肺炎链球菌触发人肺Ⅱ型上皮细胞F-actin细胞骨架重排与TPK信号转导的相关性研究

目的:通过体外实验,研究Streptococcus pneumoniae(S.pn)是否通过肺Ⅱ型上皮细胞(A549)酪氨酸蛋白激酶(TPK)信号转导途径触发微丝肌动蛋白(Filamentous actin,F-actin)细胞骨架重排,进而导致S.pn对A549细胞的侵袭.方法:采用F-actin特异性FITC-phalloidin荧光染料,观察S.pn作用A549细胞前后的F-actin细胞骨架重排情况,依照重排百分率得分标准以(%)表示;用F-actin细胞骨架重排抑制剂细胞松驰素D预处理A549细胞,观察S.pn对A549细胞的侵袭率;使用TPK信号转导抑制剂Genistein预处理A549细胞,观察其与F-actin细胞骨架重排百分率间是否存在剂量依赖关系.结果:S.pn作用A549细胞后,经FITC-phalloidin荧光染色,F-actin细胞骨架呈块状、丝状聚集;F-actin细胞骨架重排抑制剂细胞松驰素D可明显降低S.pn对A549细胞的侵袭率,在其浓度为0.25μg/ml时,未得到可测的细菌数;TPK信号转导途径抑制剂可部分抑制A549细胞F-actin细胞骨架重排,并与F-actin细胞骨架重排百分率间存在量效关系,其相关系数分别为rTpK=-0.91(P＜0.05).结论:上述结果提示S.pn可通过TPK细胞信号转导途径触发A549细胞F-actin细胞骨架重排,进而导致S.pn侵袭A549细胞.     

肺炎链球菌触发肺Ⅱ型上皮细胞F-actin细胞骨架重排

目的：通过体外实验,研究肺炎链球菌（Streptococcus pneumoniae,S.pn)是否可触发肺Ⅱ型上皮细胞（A549）信号转导途径触发微丝肌动蛋白（filamentous actin,F-actin)细胞骨架重排,进而侵袭A549细胞,并初步分析触发A549细胞F-actin细胞骨架重排的细菌亚组分。方法：采用F-actin特异性FITC-phalloidin荧光染料,观察S.pn作用A549细胞前后的F-actin细胞骨架重排情况,依照重排百分率得分标准以（%）表示;用F-actin细胞骨架重排抑制剂细胞松弛素D预处理A549细胞,观察S.pn对A549细胞侵袭的改变情况;用变溶菌素提取S.pn细胞壁以观察其对F-actin细胞骨架重排的影响。结果：S.pn作用A549细胞后,经FITC-phalloidin荧光染色,F-actin细胞骨架呈黄绿色块状聚集,对照细胞呈现均匀黄绿色荧光外观;F-actin细胞骨架重排抑制剂细胞松弛素D可明显降低S.pn对A549细胞的侵袭,在其浓度为0.25μg/ml时,未得到可测的细菌数;S.pn细胞壁作用A549细胞后,经FITC-phalloidn荧光染色,F-actin细胞骨架呈黄绿色块状聚集,二者存在剂量依赖性。结论：S.pn及其细胞壁亚组分可触发A549细胞F-actin细胞骨架重排,进而侵袭A549细胞。     

10-羟基喜树碱对人膀胱癌细胞增殖、侵袭的抑制作用及诱导凋亡的研究

探讨10-羟基喜树碱(10-HCPT)对人膀胱癌细胞T24增殖、侵袭和诱导凋亡的作用.0.25μmol/L和0.50μmol/L10-HCPT处理T24细胞4d后,用细胞增殖抑制试验、软琼脂集落形成试验、侵袭试验、趋化运动试验、黏附试验和组织蛋白酶B活性测定细胞增殖和侵袭能力的变化;药物处理2d后,采用吖啶橙/溴乙啶荧光双染法和末端脱氧核苷酸转移酶介导dUTP-地高辛缺口末端标记法检测细胞凋亡.结果0.25μmol/L和0.50μmol/L10-HCPT分别使T24细胞增殖下降66.1%和74.8%;对细胞侵袭、运动、黏附及组织蛋白酶B分泌均有明显的抑制作用,并使T24细胞凋亡率显著升高,与对照组比较,差异有显著性意义(P<0.05或0.01).提示10-HCPT有抗T24增殖和侵袭作用,并有诱导凋亡的作用.其抗侵袭机制是对侵袭的多个基本环节起抑制作用.     

吞噬细胞运动蛋白1通过NF-κB/snail信号通路促进肺腺癌细胞A549的上皮-间质转化

吞噬细胞运动蛋白1(engulfment and cell motility 1,ELMO1)在许多恶性肿瘤的侵袭转移中发挥重要作用,但其在肺腺癌侵袭转移中的研究相对较少。本研究旨在探讨ELMO1在肺腺癌上皮-间质转化(epithelial-mesenchymal transition,EMT)中的作用,为临床预防肺腺癌的侵袭和转移提供理论和实验依据。Western印迹结果显示,ELMO1在人正常肺上皮细胞BEAS-2B中的蛋白质表达水平低,而在人肺腺癌细胞A549中表达水平高。si ELMO1/A549细胞组中ELMO1的表达水平明显降低。用白细胞介素-8(interleukin-8,IL-8)刺激肺腺癌细胞A549 24 h后,趋化运动实验结果显示,IL-8浓度为100 ng/m L时为最适刺激浓度,此时肺腺癌细胞A549具有最强的趋化运动能力,增高或降低IL-8的浓度时细胞的趋化运动能力均下降。Transwell侵袭实验结果显示,用IL-8刺激24 h后,si ELMO1/A549细胞相比于Scr/A549细胞组的侵袭转移能力明显减弱。Western印迹结果显示,与未用IL-8刺激或用IL-8和抑制剂BAY11-7082同时刺激的相比,si ELMO1/A549细胞较Scr/ELMO1A549细胞组E-cadherin蛋白的表达上调,Vimentin蛋白的表达下调,p-IκBα、细胞核中snail的蛋白质表达水平均降低。综上所述,ELMO1可以通过NF-κB信号通路影响snail的转核,从而促进肺腺癌细胞A549的上皮-间质转化。     

TRPM7的表达水平与肺癌发生发展的关系

为了解TRPM7在肺癌中的表达及其与肺癌进展的关系,本研究检测了TRPM7在非小细胞肺癌患者肺癌组织样本和相邻正常肺泡组织样本中的表达,以及TRPM7在人肺腺癌A549细胞系和人支气管上皮细胞系16HBE中的表达。通过转染shRNA敲低肺癌细胞中的TRPM7,并应用TRPM7拮抗剂Waixenicin A处理细胞。免疫组化染色和Western blotting分析显示,与正常肺泡组织样本中的TRPM7表达相比,TRPM7在肺癌样本中显著高表达。TRPM7的表达水平与癌症分期有关,分期越高,TRPM7的表达水平越高。TRPM7在A549细胞中的表达强度显著高于16HBE细胞。细胞集落形成测定结果显示,沉默TRPM7会显著抑制细胞集落形成的能力。SRB细胞活力测定显示,沉默TRPM7会显著抑制细胞活力。沉默TRPM7显著降低了肺癌细胞的迁移(-68.94%)和侵袭(-68.84%)能力。沉默TRPM7显著抑制了热休克蛋白90α(HSP90α)、尿激酶型纤溶酶原激活剂(uPA)和基质金属蛋白酶2 (MMP2)的表达。Waixenicin A显著抑制了肺癌细胞的活力及Hsp90α/uPA/MMP2信号分子的表达。另外,Waixenicin A显著降低了肺癌细胞的迁移(-65.35%)和侵袭(-71.85%)能力。本研究表明,TRPM7的异常表达通过激活Hsp90α/uPA/MMP2信号通路来提高人肺癌细胞的活力和转移能力。研究结果表明,靶向TRPM7的抑制剂可能是治疗肺癌的有效药物。     

转录因子WSTF对肺癌细胞增殖和侵袭的实验研究

目的:研究转录因子WSTF对肺癌细胞增殖和侵袭作用的影响。方法:采用慢病毒介导的基因转染方法建立A549细胞WSTF高表达细胞系A549-WSTF和空质粒对照细胞系A549-control。细胞增殖实验和克隆形成实验观察ING5过表达对肺癌A549细胞增殖能力的影响;Trans-well迁移实验和侵袭实验观察WSTF对肺癌细胞迁移和侵袭能力的影响。结果:Western blot验证A549-WSTF细胞WSTF蛋白水平显著高于对照细胞A549-control,P=0.0004。WSTF高表达明显促进了肺癌细胞的增殖能力(1-4天P值分别为0.002、0.0004、0.0002和3.21×10-5)和克隆形成能力(P=0.004);WSTF过表达还显著促进了肺癌细胞从trans-well小室迁移到下室的作用,其OD570值分别为0.626±0.013(A549-WSTF)和0.322±0.010(A549-control),P=2.37×10-5;WSTF还促进肺癌细胞穿透基质胶迁移到下室,其OD570值分别为0.600±0.027(A549-WSTF)和0.333±0.017(A549-control),P=0.0004。结论:WSTF可以促进肺癌细胞的增殖和侵袭能力而发挥促癌作用。     

SB-431542抑制乳腺癌细胞BT-549的增殖和侵袭及其机理研究

肿瘤转移是导致肿瘤患者死亡的最主要原因,TGF-β超家族成员Nodal分子被证实参与肿瘤细胞的增殖和转移,因而基于Nodal信号为靶标开展抗肿瘤研究成为可能。该研究应用Western blot检测乳腺癌细胞株BT-549、T-47D、MCF-7、SK-BR-3和MDA—MB-231中的Nodal和基质金属蛋白酶-2（matrix metalloproteinase-2,MMP-2）的表达水平,发现它们在BT-549细胞中表达量最高。然后采用不同浓度_Nodal信号抑制剂SB．431542（1-50μmol／L）处理BT-549细胞48h,利用MTT法揭示20～50gmol／L的SB-431542抑制该细胞增殖。进一步利用细胞划痕和Transwell实验证明,10μmol／L的SB-431542可抑制乳腺癌细胞的迁移和侵袭。最后,通过明胶酶谱和Westernblot显示,10～30gmol／L的sB．431542可剂量依赖性地抑制MMP-2的表达和活性。上述结果说明,SB-431542通过阻断Nodal信号通路可效抑制乳腺癌细胞BT-549的增殖、迁移和侵袭,其作用机制可能与降低MMP-2的表达和活性有关。     

NUAK1通过影响F-actin聚合促进乳腺癌的侵袭转移

本课题组先前研究证明NUAK1/ARK5参与乳腺癌、胶质瘤侵袭转移,但机制尚不清楚.本文证明,NUAK1通过影响F-actin聚合促进乳腺癌的侵袭转移.应用小RNA干扰技术敲除乳腺癌细胞系MDA-MB-231中的NUAK1,用G418进行稳定筛选,并用Western印迹进行蛋白质表达检测,结果显示,成功敲除MDA-MB-231细胞中的NUAK1;采用Transwell侵袭实验检测NUAK1在乳腺癌细胞侵袭转移中的作用,结果表明,NUAK1被干扰的SiNUAK1/MDA-231细胞的侵袭能力明显减弱;应用免疫荧光法对细胞的F-actin进行荧光染色,半定量F-actin聚合分析结果显示,IGF-1在转染空载的细胞组（Scr/MDA-231）能诱导肌动蛋白短暂的聚合反应,而在敲除NUAK1的细胞组（SiNUAK1/MDA-231）肌动蛋白的聚合显著减少;用细胞因子IGF-1刺激乳腺癌细胞观察cofilin磷酸化,结果显示,在敲除NUAK1的细胞组（SiNUAK1/MDA-231）,IGF-1诱导的cofilin的磷酸化明显受抑制.上述结果表明,NUAK1能通过促进F-actin的聚合从而影响乳腺癌细胞的侵袭转移.     

水飞蓟宾抑制人肺癌细胞浸润的作用机制研究

目的通过观察水飞蓟宾对有高转移能力的人肺癌细胞A549相关酶的作用来研究水飞蓟宾对浸润和运动性的影响。方法应用细胞活性测定、细胞浸润和运动性分析、细胞-基质黏附实验、逆转录聚合酶链反应等技术完成实验。结果A549细胞用高达100μM的不同浓度的水飞蓟宾处理一定时间后,行明胶酶谱、酪蛋白酶谱以及蛋白印迹分析来确定水飞蓟宾对金属蛋白酶-2（MMP-2）的影响。结论水飞蓟宾治疗可以浓度以及时间依存性方式减少MMP-2表达。半定量RT—PCR分析进一步表明,水飞蓟宾可在转录水平调节MMP-2表达。     

RAB5A基因表达改变对人肺腺癌细胞系GLC-82和SPC-a1的分化和侵袭特性影响

为探讨RAB5A基因对两种人肺腺癌细胞系GLC－82和SPC－al分化及侵袭特性的影响。利用细胞转染技术将构建的RAB5A反义RNA重组质粒（pcDNA3-AntiRAB5A)和RAB5A正义真核表达载体分别转染入低分化人肺腺癌细胞系GLC－82和低转移人肺腺癌细胞系SPC－al中,在稳定筛选后,通过裸鼠体内实验和体外人工基底膜侵袭和细胞趋化运动实验,观察观察转染后细胞分化和转移特性的改变,观察转染前后细胞,发现转染后GLC－82细胞体外侵袭重组基底膜能力及趋化运动能力降低（t检验P＜0．02）;裸鼠体内成瘤实验,瘤块切片病理观察转染后GLC－82细胞出现腺腔样及基底模样结构,分化程度增高,转染后SPC－al细胞体外趋化运动能力,侵袭重组基底膜能力均增强(t检验P＜0．02）。RAB5A基因通过影响细胞的体外趋化运动能力,侵袭重组基底膜能力等对GLC－82和SPC－al细胞的侵袭表型形成及GLC－82细胞的分性发挥重要作用。     

Cannabidiol inhibits lung cancer cell invasion and metastasis via intercellular adhesion molecule-1

Cannabinoids inhibit cancer cell invasion via increasing tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1). This study investigates the role of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) within this action. In the lung cancer cell lines A549, H358, and H460, cannabidiol (CBD; 0.001-3 μM) elicited concentration-dependent ICAM-1 up-regulation compared to vehicle via cannabinoid receptors, transient receptor potential vanilloid 1, and p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase. Up-regulation of ICAM-1 mRNA by CBD in A549 was 4-fold at 3 μM, with significant effects already evident at 0.01 μM. ICAM-1 induction became significant after 2 h, whereas significant TIMP-1 mRNA increases were observed only after 48 h. Inhibition of ICAM-1 by antibody or siRNA approaches reversed the anti-invasive and TIMP-1-upregulating action of CBD and the likewise ICAM-1-inducing cannabinoids Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol and R(+)-methanandamide when compared to isotype or nonsilencing siRNA controls. ICAM-1-dependent anti-invasive cannabinoid effects were confirmed in primary tumor cells from a lung cancer patient. In athymic nude mice, CBD elicited a 2.6- and 3.0-fold increase of ICAM-1 and TIMP-1 protein in A549 xenografts, as compared to vehicle-treated animals, and an antimetastatic effect that was fully reversed by a neutralizing antibody against ICAM-1 [% metastatic lung nodules vs. isotype control (100%): 47.7% for CBD + isotype antibody and 106.6% for CBD + ICAM-1 antibody]. Overall, our data indicate that cannabinoids induce ICAM-1, thereby conferring TIMP-1 induction and subsequent decreased cancer cell invasiveness.     

MicroRNA‐144‐3p suppressed TGF‐β1‐induced lung cancer cell invasion and adhesion by regulating the Src–Akt–Erk pathway

Lung cancer remains a leading cause to cancer‐related death worldwide. The anti‐cancer ability of microRNA‐144‐3p has been reported in many cancer types. This study focused on the mechanisms underlying miR‐144‐3p in inhibiting lung cancer. The expression levels of miR‐144‐3p and steroid receptor coactivator (Src) in different lung cancer cell lines and those in bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE) were compared. miR‐144‐3p mimic and siSrc were transfected into A549 cells. Under the conditions of transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1). Small interfering transfection or TGF‐β1 treatment, cell invasive and adhesive abilities were analyzed by Transwell and cell adhesion assays. miR‐144‐3p inhibitor and siSrc were co‐transfected into A549 cells and the changes in cell invasion and adhesion were detected. The activation of Src–protein kinase B–extracellular‐regulated protein kinases (Src–Akt–Erk) pathway was determined using Western blot. The downregulated miR‐144‐3p and upregulated Src were generally detected in lung cancer cell lines and were the most significant genes in A549 cells. Both miR‐144‐3p overexpression and Src inhibition could obviously inhibit the invasion and adhesion abilities of A549 cells in the presence or absence of the effects of TGF‐β1. The inhibition of Src could block the promotive effects of miR‐144‐3p inhibitor and TGF‐β1 on cell invasion and adhesion. Furthermore, we found that miR‐144‐3p could negatively regulate the phosphorylation levels of Akt and Erk. Our data indicated the essential role of Src in the mechanisms underlying TGF‐β1‐induced cell invasion and adhesion of lung cancer, and that miR‐144‐3p could effectively suppress TGF‐β1‐induced aggressive lung cancer cells by regulating Src expression.     

Flavanone and 2'-OH flavanone inhibit metastasis of lung cancer cells via down-regulation of proteinases activities and MAPK pathway

Flavanones richly exist in citrus and have been well characterized to have various bioactive properties. However, the anti-metastasis properties of flavanones remain unclear. The anti-metastatic effects of six flavanones including flavanone, 2'-OH flavanone, 4'-OH flavanone, 6-OH flavanone, naringin, and naringenin were investigated in lung cancer cells. Despite little influence on cell viability, flavanone and 2'-OH flavanone markedly inhibited the invasion, motility, and cell-matrix adhesion of A549 cells. This was associated with a reduced expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) in treated cells. Treatment with flavanone and 2'-OH flavanone also potently attenuated the phosphorylations of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK 1/2) and p38(MAPK), as well as the activations of NF-kappaB and AP-1. The reduced expressions of MMP-2 and u-PA, as well as inhibition of cell invasion were obtained in the cultures treated with U0126 (ERK 1/2 inhibitor) and SB203580 (p38(MAPK) inhibitor). Thus, the inhibitory effects of flavanone and 2'-OH flavanone on the expression of MMP-2 and u-PA may be at least partly through inactivation of ERK 1/2 and p38(MAPK) signaling pathways. Finally, oral administration of flavanone and 2'-OH flavanone were evidenced by its inhibition on the metastasis of A549 cells and Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells in vivo. In conclusion, flavanone and 2'-OH flavanone perturb the invasion and metastasis of lung cancer cells, thereby constituting an adjuvant treatment for metastasis control.     

Nupr1调控非小细胞肺癌细胞迁移、凋亡机制的研究

目的:探讨核蛋白1(Nupr1)调控非小细胞肺癌细胞迁移、凋亡机制的研究。方法:肿瘤抑制剂盐酸素(salinomycin)不同时间处理非小细胞肺癌细胞A549后采用Western Blot法检测非小细胞肺癌细胞A549中Cleaved Caspase-3、Nupr1的蛋白表达;Transwell小室检测Nupr1基因沉默后非小细胞肺癌细胞A549细胞体外迁移、侵袭能力的变化;Western Blot法检测Nupr1沉默后非小细胞肺癌细胞A549 MMP-2、TIMP-1的蛋白表达;流式细胞仪检测Nupr1沉默后非小细胞肺癌细胞A549的凋亡情况。结果:与未经肿瘤抑制剂salinomycin处理对照组相比较,salinomycin处理后的非小细胞肺癌细胞A549中Nupr1蛋白表达量下降,Cleaved Caspase-3蛋白表达量升高,并且随着作用时间呈依赖关系。Nupr1-siRNA转染组的迁移能力相比对照组未转染组下降(64.4±7.2)%,Nupr1-siRNA转染组的侵袭能力相比对照组下降(58.7±7.3)%。与未转染Nupr1-siRNA对照组相比较,转染后TIMP-1的表达明显上调,而MMP-2的表达则明显下调。流式细胞仪检测结果显示Nupr1沉默后非小细胞肺癌细胞A549出现大量凋亡。结论:Nupr1基因沉默后通过上调TIMP-1的表达,下调MMP-2的表达降低肺癌A549细胞的侵袭和迁移能力,进而促进非小细胞肺癌细胞凋亡。     

Inductive effect of phytoglycoprotein (38 kDa) on G0/G1 arrest and apoptosis in diethylnitrosamine-treated ICR mice

Preeclampsia complicates 5–10 % of pregnancies and is a leading cause of maternal/fetal morbidity and mortality. Although the cause is unknown, the reduced migration/invasion of extravillous trophoblasts is generally regarded as a key feature of preeclampsia genesis. The present study examined the expression of activator protein-2α (AP-2α), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 (TIMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and E-cadherin in severe preeclamptic placentas and normal placentas using real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. The expression levels of AP-2α, TIMP-2, and E-cadherin were elevated, while MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels were decreased in severe preeclamptic placentas when compared with normal placentas. To explore the underlying molecular mechanisms, BeWo cells were transfected with an AP-2α-expression construct as well as a siRNA against AP-2α. The over-expression of AP-2α decreased the invasive abilities of BeWo cells. AP-2α induction was followed by the induction of TIMP-2 and E-cadherin and a significant reduction of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Whereas in AP-2α-silencing BeWo cells, we observed the decreased expression of TIMP-2 and E-cadherin and the increased expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9. We presume that AP-2α may suppress trophoblast invasion by repression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and up-regulation of E-cadherin, thus leading to shallow placentation in severe preeclampsia.     

Isoliquiritigenin inhibits migration and invasion of prostate cancer cells: possible mediation by decreased JNK/AP-1 signaling

Isoliquiritigenin (ISL, 4,2′,4′-trihydroxychalcone), which is found in licorice, shallot and bean sprouts, is a potent antioxidant with anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of ISL treatment on the migration, invasion and adhesion characteristics of DU145 human prostate cancer cells. DU145 cells were cultured in the presence of 0–20 μmol/L ISL with or without 10 μg/L epidermal growth factor (EGF). ISL inhibited basal and EGF-induced cell migration, invasion and adhesion dose dependently. ISL decreased EGF-induced secretion of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), but increased TIMP-2 secretion in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, ISL decreased the protein levels of integrin-α2, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM), and mRNA levels of uPA, MMP-9, VEGF, ICAM and integrin-α2. Furthermore, basal and EGF-induced activator protein (AP)-1 binding activity and phosphorylation of Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), c-Jun and Akt were decreased after ISL treatment. However, phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase was not altered. The JNK inhibitor SP600125 inhibited basal and EGF-induced secretion of uPA, VEGF, MMP-9 and TIMP-1, as well as AP-1 DNA binding activity and cell migration. These results provide evidence for the role of ISL as a potent antimetastatic agent, which can markedly inhibit the metastatic and invasive capacity of prostate cancer cells. The inhibition of JNK/AP-1 signaling may be one of the mechanisms by which ISL inhibits cancer cell invasion and migration.     

Thujone inhibits lung metastasis induced by B16F-10 melanoma cells in C57BL/6 mice

The antimetastatic potential of thujone, a naturally occurring monoterpene, was evaluated. Metastasis was induced in C57BL/6 mice by injecting highly metastatic B16F-10 melanoma cells through the lateral tail vein. Administration of thujone (1 mg·(kg body weight)(-1)), prophylactically and simultaneously with tumor induction, inhibited tumor nodule formation in the lungs by 59.45% and 57.54%, respectively, with an increase in the survival rate (33.67% and 32.16%) of the metastatic tumor bearing animals. These results correlated with biochemical parameters such as lung collagen hydroxyproline, hexosamine and uronic acid contents, serum sialic acid and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase levels, and histopathological analysis. Treatment with thujone downregulated the production of proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and granulocyte-monocyte colony-stimulating factor. Thujone administration downregulated the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-1, ERK-2, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and also upregulated the expression of nm-23, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1, and TIMP-2 in the lung tissue of metastasis-induced animals. Treatment with thujone inhibited the activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in gelatin zymographic analysis. Thujone treatment significantly inhibited the invasion of B16F-10 melanoma cells across the collagen matrix in a Boyden chamber. Thujone also inhibited the adhesion of tumor cells to collagen-coated microtire plate wells and the migration of B16F-10 melanoma cells across a polycarbonate filter in vitro. These results indicate that Thujone can inhibit the lung metastasis of B16F-10 cells through inhibition of tumor cell proliferation, adhesion, and invasion, as well as by regulating expression of MMPs, VEGF, ERK-1, ERK-2, TIMPs, nm23, and levels of proinflammatory cytokines and IL-2 in metastatic animals.     

Targeted disruption of the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases gene increases the invasive behavior of primitive mesenchymal cells derived from embryonic stem cells in vitro.

The metalloproteinase family of proteolytic enzymes can degrade extracellular matrix and facilitate invasive migration. This class of enzymes is specifically inhibited by the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP-1). Using homologous recombination, we have disrupted the gene encoding TIMP-1 in pluripotent embryonic stem cells. Because the TIMP-1 gene is X linked and is hemizygous in embryonic stem cells, we have been able to study the effect of this mutation in culture. Using a basement membrane invasion assay, we found that the mutant cells, differentiated in low concentrations of serum with retinoic acid, were more invasive than their normal cell counterparts, and that this was specifically reversed by adding exogenous TIMP-1 protein. The invasive cell population had characteristics of an early population of primitive mesenchymal cells, including expression of vimentin and a transient period of invasiveness from 4-8 d after initiation of differentiation. Therefore, metalloproteinase activity can be rate limiting for cell invasion.