脂肪酸合成酶在肿瘤中表达的调节机制

脂肪酸合成酶（fatty acid synthase,FASN）是肿瘤脂质生成的一种关键酶,在催化脂肪酸合成的最后一步中发挥重要作用。FASN在许多肿瘤细胞中过表达而在相应的正常细胞中却不表达。有证据表明FASN是一个代谢性癌基因,在癌细胞中高表达,在肿瘤生长和存活中有重要的作用。FASN在肿瘤中的表达调节是一个很复杂的过程,包括转录水平、翻译后控制和微环境状态的影响。正确认识FASN在肿瘤中的表达调节机制和研究新的FASN抑制剂,为成功治疗肿瘤提供一种新的思路。     

Human Cytomegalovirus Gene Expression in Long-Term Infected Glioma Stem Cells

The most common adult primary brain tumor, glioblastoma (GBM), is characterized by fifteen months median patient survival and has no clear etiology. We and others have identified the presence of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) gene products endogenously expressed in GBM tissue and primary cells, with a subset of viral genes being consistently expressed in most samples. Among these viral genes, several have important oncomodulatory properties, regulating tumor stemness, proliferation, immune evasion, invasion and angiogenesis. These findings lead us to hypothesize that a specific HCMV gene signature may be associated with GBM pathogenesis. To investigate this hypothesis, we used glioma cell lines and primary glioma stem-like cells (GSC) infected with clinical and laboratory HCMV strains and measured relative viral gene expression levels along several time points up to 15 weeks post-infection. While HCMV gene expression was detected in several infected glioma lines through week 5 post-infection, only HCMV-infected GSC expressed viral gene products 15 weeks post-infection. Efficiency of infection across time was higher in GSC compared to cell lines. Importantly, HCMV-infected GSC outlived their uninfected counterparts, and this extended survival was paralleled by increased tumorsphere frequency and upregulation of stemness regulators, such as SOX2, p-STAT3, and BMX (a novel HCMV target identified in this study). Interleukin 6 (IL-6) treatment significantly upregulated HCMV gene expression in long-term infected glioma cultures, suggesting that pro-inflammatory signaling in the tumor milieu may further augment HCMV gene expression and subsequent tumor progression driven by viral-induced cellular signaling. Together, our data support a critical role for long-term, low-level HCMV infection in promoting survival, stemness, and proliferation of GSC that could significantly contribute to GBM pathogenesis.     

何首乌提取物对脂肪酸合酶的抑制作用

最新报道脂肪酸合酶 (FAS)是治疗肥胖症的潜在靶部位 ,但目前已知的FAS抑制剂还很少 .测定表明 ,中药何首乌提取物对FAS同时具有很强的快结合可逆抑制和慢结合不可逆抑制作用 .萃取的最佳溶剂为 4 0 %乙醇水溶液 .该提取物对FAS全反应的半抑制浓度为 0 .0 0 5mg ml(以萃取时中药重量计 ) ;不可逆抑制过程为两相 ,在 0 4 6mg ml浓度下在 0 5min内快相失活超过 5 0 % ,慢相在 32min时失活达 90 % .该提取物对FAS中的酮酰还原反应有强抑制 ,半抑制浓度为 0 0 18mg ml,对烯酰还原反应有弱抑制作用 .抑制动力学分析表明 ,何首乌提取物对FAS的抑制和底物NADPH之间呈非竞争性关系 ,和丙二酰辅酶A接近竞争性关系 ,而与乙酰辅酶A为反竞争性关系 .推测何首乌还含有作用于FAS中的丙二酰转酰酶的抑制剂 .用何首乌提取物口服饲喂大鼠 ,可明显减低大鼠摄食量和降低大鼠体重 ;实验结束时实验组大鼠肝脏FAS活性低于对照组 .以上结果表明 ,中药何首乌提取物对FAS有很强的抑制作用 ,其抑制能力明显强于已知抑制剂 ,其动力学表现也和已知抑制剂完全不同 ,预计为新的抑制剂 ,对研究FAS的作用机理及在防治肥胖症的应用上可能具有重要的价值     

Fatty Acid Synthase Mediates the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition of Breast Cancer Cells

This study aimed to investigate the role of fatty acid synthase (FASN) in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of breast cancer cells. MCF-7 cells and MCF-7 cells overexpressing mitogen-activated protein kinase 5 (MCF-7-MEK5) were used in this study. MCF-7-MEK5 cells showed stable EMT characterized by increased vimentin and decreased E-cadherin expression. An In vivo animal model was established using the orthotopic injection of MCF-7 or MCF-7-MEK5 cells. Real-time quantitative PCR and western blotting were used to detect the expression levels of FASN and its downstream proteins liver fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) and VEGF/VEGFR-2 in both in vitro and in vivo models (nude mouse tumor tissues). In MCF-7-MEK5 cells, significantly increased expression of FASN was associated with increased levels of L-FABP and VEGF/VEGFR-2. Cerulenin inhibited MCF-7-MEK5 cell migration and EMT, and reduced FASN expression and down-stream proteins L-FABP, VEGF, and VEGFR-2. MCF-7-MEK5 cells showed higher sensitivity to Cerulenin than MCF-7 cells. Immunofluorescence revealed an increase of co-localization of FASN with VEGF on the cell membrane and with L-FABP within MCF-7-MEK5 cells. Immunohistochemistry further showed that increased percentage of FASN-positive cells in the tumor tissue was associated with increased percentages of L-FABP- and VEGF-positive cells and the Cerulenin treatment could reverse the effect. Altogether, our results suggest that FASN is essential to EMT possibly through regulating L-FABP, VEGF and VEGFR-2. This study provides a theoretical basis and potential strategy for effective suppression of malignant cells with EMT.     

Inhibition of ERK and JNK Decreases Both Osmosensitive Taurine Release and Cell Proliferation in Glioma Cells

Cell swelling is associated with the activation of an increase in the osmosensitive taurine release (OTR) rate, which serves to decrease cell volume as part of a process known as regulatory volume decrease. OTR, which is sensitive to many pharmacological agents including anion channel blockers and signalling pathway modulators, has also been suggested to play a role in cell cycle progression. At non-cytotoxic concentrations, the anion channel blocker NPPB (25 μM), the extra-cellular signal-regulated kinase inhibitor PD98059 (50 μM), and the c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase inhibitor SP 600125 (5 μM) each decreased the OTR rate by ≥50%, decreased cell proliferation, and increased G0/G1 cell cycle arrest.     

转录因子SOX9基因对脑胶质瘤干细胞干性维持的相关性研究

目的:应用慢病毒干扰SOX9的表达,观察其对脑胶质瘤干细胞干性维持的影响。方法:设计2条针对SOX9转录短发夹RNA(sh RNA)的DNA序列,构建慢病毒并感染胶质瘤细胞系U87、U251细胞,利用嘌呤霉素筛选稳转细胞。在转录水平及蛋白水平检测SOX9的沉默效果,利用荧光实时定量PCR(q RT-PCR)及免疫荧光染色检测相应干细胞相关标志分子SOX2、Nestin的表达差异。比较诱导形成的胶质瘤干细胞成球能力(肿瘤干细胞成球的直径),同时利用荧光实时定量PCR(q RT-PCR)及免疫荧光染色对干细胞相关标志物SOX2、Nestin的表达水平进行比较。结果:SOX9成功包装慢病毒并有效感染U87、U251细胞,实时荧光定量PCR检测其抑制率分别可降低83.74%和80.12%。并且在稳转细胞系水平相关干细胞标志分子表达含量有明显下降。在干细胞层面沉默SOX9可以明显抑制胶质瘤细胞诱导成球的直径(P0.01),同时免疫荧光显示肿瘤干细胞相关干性分子SOX2、Nestin的表达水平较对照组明显降低。结论:慢病毒感染沉默SOX9基因可以抑制胶质瘤干细胞干性的维持,为胶质瘤的生物治疗提供了重要的靶点。     

Inhibition of Fatty Acid Metabolism Reduces Human Myeloma Cells Proliferation

Multiple myeloma is a haematological malignancy characterized by the clonal proliferation of plasma cells. It has been proposed that targeting cancer cell metabolism would provide a new selective anticancer therapeutic strategy. In this work, we tested the hypothesis that inhibition of β-oxidation and de novo fatty acid synthesis would reduce cell proliferation in human myeloma cells. We evaluated the effect of etomoxir and orlistat on fatty acid metabolism, glucose metabolism, cell cycle distribution, proliferation, cell death and expression of G1/S phase regulatory proteins in myeloma cells. Etomoxir and orlistat inhibited β-oxidation and de novo fatty acid synthesis respectively in myeloma cells, without altering significantly glucose metabolism. These effects were associated with reduced cell viability and cell cycle arrest in G0/G1. Specifically, etomoxir and orlistat reduced by 40–70% myeloma cells proliferation. The combination of etomoxir and orlistat resulted in an additive inhibitory effect on cell proliferation. Orlistat induced apoptosis and sensitized RPMI-8226 cells to apoptosis induction by bortezomib, whereas apoptosis was not altered by etomoxir. Finally, the inhibitory effect of both drugs on cell proliferation was associated with reduced p21 protein levels and phosphorylation levels of retinoblastoma protein. In conclusion, inhibition of fatty acid metabolism represents a potential therapeutic approach to treat human multiple myeloma.     

多种胶质瘤细胞系中获取胶质瘤干细胞方法的研究

目的:进一步证明胶质瘤干细胞是广泛存在的,并寻找一种简洁的方法从不同胶质瘤细胞系中提取肿瘤干细胞。方法:将胶质瘤细胞以合适的密度接种于96孔板中,获取胶质瘤干细胞,并通过检测其自我更新能力、多向分化能力、成瘤能力及胶质瘤干细胞标记物的表达情况对其进行鉴定。结果:多种细胞系中均成功获取了胶质瘤干细胞。并且这细胞球表达神经干细胞的标志物,不表达神经细胞分化标志物,同时又有多向分化的能力,仅5000个细胞就可以在裸鼠颅内成瘤。结论:我们的研究结果表明胶质瘤干细胞是广泛存在的,并为以后进一步研究胶质瘤干细胞的特性及靶向胶质瘤干细胞的药物做铺垫。     

多种胶质瘤细胞系中获取胶质瘤干细胞方法的研究

目的：进一步证明胶质瘤干细胞是广泛存在的,并寻找一种简洁的方法从不同胶质瘤细胞系中提取肿瘤干细胞。方法：将胶质瘤细胞以合适的密度接种于96孔板中,获取胶质瘤干细胞,并通过检测其自我更新能力、多向分化能力、成瘤能力及胶质瘤干细胞标记物的表达情况对其进行鉴定。结果：多种细胞系中均成功获取了胶质瘤干细胞。并且这细胞球表达神经干细胞的标志物,不袁达神经细胞分化标志物,同时又有多向分化的能力,仅5000个细胞就可以在裸鼠颅内成瘤。结论：我们的研究结果表明胶质瘤干细胞是广泛存在的,并为以后进一步研究胶质瘤干细胞的特性及靶向胶质瘤干细胞的药物做铺垫。     

Targeting Glioma Stem Cells by Functional Inhibition of a Prosurvival OncomiR-138 in Malignant Gliomas

Malignant gliomas are the most aggressive forms of?brain tumors, associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Recurrence and tumorigenesis are attributed to a subpopulation of tumor-initiating glioma stem cells (GSCs) that are intrinsically resistant to therapy. Initiation and progression of gliomas have been linked to alterations in microRNA expression. Here, we report the identification of microRNA-138 (miR-138) as a molecular signature of GSCs and demonstrate a vital role for miR-138 in?promoting growth and survival of bona fide tumor-initiating cells with self-renewal potential. Sequence-specific functional inhibition of miR-138 prevents tumorsphere formation in?vitro and impedes tumorigenesis in?vivo. We delineate the components of the miR-138 regulatory network by loss-of-function analysis to identify specific regulators of apoptosis. Finally, the higher expression of miR-138 in GSCs compared to non-neoplastic tissue and association with tumor recurrence and survival highlights the clinical significance of miR-138 as a prognostic biomarker and a therapeutic target for treatment of malignant gliomas.     

Targeting A20 Decreases Glioma Stem Cell Survival and Tumor Growth

Glioblastomas are deadly cancers that display a functional cellular hierarchy maintained by self-renewing glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs). GSCs are regulated by molecular pathways distinct from the bulk tumor that may be useful therapeutic targets. We determined that A20 (TNFAIP3), a regulator of cell survival and the NF-κB pathway, is overexpressed in GSCs relative to non-stem glioblastoma cells at both the mRNA and protein levels. To determine the functional significance of A20 in GSCs, we targeted A20 expression with lentiviral-mediated delivery of short hairpin RNA (shRNA). Inhibiting A20 expression decreased GSC growth and survival through mechanisms associated with decreased cell-cycle progression and decreased phosphorylation of p65/RelA. Elevated levels of A20 in GSCs contributed to apoptotic resistance: GSCs were less susceptible to TNFα-induced cell death than matched non-stem glioma cells, but A20 knockdown sensitized GSCs to TNFα-mediated apoptosis. The decreased survival of GSCs upon A20 knockdown contributed to the reduced ability of these cells to self-renew in primary and secondary neurosphere formation assays. The tumorigenic potential of GSCs was decreased with A20 targeting, resulting in increased survival of mice bearing human glioma xenografts. In silico analysis of a glioma patient genomic database indicates that A20 overexpression and amplification is inversely correlated with survival. Together these data indicate that A20 contributes to glioma maintenance through effects on the glioma stem cell subpopulation. Although inactivating mutations in A20 in lymphoma suggest A20 can act as a tumor suppressor, similar point mutations have not been identified through glioma genomic sequencing: in fact, our data suggest A20 may function as a tumor enhancer in glioma through promotion of GSC survival. A20 anticancer therapies should therefore be viewed with caution as effects will likely differ depending on the tumor type.     

Hyperglycemic Stress Impairs the Stemness Capacity of Kidney Stem Cells in Rats

The incidence of acute kidney injury in patients with diabetes is significantly higher than that of patients without diabetes, and may be associated with the poor stemness capacity of kidney stem cells (KSCs) and limited recovery of injured renal tubules. To investigate the effects of hyperglycemic stress on KSC stemness, KSCs were isolated from the rat renal papilla and analyzed for their self-renewal and differentiation abilities. Our results showed that isolated KSCs expressed the mesenchymal stem cell markers N-cadherin, Nestin, CD133, CD29, CD90, and CD73. Moreover, KSCs co-cultured with hypoxia-injured renal tubular epithelial cell (RTECs) induced the expression of the mature epithelial cell marker CK18, suggesting that the KSCs could differentiate into RTECs in vitro. However, KSC proliferation, differentiation ability and tolerance to hypoxia were decreased in high-glucose cultures. Taken together, these results suggest the high-glucose microenvironment can damage the reparative ability of KSCs. It may result in a decreased of recovery capability of renal tubules from injury.     

鸭肝脂肪酸合成酶的NADPH底物抑制及作用动力学

己知动物脂肪酸合成酶的底物乙酰辅酶Ａ和丙二酰辅酶Ａ具有竞争性双底物抑制的乒乓机制。实验发现鸭肝脂肪酸合成酶的第三个底物ＮＡＤＰＨ也具有底物抑制,并研究了它的规律及与ＮＡＤＰＨ有关的稳态动力学。发现对于该酶的全反应,增加丙二酰辅酶Ａ浓度,降低环境盐浓度,均使ＮＡＤＰＨ底物抑制减少。但以ＮＡＤＰＨ作底物的酮酰还原和烯酰还原二步单独反应以及包含四步单独反应的乙酰乙酰辅酶Ａ还原反应都无ＮＡＤＰＨ底物抑制现象。ＮＡＤＰＨ底物抑制对丙二酰辅酶Ａ为竞争性,丙二酰辅酶Ａ底物抑制对ＮＡＤＰＨ为非竞争性。在全反应中ＮＡＤＰＨ和丙二酰辅酶Ａ之间发现为乒乓机制,在乙酰乙酰辅酶Ａ还原反应中,两个底物ＮＡＤＰＨ和乙酰乙酰辅酶Ａ之间则表现为序列反应机制。降低环境盐浓度使ＮＡＤＰＨ和丙二酰辅酶Ａ之间的乒乓机制向序列机制转化。在全反应中,ＮＡＤＰ产物抑制相对ＮＡＤＰ为竞争性,对丙二酰辅酶Ａ为非竞争性。     

Induction of Nitric Oxide Synthase in Rat C6 Glioma Cells

Abstract: We have examined the induction of nitric oxide syhthase (NOS) activity in the rat astrocyte-derived C6 glioma cell line. In contrast to the previous results with primary astrocyte cultures, incubation of C6 cells with bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 1 μg/ml for 24 h) did not stimulate NO₂ production. However, addition of either tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-α) or interferon-γ (IFN-γ), cytokines that by themselves had no effect on NOS activity, imparted LPS responsiveness onto these cells in a dose-dependent manner (EC₅₀ values of 39 ng/ml of TNF-α and 9.4 U/ml of IFN-γ), and the effect of TNF-α could be further potentiated (twofold) by the presence of interleukin-1β. The simultaneous presence of TNF-α and IFN-γ yielded a greater response than either cytokine alone; however, the respective EC₅₀ values were not affected. A cytoplasmic extract from induced C6 cells catalyzed the Ca²⁺-independent conversion of l -arginine to l - citrulline, with an apparent K _m of 51.2 n M , and this activity could be blocked by l -arginine analogues in the potency order amino > methyl > nitroarginine. Immunoblot analysis revealed an apparent molecular mass of 125 kDa for the NOS protein induced in C6 cells. These results indicate that the combination of LPS plus cytokines can induce NOS activity in C6 glioma cells with properties similar to those of the enzyme expressed in primary astrocyte cultures.     

Human Tendon Stem Cells Better Maintain Their Stemness in Hypoxic Culture Conditions

Tissues and organs in vivo are under a hypoxic condition; that is, the oxygen tension is typically much lower than in ambient air. However, the effects of such a hypoxic condition on tendon stem cells, a recently identified tendon cell, remain incompletely defined. In cell culture experiments, we subjected human tendon stem cells (hTSCs) to a hypoxic condition with 5% O₂, while subjecting control cells to a normaxic condition with 20% O₂. We found that hTSCs at 5% O₂ had significantly greater cell proliferation than those at 20% O₂. Moreover, the expression of two stem cell marker genes, Nanog and Oct-4, was upregulated in the cells cultured in 5% O₂. Finally, in cultures under 5% O₂, more hTSCs expressed the stem cell markers nucleostemin, Oct-4, Nanog and SSEA-4. In an in vivo experiment, we found that when both cell groups were implanted with tendon-derived matrix, more tendon-like structures formed in the 5% O₂ treated hTSCs than in 20% O₂ treated hTSCs. Additionally, when both cell groups were implanted with Matrigel, the 5% O₂ treated hTSCs showed more extensive formation of fatty, cartilage-like and bone-like tissues than the 20% O₂ treated cells. Together, the findings of this study show that oxygen tension is a niche factor that regulates the stemness of hTSCs, and that less oxygen is better for maintaining hTSCs in culture and expanding them for cell therapy of tendon injuries.     

全反式维甲酸协同DAPT抑制胶质瘤干细胞的自我更新

前期研究脑表明,脑胶质瘤干细胞（glioma stem cells,GSCs）是胶质瘤发生和发展的重要因素,探索靶向干预GSCs生长有可能成为脑胶质瘤治疗的有效途径之一。该研究旨在阐明两种药物ATRA和Y-分泌酶抑制剂DAPT协同抑制GSCs自我更新的生物学效应。通过用台盼蓝排染法、克隆球形成试验和免疫印迹分析了两种药物的单独使用或联用对GSC样细胞PGCl和PGC2生长、成球能力和自我更新以及干细胞标志物表达的影响。结果发现,单独使用ATRA对PGCl生长有一定的抑制作用,而对PGC2生长几乎没有影响;DAPT对PGCs的生长抑制作用明显强于ATRA。高浓度ATRA（80μmol/L）能诱导PGCs的分化,降低PGCs成球大小,且成球效率降至5％～8％,而正常对照组为32％～35％;同样,DAPT（40μmol／L）也能降低PGCs成球大小,且成球效率降至2％～3％;低浓度ATRA（20μmol／L）和DAPT（5gmol／L）对PGCs自我更新能力和干性没有明显影响,而联合使用后其明显降低PGCs的成球大小,且成球效率降至3％～5％,促进细胞凋亡,并且明显抑制了干细胞标志物Nestin、CDl33、Sox2、Oct4的表达,提高了分化标志物GFAP的表达。该研究证明了低浓度的ATRA和DAPT能协同抑制脑胶质瘤干细胞PGCs的自我更新。研究结果将为脑胶质瘤的临床研究提供实验依据。