliferation by deubiquitinating Ki-67 protein, thereby maintaining its high levels in the non-small cell lung cancer. Our study also hints potential for the development of deubiquitinase-based therapies, especially those targeting USP7 to improve the condition of patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer.     

Metabolic vulnerability of cisplatin‐resistant cancers

Cisplatin is the most widely used chemotherapeutic agent, and resistance of neoplastic cells against this cytoxicant poses a major problem in clinical oncology. Here, we explored potential metabolic vulnerabilities of cisplatin‐resistant non‐small human cell lung cancer and ovarian cancer cell lines. Cisplatin‐resistant clones were more sensitive to killing by nutrient deprivation in vitro and in vivo than their parental cisplatin‐sensitive controls. The susceptibility of cisplatin‐resistant cells to starvation could be explained by a particularly strong dependence on glutamine. Glutamine depletion was sufficient to restore cisplatin responses of initially cisplatin‐resistant clones, and glutamine supplementation rescued cisplatin‐resistant clones from starvation‐induced death. Mass spectrometric metabolomics and specific interventions on glutamine metabolism revealed that, in cisplatin‐resistant cells, glutamine is mostly required for nucleotide biosynthesis rather than for anaplerotic, bioenergetic or redox reactions. As a result, cisplatin‐resistant cancers became exquisitely sensitive to treatment with antimetabolites that target nucleoside metabolism.     

Impaired DNA double-strand breaks repair by kinesin family member 4A inhibition renders human H1299 non-small-cell lung cancer cells sensitive to cisplatin

Patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are routinely treated with the platinum-based chemotherapeutics such as cisplatin. The drug exerts anticancer effects via multiple mechanisms, including DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Enhanced DNA DSB repair capacity would be associated with innate or acquired drug resistance. However, despite strong evidence for the role of the chromokinesin kinesin family member 4A (KIF4A) in DSB repair, the relationship between the chromokinesin and cisplatin sensitivity of human NSCLC cells remains unknown. Furthermore, little is known regarding the effect of targeting KIF4A on the function of DSB repair-related proteins in these cells. In the current study, we demonstrated that cisplatin treatment stimulated the expression of KIF4A protein in human NSCLC cells. Depletion of KIF4A by small interfering RNA significantly enhanced cisplatin-induced cell cycle arrest in S and G2/M phases and cytotoxicity in human NSCLC cells. Furthermore, we found that KIF4A inhibition suppressed the ability of cisplatin to induce BRCA2 and Rad51 focus formation and limits the further increase in poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 activity induced by cisplatin treatment in human NSCLC cells. These studies thus identify the chromokinesin KIF4A as a novel modulator of cisplatin sensitivity that is significantly enhanced by the chromokinesin in human NSCLC cells via multiple mechanisms.