The saponin DT-13 inhibits gastric cancer cell migration through down-regulation of CCR5-CCL5 axis

Gastric cancer and mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes: from pro-tumorigenic effects to anti-cancer vehicles

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most prevalent malignancies in the world, with a high mortality rate in both women and men. Conventional treatments, like chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery, are facing some drawbacks like acquired drug resistance and various side effects, leading to cancer recurrence and increased morbidity; thus, development of novel approaches in targeted therapy would be very beneficial. Exosomes, extracellular vesicles with a size distribution of sub-150 nm, interplay in physiological and pathophysiological cell-cell communications and can pave the way for targeted cancer therapy. Accumulating pieces of evidence have indicated that exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSC-EXs) can act as a double-edged sword in some cancers. The purpose of this review is to assess the differences between stem cell therapy and exosome therapy. Moreover, our aim is to demonstrate how naïve MSCs transform into GC-MSCs in the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, the tumorigenic and anti-proliferation effects of MSC-EXs derived from different origins were investigated. Finally, we suggest potential modifications and combination options that involve utilizing MSC-EXs from the foreskin and umbilical cord as promising sources to enhance the efficacy of gastric cancer treatment. This approach is presented in contrast to bone marrow cells, which are more heterogeneous, age-related, and are also easily affected by the patient's circulation system.

The Role of Macrophages in Cancer Development and Therapy

Macrophages are critical mediators of tissue homeostasis and influence various aspects of immunity. Tumor-associated macrophages are one of the main cellular components of the tumor microenvironment. Depending on their activation status, macrophages can exert a dual influence on tumorigenesis by either antagonizing the cytotoxic activity of immune cells or, less frequently, by enhancing antitumor responses. In most situations, TAMs suppress T cell recruitment and function or regulate other aspects of tumor immunity. The importance of TAMs targeting in cancer therapy is derived from the strong association between the high infiltration of TAMs in the tumor tissue with poor patient prognosis. Several macrophage-targeting approaches in anticancer therapy are developed, including TAM depletion, inhibition of new TAM differentiation, or re-education of TAM activation for cancer cell phagocytosis. In this review, we will describe the role of TAMs in tumor development, including such aspects as protumorigenic inflammation, immune suppression, neoangiogenesis, and enhancement of tissue invasion and distant metastasis. Furthermore, we will discuss therapeutic approaches that aim to deplete TAMs or, on the contrary, re-educate TAMs for cancer cell phagocytosis and antitumor immunity.

Research Trends and Regulation of CCL5 in Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa) is considered as the most common cancer of urologic neoplasms, and its development and prognosis are associated with many factors. Chemokine receptor signaling combine with advances in advanced clinicopathological characteristics have provided new insights into the molecular landscape of prostate cancer. Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5 (CCL5) is an important member of the CC subfamily of chemokines. The expression of chemokine CCL5 is positively correlated with poor prognostic features in patients with PCa. Current study suggested that CCL5/CCR5 axis plays a significant role in the proliferation, metastasis, angiogenesis, drug resistance of prostate cancer cells and promotes self-renewal of prostate cancer stem cells (PCSCs). Due to the major domination in CCL5 by prostate cancer and the high cancer-specific mortality with prostate cancer, research on the CCL5/CCR5 axis effective antagonists is widespread application. However, challenges for precision oncology of CCL5/CCR5 axis and effective antagonists in CRPC remain. Herein, we summarized the crucial role of CCL5 in promoting the development of PCa and discussed the antitumor application of the antagonists of CCL5/CCR5 axis.

The CCL5/CCR5 Axis in Cancer Progression

Tumor cells can “hijack” chemokine networks to support tumor progression. In this context, the C-C chemokine ligand 5/C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCL5/CCR5) axis is gaining increasing attention, since abnormal expression and activity of CCL5 and its receptor CCR5 have been found in hematological malignancies and solid tumors. Numerous preclinical in vitro and in vivo studies have shown a key role of the CCL5/CCR5 axis in cancer, and thus provided the rationale for clinical trials using the repurposed drug maraviroc, a CCR5 antagonist used to treat HIV/AIDS. This review summarizes current knowledge on the role of the CCL5/CCR5 axis in cancer. First, it describes the involvement of the CCL5/CCR5 axis in cancer progression, including autocrine and paracrine tumor growth, ECM (extracellular matrix) remodeling and migration, cancer stem cell expansion, DNA damage repair, metabolic reprogramming, and angiogenesis. Then, it focuses on individual hematological and solid tumors in which CCL5 and CCR5 have been studied preclinically. Finally, it discusses clinical trials of strategies to counteract the CCL5/CCR5 axis in different cancers using maraviroc or therapeutic monoclonal antibodies.

Liriopesides B from Liriope spicata var. prolifera inhibits metastasis and induces apoptosis in A2780 human ovarian cancer cells

Ovarian cancer is the most frequent cause of death among gynecological cancers. In the present study, the anti-cancer effect of liriopesides B, a steroidal saponin from Liriope spicata var. prolifera, against A2780 cells was investigated. Transwell chambers were adopted to assess its effect on cell invasion and chemotaxis abilities. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the cell cycle and apoptosis. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR was employed to examine gene expression levels. Western blot analysis was performed to detect protein expression levels. Liriopesides B inhibited the invasion and chemotactic movement ability of A2780 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, liriopesides B caused cell cycle arrest in A2780 cells at the G1 phase following incubation for 24, 48 and 72 h. Hoechst 33258 staining indicated that, following incubation for 48 h, liriopesides B induced cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometry verified that liriopesides B induced apoptosis in A2780 cells and induced late apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, liriopesides B significantly increased the mRNA expression levels of E-CADHERIN, p21 and p27 and decreased the gene expression levels of BCL-2, which was consistent with its protein expression levels. In conclusion, liriopesides B possess anti-cancer properties, including inhibition of metastasis-associated behaviors, cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis. Therefore, liriopesides B may be considered as a candidate drug against ovarian cancer.

Ophiopogon Saponin C1 Inhibits Lung Tumors by Stabilizing Endothelium Permeability via Inhibition of PKCδ

As the most frequent cause of cancer-related death worldwide, lung cancer is closely related to inflammation. The interaction between tumor cells and inflammatory cells promotes tumor development and metastasis. During tumor development, vascular endothelial cells form the most important barrier to prevent tumor cell migration to the blood and tissue. Increased vascular permeability provides favorable conditions for the migration of tumor cells, and endothelial tight junctions are an important component of the vascular barrier. Protein kinase C δ is involved in the occurrence of non-small cell lung cancer and regulates vascular permeability and tight junction protein expression. Src kinase was reported to play an important role in TNF-α-induced endothelial inflammation. Ophiopogon Saponin C1 is a new chemical compound isolated from Liriope muscari, but its pharmacological activities have not been fully elucidated. Therefore, we tested the protective effects of C1 on endothelial permeability in a model of TNF-α-induced endothelial inflammation by transendothelial electrical resistance and sodium fluorescein assays and verified these results in a nude mouse model of experimental pulmonary adenocarcinoma metastasis. We further elucidated the mechanism of C1, which was based on the PKCδ and Src proteins, by Western blotting. C1 can inhibit lung cancer in vivo, regulate the level of plasma inflammation in tumor-bearing mice, and protect the pulmonary vascular barrier against injury induced by cancer. It was investigated the expression and distribution of the TJ index protein ZO-1 in mouse vascular endothelium and HUVECs and found that C1 could inhibit the degradation and breakage of the ZO-1 protein. Related signaling experiments confirmed that C1 can inhibit TNF-α and activation of PKCδ and Src kinase. This study laid the foundation for further analysis of new drugs with clear mechanisms and independent intellectual property rights of traditional Chinese medicines.

PI3K/Akt inhibitor partly decreases TNF-α-induced activation of fibroblast-like synoviocytes in osteoarthritis

Background

The Cadherin-11 and PI3K/Akt pathway are increasingly recognized as the potential therapeutic target of osteoarthritis (OA) synovitis. The study aimed to investigate the role of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in the expression of Cadherin-11 and migration and invasive capacity of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) of OA patients under stimulation of TNF-α and to explore the effect of the PI3K/Akt inhibitor and Cadherin-11 antibody in the therapy of the collagenase-induced osteoarthritis (CIOA) mice.

Methods

FLS were primarily cultured from synovium of osteoarthritic patients during total knee arthroplasty. Under the simulation of TNF-α, with or without PI3K/Akt inhibitor LY294002, Cadherin-11 expression was detected by real-time PCR and Western blot, as well as the migration and invasive capacity changes of OA FLS. Cadherin-11 antibody was injected intraarticularly or LY294002 was injected intraperitoneally in CIOA mice to evaluate the changes of synovitis score, cartilage damage, and Cadherin-11 expression.

Results

TNF-α stimulation increased Cadherin-11 expression at mRNA and protein level in OA FLS and also increased the phosphorylation-dependent activation of Akt. PI3K inhibitor LY294002 attenuated TNF-α-induced overexpression of Cadherin-11 and decreased the invasive capacity of OA FLS. Intraperitoneal injection of PI3K inhibitor LY294002 could decrease the Cadherin-11 protein expression in synovium of CIOA mice, although it has no significant inhibitory effect on synovitis and cartilage damage. Intraarticular injection of Cadherin-11 antibody attenuated the synovitis and cartilage damage in the CIOA joints and decreased Cadherin-11 expression in the synovial lining.

Conclusions

PI3K/Akt pathway was associated with TNF-α-induced activation of OA FLS, which may involve in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. Anti-Cadherin-11 therapy in CIOA mice could attenuate the pathological changes of OA joints.

Recent Advances Targeting CCR5 for Cancer and Its Role in Immuno-Oncology

Experiments of nature have revealed the peculiar importance of the G-protein-coupled receptor, C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5), in human disease since ancient times. The resurgence of interest in heterotypic signals in the onset and progression of tumorigenesis has led to the current focus on CCR5 as an exciting new therapeutic target for metastatic cancer with clinical trials now targeting breast and colon cancer. The eutopic expression of CCR5 activates calcium signaling and thereby augments regulatory T cell (Treg) differentiation and migration to sites of inflammation. The misexpression of CCR5 in epithelial cells, induced upon oncogenic transformation, hijacks this migratory phenotype. CCR5 reexpression augments resistance to DNA-damaging agents and is sufficient to induce cancer metastasis and "stemness". Recent studies suggest important cross-talk between CCR5 signaling and immune checkpoint function. Because CCR5 on Tregs serves as the coreceptor for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) entry, CCR5-targeted therapeutics used in HIV, [small molecules (maraviroc and vicriviroc) and a humanized mAb (leronlimab)], are now being repositioned in clinical trials as cancer therapeutics. As CCR5 is expressed on a broad array of tumors, the opportunity for therapeutic repositioning and the rationale for combination therapy approaches are reviewed herein.

DT-13 Inhibits Proliferation and Metastasis of Human Prostate Cancer Cells Through Blocking PI3K/Akt Pathway

DT-13, a saponin monomer 13 from the dwarf lilyturf tuber, was reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective as well as antitumor activities in a number of tumor cells. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in males, discovery of novel antitumor drug for therapy of prostate cancer is expected. Aiming to evaluate whether DT-13 could become a candidate to treat prostate cancer, we recently investigated the antitumor effect of DT-13 on human prostate cancer cells and the underlying mechanism. DT-13 was found to effectively inhibit proliferation and metastasis of prostate cancer PC3 and DU145 cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment by DT-13 resulted in a mitochondria-mediated apoptosis, which was accompanied by the chromatin condensation and nuclear shrinkage in the prostate cancer cells. Moreover, DT-13 caused remarkable upregulation of Bax, Bad, Cytochrome C, cleaved -caspase 3, -caspase 9 and -PARP, in contrast to the downregulation of Bcl-2. Nevertheless, no obvious change in intracellular ROS level was observed after DT-13 treatment. We further demonstrated that DT-13 could inhibit PC3 cell metastasis in which suppression of Integrinβ1 and MMP2/9 might be involved. Western blot analysis indicated DT-13 significantly decreased the phosphorylation of PDK1, Akt, mTOR as well as p70S6K, suggesting the pro-apoptotic and anti-metastatic effects of DT-13 on prostate cancer cells might be attributed to the blockade of PI3K/Akt pathway. Collectively, our findings suggest DT-13 is worthy of further investigation as a drug candidate for the treatment of prostate cancer.

Inhibition of the CCL5/CCR5 Axis against the Progression of Gastric Cancer

Despite the progress made in molecular and clinical research, patients with advanced-stage gastric cancer (GC) have a bad prognosis and very low survival rates. Furthermore, it is challenging to find the complex molecular mechanisms that are involved in the development of GC, its progression, and its resistance to therapy. The interactions of chemokines, also known as chemotactic cytokines, with their receptors regulate immune and inflammatory responses. However, updated research demonstrates that cancer cells subvert the normal chemokine role, transforming them into fundamental constituents of the tumor microenvironment (TME) with tumor-promoting effects. C-C chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5) is a chemotactic cytokine, and its expression and secretion are regulated in T cells. C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5) is expressed in T cells, macrophages, other leukocytes, and certain types of cancer cells. The interaction between CCL5 and CCR5 plays an active role in recruiting leukocytes into target sites. This review summarizes recent information on the role of the CCL5 chemokine and its receptor CCR5 in GC cell proliferation, metastasis formation, and in the building of an immunosuppressive TME. Moreover, it highlights the development of new therapeutic strategies to inhibit the CCL5/CCR5 axis in different ways and their possible clinical relevance in the treatment of GC.

C-C motif chemokine receptors in gastric cancer

Gastric cancer is the fifth most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-associated mortality worldwide. Despite recent advances in molecular and clinical research, patients with gastric cancer at an advanced stage have a dismal prognosis and poor survival rates, and systemic treatment relies predominantly on traditional cytotoxic chemotherapy. To improve patients' quality of life and survival, an improved understanding of the complex molecular mechanisms involved in gastric cancer progression and treatment resistance, and of its clinical application in the development of novel targeted therapies, is urgently required. Chemokines are a group of small chemotactic cytokines that interact with seven-transmembrane G-protein-coupled receptors, and this interaction serves a crucial role in various physiological processes, including organ development and the host immune response, to recruit cells to specific sites in the body. There is also accumulating evidence that chemokines and chemokine receptors (CCRs) contribute to tumor development and progression, as well as metastasis. However, research regarding the functional roles of chemokines and their receptors in cancer is dynamic and context-dependent, and much remains to be elucidated, although various aspects have been explored extensively. In gastric cancer, C-C motif CCRs are involved in the biological behavior of tumor cells, including the processes of growth, invasion and survival, as well as the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. In the present review, attention is given to the clinical relevance of C-C motif CCRs in the development, progression, and metastasis of gastric cancer, particularly CCR7 and CCR5, which have been investigated extensively, as well as their potential therapeutic implications.