The human ovarian teratocarcinoma cell line PA-1 demonstrates a single translocation: analysis with fluorescence in situ hybridization, spectral karyotyping, and bacterial artificial chromosome microarray

Persistent organic pollutants dysregulate energy homeostasis in human ovaries in vitro

Exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), has historically been linked to population collapses in wildlife. Despite international regulations, these legacy chemicals are still currently detected in women of reproductive age, and their levels correlate with reduced ovarian reserve, longer time-to-pregnancy, and higher risk of infertility. However, the specific modes of action underlying these associations remain unclear. Here, we examined the effects of five commonly occurring POPs - hexachlorobenzene (HCB), p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), 2,3,3',4,4',5-hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB156), 2,2',3,4,4',5,5'-heptachlorobiphenyl (PCB180), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) - and their mixture on human ovaries in vitro. We exposed human ovarian cancer cell lines COV434, KGN, and PA1 as well as primary ovarian cells for 24 h, and ovarian tissue containing unilaminar follicles for 6 days. RNA-sequencing of samples exposed to concentrations covering epidemiologically relevant levels revealed significant gene expression changes related to central energy metabolism in the exposed cells, indicating glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, fatty acid metabolism, and reactive oxygen species as potential shared targets of POP exposures in ovarian cells. Alpha-enolase (ENO1), lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), cytochrome C oxidase subunit 4I1 (COX4I1), ATP synthase F1 subunit alpha (ATP5A), and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) were validated as targets through qPCR in additional cell culture experiments in KGN. In ovarian tissue cultures, we observed significant effects of exposure on follicle growth and atresia as well as protein expression. All POP exposures, except PCB180, decreased unilaminar follicle proportion and increased follicle atresia. Immunostaining confirmed altered expression of LDHA, ATP5A, and GPX4 in the exposed tissues. Moreover, POP exposures modified ATP production in KGN and tissue culture. In conclusion, our results demonstrate the disruption of cellular energy metabolism as a novel mode of action underlying POP-mediated interference of follicle growth in human ovaries.

In vitro anticancer activity of ethanol extract of Adhatoda vasica Nees on human ovarian cancer cell lines

Background

Ovarian cancer causes more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system because there is no effective screening and most women are diagnosed at advanced stages. The probability of survival at 5 years is less than 30%, and the limitation is that it will not respond to chemotherapy protocol and surgery as well. Moreover, some evidence have shown potential anticancer properties of flavonoids, protective chemicals in plant foods, such as being an antioxidant, antiestrogenic, antiproliferative, and antiinflammatory. In this study, the anticancer activity of crude ethanol extracts of leaves from Adhatoda vasica was investigated.

Results

By the application of a cell-based assay, the LC 50 value of the A. vasica which showed anticancer effect was used for further studies. The cell line treated with LD 50 value of A. vasica extracts was observed for 0 h, 24 h, and 48 h to reveal the inhibition of the metastatic property in treated PA1 cells. The mRNA isolated from the teratocarcinoma PA1 cells treated with the A. vasica extract was further converted to cDNA and was amplified for the analysis of the p53 gene, p21 gene, and GAPDH gene expression. The expression in treated cells and the untreated control indicated the activity of the A. vasica extract against the ovarian cancer.

Conclusion

The present study suggested the antiproliferative and antimetastatic effects of medicinal plant A. vasica on PA1 cells.

DNA damage causes TP53-dependent coupling of self-renewal and senescence pathways in embryonal carcinoma cells

Recent studies have highlighted an apparently paradoxical link between self-renewal and senescence triggered by DNA damage in certain cell types. In addition, the finding that TP53 can suppress senescence has caused a re-evaluation of its functional role in regulating these outcomes. To investigate these phenomena and their relationship to pluripotency and senescence, we examined the response of the TP53-competent embryonal carcinoma (EC) cell line PA-1 to etoposide-induced DNA damage. Nuclear POU5F1/OCT4A and P21CIP1 were upregulated in the same cells following etoposide-induced G 2M arrest. However, while accumulating in the karyosol, the amount of OCT4A was reduced in the chromatin fraction. Phosphorylated CHK2 and RAD51/γH2AX-positive nuclear foci, overexpression of AURORA B kinase and moderate macroautophagy were evident. Upon release from G 2M arrest, cells with repaired DNA entered mitoses, while the cells with persisting DNA damage remained at this checkpoint or underwent mitotic slippage and gradually senesced. Reduction of TP53 using sh- or si-RNA prevented the upregulation of OCT4A and P21CIP1 and increased DNA damage. Subsequently, mitoses, micronucleation and senescence were all enhanced after TP53 reduction with senescence confirmed by upregulation of CDKN2A/P16INK4A and increased sa-β-galactosidase positivity. Those mitoses enhanced by TP53 silencing were shown to be multicentrosomal and multi-polar, containing fragmented and highly deranged chromosomes, indicating a loss of genome integrity. Together, these data suggest that TP53-dependent coupling of self-renewal and senescence pathways through the DNA damage checkpoint provides a mechanism for how embryonal stem cell-like EC cells safeguard DNA integrity, genome stability and ultimately the fidelity of self-renewal.

The promise and perils of microarray analysis

Microarray analysis has provided a novel means of identifying clues into the mechanisms of disease development. As a methodology, microarray analysis holds the promise for genome-wide screening in which 2 tissues (diseased and normal) are compared, and molecular pathways that defined the phenotype of the disease could be precisely defined. Alternatively, microarray experiments can be used to differentially compare pathologically similar diseased tissues to predict response to chemotherapy and risk of recurrence. However, the clinician should be aware that various sources of error can influence microarray analysis results. Sources of error can be minimized but not eliminated, explaining why meticulously conducted experiments in different laboratories or using different platforms result in different lists of genes. Confirmation and validation of genome-wide microarray results using ancillary methods remains a critical step. With proper confirmatory studies and cautious interpretation, microarray analysis represents a powerful tool for molecular discovery.