Induction of Heat Shock Protein 70 Inhibits NF-kappa-B in Squamous Cell Carcinoma

In-depth molecular assessment of Hedera helix's L. α - Hederin & Hederacoside C as a gastroprotective & a possible safe Omeprazole phyto-alternative in ethanol-induced gastric ulcer mice model

Hedera helix L. is among the most popular over-the-counter formulations for effectively alleviating respiratory disorders in adults & children due to its unique active constituents such as α - Hederin & Hederacoside C. Even though its respiratory pharmacological activity is thoroughly researched, its other pharmacological activities remain relatively unexplored. Alcoholism is a Western cultural habit that is associated with various side effects, including peptic ulcer disease (PUD) & drug interaction. The PUD is commonly & recurrently presented clinically, increasing the load on healthcare systems. PUD not only negatively affects the quality of life but is also associated with serious complications such as bleeding, penetration, perforation, pyloric stenosis, & gastric cancer. Alcohol interaction with drugs could either lead to therapeutic failure, accumulation of drug-toxic metabolites, or disturbance of the alcohol detoxification pathway, putting the treatment of alcoholism-induced PUD with a drug-interacting medication such as Omeprazole under the limelight. In line with that, finding plant-derived molecules with the potency of Omeprazole but without its associated side effects & drug-interacting property is a desperate clinical need. In this regard, we aimed to investigate the gastroprotective effect, potency, & molecular mechanism of α - Hederin & Hederacoside C pretreatment against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in mice model. These compounds were tested in two upgrading doses (50 mg/kg & 75 mg/kg) compared to negative, positive, & Omeprazole groups. Our study revealed that daily oral administration of α - Hederin or Hederacoside C protected the stomach against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in a dose-dependent manner. The potency of high doses of both compounds was comparable to Omeprazole. Their effectiveness was related to their ability to set the activated invasive forces, including CYP1A2, neutrophils, MDA, leptin, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-12, & NF-κB-p65 & to amplify the intrinsic defensive forces, including COX-2, PGE-2, CAT, & SOD. These intertwined actions were reflected in maintaining vibrant stomach architecture, such as mucosal layer re-epithelization, gland reconstruction, & restoring tunica muscularis normal thickness. Moreover, they limited the exaggeration of the repairing system, including HSP-70, VEGF, & Annexin-1, where their forge was positively correlated with damage depth. Therefore, we compendiously deduced that herbal-based medicine could face the constraints of synthesized medicine satisfactorily without their culminating side effects.

HSP90 and the cancer transcriptome: a comprehensive review of inhibitors and mechanistic insights

This review summarizes the structure, function, expression, and inhibitors of HSP90, the chaperone, in cancers. It systematically investigates the effects of HSP90 inhibitors, including AUY922, B11B021, CCT-018159, D7-gedunin, geldanamycin, and gedunin, across a range of cancer cell lines (HCC151, HT29, MCF7, PC3, VCAP, and A375) and a normal HA1E cell line, using data from the CLUE database. Our analysis reveals that treatment with these HSP90 inhibitors induces significant stress responses in tumor cells, initiating intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways. The HSP90AA1, HSP90AB1, HSP27, HSP70, VEGF, and NOTCH exhibited notable upregulation at 24 h post-treatment compared to 6 h, indicating a time-dependent increase in cellular stress (heat shock response) and activation of pro-survival signaling mechanisms. Additionally, the study highlights a significant upregulation of immune-related pathways, including those involving IL10, IL3, and IL7, following HSP90 inhibition, indicating that these inhibitors not only directly affect tumor cell viability but also modulate the tumor microenvironment by enhancing immune cell activation and cytokine release. The elevated levels of IL10 point to a dual role, where immune suppression mechanisms are also at play, potentially facilitating immune evasion by the tumor. The findings suggest that HSP90 inhibitors exhibit varying mechanisms of action across different cancer cell lines despite the presence of some common targets. These insights highlight the need for further investigation into the precise mechanisms of HSP90 inhibitors to optimize their therapeutic potential in different cancers.

HSP70 Ameliorates Septic Acute Kidney Injury via Binding with TRAF6 to Inhibit of Inflammation-Mediated Apoptosis

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, and Genomic Stability Enhancement Effects of Zinc l-carnosine: A Potential Cancer Chemopreventive Agent?

Cancer is one of the major causes of death worldwide, and the incidence and mortality rates of cancer are expected to rise tremendously in the near future. Despite a better understanding of cancer biology and advancement in cancer management, current strategies in cancer treatment remain costly and ineffective. Hence, instead of putting more efforts to search for new cancer cures, attention has now been shifted to the development of cancer chemopreventive agents as a preventive measure for cancer formation. It is well known that neoplastic transformation of cells is multifactorial, and the occurrence of oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and genomic instability events has been implicated in the carcinogenesis of cells. Zinc l-carnosine (ZnC), which is clinically used as gastric ulcer treatment in Japan, has been suggested to have the potential in preventing cancer development. Multiple studies have revealed that ZnC possesses potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and genomic stability enhancement effects. Thus, this review provides some mechanistic insight into the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and genomic stability enhancement effects of ZnC in relevance to its chemopreventive potential.

Surfactin suppresses TPA-induced breast cancer cell invasion through the inhibition of MMP-9 expression

Metastasis is the main cause of cancer mortality. In this study, we investigated the effects of surfactin, a cyclic lipopeptide produced by Bacillus subtilis, on cancer metastasis in vitro and the underlying molecular mechanisms involved. Surfactin inhibited the 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced invasion, migration and colony formation of human breast carcinoma cells. Western blot analysis, gelatin zymography and reverse transcription-PCR analysis revealed that matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression and activation was significantly suppressed by surfactin in a dose-dependent manner. Surfactin attenuated TPA-induced nuclear translocation and activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1). Furthermore, surfactin strongly repressed the TPA-induced phosphorylation of Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Treatment with specific inhibitors of Akt and ERK suppressed MMP-9 expression and activation. These results suggest that the surfactin-mediated inhibition of breast cancer cell invasion and MMP-9 expression involves the suppression of the NF-κB, AP-1, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3K)/Akt and the ERK signaling pathways. Thus surfactin may have potential value in therapeutic strategies for the treatment of breast cancer metastasis.

Polaprezinc Protects Mice against Endotoxin Shock

Polaprezinc (PZ), a chelate compound consisting of zinc and l-carnosine (Car), is an anti-ulcer drug developed in Japan. In the present study, we investigated whether PZ suppresses mortality, pulmonary inflammation, and plasma nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels in endotoxin shock mice after peritoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and how PZ protects against LPS-induced endotoxin shock. PZ pretreatment inhibited the decrease in the survival rate of mice after LPS injection. PZ inhibited the increases in plasma NO as well as TNF-α after LPS. Compatibly, PZ suppressed LPS-induced inducible NO synthase mRNA transcription in the mouse lungs. PZ also improved LPS-induced lung injury. However, PZ did not enhance the induction of heat shock protein (HSP) 70 in the mouse lungs after LPS. Pretreatment of RAW264 cells with PZ suppressed the production of NO and TNF-α after LPS addition. This inhibition likely resulted from the inhibitory effect of PZ on LPS-mediated nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation. Zinc sulfate, but not Car, suppressed NO production after LPS. These results indicate that PZ, in particular its zinc subcomponent, inhibits LPS-induced endotoxin shock via the inhibition of NF-κB activation and subsequent induction of proinflammatory products such as NO and TNF-α, but not HSP induction.

Antitumor effect of pretreatment for colon cancer cells with hyperthermia plus geranylgeranylacetone in experimental metastasis models and a subcutaneous tumor model of colon cancer in mice

PURPOSE

We examined whether hyperthermia attenuated the metastatic potential of colon cancer through the induction of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Colon26 cells were separated into four groups: (1) no pretreatment, (2) hyperthermia at 42 degrees C for 1 hour, (3) pretreatment with geranylgeranylacetone (GGA) 10(-6) M for 2 hours, and (4) hyperthermia after GGA treatment. We measured cell viabilities and the contents of Hsp70. We assessed nuclear factor-kappa-B (NF-kappa-B) status with and without tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) stimulation. For in vivo study, colon26 cells were injected via the tail vein or into a subcutaneous area of mice and the numbers of lung metastatic nodules or the volumes of subcutaneous tumors were assessed. Untreated cells were incubated with PKH26. Experimental metastasis models were then generated and used to assess the fixed cancer cells.

RESULTS

Tumor development in the subcutaneous tumor models and cell viabilities were similar among the four groups. However, the GGA plus hyperthermia group had fewer lung metastatic nodules in the experimental lung metastasis model and higher Hsp70 induction than the other cell groups. The GGA plus hyperthermia pretreatment group also showed a lower number of fixed cells in lungs and lower activation of NF-kappa-B by TNF-alpha than the other cell groups.

CONCLUSIONS

It is suggested the metastatic potential but not the proliferation potency of cancer cells is inhibited by the transient induction of Hsp70.

Heat shock protein accumulation and heat shock transcription factor activation in rat skeletal muscle during compensatory hypertrophy

AIM

To assess the stress/heat shock protein (HSP) and heat shock factor activation response in overloaded (hypertrophied) plantaris muscles.

METHODS

Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 5 per time point) underwent unilateral removal of the left gastrocnemius muscle. After 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 14 and 28 days, plantaris muscles were removed, weighted rapidly frozen in liquid nitrogen. Total protein content was determined and HSP 25 and HSP 72 contents were assessed by Western blotting. Heat shock transcription factor (HSF) activation was assessed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA).

RESULTS

While plantaris muscle mass was significantly increased 3 days after the imposition of overload and remained elevated thereafter confirming muscle hypertrophy, muscle protein content was not increased until 7 days after the imposition of overload. HSP 72 content was significantly increased at 3 days, while HSP 25 content was not significantly increased until 7 days after synergistic muscle removal. HSF activation was detected at 1, 2 and 3 days of overload but undetectable thereafter. The addition of HSF1- and HSF2-specific antibodies to extracts prior to EMSA failed to supershift the HSF-heat shock element complex.

CONCLUSION

The temporal pattern of both HSF activation and HSP expression in skeletal muscle undergoing hypertrophy suggests the increased level of the observed HSPs may be both a consequence of both the immediate stress of overload and the hypertrophic process. The inability of HSF1- and HSF2-specific antibodies to cause supershifts suggests the HSF detected during overload may not be HSF1 or HSF2.

Haemodialysis induces mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis

BACKGROUND

Mitochondria play a crucial role in the regulation of the endogenous pathways of apoptosis activated by oxidant stress. Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) is a central integration site for pro-inflammatory signals and oxidative stress.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from eight end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients before haemodialysis (Pre-HD) and during the last 10 min of HD (End-HD). A new polysulfone membrane (F70, Fresenius) was used for dialysis. Intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial redox potential (Deltapsim) and PBMC apoptosis were determined by flow-cytometry.

RESULTS

Plasma levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) (24.9+/-7.0 vs. 17.4+/-5.5 pg dL(-1), P<0.05), IL-6 soluble receptor (52.2+/-4.9 vs. 37.6+/-3.2 ng dL(-1), P<0.02) and IL-6 gp130 (405.7+/-41.0 vs. 235.1+/-38.4 ng dL(-1), P<0.02) were higher end-HD compared to pre-HD. IL-6 secretion by the isolated PBMC (24.0+/-2.3 vs. 19.3+/-3.5 pg dL(-1), P<0.02) increased end-HD. Percentage of lymphocytes exhibiting collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential (43.4+/-4.6% vs. 32.6+/-2.9%, P<0.01), apoptosis (33.4+/-7.1% vs. 23.7+/-7.7%, P<0.01), and generation of superoxide (20.7+/-5.2% vs. 12.5+/-2.9%, P<0.02) and hydrogen peroxide (51.1+/-7.8% vs.38.2+/-5.9%, P<0.04) were higher at end-HD than pre-HD. NF-kappaB activation (3144.1+/-208.1 vs. 2033.4+/-454.6 pg well(-1), P<0.02), expression of B-cell lymphoma protein-2 (6494.6+/-1461 vs. 3501.5+/-796.5 ng mL(-1), P<0.03) and heat shock protein-70 (9.81+/-1.47 vs. 6.38+/-1.0 ng mL(-1), P<0.05) increased during HD.

CONCLUSIONS

Intra-dialytic activation of cytokines, together with impaired mitochondrial function, promotes generation of ROS culminating in augmented PBMC apoptosis. There is concomitant activation of pathways aimed at attenuation of cell stress and apoptosis during HD.

Triptolide induces pancreatic cancer cell death via inhibition of heat shock protein 70

Pancreatic cancer is highly resistant to current chemotherapy agents. We therefore examined the effects of triptolide (a diterpenoid triepoxide) on pancreatic cancer growth and local-regional tumor spread using an orthotopic model of pancreatic cancer. We have recently shown that an increased level of HSP70 in pancreatic cancer cells confers resistance to apoptosis and that inhibiting HSP70 induces apoptosis in these cells. In addition, triptolide was recently identified as part of a small molecule screen, as a regulator of the human heat shock response. Therefore, our aims were to examine the effects of triptolide on (a) pancreatic cancer cells by assessing viability and apoptosis, (b) pancreatic cancer growth and local invasion in vivo, and (c) HSP70 levels in pancreatic cancer cells. Incubation of PANC-1 and MiaPaCa-2 cells with triptolide (50-200 nmol/L) significantly reduced cell viability, but had no effect on the viability of normal pancreatic ductal cells. Triptolide induced apoptosis (assessed by Annexin V, caspase-3, and terminal nucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling) and decreased HSP70 mRNA and protein levels in both cell lines. Triptolide (0.2 mg/kg/d for 60 days) administered in vivo decreased pancreatic cancer growth and significantly decreased local-regional tumor spread. The control group of mice had extensive local invasion into adjacent organs, including the spleen, liver, kidney, and small intestine. Triptolide causes pancreatic cancer cell death in vitro and in vivo by induction of apoptosis and its mechanism of action is mediated via the inhibition of HSP70. Triptolide is a potential therapeutic agent that can be used to prevent the progression and metastases of pancreatic cancer.

Zinc l-carnosine protects colonic mucosal injury through induction of heat shock protein 72 and suppression of NF-κB activation

In this study, we investigated the effects of zinc L-carnosine, an anti-ulcer drug, on acetic acid-induced colonic mucosal injury and the correlation of these effects with expression of 72-kDa heat shock proteins (HSP72) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) activation in rat colonic mucosa in vivo. After intrarectal administration of zinc L-carnosine, the rats received intrarectal infusion of 5% acetic acid (1 ml). The colonic mucosal damage was evaluated by macroscopic assessments 24 h after the intrarectal infusion of acetic acid. Expression of HSP72 in rat colonic mucosa was evaluated by Western blot analysis before and after zinc L-carnosine administration. NF-kappaB activation was evaluated by electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA). Zinc L-carnosine inhibited visible damage in rat colonic mucosa by acetic acid. Expression of HSP72 was significantly increased at 6 h after zinc L-carnosine administration. Furthermore, NF-kappaB activation in colonic mucosa was suppressed 6 h after zinc L-carnosine treatment. These results suggested that zinc L-carnosine protects the colonic mucosa against acetic acid by induction of HSP72 and suppression of NF-kappaB activation and zinc L-carnosine may be a novel therapeutic agent for the therapy of inflammatory bowel disease.

Cardenolide-induced lysosomal membrane permeabilization demonstrates therapeutic benefits in experimental human non-small cell lung cancers

Non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) are the leading cause of cancer deaths in most developed countries. Targeting heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) expression and function, together with the induction of lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP), could overcome the multiple anti-cell death mechanisms evidenced in NSCLCs that are responsible for the failure of currently used chemotherapeutic drugs. Because cardenolides bind to the sodium pump, they affect multiple signaling pathways and thus have a number of marked effects on tumor cell behavior. The aim of the present study was to characterize in vitro and in vivo the antitumor effects of a new cardenolide (UNBS1450) on experimental human NSCLCs. UNBS1450 is a potent source of in vivo antitumor activity in the case of paclitaxel-and oxaliplatin-resistant subcutaneous human NCI-H727 and orthotopic A549 xenografts in nude mice. In vitro UNBS1450-mediated antitumor activity results from the induction of nonapoptotic cell death. UNBS1450 mediates the decrease of Hsp70 at both mRNA and protein levels, and this is at least partly due to UNBS1450-induced downregulation of NFAT5/TonEBP (a factor responsible for the transcriptional control of Hsp70). These effects were paralleled by the induction of LMP, as evidenced by acridine orange staining and immunofluorescence analysis for cathepsin B accumulation.

Effects of HSP70.1/3 gene knockout on acute respiratory distress syndrome and the inflammatory response following sepsis

Heat shock response has been implicated in attenuating NF-kappaB activation and inflammation following sepsis. Studies utilizing sublethal heat stress or chemical enhancers to induce in vivo HSP70 expression have demonstrated survival benefit after experimental sepsis. However, it is likely these methods of manipulating HSP70 expression have effects on other stress proteins. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of specific deletion of HSP70.1/3 gene expression on ARDS, NF-kappaB activation, inflammatory cytokine expression, and survival following sepsis. To address this question, we induced sepsis in HSP70.1/3 KO and HSP70.1/3 WT mice via cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). We evaluated lung tissue NF-kappaB activation and TNF-alpha protein expression at 1 and 2 h, IL-6 protein expression at 1, 2, and 6, and lung histopathology 24 h after sepsis initiation. Survival was assessed for 5 days post-CLP. NF-kappaB activation in lung tissue was increased in HSP70.1/3((-/-)) mice at all time points after sepsis initiation. Deletion of HSP70.1/3 prolonged NF-kappaB binding/activation in lung tissue. Peak expression of lung TNF-alpha at 1 and 2 h was also significantly increased in HSP70.1/3((-/-)) mice. Expression of IL-6 was significantly increased at 2 and 6 h, and histopathology revealed a significant increase in lung injury in HSP70.1/3((-/-)) mice. Last, deletion of the HSP70 gene led to increased mortality 5 days after sepsis initiation. These data reveal that absence of HSP70 alone can significantly increase ARDS, activation of NF-kappaB, and inflammatory cytokine response. The specific absence of HSP70 gene expression also leads to increased mortality after septic insult.