紫铆因靶向EGFR和AuroraA/B信号通路抑制非小细胞肺癌的研究

紫铆因抗多种肿瘤的生物学活性已被广泛研究,但其抑制非小细胞肺癌(non-small cell lung cancer,NSCLC)的分子机制还不清楚。研究中,通过MTS和软琼脂集落实验检测紫铆因对非小细胞肺癌细胞停泊依赖和停泊非依赖增殖的影响,利用免疫印迹检测紫铆因处理后非小细胞肺癌表皮生长因子受体(epidermal growth factor receptor,EGFR)信号通路的磷酸化状态,同时采用流式细胞术检测紫铆因对非小细胞肺癌细胞周期演进的影响。研究发现紫铆因剂量依赖性抑制A549和H1650细胞增殖,在抑制EGFR信号通路磷酸化活化的同时下调EGFR总蛋白及EGFR在胞膜和胞核的表达,而且紫铆因下调AuroraA/B和H3-S10磷酸化,促进A549细胞G2/M期阻滞。结果表明紫铆因可通过靶向EGFR和AuroraA/B信号通路抑制非小细胞肺癌。     

Knockdown of VEGFR2 Inhibits Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis in Hemangioma-Derived Endothelial Cells

Angiogenesis is a process of development and growth of new capillary blood vessels from pre-existing vessels. Angiogenic growth factors play important roles in the development and maintenance of some malignancies, of which vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/VEGFR2 interactions are involved in proliferation, migration, and survival of many cancer cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the function of VEGFR2 in human hemangiomas (HAs). Using immunohistochemistry assay, we examined the expression levels of VEGF, VEGFR2, Ki-67, glucose transporter-1 (Glut-1), phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-AKT) and p-ERK in different phases of human HAs. Positive expression of VEGF, VEGFR2, Ki-67, Glut-1, p-AKT and p-ERK was significantly increased in proliferating phase HAs, while decreased in involuting phase HAs (P=0.001; P=0.003). In contrast, cell apoptotic indexes were decreased in proliferating phase HAs, but increased in involuting phase HAs (P<0.01). Furthermore, we used small hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated VEGFR2 knockdown in primary HA-derived endothelial cells (HemECs) to understand the role of VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling. Knockdown of VEGFR2 by Lv-shVEGFR2 inhibited cell viability and induced apoptosis in primary HemECs companied with decreased expression of p-AKT, p-ERK, p-p38MAPK and Ki-67 and increased expression of caspase-3 (CAS-3); Overexpression of VEGFR2 promoted cell viability and blocked apoptosis in Lv-VEGFR2-transfected HemECs. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that, increased expression of VEGFR2 is involved in the development of primary HemECs possibly through regulation of the AKT and ERK pathways, suggesting that VEGFR2 may be a potential therapeutic target for HAs.Key words: vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2, hemangioma, proliferation, apoptosis     

Targeting Apoptosis and Multiple Signaling Pathways with Icariside II in Cancer Cells

Cancer is the second leading cause of deaths worldwide. Despite concerted efforts to improve the current therapies, the prognosis of cancer remains dismal. Highly selective or specific blocking of only one of the signaling pathways has been associated with limited or sporadic responses. Using targeted agents to inhibit multiple signaling pathways has emerged as a new paradigm for anticancer treatment. Icariside II, a flavonol glycoside, is one of the major components of Traditional Chinese Medicine Herba epimedii and possesses multiple biological and pharmacological properties including anti-inflammatory, anti-osteoporosis, anti-oxidant, anti-aging, and anticancer activities. Recently, the anticancer activity of Icariside II has been extensively investigated. Here, in this review, our aim is to give our perspective on the current status of Icariside II, and discuss its natural sources, anticancer activity, molecular targets and the mechanisms of action with specific emphasis on apoptosis pathways which may help the further design and conduct of preclinical and clinical trials.Icariside II has been found to induce apoptosis in various human cancer cell lines of different origin by targeting multiple signaling pathways including STAT3, PI3K/AKT, MAPK/ERK, COX-2/PGE2 and β-Catenin which are frequently deregulated in cancers, suggesting that this collective activity rather than just a single effect may play an important role in developing Icariside II into a potential lead compound for anticancer therapy. This review suggests that Icariside II provides a novel opportunity for treatment of cancers, but additional investigations and clinical trials are still required to fully understand the mechanism of therapeutic effects to further validate it in anti-tumor therapy.     

SPARCL1通过MEK/ERK信号通路调节非小细胞肺癌细胞的增殖、凋亡和侵袭

摘要 目的：分析富含半胱氨酸的酸性分泌蛋白类似蛋白1（SPARCL1）对非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）细胞增殖、凋亡、侵袭的影响,并探讨分裂原活化抑制剂（MEK）/细胞外调节蛋白激酶（ERK）通路在其中发挥的作用。方法：收集2019年9月~2021年6月期间本院接受手术治疗的84例NSCLC患者癌组织与相应癌旁组织,实时定量逆转录聚合酶链反应（qRT-PCR）法测定并比较各组织以及正常肺上皮细胞HBEpiC、NSCLC细胞A549、HCC827、H1299、H292中SPARCL1 信使RNA（mRNA）表达水平,选取A549、HCC827培养并分组,分为对照组、NC siRNA组、SPARCL1 siRNA组、U0126组（MEK/ERK特异性抑制剂）、SPARCL1 siRNA加U0126组,细胞计数法（CCK8）以及平板克隆法测定A549、HCC827细胞增殖,流式细胞仪测定A549、HCC827细胞凋亡,Transwell小室法测定A549、HCC827细胞侵袭能力,蛋白质印迹法（western blot）检测SPARCL1、p-MEK、MEK、p-ERK1/2、ERK1/2蛋白表达。结果：SPARCL1在NSCLC组织中mRNA表达水平低于癌旁组织（P＜0.05）;与HBEpiC细胞相比,NSCLC细胞A549、HCC827、H1299、H292细胞中SPARCL1 mRNA表达水平降低（P＜0.05）;与对照组相比,SPARCL1 siRNA组A549、HCC827细胞SPARCL1 mRNA表达水平与蛋白表达、凋亡率降低（P＜0.05）,OD₄₅₀、克隆形成数、侵袭细胞数、p-MEK/MEK、p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2蛋白表达升高（P＜0.05）,U0126组A549、HCC827细胞SPARCL1 mRNA表达水平与蛋白表达、凋亡率升高（P＜0.05）,OD₄₅₀、克隆形成数、侵袭细胞数、p-MEK/MEK、p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2蛋白表达降低（P＜0.05）;与SPARCL1 siRNA组相比,SPARCL1 siRNA加U0126组A549、HCC827细胞SPARCL1 mRNA表达水平与蛋白表达、凋亡率升高（P＜0.05）,OD₄₅₀、克隆形成数、侵袭细胞数、p-MEK/MEK、p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2蛋白表达降低（P＜0.05）。结论：SPARCL1可能通过调控MEK/ERK通路影响NSCLC A549、HCC827细胞增殖、侵袭与凋亡。     

METTL3通过上调ING5抑制非小细胞肺癌细胞增殖

目的:探讨METTL3在非小细胞肺癌中的表达及作用,并探讨其可能的机制。方法:通过慢病毒转染,在HCC827细胞中过表达和敲除METTL3,并通过免疫印迹验证METTL3蛋白表达。免疫印迹检测HCC827细胞中生长抑制物家族成5(Methyltransferase Like 3,甲基转移酶3)调控ING5(Inhibitor Of Growth Family Member 5,METTL3)。使用基因表达交互分析(Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis,GEPIA)探究了METTL3和ING5在非小细胞肺癌组织和正常组织中的表达相关性。用CCK-8法检测METTL3和ING5表达对非小细胞肺癌细胞增殖的影响。使用KM-plotter验证METTL3、ING5的表达与非小细胞肺癌的总生存期(OS)、进展后生存期(PPS)和无进展生存期(PFS)之间的相关性。结果:免疫印迹结果显示,在HCC827细胞中METTL3过表达上调了ING5蛋白的表达,而METTL3表达下调了ING5蛋白的表达。GEPIA数据库分析显示METTL3在非小细胞肺癌中的表达明显低于正常组织(P<0.05)。CCK-8检测结果显示,与对照组相比METTL3缺失促进了HCC827细胞的增殖能力,而METTL3过表达显著抑制了HCC827细胞的增殖能力。此外,METTL3通过ING5调控非小细胞肺癌细胞的增殖能力。KM-plotter分析显示METTL3、ING5 m RNA的表达与非小细胞肺癌患者的生存有较好的预后关系。结论:METTL3在非小细胞肺癌低表达,并通过调控ING5的表达在非小细胞肺癌的发生进展中发挥重要地抑癌基因作用。     

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。     

Isoliquiritigenin Induces Apoptosis and Inhibits Xenograft Tumor Growth of Human Lung Cancer Cells by Targeting Both Wild Type and L858R/T790M Mutant EGFR

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is associated with diverse genetic alterations including mutation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Isoliquiritigenin (ILQ), a chalcone derivative, possesses anticancer activities. In the present study, we investigated the effects of ILQ on the growth of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-sensitive and -resistant NSCLC cells and elucidated its underlying mechanisms. Treatment with ILQ inhibited growth and induced apoptosis in both TKI-sensitive and -resistant NSCLC cells. ILQ-induced apoptosis was associated with the cleavage of caspase-3 and poly-(ADP-ribose)-polymerase, increased expression of Bim, and reduced expression of Bcl-2. In vitro kinase assay results revealed that ILQ inhibited the catalytic activity of both wild type and double mutant (L858R/T790M) EGFR. Treatment with ILQ inhibited the anchorage-independent growth of NIH3T3 cells stably transfected with either wild type or double-mutant EGFR with or without EGF stimulation. ILQ also reduced the phosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2 in both TKI-sensitive and -resistant NSCLC cells, and attenuated the kinase activity of Akt1 and ERK2 in vitro. ILQ directly interacted with both wild type and double-mutant EGFR in an ATP-competitive manner. A docking model study showed that ILQ formed two hydrogen bonds (Glu-762 and Met-793) with wild type EGFR and three hydrogen bonds (Lys-745, Met-793, and Asp-855) with mutant EGFR. ILQ attenuated the xenograft tumor growth of H1975 cells, which was associated with decreased expression of Ki-67 and diminished phosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2. Taken together, ILQ suppresses NSCLC cell growth by directly targeting wild type or mutant EGFR.     

miR-146a Inhibits Cell Growth,Cell Migration and Induces Apoptosis in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells

Aberrant expression of microRNA-146a (miR-146a) has been reported to be involved in the development and progression of various types of cancers. However, its role in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of miR-146a to various aspects of the malignant phenotype of human NSCLCs. In functional experiments, miR-146a suppressed cell growth, induced cellular apoptosis and inhibited EGFR downstream signaling in five NSCLC cell lines (H358, H1650, H1975, HCC827 and H292). miR-146a also inhibited the migratory capacity of these NSCLC cells. On the other hand, miR-146a enhanced the inhibition of cell proliferation by drugs targeting EGFR, including both TKIs (gefitinib, erlotinib, and afatinib) and a monoclonal antibody (cetuximab). These effects were independent of the EGFR mutation status (wild type, sensitizing mutation or resistance mutation), but were less potent compared to the effects of siRNA targeting of EGFR. Our results suggest that these effects of miR-146a are due to its targeting of EGFR and NF-κB signaling. We also found, in clinical formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) lung cancer samples, that low expression of miR-146a was correlated with advanced clinical TNM stages and distant metastasis in NSCLC (P<0.05). The patients with high miR-146a expression in their tumors showed longer progression-free survival (25.6 weeks in miR-146a high patients vs. 4.8 weeks in miR-146a low patients, P<0.05). miR-146a is therefore a strong candidate prognostic biomarker in NSCLC. Thus inducing miR-146a might be a therapeutic strategy for NSCLC.     

以VEGF/VEGFR 为靶点的肺癌治疗药物研究进展

目的:论述以血管内皮生成因子(VEGF)及其受体VEGFR为靶点的肺癌的研究现状,探讨VEGF及VEGFR与肺癌发生及发展的关系,为肺癌抗血管生成的治疗提供新的药物作用途径。方法:依据近年国内外的相关文献,进行归纳和分析,对VEGF及肺癌发生相关系统进行研究,并在此基础上,提出肺癌抗血管治疗的新思路。结果:研究发现,在肺癌的发生及发展过程中,VEGF出现过量表达。为达到抑制其促血管生成的作用,以VEGF/VEGFR为靶点,研制抑制VEGF活性的药物或干扰VEGFR的药物,可在一定程度上实现通过抑制相关抗血管生成治疗肺癌的目的。结论:利用新的抗血管途径有望在肺癌治疗中研发出新药,提高肺癌治疗效果。     

Regulation of Lipid Signaling Pathways for Cell Survival and Apoptosis by bcl-2 in Prostate Carcinoma Cells

Compelling evidence indicates that activation of the JNK/SAPK signaling pathway is obligatory for apoptosis induction by multiple cell stresses that activate the sphingomyelin cycle. Moreover, ectopic expression of bcl-2 can impair apoptosis signaling by most of the cell stresses that activate the ceramide/JNK pathway. Here we show that enforced expression of bcl-2 protects prostate carcinoma cells against the induction of apoptosis by exogenous C₂-ceramide. Moreover, enforced bcl-2 expression blocked the capacity of C₂-ceramide to activate JNK1, indicating bcl-2 functions at the level of JNK1 or upstream of JNK1 in the ceramide/JNK pathway. The contribution of bcl-2 to the regulation of the arachidonate pathway for prostate carcinoma cell survival was also investigated using highly selective inhibitors of arachidonate metabolism. Our results indicate bcl-2 can protect cells against diminished availability of arachidonic acid, 12-HETE, and 15-HETE. Finally, arachidonic acid substantially suppresses the induction of apoptosis by C₂-ceramide, providing evidence for the opposing influences of these lipid signaling pathways in the mediation of prostate carcinoma cell survival. These results provide evidence for opposing influences of the ceramide and arachidonate signaling pathways in the mediation of cell death and cell survival, respectively, in prostate carcinoma cells and suggest a dual role for bcl-2 in this context.     

雷公藤红素对非小细胞肺癌细胞株H1299增殖与凋亡的影响

目的：研究雷公藤红素对非小细胞肺癌细胞株H1299的杀伤作用及相关调控机制。方法：用细胞计数法测定不同浓度雷公藤红素对H1299细胞增殖的影响;用流式细胞仪检测H1299细胞的细胞周期;用Western blotting检测剪切的（cleaved）聚ADP核糖聚合酶（PARP）、cleaved caspase-3和低氧诱导因子-1（HIF-1）的表达水平;用DCF-DA染色和荧光显微镜检测细胞内的活性氧（ROS）水平;用萤光素酶活性测定法检测NFκB的活性。结果：雷公藤红素以时间和剂量依赖性的方式抑制H1299细胞的增殖,并使细胞阻滞在G2/M期。同时,雷公藤红素显著上调cleaved PARP和cleaved caspase-3的表达,提高细胞内的ROS水平,并且抑制NFκB的活性。结论：雷公藤红素以时间和剂量依赖性的方式抑制H1299细胞的增殖,并诱导caspase依赖性的细胞凋亡,具体机制与细胞内ROS的积累和NFκB的活性抑制有关。     

HGF/SF Induces Mesothelial Cell Migration and Proliferation by Autocrine and Paracrine Pathways

Mesothelial repair differs from that of other epithelial-like surfaces as healing does not occur solely by centripetal in-growth of cells as a sheet from the wound margins. Mesothelial cells lose their cell-cell junctions, divide, and adopt a fibroblast-like morphology while scattering across and covering the wound surface. These features are consistent with a cellular response to hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF). In this study, we examined the ability of mesothelial cells to secrete HGF/SF and investigated its possible role as an autocrine regulator of mesothelial cell motility and proliferation. We found that human primary mesothelial cells expressed HGF/SF mRNA and secreted active HGF/SF into conditioned medium as determined by ELISA and in a scattering bioassay. These cells also expressed the HGF/SF receptor, Met, as shown by RT-PCR and by Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence. Incubation of mesothelial cells with neutralizing antibodies to HGF/SF decreased cell migration to 25% of controls, whereas addition of HGF/SF disrupted cell-cell junctions and induced scattering and enhanced mesothelial cell migration. Furthermore, HGF/SF showed a small but significant mitogenic effect on all mesothelial cell lines examined. In conclusion, HGF/SF is produced by mesothelial cells and induces both motility and proliferation of these cells. These data are consistent with HGF/SF playing an autocrine role in mesothelial healing.