GDP Induces PANC-1 Human Pancreatic Cancer Cell Death Preferentially under Nutrient Starvation by Inhibiting PI3K/Akt/mTOR/Autophagy Signaling Pathway

Pancreatic tumors are hypovascular, which leads to a poor nutrient supply to support the aggressively proliferating tumor cells. However, human pancreatic cancer cells have extreme resistance to nutrition starvation, which enables them to survive under severe metabolic stress conditions within the tumor microenvironment, a phenomenon known as “austerity” in cancer biology. Discovering agents which can preferentially inhibit the cancer cells’ ability to tolerate starvation conditions represents a new generation of anticancer agents. In this study, geranyl 2,4-dihydroxy-6-phenethylbenzoate (GDP), isolated from Boesenbergia pandurata rhizomes, exhibited potent preferential cytotoxicity against PANC-1 human pancreatic cancer cells under nutrition starvation conditions. GDP also possessed PANC-1 cell migration and colony formation inhibitory activities under normal nutrient-rich conditions. Mechanistically, GDP inhibited PI3K/Akt/mTOR/autophagy survival signaling pathway, leading to selective PANC-1 cancer cell death under the nutrition starvation condition. Therefore, GDP is a promising anti-austerity agent for drug development against pancreatic cancer.     

Molecular docking analysis of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor with bioactive molecules from Piper longum as potential anti-cancer agents

It is known that vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VGFR) is linked with cancer. Therefore, it is of interest to document the molecular binding features of bioactive molecules from Piper longum as potential anti-cancer agents with VGFR2 for further consideration. Thus, we document the binding features of four compounds (sesamin, fargesin, longamide and piperlonguminine) with VGFR2 for further consideration in drug discovery.     

EpCAM特异性适配体对胰腺癌细胞的靶向识别及促凋亡研究

目的:验证EpCAM分子特异性适配体对胰腺癌细胞的亲和性及对细胞凋亡的影响。方法:通过文献查询EpCAM分子特异性适配体,以流式细胞术验证适配体与胰腺癌PANC-1细胞的特异性亲和力;通过细胞免疫组化验证适配体与细胞结合的位点;通过流式细胞术检测适配体对细胞的凋亡影响。结果:选择文献报道的EpCAM分子特异性适配体EP166,在不破坏主要二级结构情况下做截断处理形成EP166s。通过流式细胞术验证发现EP166s与原适配体EP166均可以特异性识别胰腺癌PANC-1细胞,而与阴性对照的HEK293T细胞无特异性亲和力。细胞免疫荧光显示EP166s主要结合在细胞膜表面。凋亡检测结果发现EP166s在与PANC-1孵育12 h、24 h后均可促进细胞凋亡,且主要是细胞的早期凋亡,其所占百分比分别为12.2±0.20,27.13±0.36,而随机文库对照组的早期凋亡百分比分别为5.21±0.63,4.91±0.72;均值的配对T检验发现EP166s在孵育12 h和24 h后其早期凋亡所占百分数与随机文库组均有统计学差异,而且EP166s与细胞孵育12 h与24 h对凋亡的影响也有统计学差异,P≤0.01。结论:修饰后的适配体EP166s可以特异性识别胰腺癌PANC-1细胞,且结合位点位于细胞膜上;该适配体有促进PANC-1细胞凋亡的作用。     

Chemical constituents of Callistemon citrinus from Egypt and their antiausterity activity against PANC-1 human pancreatic cancer cell line

Human pancreatic cancer is resistant to almost all conventional chemotherapeutic agents. It is known to proliferate aggressively within hypovascular tumor microenvironment by exhibiting remarkable tolerance to nutrition starvation,  a phenomenon termed as “austerity”. Search for the new agents that eliminate the tolerance of cancer cells to nutrition starvation is a promising strategy in anticancer drug discovery. In this study, two new meroterpenoids named callistrilones O and P (1 and 2) together with eight known triterpenes (3–10) were isolated from the active dichloromethane extract of Callistemon citrinus leaves. The structure elucidation of the new compounds was achieved by HRFABMS, 1D, 2D NMR, and ECD quantum calculations. All isolated compounds were tested for their preferential cytotoxicity against PANC-1 human pancreatic cancer cells. Among these, callistrilone O (1) exhibited the most potent preferential cytotoxicity with a PC₅₀ value of 0.3 nM, the strongest activity with over 2000 times potent than the positive control arctigenin. Callistrilone O (1) induced dramatic alterations in PANC-1 cell morphology leading to cell death under nutrient-deprived conditions. Compound 1 also inhibited PANC-1 cell migration and -PANC-1 colony formation under the nutrient-rich condition.     

Synthesis of guggulsterone derivatives as potential anti-austerity agents against PANC-1 human pancreatic cancer cells

E- and Z-guggulsterones and nine guggulsterone derivatives (GSDs) were synthesized and evaluated for their preferential cytotoxicity against human PANC-1 cell in nutrient deprived medium utilizing antiausterity strategy. Among the synthesized compounds, GSD-1 and GSD-7 showed potent cytotoxicity against PANC-1 cells under nutrient-deprived conditions in a concentration dependent manner, with a PC₅₀ value of 1.6 μM and 3.2 μM, respectively. The effect of GSD-1 and GSD-7 was further evaluated in a real time using live cell imaging. Both of these compounds altered PANC-1 cell morphology, leading to cell death at sub micromolar concentration range. GSD-1 and GSD-7 also inhibited PANC-1 cell colony formation in a concentration-dependent manner. GSD-1 and GSD-7 are lead structure for the anti-austerity drug development.     

西达本胺诱导胰腺癌细胞凋亡

目的：观察西达本胺对胰腺癌细胞BxPC-3和PANC-1生长抑制及诱导细胞凋亡作用,探讨西达本胺抗胰腺癌的机制。方法：西达本胺处理BxPC-3和PANC-1细胞后,用流式细胞术检测细胞的凋亡率,用罗丹明123和DCFH—DA染色方法测定细胞线粒体膜跨膜电位变化和活性氧（ROS）的产生,用Western印迹检测Bcl-2家族和γH2AX蛋白表达的变化。结果：西达本胺对胰腺癌细胞BxPC-3和PANC-1具有生长抑制和诱导细胞凋亡的作用,且呈时间和剂量依赖关系;处理72h后,胰腺癌细胞内ROS产生增强导致DNA损伤发生,且线粒体跨膜电位明显下降;促凋亡蛋白Bax的表达,抑制抑凋亡蛋白Bcl-2和Mcl—1的表达。结论：西达本胺具有抑制胰腺癌细胞增殖,诱导细胞凋亡的作用;西达本胺增强胰腺癌细胞内ROS的产生并导致DNA损伤,最终诱导细胞凋亡的发生。     

雷公藤甲素诱导胰腺癌细胞凋亡

目的：观察雷公藤甲素对胰腺癌细胞BxPC-3和PANC-1生长抑制及诱导细胞凋亡作用,探讨雷公藤甲素抗胰腺癌的机制。方法：雷公藤甲素处理BxPC-3和PANC—1细胞后,用M1rr法检测细胞的生长抑制,用流式细胞术检测细胞的凋亡率,用罗丹明123和DCFH—DA染色方法测定细胞线粒体膜跨膜电位变化和活性氧（ROS）的产生,用Western印迹检测Bcl-2、Bax蛋白表达的变化。结果：雷公藤甲素对胰腺癌细胞BxPC-3和PANC—1具有生长抑制和诱导细胞凋亡的作用,且呈时间和剂量依赖关系;处理72h后,胰腺癌细胞线粒体跨膜电位明显下降,Bax表达上调,Bcl-2表达下降。结论：雷公藤甲素能有效抑制胰腺癌细胞增殖,通过增强线粒体通透性诱导细胞凋亡。     

GATA1通过上调NANOG促进胰腺癌肿瘤干细胞形成

目的:探究GATA1在胰腺癌肿瘤干细胞形成中的功能和作用机制。方法:通过流式细胞术检测GATA1对胰腺癌肿瘤干细胞形成的影响;通过实时荧光定量PCR和Western印迹筛选和验证GATA1下游的干性基因;通过双萤光素酶报告基因实验和染色质免疫共沉淀明确GATA1的调控机制。结果:GATA1过表达细胞株中肿瘤干细胞含量增加;GATA1上调NANOG的mRNA和蛋白表达水平;GATA1可以增强NANOG启动子的活性;GATA1结合在NANOG启动子-527^-524bp处的GATA序列。结论:GATA1可以通过结合在NANOG启动子上激活其转录,促进胰腺癌肿瘤干细胞的形成。     

胰腺癌干细胞中受OCT4调控的表面标志研究

OCT4和Nanog被公认是人ESC的自我更新调控基因,其中OCT4能够转录调控多种表面蛋白的表达,如SEMA6A。该文将人胰腺癌细胞株Panc-1、Bxpc-3、Aspc-1和Cfpac-1培养在无血清条件下,采用EGF、IGF-1和FGF-10诱导球体形成。用免疫荧光法分别检测这4种人胰腺癌细胞株及其球体细胞以及15例胰腺癌组织标本和13例正常胰腺组织标本中OCT4和Nanog的表达,结果显示,4种人胰腺癌细胞株在无血清-DF12培养基中5～10 d即可形成悬浮生长的球体。OCT4和Nanog在4种细胞株均有表达,且球体细胞中表达明显高于亲代细胞。在胰腺癌组织中仅有少量表达自我更新基因,在正常胰腺组织中微量表达。此外,还检测到Panc-1球体细胞表面高表达SEMA6A。由此可见,自我更新基因OCT4和Nanog在胰腺癌细胞中的表达和CSC有关,其表面蛋白SEMA6A作为胰腺癌干细胞表面标志物值得进一步研究。     

Evaluation of the Efficacy & Biochemical Mechanism of Cell Death Induction by Piper longum Extract Selectively in In-Vitro and In-Vivo Models of Human Cancer Cells

Background

Currently chemotherapy is limited mostly to genotoxic drugs that are associated with severe side effects due to non-selective targeting of normal tissue. Natural products play a significant role in the development of most chemotherapeutic agents, with 74.8% of all available chemotherapy being derived from natural products.

Objective

To scientifically assess and validate the anticancer potential of an ethanolic extract of the fruit of the Long pepper (PLX), a plant of the piperaceae family that has been used in traditional medicine, especially Ayurveda and investigate the anticancer mechanism of action of PLX against cancer cells.

Materials & Methods

Following treatment with ethanolic long pepper extract, cell viability was assessed using a water-soluble tetrazolium salt; apoptosis induction was observed following nuclear staining by Hoechst, binding of annexin V to the externalized phosphatidyl serine and phase contrast microscopy. Image-based cytometry was used to detect the effect of long pepper extract on the production of reactive oxygen species and the dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential following Tetramethylrhodamine or 5,5,6,6′-tetrachloro-1,1′,3,3′-tetraethylbenzimidazolylcarbocyanine chloride staining (JC-1). Assessment of PLX in-vivo was carried out using Balb/C mice (toxicity) and CD-1 nu/nu immunocompromised mice (efficacy). HPLC analysis enabled detection of some primary compounds present within our long pepper extract.

Results

Our results indicated that an ethanolic long pepper extract selectively induces caspase-independent apoptosis in cancer cells, without affecting non-cancerous cells, by targeting the mitochondria, leading to dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential and increase in ROS production. Release of the AIF and endonuclease G from isolated mitochondria confirms the mitochondria as a potential target of long pepper. The efficacy of PLX in in-vivo studies indicates that oral administration is able to halt the growth of colon cancer tumors in immunocompromised mice, with no associated toxicity. These results demonstrate the potentially safe and non-toxic alternative that is long pepper extract for cancer therapy.     

Isolation of Stem Cells from Human Pancreatic Cancer Xenografts

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been identified in a growing number of malignancies and are functionally defined by their ability to undergo self-renewal and produce differentiated progeny¹. These properties allow CSCs to recapitulate the original tumor when injected into immunocompromised mice. CSCs within an epithelial malignancy were first described in breast cancer and found to display specific cell surface antigen expression (CD44⁺CD24^low/-)². Since then, CSCs have been identified in an increasing number of other human malignancies using CD44 and CD24 as well as a number of other surface antigens. Physiologic properties, including aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity, have also been used to isolate CSCs from malignant tissues^3-5.Recently, we and others identified CSCs from pancreatic adenocarcinoma based on ALDH activity and the expression of the cell surface antigens CD44 and CD24, and CD133^6-8. These highly tumorigenic populations may or may not be overlapping and display other functions. We found that ALDH⁺ and CD44⁺CD24⁺ pancreatic CSCs are similarly tumorigenic, but ALDH⁺ cells are relatively more invasive⁸. In this protocol we describe a method to isolate viable pancreatic CSCs from low-passage human xenografts⁹. Xenografted tumors are harvested from mice and made into a single-cell suspension. Tissue debris and dead cells are separated from live cells and then stained using antibodies against CD44 and CD24 and using the ALDEFLUOR reagent, a fluorescent substrate of ALDH¹⁰. CSCs are then isolated by fluorescence activated cell sorting. Isolated CSCs can then be used for analytical or functional assays requiring viable cells.     

虎杖提取物对人胰腺癌细胞系Panc-1增殖与凋亡的影响

目的:通过虎杖提取物干预人胰腺癌细胞系Panc-1,探讨虎杖提取物对人胰腺癌细胞增殖凋亡表型的影响。方法:制备不同浓度(0、10、50、100、150、200μg/m L)的虎杖提取物,将各个浓度的虎杖提取物分别加入待处理的人胰腺癌Panc-1细胞系中持续培养24 h后,利用CCK-8(cell counting kit-8)法检测细胞株Panc-1的增殖活性;将100μg/m L虎杖提取物处理人胰腺癌细胞系Panc-124 h后,利用流式细胞术(FCM)检测其细胞周期及凋亡分布;100μg/m L虎杖提取物处理人胰腺癌细胞株Panc-124 h后,提取细胞总RNA及总蛋白,后续利用实时荧光定量PCR及Western blot分别检测人胰腺癌细胞株Panc-1增殖标志基因PCNA、CDK2及凋亡标志基因BAD、BAX的转录和翻译水平。结果:CCK-8结果表明虎杖提取物对人胰腺癌细胞系Panc-1细胞增殖的抑制率随浓度增加;流式细胞术结果显示虎杖提取物抑制人胰腺癌细胞增殖促进其凋亡;荧光定量PCR和Western blot结果显示虎杖提取物能使人胰腺癌细胞增殖标志基因PCNA,CDK2表达量下降,凋亡标志基因BAD,BAX表达量上升。结论:虎杖提取物能够抑制人胰腺癌细胞系Panc-1细胞增殖并促进其凋亡。     

A novel synthetic Piper amide derivative NED‐180 inhibits hyperpigmentation by activating the PI3K and ERK pathways and by regulating Ca2+ influx via TRPM1 channels

Piper amides have a characteristic, unsaturated amide group and exhibit diverse biological activities, including proliferation and differentiation of melanocytes, although the molecular mechanisms underlying its antimelanogenesis effect remain unknown. We screened a selected chemical library of newly synthesized Piper amide derivatives and identified (E)‐3‐(4‐(tert‐butyl)phenyl)‐N‐(2,3‐dihydrobenzo[b][1,4]dioxin‐6‐yl)acrylamide (NED‐180) as one of the most potent compounds in suppressing melanogenesis. In murine melan‐a melanocytes, NED‐180 downregulated the expression of melanogenic regulatory proteins including tyrosinase, Tyrp1, Dct, and MITF. PI3K/Akt‐dependent phosphorylation of GSK3β by NED‐180 decreases MITF phosphorylation and inhibits melanogenesis without any effects on cytotoxicity and proliferation. Furthermore, topical application of NED‐180 significantly ameliorated UVB‐induced skin hyperpigmentation in guinea pigs. Interestingly, data obtained using calcium imaging techniques suggested that NED‐180 reduced the TPA‐induced activation of TRPM1 (melastatin), which could explain the NED‐180‐induced inhibition of melanogenesis. All things taken together, NED‐180 triggers activation of multiple pathways, such as PI3K and ERK, and inhibits TRPM1/TRPV1, leading to inhibition of melanogenesis.     

Cold Shock Domain Containing E1 (CSDE1) Protein is Overexpressed and Can be Targeted to Inhibit Invasiveness in Pancreatic Cancer Cells

Pancreatic cancer has a dismal prognosis and to date there are no targeted therapies for this malignancy. Using shotgun proteomics, the mRNA binding protein cold shock domain containing E1 (CSDE1), also called upstream‐of‐N‐Ras, is detected in pancreatic cancer cell lines but not in normal pancreatic epithelial cells. The expression of CSDE1 in pancreatic cancer cells is confirmed by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry of human pancreatic tumors. In vitro functional assays show that siRNA downregulation of CSDE1 or gene knockout using CRISPR‐Cas9 significantly reduce the invasiveness of pancreatic cancer cells. Together, this study reveals that CSDE1 is overexpressed in pancreatic cancer and is a potential therapeutic target to inhibit pancreatic cancer cell invasion.     

靶向下调FOXM1基因表达对乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞增殖的影响

目的：探讨靶向抑制FOXM1对乳腺癌细胞增殖能力的影响,为乳腺癌的个性化靶向治疗提供理论依据。方法：利用重组真核转录载体pSilencer1．0-U6-FOXMI—shRNA,脂质体法转染乳腺癌细胞株MDA-MB-231,下调其FOXM1基因表达。采用四甲基偶氮唑盐（MTT）比色法、平板克隆形成实验观察细胞增值曲线以及克隆形成能力;采用实时定量·聚合酶链反应（Real—timeqPCR）、蛋白免疫印迹法（Westemblot）分别检测FOXMl基因在mRNA、蛋白水平的表达变化。结果：重组载体pSileneerl．0-U6-FOXMl-shRNA转染MDA-MB-231细胞后,与对照组相比,增殖速率明显下降（P〈0．05）,平板克隆形成显著减少（P〈0．05）,重组载体转染后显著抑制MDA—MB-231细胞中FOXM1基因在mRNA、蛋白水平的表达。结论：沉默FOXMI基因对乳腺癌细胞株MDA—MB-231生长具有抑制作用,为阐明乳腺癌发病机制提供了新的切入点,也为临床抑制肿瘤生长提供了新的作用靶点。     

MUC1对人结肠癌细胞HCT116生物学行为的影响

目的:观察MUC1对人结肠癌细胞HCT116增殖、侵袭及化疗敏感性的影响。方法:采用MUC1表达阴性的结肠癌细胞株HCT116,通过慢病毒转染、嘌呤霉素筛选、半定量RT-PCR和Western blot鉴定构建稳定表达MUC1的HCT116细胞株;实验分空病毒组和MUC1病毒组;CCK实验和软琼脂克隆形成实验检测两组细胞的增殖能力,Transwell侵袭实验检测两组细胞的侵袭能力;MTT法和流式细胞仪检测两组细胞对奥沙利铂的敏感性,酶底物法检测Caspase-3活性。结果:获得稳定表达MUC1的HCT116细胞株;两组细胞贴壁生长无差异;与空病毒组相比,MUC1病毒组细胞软克隆形成数增加,穿过小室的细胞数增加(P0.05);MUC1病毒组细胞对奥沙利铂的敏感性降低,MUC1病毒组Caspase-3活性水平低于空病毒组(P0.05)。结论:MUC1与结肠癌的非锚定依赖生长、侵袭和化疗敏感性有关。     

KAI1基因转染人乳腺癌细胞系的建立及初步研究

目的:通过将外源性KAI1基因转染入高转移性人乳腺癌细胞株,为乳腺癌基因治疗的实验室研究提供靶细胞,并初步探讨该基因对乳腺癌细胞增殖能力及细胞周期的影响。方法:采用脂质体法将pCMV-KAI1质粒转染入低表达KAIl基因的人乳腺癌细胞株MDA-MB-231中,经G418筛选后获得抗性克隆,利用RT-PCR、Western blot分析目的基因及其蛋白的表达情况,并利用MTT法和平板克隆形成实验初步探讨该基因对乳腺癌细胞体外增殖能力的影响,流式细胞术检测细胞生长周期的变化。结果:稳定转染KAI1基因的细胞株中有外源性目的基因和相应蛋白的高表达;MTT法示细胞增殖力下降,转染KAI1基因的集落形成率(25.33 2.36)％较转染前(43．17 2．75)％明显降低(P<0．05),流式细胞术显示转染KAI1基因后G1／G0期细胞数量由未转染前的(36．78 0．61)％升高至(64 7．56)％,M／G2期细胞数量则由(17．88 0．76)％降至(7．63 0．60)％,差异有显著性。结论:通过脂质体转染法获得了高表达KAI1基因及其蛋白的人乳腺癌细胞株,并发现该细胞株的体外增殖能力明显下降,这可能是KAI1基因通过调节细胞周期来实现的。     

HMGB1在胃癌组织及细胞系中表达的研究

目的:近年来的研究表明,高迁移率族蛋白(1HMGB1)在肿瘤的发生及恶性演变过程中发挥重要作用,本研究旨在探讨HMGB1在胃癌组织、正常组织、胃癌细胞系SGC-7901、BGC-823、HGC-27、AGS及正常胃黏膜细胞系GES中表达情况。方法:免疫组织化学法检测HMGB1在32例可手术切除的胃癌患者组织标本(包括癌组织和正常组织)的表达情况;RT-PCR及Westren Blot检测HMGB1在胃癌细胞系SGC-7901、BGC-823、HGC-27、AGS及正常胃粘膜细胞系GES的m RNA及蛋白质表达。结果:胃癌组织HMGB1免疫组织化学染色评分高于正常组织(P0.05);RT-PCR结果显示SGC-7901、BGC-823、HGC-27、AGS、GES细胞系HMGB1 m RNA表达丰度均较高;Westren Blot检测发现胃癌细胞系SGC-7901、BGC-823、HGC-27中HMGB1蛋白水平显著高于胃癌细胞系AGS及正常胃粘膜细胞系GES。结论:HMGB1在胃癌组织及正常组织中的表达具有显著性差异。胃癌细胞系SGC-7901、BGC-823、HGC-27相对于其它胃细胞系存在HMGB1高表达,适合后续基因敲除分析工作。     

微管相关抗癌药物诱导胃癌细胞自噬性细胞死亡的研究

目的:探讨对微管相关抗癌药物诱导凋亡不敏感的胃癌细胞是否发生非凋亡形式的细胞死亡,并进一步明确自噬和自噬性细胞死亡的存在。方法:Annexin V／PI双染用流式细胞仪和MTT法分别检测紫杉醇、长春新碱诱导SGC-7901及BGC-823细胞的凋亡率和总死亡率,死细胞DAPI染色荧光显微镜检测非凋亡性细胞死亡,吖啶橙染色流式细胞仪和荧光显微镜分别定量、定性检测自噬和自噬性细胞死亡的存在。结果:紫杉醇和长春新碱可以诱导凋亡不敏感胃癌细胞BGC-823出现非凋亡性细胞死亡,处理BGC-823细胞早期(24h内)即可出现明显的细胞自噬性变化,紫杉醇诱导的自噬高峰期出现在药物作用3h-6h,长春新碱诱导的自噬高峰期出现在药物作用24h,自噬性细胞死亡存在并可能是药物诱导的非凋亡性细胞死亡的主要形式。结论:微管相关抗癌药物紫杉醇和长春新碱可以诱导凋亡不敏感胃癌细胞BGC-823自噬及自噬性细胞死亡,可能为提高胃癌的化疗敏感性提供新的思路。