PARP2表达对肝细胞癌模型小鼠肿瘤生长及化疗敏感性影响及其机制研究

摘要 目的：研究聚[ADP-核糖]聚合酶2（Poly[ADP-ribose]polymerase 2, PAPR2）表达对干细胞癌模型小鼠肿瘤生长和对化疗药物敏感性的影响。方法：未转染的（对照组）、空载质粒转染（空载组）和si-PARP2转染（si-PARP2组）的Huh7细胞作为研究对象,比较体外化疗药物对不同Huh7细胞克隆形成数目和凋亡率。通过腋下皮下注射不同Huh7建立肝细胞癌模型小鼠,采用结晶紫染色观察并计数克隆形成数目;Annexin V-FITC细胞凋亡检测试剂盒检测Huh7细胞凋亡率;排水法测定肿瘤组织体积;免疫印迹法检测PARP2, B淋巴细胞瘤-2（B-cell lymphoma-2, Bcl2）和Bcl-2-Associated X蛋白（Bcl-2-Associated X, Bax）蛋白表达。结果：在体内外,转染si-PARP2均显著降低肝癌细胞中PARP2蛋白表达（P<0.05）。在体外,对照组和空载组Huh7细胞形成的细胞克隆数目和化疗药物诱导的凋亡率比较无显著差异（P>0.05）;si-PARP2组Huh7细胞形成的细胞克隆数目显著低于对照组和空载组（P<0.05）,而化疗药物引起的细胞凋亡率显著高于空白组和对照组（P<0.05）。在体内,si-PARP2组小鼠肝癌移植瘤重量和体积均显著低于对照组和空载组（P<0.05）。此外,与对照组和空载组相比,肝癌移植瘤组织内细胞经阿霉素治疗后细胞凋亡率、Bax和cleaved-caspase 3蛋白表达水平显著增加（P<0.05）,而Bcl2蛋白表达水平显著降低（P<0.05）。结论：PAPR2基因敲低可以显著抑制肝癌模型肿瘤生长和增强肝癌细胞对化疗药物的敏感性,其机制可能与PAPR2基因敲低促进肝癌细胞凋亡有关。     

Diphenyl difluoroketone: a potent chemotherapy candidate for human hepatocellular carcinoma

Diphenyl difluoroketone (EF24), a molecule having structural similarity to curcumin, was recently reported to inhibit proliferation of various cancer cells significantly. Here we try to determine the effect and mechanism of EF24 on hepatocellular carcinoma. 2 μM EF24 was found to inhibit the proliferation of PLC/PRF/5, Hep3B, HepG2, SK-HEP-1 and Huh 7 cell lines. However, even 8 μM EF24 treatment did not affect the proliferation of normal liver LO2 cells. Accordingly, 20 mg/kg/d EF24 inhibited the growth of the tumor xenografts conspicuously while causing no apparent change in liver, spleen or body weight. In addition, significant apoptosis and G(2)/M phase cell cycle arrest were found using flow cytometry. Besides, caspases and PARP activation and features typical of apoptosis including fragmented nuclei with condensed chromatin were also observed. Furthermore, the mechanism was targeted at the reduction of nuclear factor kappa b (NF-κB) pathway and the NF-κB-regulated gene products Bcl-2, COX-2, Cyclin B1. Our study has offered a strategy that EF24 being a therapeutic agent for hepatocellular carcinoma.     

肝细胞癌组织中OATP1B3的表达及其作用的初步研究

摘要 目的：探讨有机阴离子转运多肽1B3（OATP1B3）在肝细胞癌（肝癌）组织中的表达及作用。方法：通过免疫组化实验和免疫印迹试验（Western blot）检测肝癌组织及其癌旁组织中OATP1B3情况,并分析其与患者临床病理特征的相关性。采用实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应（qRT-PCR）检测OATP1B3在多株肝癌细胞中的表达情况,选择表达量相对较低的人肝癌细胞（HepG2和Huh7）细胞进行过表达实验,细胞毒实验（MTT）和流式细胞术分别检测OATP1B3对细胞增殖及凋亡的影响。结果：肝癌组织中OATP1B3表达水平明显低于癌旁组织（P<0.05）,且与患者恶性肿瘤国际临床病期分类（TNM分期）、肿瘤分化程度、有无肿瘤复发显著相关（P<0.05）。过表达OATP1B3可抑制HepG2和Huh7细胞增殖,促进细胞凋亡。结论：OATP1B3在肝癌组织中低表达,上调其表达可抑制肝癌细胞增殖和促进细胞凋亡。OATP1B3可能是肝癌的抑癌基因,对肝癌的发生、发展具有重要作用。     

Anti-hepatocellular carcinoma activity of tormentic acid derived from suspension cells of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eriobotrya japonica</Emphasis> (Thunb.) Lindl.

Tormentic acid (TA), which is the main pentacyclic triterpene secondary metabolite formed by Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl., was purified by preparative HPLC and characterized by UPLC-MS. The inhibitory activity of the purified material towards hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2, Bel-7405, Sk-hep-1) was evaluated based on proliferation, tumorigenesis, transformation, invasion and migration, as well as its ability to induce apoptosis in these cells. At concentrations of 22.5 μg/mL or more, TA led to considerable decreases in cell viability, colony formation and cell migration. TA treatment also induced apoptosis in the three hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines evaluated in this study. These effects were related to changes in the expression levels of Caspase3 and poly ADP-ribose polymerase, therefore highlighting the potent anti-cancer activity of TA towards all three of these cell lines.     

Apigenin inhibits hepatoma cell growth through alteration of gene expression patterns

Apigenin, a common plant flavonoid, has been shown to possess anti-tumor properties; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms are still not completely understood. In the present study, we investigated the effects of apigenin on human hepatoma Huh7 cell proliferation, cell cycle distribution, apoptosis, and colony formation in vitro, as well as on the tumorigenicity of Huh7 cells in vivo. To get more insight into the mechanism of apigenin action, we performed genome-wide expression profiling of apigenin-treated Huh7 cells using cDNA microarrays (Agilent Whole Human Genome Oligo Microarray) that contain 41,000 genes. Ten of the most differentially expressed genes (≧5-fold changes) were selected for further evaluation by quantitative RT-PCR (qPCR) and Western blot analyses. Notably, apigenin (5-20 μg/ml) remarkably inhibited Huh7 cell proliferation and colony formation as compared to the vehicle control, which was in a dose-dependent manner. Accompanying with the decreased growth, apigenin-treated cells showed a cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase and an increased rate of apoptosis. Moreover, the xenografts derived from Huh7 cells were significantly (p < 0.05) retarded by the delivery of apigenin (50 μg/mouse/day) relative to the control counterparts. Gene expression profile analysis revealed that 1336 genes were up-regulated and 428 genes were down-regulated by apigenin. The down-regulation of interleukin-4 receptor and ubiquitin specific protease 18 and the up-regulation of SLC27A3 and chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 2 were further confirmed by the qPCR and Western blot results. In conclusion, apigenin exhibits inhibitory effects on hepatoma cell growth, which is likely mediated through alteration of gene expression profiles.     

microRNA-148a-3p enhances the effects of sevoflurane on hepatocellular carcinoma cell progression via ROCK1 repression

BackgroundSevoflurane (SEVO) inactivates the aggressiveness of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells by mediating microRNAs (miRNAs). Hence, we delved into the functional role of miR-148a-3p mediated by SEVO in HCC.MethodsLiver cells (L02) and HCC cells (HCCLM3 and Huh7) were exposed to SEVO to detect cell viability in HCC. HCCLM3 and Huh7 cells were treated with restored miR-148a-3p or depleted Rho-associated protein kinase 1 (ROCK1) to elucidate their roles in HCC cells' biological characteristics. HCCLM3 and Huh7 cells were treated with SEVO, and/or vectors that changed miR-148a-3p or ROCK1 expression to identify their combined functions in HCC cell progression. Tumor xenograft in nude mice was performed to determine growth ability of tumor. The target relationship between miR-148a-3p and ROCK1 was verified.ResultsSEVO inhibited proliferation, invasion and migration and enhanced apoptosis of HCCLM3 and Huh7 cells. MiR-148a-3p up-regulation or ROCK1 down-regulation inhibited HCCLM3 and Huh7 cell progression. ROCK1 was determined to be target gene of miR-148a-3p. Down-regulating miR-148a-3p or overexpressing ROCK1 mitigated cell aggressiveness inhibition caused by SEVO.ConclusionOur study elucidates that microRNA-148a-3p enhances the effects of sevoflurane on inhibiting proliferation, invasion and migration and enhancing apoptosis of HCC cells through suppression of ROCK1.     

Smo基因在人肝癌Huh-7细胞中的表达及小RNA干扰Smo基因表达对肝癌Huh-7细胞增殖及凋亡的影响

目的:在细胞学层面上研究Smo基因在人肝癌Huh-7细胞中的表达及小RNA干扰Smo基因表达对肝癌Huh-7细胞增殖及凋亡的影响。方法:Huh-7细胞培养,总RNA抽提,紫外分光光度计纯度测定,Western印记法检测Smo蛋白表达,转染后流式细胞检测Huh-7凋亡率。结果:在mRNA和蛋白水平Smo均强表达。siRNA-1干扰序列干扰结果最强,转染后可诱导Huh-7细胞凋亡。结论:siRNA-l能对肝癌Huh7细胞Smo基因表达产生干涉作用,siRNA-1序列能有效地降解肝癌Huh7细胞内的SmomRNA,使Smo mRNA及Smo蛋白表达下调,从而达到沉默肝癌Huh7细胞中Smo mRNA表达的效果。     

The EGFR/ErbB3 Pathway Acts as a Compensatory Survival Mechanism upon c-Met Inhibition in Human c-Met+ Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Backgroundc-Met, a high-affinity receptor for Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF), plays a critical role in tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with activated HGF/c-Met signaling have a significantly worse prognosis. Targeted therapies using c-Met tyrosine kinase inhibitors are currently in clinical trials for HCC, although receptor tyrosine kinase inhibition in other cancers has demonstrated early success. Unfortunately, therapeutic effect is frequently not durable due to acquired resistance.MethodsWe utilized the human MHCC97-H c-Met positive (c-Met⁺) HCC cell line to explore the compensatory survival mechanisms that are acquired after c-Met inhibition. MHCC97-H cells with stable c-Met knockdown (MHCC97-H c-Met KD cells) were generated using a c-Met shRNA vector with puromycin selection and stably transfected scrambled shRNA as a control. Gene expression profiling was conducted, and protein expression was analyzed to characterize MHCC97-H cells after blockade of the c-Met oncogene. A high-throughput siRNA screen was performed to find putative compensatory survival proteins, which could drive HCC growth in the absence of c-Met. Findings from this screen were validated through subsequent analyses.ResultsWe have previously demonstrated that treatment of MHCC97-H cells with a c-Met inhibitor, PHA665752, results in stasis of tumor growth in vivo. MHCC97-H c-Met KD cells demonstrate slower growth kinetics, similar to c-Met inhibitor treated tumors. Using gene expression profiling and siRNA screening against 873 kinases and phosphatases, we identified ErbB3 and TGF-α as compensatory survival factors that are upregulated after c-Met inhibition. Suppressing these factors in c-Met KD MHCC97-H cells suppresses tumor growth in vitro. In addition, we found that the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway serves as a negative feedback signal responsible for the ErbB3 upregulation after c-Met inhibition. Furthermore, in vitro studies demonstrate that combination therapy with PHA665752 and Gefitinib (an EGFR inhibitor) significantly reduced cell viability and increased apoptosis compared with either PHA665752 or Gefitinib treatment alone.Conclusionc-Met inhibition monotherapy is not sufficient to eliminate c-Met⁺ HCC tumor growth. Inhibition of both c-Met and EGFR oncogenic pathways provides superior suppression of HCC tumor growth. Thus, combination of c-Met and EGFR inhibition may represent a superior therapeutic regimen for c-Met⁺ HCC.     

紫花牡荆素诱导人肝癌HepG2细胞凋亡的研究

目的：研究紫花牡荆素（Casticin）对肝癌HepG2细胞增殖抑制和凋亡诱导的作用,并探讨其作用机制。方法：用终浓度为0、0.5、1.0、2.0umol/L的Casticin作用于HepG2细胞,于12、24、48h后采用MTT法检测细胞增殖抑制率;Hoechst33342核染色,观察细胞形态学变化;24h后收集各组肝癌HepG2细胞,流式细胞术检测细胞周期及凋亡率;RT-PCR检测survivin mRNA表达。结果：MTT法检测显示,Casticin对肝癌HepG2细胞有增殖抑制作用,并存在浓度和时间依赖关系;Hoechst33342染色后,可见核染色质凝集,凋亡细胞呈致密浓染,与对照组相比,Casticin处理后凋亡细胞比例增加;Casticin作用24h后,细胞被阻滞于G2/M期,随药物质量浓度的增加,细胞凋亡率逐渐增加;RT-PCR结果显示,Casticin下调肝癌HepG2细胞survivin mRNA表达。结论：Casticin在体外对肝癌HepG2细胞有明显的增殖抑制和凋亡诱导作用,初步推断Casticin诱发肝癌细胞凋亡与其对survivin基因表达的抑制有关。     

In Vivo c-Met Pathway Inhibition Depletes Human Glioma Xenografts of Tumor-Propagating Stem-Like Cells

Solid malignancies contain sphere-forming stem-like cells that are particularly efficient in propagating tumors. Identifying agents that target these cells will advance the development of more effective therapies. Recent converging evidence shows that c-Met expression marks tumor-initiating stem-like cells and that c-Met signaling drives human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cell stemness in vitro. However, the degree to which tumor-propagating stem-like cells depend on c-Met signaling in histologically complex cancers remains unknown. We examined the effects of in vivo c-Met pathway inhibitor therapy on tumor-propagating stem-like cells in human GBM xenografts. Animals bearing pre-established tumor xenografts expressing activated c-Met were treated with either neutralizing anti- hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) monoclonal antibody L2G7 or with the c-Met kinase inhibitor PF2341066 (Crizotinib). c-Met pathway inhibition inhibited tumor growth, depleted tumors of sphere-forming cells, and inhibited tumor expression of stem cell markers CD133, Sox2, Nanog, and Musashi. Withdrawing c-Met pathway inhibitor therapy resulted in a substantial rebound in stem cell marker expression concurrent with tumor recurrence. Cells derived from xenografts treated with anti-HGF in vivo were depleted of tumor-propagating potential as determined by in vivo serial dilution tumor-propagating assay. Furthermore, daughter xenografts that did form were 12-fold smaller than controls. These findings show that stem-like tumor-initiating cells are dynamically regulated by c-Met signaling in vivo and that c-Met pathway inhibitors can deplete tumors of their tumor-propagating stem-like cells.     

Knockdown of GPC3 inhibits the proliferation of Huh7 hepatocellular carcinoma cells through down‐regulation of YAP

Glypican‐3 (GPC3), a membrane‐associated heparan sulfate proteoglycan, is frequently upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Yes‐associated protein (YAP) is also found over‐expressed in HCC and has been identified as a key effector molecule in Hippo pathway, which could control the organ size in animals through the regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis and plays an important role in the development of malignant tumors. Studies have reported that GPC3 and YAP might collaborate to regulate the development of HCC. To elucidate the role of GPC3 in the development of HCC and its relationship with YAP, siRNA technique was employed to knock down GPC3 in Huh7 HCC cells. Moreover, recombinant human YAP‐1 was used to examine the effects of GPC3 on Huh7 cells. The results of flow cytometric analysis and Annexin‐V‐FLUOS apoptosis assay showed that knockdown of GPC3‐induced apoptosis in Huh7 cells, resulting in inhibition of cell proliferation as examined by EdU incorporation assay, migration, and invasion. GPC3 knockdown also suppressed the expression of YAP in mRNA and protein levels, as examined by fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blot analysis. Moreover, addition of recombinant human YAP‐1 effectively rescued the cells from apoptosis triggered by GPC3 knockdown. Taken together, our findings suggest that GPC3 regulates HCC cell proliferation with the involvement of Hippo pathway. J. Cell. Biochem. 114: 625–631, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Novel cationic antimicrobial peptide GW-H1 induced caspase-dependent apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines

Due to its malignancy, the development of effective therapeutic strategies for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is of urgent needs. Natural antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), also known as host defense peptides (HDPs), not only act as direct antimicrobial agents, but also represent important regulators of the innate immune system. It has been reported that cationic AMPs may exhibit cancer-selective toxicity. We have designed a series of novel AMPs with potent antimicrobial activity against a broad spectrum of bacterial pathogens. In the current study, we evaluate the antitumor potency of these AMPs toward HCC cell lines J5, Huh7, and Hep3B. Selected AMPs inhibit the viability of HCC cells in a dose-dependent fashion, while the normal 3T3 cells were significantly less susceptible to these AMPs. GW-H1 treatment (20μM) of J5 cells for 24-72h resulted in the induction of apoptosis, as revealed by flow cytometry (increased sub-G1 populations), and western blot analysis for the appearance of activated caspase-3, -7 and -9 cleavages. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was applied to further analyze the AMP-responsive protein profiles of HCC, down-regulation of Hsp27, phophoglycerate kinase 1 and triosephosphate isomerase indicated that GW-H1 may induce apoptosis, and further inhibit progression and metastasis of J5 HCC cells. FITC-labeled GW-H1 was found to attach to cell membrane initially, then translocated into the cytoplasm, and eventually membranous organelles or nucleus. GW-H1 induced a marked growth suppression of J5 xenografts in nude mice in a dose dependent manner. These findings provided support for future application of GW-H1 as potential therapeutic agent for HCC.     

Hepatitis C virus core protein modulates TRAIL-mediated apoptosis by enhancing Bid cleavage and activation of mitochondria apoptosis signaling pathway

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major human pathogen causing chronic liver disease, which leads to cirrhosis of liver and hepatocellular carcinoma. The HCV core protein, a viral nucleocapsid, has been shown to affect various intracellular events, including cell proliferation and apoptosis. However, the precise mechanisms of the effects are not fully understood. In this study, we show that HCV core protein sensitizes human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, Huh7, conferred sensitivity to TRAIL-, but not Fas ligand-mediated apoptosis. Huh7 cells are resistant to TRAIL, despite the induction of caspase-8 after TRAIL engagement. However, HCV core protein induces TRAIL apoptosis signaling via sequential induction of caspase-8, Bid cleavage, activation of mitochondrial pathway, and effector caspase-3. HCV core protein also induces activation of caspase-9 after TRAIL engagement, and the induction of TRAIL sensitivity by HCV core protein could be reversed by caspase-9 inhibitor. Therefore, the HCV core protein-induced TRAIL-mediated apoptosis is dependent upon activation of caspase-8 downstream pathway to convey the death signal to mitochondria, leading to activation of mitochondrial signaling pathway and breaking the apoptosis resistance. These results combined indicate that the HCV core protein enhances TRAIL-, but not Fas ligand-mediated apoptotic cell death in Huh7 cells via a mechanism dependent on the activation of mitochondria apoptosis signaling pathway. These results suggest that HCV core protein may have a role in immune-mediated liver cell injury by modulation of TRAIL-induced apoptosis.     

Naringin abates adverse effects of cadmium‐mediated hepatotoxicity: An experimental study using HepG2 cells

This study investigated the protective potential of Naringin (NIN) against cadmium chloride (CdCl₂) mediated hepatotoxicity using human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells. An optimal concentration of NIN (5 μM) was potent enough to confer cytoprotection against CdCl₂ (50 μM) as was observed by MTT assay. Preconditioning with NIN maintained redox homeostasis, mitochondrial membrane potential, and reduced apoptosis as marked by decrease in the percentage sub‐G₀/G₁ and Annexin V‐FITC/propidium iodide positive cells (apoptotic). NIN pretreatment maintained the levels of protein thiol along with endogenous activities of Superoxide dismutase, Glutathione S‐transferase, and Catalase and lowered lipid peroxidation. Decreased Bax/Bcl2 ratio along with reduced Caspase 3 cleavage and Cytochrome c release indicated that NIN conditioning blocked mitochondrial‐mediated apoptosis. Increased Nrf2 and metallothionein (MT) acted as adaptive response in the presence of cadmium. Thus, the protective mechanism of NIN is attributed to its antioxidant potential which aids in redox homeostasis and prevents CdCl₂ mediated cytotoxicity.     

X/XO or H2O2 induced IPEC-J2 cell as a new in vitro model for studying apoptosis in post-weaning piglets

We previously demonstrated that intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis in weaned piglets is much more serious than that observed in sucking piglets and is related to oxidative stress during weaning. It is difficult to study the apoptosis mechanisms only using in vivo methods because of the limit of existing research technology. An in vitro cellular system is required for piglet intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis research. In this study, a non-tumorigenic epithelial cell line, IPEC-J2 cells, was employed as a cell model. Hydrogen peroxide and xanthine/xanthine oxidase (X/XO) were both used and compared for apoptosis modeling. The concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and XO were selected and verified using cell viability analysis, the comet assay and flow cytometry. Intracellular ROS were measured using fluorescent probes. Additionally, the expression levels of the apoptosis-related genes Fas, Bcl-2, P53, Caspase 3, Caspase 8, and Caspase 9 were analyzed using quantitative RT-PCR. The results indicated the optimal modeling method is a final concentration of 0.5 mM H₂O₂ incubated with IPEC-J2 cells for 1 h at 37 °C in 5 % CO₂ for hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis modeling, and a final concentration of 250 μM X/50 U/L XO incubated with IPEC-J2 cells for 6 h at 37 °C in 5 % CO₂ for X/XO-induced apoptosis modeling. For the apoptotic pathway, the X/XO modeling method is more similar to 21 days weaning piglets. Therefore, we suggest that X/XO modeling with IPEC-J2 cells be used as an in vitro cell culture model for weaning piglet intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis.     

Upregulating Noxa by ER Stress,Celastrol Exerts Synergistic Anti-Cancer Activity in Combination with ABT-737 in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

The human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents biologically aggressive and chemo-resistant cancers. Owing to the low affinity with the apoptotic factor Mcl-1, the BH3 mimetic drug ABT-737 failed to exert potent cancer-killing activities in variety of cancer models including HCC. The current study demonstrated that combining ABT-737 and Celastrol synergistically suppressed HCC cell proliferation, and induced apoptosis which was accompanied with the activation of caspase cascade and release of cytochrome c from mitochondria. Further study revealed that the enhanced Noxa caused by Celastrol was the key factor for the synergy, since small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of Noxa expression in HCC cells resulted in decreased apoptosis and attenuated anti-proliferative effects of the combination. In addition, our study unraveled that, upon Celastrol exposure, the activation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, specifically, the eIF2α-ATF4 pathway played indispensable roles in the activation of Noxa, which was validated by the observation that depletion of ATF4 significantly abrogated the Noxa elevation by Celastrol. Our findings highlight a novel signaling pathway through which Celastrol increase Noxa expression, and suggest the potential use of ATF4-mediated regulation of Noxa as a promising strategy to improve the anti-cancer activities of ABT-737.     

Celastrol inhibits tumor cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis through the activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase and suppression of PI3 K/Akt signaling pathways

Celastrol, a plant triterpene has attracted great interest recently, especially for its potential anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities. In the present report, we investigated the effect of celastrol on proliferation of various cancer cell lines. The mechanism, by which this triterpene exerts its apoptotic effects, was also examined in detail. We found that celastrol inhibited the proliferation of wide variety of human tumor cell types including multiple myeloma, hepatocellular carcinoma, gastric cancer, prostate cancer, renal cell carcinoma, head and neck carcinoma, non-small cell lung carcinoma, melanoma, glioma, and breast cancer with concentrations as low as 1 μM. Growth inhibitory effects of celastrol correlated with a decrease in the levels of cyclin D1 and cyclin E, but concomitant increase in the levels of p21 and p27. The apoptosis induced by celastrol was indicated by the activation of caspase-8, bid cleavage, caspase-9 activation, caspase-3 activation, PARP cleavage and through the down regulation of anti-apoptototic proteins. The apoptotic effects of celastrol were preceded by activation of JNK and down-regulation of Akt activation. JNK was needed for celastrol-induced apoptosis, and inhibition of JNK by pharmacological inhibitor abolished the apoptotic effects. Overall, our results indicate that celastrol can inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis through the activation of JNK, suppression of Akt, and down-regulation of anti-apoptotic protein expression.     

Growth suppression of human hepatocellular carcinoma xenografts by a monoclonal antibody CH12 directed to epidermal growth factor receptor variant III

Human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is considered difficult to cure because it is resistant to radio- and chemotherapy and has a high recurrence rate after curative liver resection. Epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII) has been reported to express in HCC tissues and cell lines. This article describes the efficacy of an anti-EGFRvIII monoclonal antibody (mAb CH12) in the treatment of HCC xenografts with EGFRvIII expression and the underlying mechanism of EGFRvIII as an oncogene in HCC. The results demonstrated that CH12 bound preferentially to EGFRvIII with a dissociation constant (K(d)) of 1.346 nm/liter. In addition, CH12 induces strong antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and complement-dependent cytotoxicity in Huh7-EGFRvIII (with exogenous expression of EGFRvIII) and SMMC-7721 (with endogenous expression of EGFRvIII) cells. Notably, CH12 significantly inhibited the growth of Huh7-EGFRvIII and SMMC-7721 xenografts in vivo with a growth inhibition ratio much higher than C225, a U. S. Food and Drug Administration-approved anti-EGFR antibody. Treatment of the two HCC xenografts with CH12 significantly suppressed tumor proliferation and angiogenesis. Mechanistically, in vivo treatment with CH12 reduced the phosphorylation of constitutively active EGFRvIII, Akt, and ERK. Down-regulation of the apoptotic protectors Bcl-x(L), Bcl-2, and the cell cycle regulator cyclin D1, as well as up-regulation of the cell-cycle inhibitor p27, were also observed after in vivo CH12 treatment. Collectively, these results indicate that the monoclonal antibody CH12 is a promising therapeutic agent for HCC with EGFRvIII expression.