1
|
Gonzales LISA, Qiao JW, Buffier AW, Rogers LJ, Suchowerska N, McKenzie DR, Kwan AH. An omics approach to delineating the molecular mechanisms that underlie the biological effects of physical plasma. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2023; 4:011312. [PMID: 38510160 PMCID: PMC10903421 DOI: 10.1063/5.0089831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
The use of physical plasma to treat cancer is an emerging field, and interest in its applications in oncology is increasing rapidly. Physical plasma can be used directly by aiming the plasma jet onto cells or tissue, or indirectly, where a plasma-treated solution is applied. A key scientific question is the mechanism by which physical plasma achieves selective killing of cancer over normal cells. Many studies have focused on specific pathways and mechanisms, such as apoptosis and oxidative stress, and the role of redox biology. However, over the past two decades, there has been a rise in omics, the systematic analysis of entire collections of molecules in a biological entity, enabling the discovery of the so-called "unknown unknowns." For example, transcriptomics, epigenomics, proteomics, and metabolomics have helped to uncover molecular mechanisms behind the action of physical plasma, revealing critical pathways beyond those traditionally associated with cancer treatments. This review showcases a selection of omics and then summarizes the insights gained from these studies toward understanding the biological pathways and molecular mechanisms implicated in physical plasma treatment. Omics studies have revealed how reactive species generated by plasma treatment preferentially affect several critical cellular pathways in cancer cells, resulting in epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-translational changes that promote cell death. Finally, this review considers the outlook for omics in uncovering both synergies and antagonisms with other common cancer therapies, as well as in overcoming challenges in the clinical translation of physical plasma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lou I. S. A. Gonzales
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Jessica W. Qiao
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Aston W. Buffier
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Ann H. Kwan
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed:
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Vriend J, Thanasupawat T, Sinha N, Klonisch T. Ubiquitin Proteasome Gene Signatures in Ependymoma Molecular Subtypes. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012330. [PMID: 36293188 PMCID: PMC9604155 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) is critically important for cellular homeostasis and affects virtually all key functions in normal and neoplastic cells. Currently, a comprehensive review of the role of the UPS in ependymoma (EPN) brain tumors is lacking but may provide valuable new information on cellular networks specific to different EPN subtypes and reveal future therapeutic targets. We have reviewed publicly available EPN gene transcription datasets encoding components of the UPS pathway. Reactome analysis of these data revealed genes and pathways that were able to distinguish different EPN subtypes with high significance. We identified differential transcription of several genes encoding ubiquitin E2 conjugases associated with EPN subtypes. The expression of the E2 conjugase genes UBE2C, UBE2S, and UBE2I was elevated in the ST_EPN_RELA subtype. The UBE2C and UBE2S enzymes are associated with the ubiquitin ligase anaphase promoting complex (APC/c), which regulates the degradation of substrates associated with cell cycle progression, whereas UBE2I is a Sumo-conjugating enzyme. Additionally, elevated in ST_EPN_RELA were genes for the E3 ligase and histone deacetylase HDAC4 and the F-box cullin ring ligase adaptor FBX031. Cluster analysis demonstrated several genes encoding E3 ligases and their substrate adaptors as EPN subtype specific genetic markers. The most significant Reactome Pathways associated with differentially expressed genes for E3 ligases and their adaptors included antigen presentation, neddylation, sumoylation, and the APC/c complex. Our analysis provides several UPS associated factors that may be attractive markers and future therapeutic targets for the subtype-specific treatment of EPN patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jerry Vriend
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-204-789-3732
| | - Thatchawan Thanasupawat
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada
| | - Namita Sinha
- Department of Pathology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P5, Canada
| | - Thomas Klonisch
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada
- Department of Pathology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P5, Canada
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada
- Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P4, Canada
- CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhang M, Ao X, Zheng Z, Chen W. Promoting the adhesion of human gingival epithelial cells on titanium surface by non-thermal atmospheric plasma irradiation. HUA XI KOU QIANG YI XUE ZA ZHI = HUAXI KOUQIANG YIXUE ZAZHI = WEST CHINA JOURNAL OF STOMATOLOGY 2022; 40:285-292. [PMID: 38597008 PMCID: PMC9207796 DOI: 10.7518/hxkq.2022.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This work aimed to study the biological behavior of human gingival epithelial cells (HGECs) irradiated by non-thermal atmospheric plasma (NTAP) on a titanium surface. METHODS Cultured HGECs (3⁃5 generations) with the best activity were digested and treated for varying times (0, 10, 20, 30, and 60 s) by NTAP and then seeded on the surface of a titanium disc. The HGECs were cultured in oral keratinocyte medium and 1% penicillin/streptomycin solution. The cells were kept in an atmosphere of 5% CO2 at 37 ℃ and incubated for different times (4, 12, 24, and 48 h; n=5). Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to detect cell adhesion capacity. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was conducted to observe the morphology of cells on titanium plates. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot were used to evaluate the gene expression of adhesion-related molecules, such as Laminin α3, Integrin β4, and Plectin. RESULTS The number of adhered cells increased at 0‑20 s, whereas that gradually decreased at 20⁃60 s. Therefore, cell culture at the two time points showed that HGECs adhesion reached the maximum when NATP was irradiated for 20 s. Compared with the control group, more cells in the treatment group adhered to the titanium surface at each time point (P<0.05). Cells in the treatment group showed more irregular polygons, more protrusions and pseudopods, and a larger cell diffusion area on the titanium surface than those in the control group. qRT-PCR showed that the expression levels of Laminin α3, Integrin β4, and Plectin adhesion-related genes on the titanium surface in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group at each culture time point (P<0.05). Western blot showed that the expression levels of Laminin α3, Integrin β4, and Plectin adhesion-related proteins on the titanium surface were higher in the treatment group than in the control group at 4 and 12 h. CONCLUSIONS After NTAP treatment, the results showed that 20 s of treatment time could maximize the number of adhered cells on the titanium surface; change the cell adhesion morphology; and significantly upregulate the expression of adhesion-related genes and proteins of Laminin α3, Integrin β4, and Plectin. Furthermore, it could promote the biological sealing effect of HGECs on the titanium surface.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Min Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Dept. of Prosthodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xiaogang Ao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Dept. of Prosthodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Zheng Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Dept. of Prosthodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Wenchuan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Dept. of Prosthodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Makita Y, Saito S, Tsuchiya A, Ishibashi M, Arai MA. Identification of 1β,2α-epoxytagitinin C as a Notch inhibitor, oxidative stress mechanism and its anti-leukemia activity. J Nat Med 2021; 76:234-243. [PMID: 34779991 DOI: 10.1007/s11418-021-01584-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Notch signaling plays crucial roles in cell differentiation and proliferation, but aberrant activation of this signaling results in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. Notch signaling is thus a promising drug target for oncotherapy, and the development of Notch signaling inhibitors is eagerly awaited. Notch inhibitory activity-guided fractionation of a Spilanthes acmella extract led to the identification of five sesquiterpene lactones: tagitinin A (1), 1β,2α-epoxytagitinin C (2), tagitinin C (3), orizabin (4), and 2α-hydroxytirotundin (5). 1β,2α-Epoxytagitinin C (2) exhibited Notch signaling inhibition, with an IC50 of 25.6 μM, and was further evaluated for its activity against HPB-ALL, a Notch-activated leukemia cell line. Compound 2 showed potent cytotoxicity against HPB-ALL (IC50 1.7 μM) and arrested the cell cycle at the G2/M phase, but did not induce apoptotic cell death. Notch inhibitory mechanism analysis suggested that compound 2 transcriptionally suppresses Notch1 mRNA. In addition, we found that oxidative stress induction is critical for Notch signaling inhibition and the cytotoxicity of compound 2. This is the first mechanism of small molecule Notch inhibition. Our results demonstrate that 1β,2α-epoxytagitinin C (2) is a potential anti-leukemia agent and further investigation of this compound is warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yoshinori Makita
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, 3-14-1, Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama, 223-8522, Japan.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8675, Japan
| | - Shun Saito
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, 3-14-1, Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama, 223-8522, Japan
| | - Anna Tsuchiya
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8675, Japan
| | - Masami Ishibashi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8675, Japan
| | - Midori A Arai
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, 3-14-1, Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama, 223-8522, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Maitland NJ. Resistance to Antiandrogens in Prostate Cancer: Is It Inevitable, Intrinsic or Induced? Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:327. [PMID: 33477370 PMCID: PMC7829888 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13020327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasingly sophisticated therapies for chemical castration dominate first-line treatments for locally advanced prostate cancer. However, androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) offers little prospect of a cure, as resistant tumors emerge rather rapidly, normally within 30 months. Cells have multiple mechanisms of resistance to even the most sophisticated drug regimes, and both tumor cell heterogeneity in prostate cancer and the multiple salvage pathways result in castration-resistant disease related genetically to the original hormone-naive cancer. The timing and mechanisms of cell death after ADT for prostate cancer are not well understood, and off-target effects after long-term ADT due to functional extra-prostatic expression of the androgen receptor protein are now increasingly being recorded. Our knowledge of how these widely used treatments fail at a biological level in patients is deficient. In this review, I will discuss whether there are pre-existing drug-resistant cells in a tumor mass, or whether resistance is induced/selected by the ADT. Equally, what is the cell of origin of this resistance, and does it differ from the treatment-naïve tumor cells by differentiation or dedifferentiation? Conflicting evidence also emerges from studies in the range of biological systems and species employed to answer this key question. It is only by improving our understanding of this aspect of treatment and not simply devising another new means of androgen inhibition that we can improve patient outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Norman J Maitland
- Department of Biology, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Riedel F, Golda J, Held J, Davies HL, van der Woude MW, Bredin J, Niemi K, Gans T, Schulz-von der Gathen V, O'Connell D. Reproducibility of 'COST reference microplasma jets'. PLASMA SOURCES SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 29:095018. [PMID: 34149205 PMCID: PMC8208597 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6595/abad01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Atmospheric pressure plasmas have been ground-breaking for plasma science and technologies, due to their significant application potential in many fields, including medicinal, biological, and environmental applications. This is predominantly due to their efficient production and delivery of chemically reactive species under ambient conditions. One of the challenges in progressing the field is comparing plasma sources and results across the community and the literature. To address this a reference plasma source was established during the 'biomedical applications of atmospheric pressure plasmas' EU COST Action MP1101. It is crucial that reference sources are reproducible. Here, we present the reproducibility and variance across multiple sources through examining various characteristics, including: absolute atomic oxygen densities, absolute ozone densities, electrical characteristics, optical emission spectroscopy, temperature measurements, and bactericidal activity. The measurements demonstrate that the tested COST jets are mainly reproducible within the intrinsic uncertainty of each measurement technique.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- F Riedel
- York Plasma Institute, Department of Physics, University of York, York YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
| | - J Golda
- Institute of Experimental and Applied Physics, Kiel University, 24098 Kiel, Germany
- Experimental Physics II, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - J Held
- Experimental Physics II, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - H L Davies
- York Plasma Institute, Department of Physics, University of York, York YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
| | - M W van der Woude
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
| | - J Bredin
- York Plasma Institute, Department of Physics, University of York, York YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
| | - K Niemi
- York Plasma Institute, Department of Physics, University of York, York YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
| | - T Gans
- York Plasma Institute, Department of Physics, University of York, York YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
| | | | - D O'Connell
- York Plasma Institute, Department of Physics, University of York, York YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Miller HL, Contera S, Wollman AJM, Hirst A, Dunn KE, Schröter S, O'Connell D, Leake MC. Biophysical characterisation of DNA origami nanostructures reveals inaccessibility to intercalation binding sites. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2020; 31:235605. [PMID: 32125281 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/ab7a2b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Intercalation of drug molecules into synthetic DNA nanostructures formed through self-assembled origami has been postulated as a valuable future method for targeted drug delivery. This is due to the excellent biocompatibility of synthetic DNA nanostructures, and high potential for flexible programmability including facile drug release into or near to target cells. Such favourable properties may enable high initial loading and efficient release for a predictable number of drug molecules per nanostructure carrier, important for efficient delivery of safe and effective drug doses to minimise non-specific release away from target cells. However, basic questions remain as to how intercalation-mediated loading depends on the DNA carrier structure. Here we use the interaction of dyes YOYO-1 and acridine orange with a tightly-packed 2D DNA origami tile as a simple model system to investigate intercalation-mediated loading. We employed multiple biophysical techniques including single-molecule fluorescence microscopy, atomic force microscopy, gel electrophoresis and controllable damage using low temperature plasma on synthetic DNA origami samples. Our results indicate that not all potential DNA binding sites are accessible for dye intercalation, which has implications for future DNA nanostructures designed for targeted drug delivery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Helen L Miller
- Department of Physics, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|