TGFβ regulates NK1R-Tr to affect the proliferation and apoptosis of breast cancer cells

Neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist aprepitant regulates autophagy and apoptosis via ROS/JNK in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) has a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Aprepitant, a selective NK-1R antagonist, can inhibit the growth of various tumours in vitro and in vivo. However, it remains unclear whether aprepitant has cytotoxic effects on iCCA.

METHODS

We measured the expression of SP/NK-1R in clinical samples of iCCA by immunohistochemistry. Then, we detected the cytotoxic effects of aprepitant on iCCA cells via MTT, EdU and colony formation assay. We constructed a subcutaneous xenograft model of BALB/c nude mice by using HCCC-9810 and RBE cell lines to explore the effects of aprepitant in vivo. To elucidate the potential mechanisms, we explored the pro-apoptotic effect of aprepitant by flow cytometric, western blotting, ROS detection and JC-1 staining. Furthermore, we detected the autophagic level of HCCC-9810 and RBE by western blotting, mRFP-eGFP-LC3 adenovirus transfection and electron microscope.

RESULTS

SP/NK-1R is significantly expressed in iCCA. Aprepitant inhibited human iCCA xenograft growth and dose-dependently decreased the viability of RBE and HCCC-9810 cells. Aprepitant-induced mitochondria-dependent apoptosis through ROS/JNK pathway. Additionally, pretreatment with z-VAD-fmk partly reversed the effect of aprepitant on cell viability, while NAC completely attenuated the cytotoxic effects of aprepitant in vitro. Furthermore, we observed the dynamic changes of autophagosome in RBE and HCCC-9810 cells treated with aprepitant.

CONCLUSION

SP/NK-1R signalling is significantly activated in iCCA and promotes the proliferation of iCCA cells. By contrast, aprepitant can induce autophagy and apoptosis in iCCA cells via ROS accumulation and subsequent activation of JNK.

From pain to tumor immunity: influence of peripheral sensory neurons in cancer

The nervous and immune systems are the primary sensory interfaces of the body, allowing it to recognize, process, and respond to various stimuli from both the external and internal environment. These systems work in concert through various mechanisms of neuro-immune crosstalk to detect threats, provide defense against pathogens, and maintain or restore homeostasis, but can also contribute to the development of diseases. Among peripheral sensory neurons (PSNs), nociceptive PSNs are of particular interest. They possess a remarkable capability to detect noxious stimuli in the periphery and transmit this information to the brain, resulting in the perception of pain and the activation of adaptive responses. Pain is an early symptom of cancer, often leading to its diagnosis, but it is also a major source of distress for patients as the disease progresses. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of the mechanisms within tumors that are likely to induce cancer pain, exploring a range of factors from etiological elements to cellular and molecular mediators. In addition to transmitting sensory information to the central nervous system, PSNs are also capable, when activated, to produce and release neuropeptides (e.g., CGRP and SP) from their peripheral terminals. These neuropeptides have been shown to modulate immunity in cases of inflammation, infection, and cancer. PSNs, often found within solid tumors, are likely to play a significant role in the tumor microenvironment, potentially influencing both tumor growth and anti-tumor immune responses. In this review, we discuss the current state of knowledge about the degree of sensory innervation in tumors. We also seek to understand whether and how PSNs may influence the tumor growth and associated anti-tumor immunity in different mouse models of cancer. Finally, we discuss the extent to which the tumor is able to influence the development and functions of the PSNs that innervate it.

The SP/NK1R system promotes the proliferation of breast cancer cells through NF-κB-mediated inflammatory responses

BACKGROUND

Numerous molecules have been introduced to participate in the formation of breast cancer, the most common malignancy in women. Among them, neuropeptide substance P (SP) and its related receptor neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) have attracted unprecedented attention in tumorigenesis processes. In this study, we investigated the effect of the SP/NK1R pathway on the induction of oxidative stress in breast cancer and examine the therapeutic potential of NK1R inhibition in this malignancy.

METHODS

MCF-7 cells were treated with varying concentrations of SP and aprepitant, an FDA-approved NK1R antagonist, either as a single drug or in a combined modality. Resazurin assay was used to evaluate the anti-cancer ability of aprepitant. The alteration in the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and gene expression were determined using ROS assay and the qRT-PCR analysis, respectively.

RESULTS

The stimulation of the SP/NK1R axis in the MCF-7 cells was coupled with the accumulation of ROS as well as upregulation of NF-κB and its related pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-6. In contrast, the suppression of NK1R by aprepitant halted the viability of MCF-7 cells, at least partly due to p53-mediated upregulation of p21. Moreover, aprepitant attenuated the oncogenic properties of SP by preventing the oxidative property of this neuropeptide.

CONCLUSION

Overall, our results suggest that the SP/NK1R pathway might play a critical role in breast cancer pathogenesis, probably through inducing ROS/NF-κB-mediated inflammatory responses. Moreover, it seems that blockage of the axis has promising therapeutic value against breast cancer cells. Schematic representation proposed for the plausible mechanism by which the stimulation of the SP/NK1R might induce oxidative stress in breast cancer-derived MCF-7 cells. Once SP interacts with NK1R, this signaling axis could disturb the balance between the expression of p53 and NF-κB, an event that leads to the accumulation of ROS within MCF-7 cells. The produced ROS, in turn, elevates the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) and downregulates the expression of p21. On the other hand, aprepitant, an antagonist of NK1R, could reduce the survival of proliferative capacity of MCF-7 cells by decreasing the intracellular levels of ROS and p53-mediated up-regulation of p21. Along with the effect on p53, aprepitant could also reduce the expression of NF-κB and its related pro-inflammatory cytokines.

The Therapeutic Potential of Aprepitant in Glioblastoma Cancer Cells through Redox Modification

Although there is no doubt regarding the involvement of oxidative stress in the development of glioblastoma, many questions remained unanswered about signaling cascades that regulate the redox status. Given the importance of the substance P (SP)/neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) system in different cancers, it was of particular interest to evaluate whether the stimulation of this cascade in glioblastoma-derived U87 cells is associated with the induction of oxidative stress. Our results showed that SP-mediated activation of NK1R not only increased the intracellular levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) but also reduced the concentration of thiol in U87 cells. We also found that upon SP addition, there was a significant reduction in the cells' total antioxidant capacity (TAC), revealing that the SP/NK1R axis may be involved in the regulation of oxidative stress in glioblastoma cells. The significant role of SP/NK1R in triggering oxidative stress in glioblastoma has become more evident when we found that the abrogation of the axis using aprepitant reduced cell survival, probably through exerting antioxidant effects. The results showed that both MDA and ROS concentrations were significantly reduced in the presence of aprepitant, and the number of antioxidant components of the redox system increased. Overall, these findings suggest that aprepitant might exert its anticancer effect on U87 cells through shifting the balance of oxidant and antioxidant components of the redox system.

Substance P and Neurokinin 1 Receptor in Chronic Inflammation and Cancer of the Head and Neck: A Review of the Literature

Head and neck cancer is a growing worldwide public health problem, accounting for approximately 1,500,000 new cases and 500,000 deaths annually. Substance P (SP) is a peptide of the tachykinin family, which has roles related to a large number of physiological mechanisms in humans. The implications of SP in carcinogenesis have recently been reported through the stimulation of the neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R), or directly, through the effects derived from the constitutive activation of NK1R. Consequently, SP/NK1R seems to play relevant roles in cancer, upregulating cell proliferation, cell migration and chronic inflammation, among other oncogenic actions. Furthermore, there is growing evidence pointing to a central role for SP in tumour progression, singularly so in laryngeal and oral squamous cell carcinomas. The current narrative review of the literature focuses on the relationship between the SP/NK1R system and chronic inflammation and cancer in the head-and-neck region. We described a role for SP/NK1R in the transition from chronic inflammation of the head and neck mucosa, to preneoplastic and neoplastic transformation and progression.

Significance of the Overexpression of Substance P and Its Receptor NK-1R in Head and Neck Carcinogenesis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The objective of our study has been, through a systematic review and meta-analysis, to increase the scientific evidence on the implications of SP and its receptor NK-1R in head and neck carcinogenesis. We searched studies published before May-2020 without date and publication language restrictions (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus). We evaluated the quality of the studies included (QUIPS tool). We performed heterogeneity, sensitivity, small-study effects, and subgroup analyses. A total 16 studies and 1308 cases met inclusion criteria. Qualitative evaluation demonstrated that not all studies were performed with the same scientific rigor, finding the greatest risk of bias in the study confounding and prognostic factors measurement domains. Quantitative evaluation showed a greater SP/NK-1R overexpression in malignant head and neck lesions compared to benign lesions (p = 0.02), and that expression was observed in malignant salivary gland pathology. Likewise, we found a higher overexpression of NK-1R compared to SP (p = 0.02). In conclusion, the results of this systematic review and meta-analysis show evidence that the upregulation of SP and NK-1R are oncogenic events involved in head and neck carcinogenesis, probably acting in the early stages of malignization. In addition, there is evidence of a greater relevance of the upregulation of the NK-1R receptor compared to SP, which highlights the interest in deepening the development of targeted therapies on the receptor. Future studies assessing the relationships between SP/NK-1R among subjects with head and neck tumors could consider the recommendations given in this systematic review and meta-analysis to improve and standardize future research.

The Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonist Aprepitant: An Intelligent Bullet against Cancer?

Neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) antagonists exert antitumor action, are safe and do not cause serious side-effects. These antagonists (via the NK-1R) exert multiple actions against cancer: antiproliferative and anti-Warburg effects and apoptotic, anti-angiogenic and antimetastatic effects. These multiple effects have been shown for a broad spectrum of cancers. The drug aprepitant (an NK-1R antagonist) is currently used in clinical practice as an antiemetic. In in vivo and in vitro studies, aprepitant also showed the aforementioned multiple antitumor actions against many types of cancer. A successful combination therapy (aprepitant and radiotherapy) has recently been reported in a patient suffering from lung carcinoma: the tumor mass disappeared and side-effects were not observed. Aprepitant could be considered as an intelligent bullet against cancer. The administration of aprepitant in cancer patients to prevent recurrence and metastasis after surgical procedures, thrombosis and thromboembolism is discussed, as is the possible link, through the substance P (SP)/NK-1R system, between cancer and depression. Our main aim is to review the multiple antitumor actions exerted by aprepitant, and the use of this drug is suggested in cancer patients. Altogether, the data support the reprofiling of aprepitant for a new therapeutic use as an antitumor agent.