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Dong K, Lei H, Kang J, Leng X, Ma R, Wang D, Zhou Q, Yu J, Lu T, Xing J. Application of a Dual-Probe Coloading Nanodetection System in the Process Monitoring and Efficacy Assessment of Photodynamic Therapy: An In Vitro Study. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2023; 9:1089-1103. [PMID: 36700559 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.2c01388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The oxygen-consuming property of photodynamic therapy (PDT) affects its effects and aggravates tumor hypoxia, thus upregulating the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to exacerbate tumor metastasis and lead to treatment failure. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the dynamic changes in the factors related to PDT and tumor development trends in real time, thus helping to improve PDT efficiency. This study fabricated a fluorescent probe, TPE-2HPro, and a fluorescein-labeled aptamer probe, FAM-AptamerVEGF, to detect hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and VEGF through the photoinduced electron-transfer effect and the specific affinity of the aptamer to VEGF, respectively. The two probes were loaded into the inner pores and absorbed on the surface of polydopamine coating-wrapped mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN@PDA) to construct the dual-probe-loaded system, MSNTH@PDAApt, which was kept stable in fetal bovine serum (FBS) solution and achieved pH-responsive release behavior, thus helping to increase the accumulation of the two probes in tumor cells. The dichloroacetic acid-mediated in vitro antitumor tests showed that the changing trends of H2O2 and VEGF levels were consistent with the results of related mechanism studies and could be monitored by MSNTH@PDAApt. The in vitro chlorin e6 (Ce6)-mediated PDT treatment demonstrated that when the illumination condition was 650 nm, 50 mW/cm2 for 10 min, cells were more inclined to metastasis and invasion rather than death due to a substantial increase in VEGF expression at the low Ce6 concentrations. With the increase of the Ce6 concentration, the growth of the H2O2 level gradually exceeded that of VEGF, and the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated cell death dominated when the Ce6 concentration was about 2 times its IC50 values. Besides, hypoxia also affected the H2O2 and VEGF changes. These results demonstrated that MSNTH@PDAApt could precisely monitor and assess the tumor development trends during PDT treatment, thus helping improve the treatment effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Dong
- School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 76 Yanta West Road, Xi'an710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hengyu Lei
- School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 76 Yanta West Road, Xi'an710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jian Kang
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an710072, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xue Leng
- School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 76 Yanta West Road, Xi'an710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ruirui Ma
- School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 76 Yanta West Road, Xi'an710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Danyang Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 76 Yanta West Road, Xi'an710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qingyuan Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 76 Yanta West Road, Xi'an710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jie Yu
- School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 76 Yanta West Road, Xi'an710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Tingli Lu
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an710072, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jianfeng Xing
- School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 76 Yanta West Road, Xi'an710061, Shaanxi, China
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Radiosensitization of Breast Cancer Cells with a 2-Methoxyestradiol Analogue Affects DNA Damage and Repair Signaling In Vitro. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043592. [PMID: 36835001 PMCID: PMC9965329 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Radiation resistance and radiation-related side effects warrant research into alternative strategies in the application of this modality to cancer treatment. Designed in silico to improve the pharmacokinetics and anti-cancer properties of 2-methoxyestradiol, 2-ethyl-3-O-sulfamoyl-estra-1,3,5(10)16-tetraene (ESE-16) disrupts microtubule dynamics and induces apoptosis. Here, we investigated whether pre-exposure of breast cancer cells to low-dose ESE-16 would affect radiation-induced deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage and the consequent repair pathways. MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, and BT-20 cells were exposed to sub-lethal doses of ESE-16 for 24 h before 8 Gy radiation. Flow cytometric quantification of Annexin V, clonogenic studies, micronuclei quantification, assessment of histone H2AX phosphorylation and Ku70 expression were performed to assess cell viability, DNA damage, and repair pathways, in both directly irradiated cells and cells treated with conditioned medium. A small increase in apoptosis was observed as an early consequence, with significant repercussions on long-term cell survival. Overall, a greater degree of DNA damage was detected. Moreover, initiation of the DNA-damage repair response was delayed, with a subsequent sustained elevation. Radiation-induced bystander effects induced similar pathways and were initiated via intercellular signaling. These results justify further investigation of ESE-16 as a radiation-sensitizing agent since pre-exposure appears to augment the response of tumor cells to radiation.
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Intracellular Signaling Responses Induced by Radiation within an In Vitro Bone Metastasis Model after Pre-Treatment with an Estrone Analogue. Cells 2021; 10:cells10082105. [PMID: 34440874 PMCID: PMC8394480 DOI: 10.3390/cells10082105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
2-Ethyl-3-O-sulfamoyl-estra-1,3,5(10)16-tetraene (ESE-16) is an in silico-designed estradiol analogue which has improved the parent compound’s efficacy in anti-cancer studies. In this proof-of-concept study, the potential radiosensitizing effects of ESE-16 were investigated in an in vitro deconstructed bone metastasis model. Prostate (DU 145) and breast (MDA-MB-231) tumor cells, osteoblastic (MC3T3-E1) and osteoclastic (RAW 264.7) bone cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were representative components of such a lesion. Cells were exposed to a low-dose ESE-16 for 24 hours prior to radiation at non-lethal doses to determine early signaling and molecular responses of this combination treatment. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity and actin ring formation were investigated in osteoclasts, while cell cycle progression, reactive oxygen species generation and angiogenic protein expression were investigated in HUVECs. Increased cytotoxicity was evident in tumor and endothelial cells while bone cells appeared to be spared. Increased mitotic indices were calculated, and evidence of increased deoxyribonucleic acid damage with retarded repair, together with reduced metastatic signaling was observed in tumor cells. RAW 264.7 macrophages retained their ability to differentiate into osteoclasts. Anti-angiogenic effects were observed in HUVECs, and expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-α was decreased. Through preferentially inducing tumor cell death and potentially inhibiting neovascularization whilst preserving bone physiology, this low-dose combination regimen warrants further investigation for its promising therapeutic application in bone metastases management, with the additional potential of limited treatment side effects.
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Sweeney MF, Sonnenschein C, Soto AM. Characterization of MCF-12A cell phenotype, response to estrogens, and growth in 3D. Cancer Cell Int 2018; 18:43. [PMID: 29559854 PMCID: PMC5859508 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-018-0534-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Three-dimensional cultures of mammary epithelial cells allow for biologically-relevant studies of the development of the mammary gland in rodents and humans under normal and pathological conditions, like carcinogenesis. Under these conditions, mammotropic hormones play significant roles in tissue morphogenesis. Therefore, a system that recreates the normal, hormonally responsive epithelium would be a valuable tool to study the normal state and its transition to carcinogenesis. MCF-12A cells have been claimed to be non-tumorigenic mammary epithelial cells with reported sensitivity to estrogens. In this study, we aimed at characterizing MCF-12A cells for use in a hormone-responsive 3D culture system to determine their usefulness as a tool to identify normal and abnormal microenvironmental cues. Methods MCF-12A cells were single-cell cloned in order to investigate their heterogeneous makeup. The parental cells were then treated with estradiol to investigate proliferative and transcriptional responses through the estrogen receptor alpha. Finally, parental cells and epithelial-like cell-derived clones were seeded in rat-tail collagen I to profile the morphogenesis of multicellular 3D structures. The resultant structures were then analyzed using unsupervised morphometric analysis. Results MCF-12A cells consist of epithelial-like colonies which shed elongated, freely growing cells on the colony's edges. The cells express E-cadherin as well as mesenchymal vimentin but do not express markers associated with myoepithelial cells or fibroblasts. Treatment with estradiol does not affect either the proliferation rate or the induction of gene expression in MCF-12A cells. Parental MCF-12A cells form acini, solid spheres and elongated branching ducts when grown in rat-tail collagen type I matrix, the geometries and distribution of which are altered following the removal of fibroblast-like cells. Conclusions MCF-12A cells are a heterogeneous pseudo-epithelial cell line capable of forming a variety of multicellular structures in 3D culture. We found no indication that the cells display estrogen-responsive characteristics, thus refuting previous studies which reported estrogen responsiveness. We report that MCF-12A cells are not suited for use in studies in which differential behaviors of "normal" and "cancerous" estrogen-responsive cells are to be compared.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael F Sweeney
- 1Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111 USA
| | - Carlos Sonnenschein
- 2Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111 USA
| | - Ana M Soto
- 2Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111 USA
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The in vitro effects of a novel estradiol analog on cell proliferation and morphology in human epithelial cervical carcinoma. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2018; 23:10. [PMID: 29568313 PMCID: PMC5859677 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-018-0079-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The majority of novel chemotherapeutics target the cell cycle, aiming to effect arrest and cause apoptosis. One such agent, 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME), has been shown to possess anticancer properties against numerous cancer types, both in vitro and in vivo. Despite its promise, 2ME has exhibited limitations, including low oral bioavailability and rapid hepatic enzymatic inactivation in vivo. A novel sulphamoylated estrogen analog, 2-ethyl-3-O-sulphamoyl-estra-1,3,5(10)16-tetraene (ESE-16), was in silico-designed in our laboratory to overcome these issues. It was then synthesized by a pharmaceutical company and used in an in vitro antiproliferative effect study on a human cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cell line. Results Cell proliferation data obtained from the crystal violet assay and real-time cell analysis demonstrated that 0.2 μM of ESE-16 had a significant inhibitory effect on the HeLa cells 24 h post-exposure. Immunofluorescence showed that ESE-16 is a microtubule disruptor that causes cells to undergo a mitotic block. Qualitative morphological studies using polarization-optical transmitted light differential interference contrast (PlasDIC) and light microscopy revealed a decrease in cell density and an increase in the number of cells arrested in metaphase. After ESE-16 exposure, hallmarks of apoptosis were also observed, including membrane blebbing, chromatin condensation and the presence of apoptotic bodies. Flow cytometry provided quantitative results from cell cycle progression analysis, indicating cells undergoing apoptosis and cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle, confirming cell cycle arrest in metaphase after ESE-16 treatment. Quantification of the ESE-16-mediated upregulation of cyclin B in HeLa cells and spectrophotometric and flow cytometric confirmation of cell death via apoptosis further confirmed the substance's impact. Conclusion ESE-16 exerts its antiproliferative effects through microtubule disruption, which induces a mitotic block culminating in apoptosis. This research provided information on ESE-16 as a potential antitumor agent and on cellular targets that could aid in the design of prospective microtubule-disrupting compounds. Further in vitro and in vivo investigations of this novel compound are needed.
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Repsold L, Pool R, Karodia M, Tintinger G, Joubert AM. An overview of the role of platelets in angiogenesis, apoptosis and autophagy in chronic myeloid leukaemia. Cancer Cell Int 2017; 17:89. [PMID: 29118670 PMCID: PMC5664592 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-017-0460-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2017] [Accepted: 10/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Amongst males, leukaemia is the most common cause of cancer-related death in individuals younger than 40 years of age whereas in female children and adolescents, leukaemia is the most common cause of cancer-related death. Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is a chronic leukaemia of the haematopoietic stem cells affecting mostly adults. The disease results from a translocation of the Philadelphia chromosome in stem cells of the bone marrow. CML patients usually present with mild to moderate anaemia and with decreased, normal, or increased platelet counts. CML represents 0.5% of all new cancer cases in the United States (2016). In 2016, an estimated 1070 people would die of this disease in the United States. Platelets serve as a means for tumours to increase growth and to provide physical- and mechanical support to elude the immune system and to metastasize. Currently there is no literature available on the role that platelets play in CML progression, despite literature reporting the fact that platelet count and size are affected. Resistance to CML treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors can be as a result of acquired resistance ensuing from mutations in the tyrosine kinase domains, loss of response or poor tolerance. In CML this resistance has recently become linked to bone marrow (BM) angiogenesis which aids in the growth and survival of leukaemia cells. The discovery of the lungs as a site of haematopoietic progenitors, suggests that CML resistance is not localized to the bone marrow and that the mutations leading to the disease and resistance to treatment may also occur in the haematopoietic progenitors in the lungs. In conclusion, platelets are significantly affected during CML progression and treatment. Investigation into the role that platelets play in CML progression is vital including how treatment affects the cell death mechanisms of platelets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Repsold
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, Gauteng South Africa
| | - Roger Pool
- Department of Haematology, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, Gauteng South Africa
| | - Mohammed Karodia
- Department of Haematology, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, Gauteng South Africa
| | - Gregory Tintinger
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, Gauteng South Africa
| | - Annie Margaretha Joubert
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, Gauteng South Africa
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Harting TP, Stubbendorff M, Hammer SC, Schadzek P, Ngezahayo A, Murua Escobar H, Nolte I. Dichloroacetate affects proliferation but not apoptosis in canine mammary cell lines. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0178744. [PMID: 28591165 PMCID: PMC5462399 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeting mitochondrial energy metabolism is a novel approach in cancer research and can be traced back to the description of the Warburg effect. Dichloroacetate, a controversially discussed subject of many studies in cancer research, is a pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase inhibitor. Dichloroacetate causes metabolic changes in cancerous glycolysis towards oxidative phosphorylation via indirect activation of pyruvate dehydrogenase in mitochondria. Canine mammary cancer is frequently diagnosed but after therapy prognosis still remains poor. In this study, canine mammary carcinoma, adenoma and non-neoplastic mammary gland cell lines were treated using 10 mM Dichloroacetate. The effect on cell number, lactate release and PDH expression and cell respiration was investigated. Further, the effect on apoptosis and several apoptotic proteins, proliferation, and microRNA expression was evaluated. Dichloroacetate was found to reduce cell proliferation without inducing apoptosis in all examined cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana P. Harting
- Small Animal Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
- Division of Medicine Clinic III, Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | | | - Susanne C. Hammer
- Small Animal Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
- Division of Medicine Clinic III, Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Patrik Schadzek
- Institute of Biophysics, Leibniz University, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Hugo Murua Escobar
- Small Animal Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
- Division of Medicine Clinic III, Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Ingo Nolte
- Small Animal Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Kumar BS, Raghuvanshi DS, Hasanain M, Alam S, Sarkar J, Mitra K, Khan F, Negi AS. Recent Advances in chemistry and pharmacology of 2-methoxyestradiol: An anticancer investigational drug. Steroids 2016; 110:9-34. [PMID: 27020471 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2016.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2015] [Revised: 02/13/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
2-Methoxyestradiol (2ME2), an estrogen hormone metabolite is a potential cancer chemotherapeutic agent. Presently, it is an investigational drug under various phases of clinical trials alone or in combination therapy. Its anticancer activity has been attributed to its antitubulin, antiangiogenic, pro-apoptotic and ROS induction properties. This anticancer drug candidate has been explored extensively in last twenty years for its detailed chemistry and pharmacology. Present review is an update of its chemistry and biological activity. It also extends an assessment of potential of 2ME2 and its analogues as possible anticancer drug in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Sathish Kumar
- CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP), Kukrail Picnic Spot Road, P.O. CIMAP, Lucknow 226015, India
| | - Dushyant Singh Raghuvanshi
- CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP), Kukrail Picnic Spot Road, P.O. CIMAP, Lucknow 226015, India
| | - Mohammad Hasanain
- CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CSIR-CDRI), B.S. 10/1, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Sarfaraz Alam
- CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP), Kukrail Picnic Spot Road, P.O. CIMAP, Lucknow 226015, India
| | - Jayanta Sarkar
- CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CSIR-CDRI), B.S. 10/1, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Kalyan Mitra
- CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CSIR-CDRI), B.S. 10/1, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Feroz Khan
- CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP), Kukrail Picnic Spot Road, P.O. CIMAP, Lucknow 226015, India
| | - Arvind S Negi
- CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP), Kukrail Picnic Spot Road, P.O. CIMAP, Lucknow 226015, India.
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Visagie MH, Birkholtz LM, Joubert AM. A 2-methoxyestradiol bis-sulphamoylated derivative induces apoptosis in breast cell lines. Cell Biosci 2015; 5:19. [PMID: 25908963 PMCID: PMC4407428 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-015-0010-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2014] [Accepted: 04/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Research involving antimitotic compounds identified 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME2), as a promising anticancer endogenous metabolite. Owing to its low bioavailability, several in silico-designed 2ME2 analogues were synthesized. Structure-activity relationship studies indicated that an already existing 17-β-estradiol analogue, namely (8R,13S,14S,17S)-2-ethyl-13-methyl-7,8,9,11,12,13,14,15,16,17-decahydro-6H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthrane-3,17-diyl bis(sulphamate) (EMBS) to exert potential in vitro anticancer activity. Methods This study investigated the in vitro apoptotic influence of EMBS in an estrogen receptor-positive breast adenocarcinoma epithelial cell line (MCF-7); an estrogen receptor-negative breast epithelial cell line (MDA-MB-231) and a non-tumorigenic breast cell line (MCF-12A). Cell cycle progression, a phosphatidylserine flip, caspase 6-, 7- and 8 enzyme activity levels, Bcl-2 phosphorylation status at serine 70 and Bcl-2- and p53 protein levels were investigated to identify a possible action mechanism for apoptotic induction. Results The xCELLigence real-time label-independent approach revealed that EMBS exerted antiproliferative activity in all three cell lines after 24 h of exposure. A G2M block was observed and apoptosis induction was verified by means of flow cytometry using propidium iodide and Annexin V-FITC respectively. EMBS-treated cells demonstrated a reduced mitochondrial membrane potential. EMBS exposure resulted in a statistically significant increase in p53 protein expression, decreased Bcl-2 protein expression and a decrease in pBcl-2(s70) phosphorylation status in all three cell lines. Results support the notion that EMBS induces apoptosis in all three cell lines. Conclusion This study includes investigation into the apoptotic hallmarks exerted by EMBS after exposure of three cell lines namely MCF-7-, MDA-MDA-231- and MCF-12A cells. Increased caspase 6-, caspase 7- and caspase 8 activities, upregulation of p53 protein expression and a decrease in phosphorylation status of Bcl-2 at serine 70 in tumorigenic and non-tumorigenic lines were demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Helen Visagie
- Department of Physiology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X 323, Arcadia, 0007 South Africa
| | - Lyn-Marie Birkholtz
- Department of Biochemistry, Centre for Sustainable Malaria Control, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, Pretoria 0028 South Africa
| | - Anna Margaretha Joubert
- Department of Physiology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X 323, Arcadia, 0007 South Africa
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Kankotia S, Stacpoole PW. Dichloroacetate and cancer: new home for an orphan drug? Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2014; 1846:617-29. [PMID: 25157892 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2014.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2014] [Revised: 08/15/2014] [Accepted: 08/18/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
We reviewed the anti-cancer effects of DCA, an orphan drug long used as an investigational treatment for various acquired and congenital disorders of mitochondrial intermediary metabolism. Inhibition by DCA of mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase kinases and subsequent reactivation of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and oxidative phosphorylation is the common mechanism accounting for the drug's anti-neoplastic effects. At least two fundamental changes in tumor metabolism are induced by DCA that antagonize tumor growth, metastases and survival: the first is the redirection of glucose metabolism from glycolysis to oxidation (reversal of the Warburg effect), leading to inhibition of proliferation and induction of caspase-mediated apoptosis. These effects have been replicated in both human cancer cell lines and in tumor implants of diverse germ line origin. The second fundamental change is the oxidative removal of lactate, via pyruvate, and the co-incident buffering of hydrogen ions by dehydrogenases located in the mitochondrial matrix. Preclinical studies demonstrate that DCA has additive or synergistic effects when used in combination with standard agents designed to modify tumor oxidative stress, vascular remodeling, DNA integrity or immunity. These findings and limited clinical results suggest that potentially fruitful areas for additional clinical trials include 1) adult and pediatric high grade astrocytomas; 2) BRAF-mutant cancers, such as melanoma, perhaps combined with other pro-oxidants; 3) tumors in which resistance to standard platinum-class drugs alone may be overcome with combination therapy; and 4) tumors of endodermal origin, in which extensive experimental research has demonstrated significant anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic effects of DCA, leading to improved host survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shyam Kankotia
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Peter W Stacpoole
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States.
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Repsold L, Pretorius E, Joubert AM. An estrogen analogue and promising anticancer agent refrains from inducing morphological damage and reactive oxygen species generation in erythrocytes, fibrin and platelets: a pilot study. Cancer Cell Int 2014; 14:48. [PMID: 24932135 PMCID: PMC4057810 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2867-14-48] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2014] [Accepted: 05/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background 2-Methoxyestradiol is known to have antitumour and antiproliferative action in vitro and in vivo. However, when 2-methoxyestradiol is orally administered, it is rapidly oxidized by the enzyme 17β-hydroxysteriod dehydrogenase in the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, 2-methoxyestradiol never reaches high enough concentrations in the tissue to be able to exert these antitumour properties. This resulted in the in silico-design of 2-methoxyestradiol analogues in collaboration with the Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Unit (UP) and subsequent synthesis by iThemba Pharmaceuticals (Pty) Ltd (Modderfontein, Midrand, South Africa). One such a novelty-designed analogue is 2-ethyl-3-O-sulphamoyl-estra-1, 3, 5(10)16-tetraene (ESE-16). Methods This pilot study aimed to determine the morphological effect and possible generation of reactive oxygen species by ESE-16 on erythrocytes and platelet samples (with and without added thrombin) by means of scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and flow cytometry. Results Erythrocytes and platelets were exposed to ESE-16 at a concentration of 180nM for 24 hours. Scanning- and transmission electron microscopy indicated that ESE-16 did not cause changes to erythrocytes, platelets or fibrin networks. Flow cytometry measurements of hydrogen peroxide and superoxide indicated that ESE-16 does not cause an increase in the generation of reactive oxygen species in these blood samples. Conclusion Further in vivo research is warranted to determine whether this novel in silico-designed analogue may impact on development of future chemotherapeutic agents and whether it could be considered as an antitumour agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Repsold
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Etheresia Pretorius
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Annie Margaretha Joubert
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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Wolmarans E, Mqoco TV, Stander A, Nkandeu SD, Sippel K, McKenna R, Joubert A. Novel estradiol analogue induces apoptosis and autophagy in esophageal carcinoma cells. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2014; 19:98-115. [PMID: 24563014 PMCID: PMC6275608 DOI: 10.2478/s11658-014-0183-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2013] [Accepted: 01/29/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in South Africa. The critical role that microtubules play in cell division makes them an ideal target for the development of chemotherapeutic drugs that prevent the hyperproliferation of cancer cells. The new in silico-designed estradiol analogue 2-ethyl-3-O-sulfamoylestra-1,3,5(10)16-tetraene (ESE-16) was investigated in terms of its in vitro antiproliferative effects on the esophageal carcinoma SNO cell line at a concentration of 0.18 μM and an exposure time of 24 h. Polarization-optical differential interference contrast and triple fluorescent staining (propidium iodide, Hoechst 33342 and acridine orange) revealed a decrease in cell density, metaphase arrest, and the occurrence of apoptotic bodies in the ESE-16-treated cells when compared to relevant controls. Treated cells also showed an increase in the presence of acidic vacuoles and lysosomes, suggesting the occurrence of autophagic processes. Cell death via autophagy was confirmed using the Cyto-ID autophagy detection kit and the aggresome detection assay. Results showed an increase in autophagic vacuole and aggresome formation in ESE-16 treated cells, confirming the induction of cell death via autophagy. Cell cycle progression demonstrated an increase in the sub-G1 fraction (indicative of the presence of apoptosis). In addition, a reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential was also observed, which suggests the involvement of apoptotic cell death induced by ESE-16 via the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. In this study, it was demonstrated that ESE-16 induces cell death via both autophagy and apoptosis in esophageal carcinoma cells. This study paves the way for future investigation into the role of ESE-16 in ex vivo and in vivo studies as a possible anticancer agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elize Wolmarans
- Department of Physiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Thandi V. Mqoco
- Department of Physiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Andre Stander
- Department of Physiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Sandra D. Nkandeu
- Department of Physiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Katherine Sippel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas USA
| | - Robert McKenna
- McKnight Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida USA
| | - Annie Joubert
- Department of Physiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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13
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Visagie MH, Birkholtz LM, Joubert AM. 17-beta-estradiol analog inhibits cell proliferation by induction of apoptosis in breast cell lines. Microsc Res Tech 2014; 77:236-42. [PMID: 24449492 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.22334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2014] [Accepted: 01/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Microtubules are important targets when studying potential anticancer agents since disturbance of these microtubule dynamics results in cell cycle arrest and cell death. 2-Methoxyestradiol is a naturally occurring metabolite that exerts antiproliferative activity and induces apoptosis. Due to limited biological accessibly and rapid metabolic degradation, several analogs were synthesized. This study investigated the antiproliferative influence of an 2-methoxyestradiol analog, (8R, 13S, 14S, 17S)-2-Ethyl-13-methyl-7, 8, 9, 11, 12,13, 14, 15, 16, 17-decahydro-6H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthrane-3, 17-diyl bis(sulfamate) (EMBS) on cell proliferation, morphology and apoptosis induction in a estrogen receptor-positive breast adenocarcinoma cells line (MCF-7), estrogen receptor-negative highly metastatic breast cell line (MDA-MB-231) and a non-tumorigenic breast epithelial cell line (MCF-12A). Spectrophotometry results indicated that EMBS exerted differential antiproliferative activity in the three cell lines. Cell growth of the breast adenocarcinoma and highly metastatic breast cell line reached a plateau effect at 0.4 μM after 24 h of exposure. Light microscopy and polarization-optical transmitted light differential interference contrast demonstrated compromised cell density, cells blocked in metaphase and the presence of apoptotic characteristics after EMBS exposure for 24 h in all three cell lines. Transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy revealed hallmarks of apoptosis namely the presence of apoptotic bodies, shrunken cells and cell debris in EMBS-exposed cells. This investigation demonstrated that EMBS does exert antimitotic activity and induces apoptosis contributing to elucidating the signal transduction of EMBS in tumorigenic and non-tumorigenic breast cell lines. Findings warrant in-depth analysis of specific targets in vitro and subsequent in vivo investigation for anticancer therapy.
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14
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Brugnoli F, Grassilli S, Piazzi M, Palomba M, Nika E, Bavelloni A, Capitani S, Bertagnolo V. In triple negative breast tumor cells, PLC-β2 promotes the conversion of CD133high to CD133low phenotype and reduces the CD133-related invasiveness. Mol Cancer 2013; 12:165. [PMID: 24330829 PMCID: PMC3866498 DOI: 10.1186/1476-4598-12-165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2013] [Accepted: 12/03/2013] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Beyond its possible correlation with stemness of tumor cells, CD133/prominin1 is considered an important marker in breast cancer, since it correlates with tumor size, metastasis and clinical stage of triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC), to date the highest risk breast neoplasia. Methods To study the correlation between the levels of CD133 expression and the biology of breast-derived cells, CD133low and CD133high cell subpopulations isolated from triple negative MDA-MB-231 cells were compared in terms of malignant properties and protein expression. Results High expression of CD133 characterizes cells with larger adhesion area, lower proliferation rate and reduced migration speed, indicative of a less undifferentiated phenotype. Conversely, when compared with CD133low cells, CD133high cells show higher invasive capability and increased expression of proteins involved in metastasis and drug-resistance of breast tumors. Among the signalling proteins examined, PLC-β2 expression inversely correlates with the levels of CD133 and has a role in inducing the CD133high cells to CD133low cells conversion, suggesting that, in TNBC cells, the de-regulation of this PLC isoform is responsible of the switch from an early to a mature tumoral phenotype also by reducing the expression of CD133. Conclusions Since CD133 plays a role in determining the invasiveness of CD133high cells, it may constitute an attractive target to reduce the metastatic potential of TNBC. In addition, our data showing that the forced up-regulation of PLC-β2 counteracts the invasiveness of CD133-positive MDA-MB-231 cells might contribute to identify unexplored key steps responsible for the TNBC high malignancy, to be considered for potential therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Valeria Bertagnolo
- Signal Transduction Unit, Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
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15
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Theron AE, Nolte EM, Lafanechère L, Joubert AM. Molecular crosstalk between apoptosis and autophagy induced by a novel 2-methoxyestradiol analogue in cervical adenocarcinoma cells. Cancer Cell Int 2013; 13:87. [PMID: 23977838 PMCID: PMC3766685 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2867-13-87] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2013] [Accepted: 08/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background 2-Methoxyestradiol has been shown to induce both autophagy and apoptosis in various carcinogenic cell lines. Although a promising anti-cancer agent, it has poor bioavailability and rapid in vivo metabolism which decreases its efficiency. In order to improve 2-methoxyestradiol’s anti-proliferative properties, a novel 2-methoxyestradiol analogue, 2-ethyl-3-O-sulphamoyl-estra-1,3,5 (10)16-tetraene (ESE-16), was previously in silico-designed in our laboratory. This study investigated ESE-16 for its anti-proliferative potential on a cervical adenocarcinoma cell (HeLa) cell line. Additionally, the possible intracellular crosstalk mechanisms between the two types of cell death were investigated. Methods and results HeLa cells exposed to 0.5 μM ESE-16 for 24 hours showed morphological evidence of both apoptotic and autophagic death pathways as assessed by polarization-optical transmitted light differential interference contrast microscopy, fluorescent microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Flow cytometric cyclin B1 quantification revealed induction of programmed cell death after halting cell cycle progression in metaphase. Confocal microscopy demonstrated that ESE-16 caused microtubule fragmentation. Flow cytometric analysis of cell cycle progression and phosphatidylserine flip determination confirmed induction of apoptosis. Moreover, an increase in aggresome formation and microtubule-associated protein light chain, LC3, was demonstrated indicative of autophagy. Both caspase 8 and 3 were upregulated in a spectrophotometric analysis, indicating the involvement of the extrinsic pathway of apoptotic induction. Conclusions We conclude that the novel in silico-designed compound, ESE-16, exerts its anti-proliferative effect on the tumorigenic human epithelial cervical (HeLa) cells by sequentially targeting microtubule integrity, resulting in a metaphase block, causing induction of both autophagic and apoptotic cell death via a crosstalk mechanism that involves the extrinsic pathway. Future investigations will expand on signal transduction pathways involved in both apoptosis and autophagy for assessment of ESE-16 effects on microtubule dynamic instability parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne E Theron
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X323, Arcadia, 0007 Gauteng, Pretoria, South Africa.
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16
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Visagie M, Mqoco T, Joubert A. Sulphamoylated estradiol analogue induces antiproliferative activity and apoptosis in breast cell lines. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2012; 17:549-58. [PMID: 22933044 PMCID: PMC6276056 DOI: 10.2478/s11658-012-0030-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2012] [Accepted: 08/22/2012] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Research into potential anticancer agents has shown that 2-methoxyestradiol exerts antiproliferative activity in vitro and in vivo in an estrogen receptor-independent manner. Due to its limited biological accessibility and rapid metabolic degradation, several new analogues have been developed in recent years. This study investigated the in vitro effects of a novel in silicodesigned compound (C16) in an estrogen receptor-positive breast adenocarcinoma epithelial cell line (MCF-7), an estrogen receptor-negative breast adenocarcinoma epithelial cell line (MDA-MB-231) and a nontumorigenic breast cell line (MCF-12A). Light microscopy revealed decreased cell density, cells blocked in metaphase and the presence of apoptotic characteristics in all three cell lines after exposure to C16 for 24 h. Polarizationoptical transmitted light differential interference contrast revealed the presence of several rounded cells and decreased cell density. The xCELLigence real-time label-independent approach revealed that C16 exerted antiproliferative activity. Significant inhibition of cell growth was demonstrated after 24 h of exposure to 0.2 μM C16 in all three cell lines. However, the non-tumorigenic MCF-12A cell line recovered extremely well after 48 h when compared to the tumorigenic cell lines. This indicates that C16 acts as an antiproliferative agent, possesses antimitotic activity and induces apoptosis in vitro. These features warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Visagie
- Department of Physiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Thandi Mqoco
- Department of Physiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Anna Joubert
- Department of Physiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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17
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Moniri MR, Sun XY, Rayat J, Dai D, Ao Z, He Z, Verchere CB, Dai LJ, Warnock GL. TRAIL-engineered pancreas-derived mesenchymal stem cells: characterization and cytotoxic effects on pancreatic cancer cells. Cancer Gene Ther 2012; 19:652-8. [PMID: 22767216 DOI: 10.1038/cgt.2012.46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have attracted great interest in cancer therapy owing to their tumor-oriented homing capacity and the feasibility of autologous transplantation. Currently, pancreatic cancer patients face a very poor prognosis, primarily due to the lack of therapeutic strategies with an effective degree of specificity. Anticancer gene-engineered MSCs specifically target tumor sites and can produce anticancer agents locally and constantly. This study was performed to characterize pancreas-derived MSCs and investigate the effects of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-engineered MSCs on pancreatic cancer cells under different culture conditions. Pancreas-derived MSCs exhibited positive expression on CD44, CD73, CD95, CD105, negative on CD34 and differentiated into adipogenic and osteogenic cells. TRAIL expression was assessed by both enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and western blot analysis. Different patterns of TRAIL receptor expression were observed on the pancreatic cancer cell lines, including PANC1, HP62, ASPC1, TRM6 and BXPC3. Cell viability was assessed using a real-time monitoring system. Pancreatic cancer cell death was proportionally related to conditioned media from MSC(nsTRAIL) and MSC(stTRAIL). The results suggest that MSCs exhibit intrinsic inhibition of pancreatic cancer cells and that this effect can be potentiated by TRAIL-transfection on death receptor-bearing cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- M R Moniri
- Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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