Synergistic combination of DT-13 and Topotecan inhibits aerobic glycolysis in human gastric carcinoma BGC-823 cells via NM IIA/EGFR/HK II axis

DT-13 inhibits the proliferation of pancreatic cancer by inducing apoptosis via AMPK-mTOR signaling

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

DT-13, the principal active component of Mysidium shortscapes from the Liliaceae family, has garnered substantial interest in cancer therapy owing to its potential anticancer properties. This study investigated the effects of DT-13 on the proliferation and apoptosis of human pancreatic cancer cell lines and aimed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

PANC1 and CFPAC1 cells were exposed to DT-13 and their proliferation was assessed using RTCA and clone formation assays. Apoptotic protein expression was analyzed by western blotting, and apoptotic cells were identified by flow cytometry. RNA was extracted from DT-13 treated and untreated PANC1 cells for RNA sequencing. Differentially expressed genes were identified and subjected to GO bioprocess, KEGG pathway analysis, and western blotting. Finally, to evaluate tumor growth, CFPAC1 cells were subcutaneously injected into BALB/c nude mice.

RESULTS

DT-13 inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of PANC1 and CFPAC1 cells by activating the AMPK/mTOR pathway and suppressing p70 S6K. Moreover, DT-13 hindered the growth of CFPAC1 xenograft tumors in nude mice.

CONCLUSIONS

DT-13 effectively inhibited the growth of human pancreatic cancer cells.

Deregulated Metabolic Pathways in Ovarian Cancer: Cause and Consequence

Ovarian cancers are tumors that originate from the different cells of the ovary and account for almost 4% of all the cancers in women globally. More than 30 types of tumors have been identified based on the cellular origins. Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most common and lethal type of ovarian cancer which can be further divided into high-grade serous, low-grade serous, endometrioid, clear cell, and mucinous carcinoma. Ovarian carcinogenesis has been long attributed to endometriosis which is a chronic inflammation of the reproductive tract leading to progressive accumulation of mutations. Due to the advent of multi-omics datasets, the consequences of somatic mutations and their role in altered tumor metabolism has been well elucidated. Several oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes have been implicated in the progression of ovarian cancer. In this review, we highlight the genetic alterations undergone by the key oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes responsible for the development of ovarian cancer. We also summarize the role of these oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes and their association with a deregulated network of fatty acid, glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid and amino acid metabolism in ovarian cancers. Identification of genomic and metabolic circuits will be useful in clinical stratification of patients with complex etiologies and in identifying drug targets for personalized therapies against cancer.

Natural compounds targeting glycolysis as promising therapeutics for gastric cancer: A review

Gastric cancer, a common malignant disease, seriously endangers human health and life. The high mortality rate due to gastric cancer can be attributed to a lack of effective therapeutic drugs. Cancer cells utilize the glycolytic pathway to produce energy even under aerobic conditions, commonly referred to as the Warburg effect, which is a characteristic of gastric cancer. The identification of new targets based on the glycolytic pathway for the treatment of gastric cancer is a viable option, and accumulating evidence has shown that phytochemicals have extensive anti-glycolytic properties. We reviewed the effects and mechanisms of action of phytochemicals on aerobic glycolysis in gastric cancer cells. Phytochemicals can effectively inhibit aerobic glycolysis in gastric cancer cells, suppress cell proliferation and migration, and promote apoptosis, via the PI3K/Akt, c-Myc, p53, and other signaling pathways. These pathways affect the expressions of HIF-1α, HK2, LDH, and other glycolysis-related proteins. This review further assesses the potential of using plant-derived compounds for the treatment of gastric cancer and sheds insight into the development of new drugs.

Dual Blockade of Misfolded Alpha-Sarcoglycan Degradation by Bortezomib and Givinostat Combination

Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type R3 (LGMD R3) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by a progressive proximal muscle weakness and caused by mutations in the SGCA gene encoding alpha-sarcoglycan (α-SG). Here, we report the results of a mechanistic screening ascertaining the molecular mechanisms involved in the degradation of the most prevalent misfolded R77C-α-SG protein. We performed a combinatorial study to identify drugs potentializing the effect of a low dose of the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib on the R77C-α-SG degradation inhibition. Analysis of the screening associated to artificial intelligence-based predictive ADMET characterization of the hits led to identification of the HDAC inhibitor givinostat as potential therapeutical candidate. Functional characterization revealed that givinostat effect was related to autophagic pathway inhibition, unveiling new theories concerning degradation pathways of misfolded SG proteins. Beyond the identification of a new therapeutic option for LGMD R3 patients, our results shed light on the potential repurposing of givinostat for the treatment of other genetic diseases sharing similar protein degradation defects such as LGMD R5 and cystic fibrosis.

Celecoxib induces adipogenic differentiation of hemangioma‑derived mesenchymal stem cells through the PPAR‑γ pathway in vitro and in vivo

Infantile hemangioma (IH) is a benign tumor that produces a permanent scar or a mass of fibro-fatty tissue after involution in 40-80% of cases. Celecoxib is an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and can inhibit angiogenesis and fibrosis. The present study aimed to clarify whether celecoxib is able to induce tumor regression with minimal side effects. For that purpose, the regulation of celecoxib in the involution of IH was investigated in an IH model. Hemangioma-derived mesenchymal stem cells (Hem-MSCs) were isolated from proliferating specimens, and an IH model was established by injecting these cells into nude mice. Celecoxib was administered in vitro and in vivo. Oil Red O staining and reverse transcription-quantitative-PCR were used to detect the adipogenic differentiation of Hem-MSCs. Histologic analysis and immunohistochemical staining of the tumor xenografts were performed to investigate the pathological evolution of the tumor. The results showed that celecoxib inhibited the proliferation and induced the adipogenic differentiation of Hem-MSCs in vitro. In vivo, adipocytes were only present in the celecoxib group at week 4, while a larger number of fibroblasts and collagenous fibers could be observed in the basic fibroblast growth factor group. Therefore, celecoxib may be a potential agent used for IH treatment by inducing adipogenesis and inhibiting fibroblast formation.

KLF9 (Kruppel Like Factor 9) induced PFKFB3 (6-Phosphofructo-2-Kinase/Fructose-2, 6-Biphosphatase 3) downregulation inhibits the proliferation, metastasis and aerobic glycolysis of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma cells

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is the second most common skin cancer in humans with increasing incidence. In this paper, we focused on the effects of krueppel-like factor 9 (KLF9) on the progression of CSCC cells by binding to PFKFB3. mRNA and protein expressions of KLF9 and PFKFB3 in human HaCaT and CSCC cells were, respectively, examined by RT-qPCR analysis and Western blot. The viability, proliferation, invasion and migration of A431 cells after transfection were analyzed with MTT, clone formation, transwell and wound healing assays. The levels of glucose, lactic acid and ATP in transfected A431 cells were detected by their commercial kits. Ki-67 expression in transfected A431 cells was determined using immunofluorescence analysis and in tumor tissues was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. The levels of migration, EMT and aerobic glycolysis-related proteins were tested with Western blot. The combination of KLF9 and PFKFB3 was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay and ChIP. As a result, PFKFB3 expression was elevated in CSCC cells compared with HaCaT. Knockdown of PFKFB3 restrained the proliferation, metastasis, and aerobic glycolysis of CSCC cells. In addition, KLF9 could bind to PFKFB3. Downregulation of KLF9 crippled the inhibitory effect of knockdown of PFKFB3 on the proliferation, metastasis, and aerobic glycolysis of CSCC cells. In conclusion, PFKFB3 was transcriptionally regulated by KLF9, and PFKFB3 silencing inhibits the proliferation, metastasis, and aerobic glycolysis of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma cells.

VPS34 suppression reverses osimertinib resistance via simultaneously inhibiting glycolysis and autophagy

Autophagy and glycolysis are associated with osimertinib resistance. The energy complement and dynamic balance between these two processes make it difficult to block the process of drug resistance; breaking the complementary relationship between them may effectively overcome drug resistance. However, the exact mechanisms and the key players for regulating autophagy and glycolysis remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that autophagy and glycolysis levels in osimertinib-resistant cells were markedly higher than parental cells, and a dynamic balance existed between them. Inhibition of the class III phosphoinositide 3-kinase vacuolar protein sorting 34 (VPS34) with 3-methyladenine or small interfering RNA can not only inhibit abnormally enhanced autophagy but also inhibit glycolysis by inhibiting the location of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the expression of hexokinase II. By demonstrating that VPS34 is the key player controlling autophagy and glycolysis simultaneously, our study may provide a new strategy for overcoming osimertinib resistance for treatment of EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Monoamine Oxidase A is a Major Mediator of Mitochondrial Homeostasis and Glycolysis in Gastric Cancer Progression

Objective

Monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) is a mitochondrial protein involved in tumourigenesis in different types of cancer. However, the biological function of MAO-A in gastric cancer development remains unknown.

Methods

We examined MAO-A expression in gastric cancer tissues and in gastric cancer cell lines by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analyses. CCK8, FACS and bromodeoxyuridine incorporation assays were performed to assess the effects of MAO-A on gastric cancer cell proliferation. The role of MAO-A in mitochondrial function was determined through MitoSOX Red staining, ATP generation and glycolysis assays.

Results

In the present study, we observed that MAO-A was significantly upregulated in gastric cancer tissues and in AGS and MGC803 cells. The observed MAO-A inhibition indicated decreased cell cycle progression and proliferation. Silencing MAO-A expression was associated with suppressed migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells in vitro. Moreover, alleviated mitochondrial damage in these cells was demonstrated by decreased levels of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and increased ATP generation. MAO-A knockdown also regulated the expression of the glycolysis rate-limiting enzymes hexokinase 2 and pyruvate dehydrogenase. Finally, we observed that the glycolysis-mediated effect was weakened in AGS and MGC803 cells when MAO-A was blocked.

Conclusion

The findings of the present study indicate that MAO-A is responsible for mitochondrial dysfunction and aerobic glycolysis, which in turn leads to the proliferation and metastasis of human gastric tumour cells.

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.

Synergistic combination of DT-13 and Topotecan inhibits aerobic glycolysis in human gastric carcinoma BGC-823 cells via NM IIA/EGFR/HK II axis

DT-13 combined with topotecan (TPT) showed stronger antitumour effects in mice subcutaneous xenograft model compared with their individual effects in our previous research. Here, we further observed the synergistically effect in mice orthotopic xenograft model. Metabolomics analysis showed DT-13 combined with TPT alleviated metabolic disorders induced by tumour and synergistically inhibited the activity of the aerobic glycolysis-related enzymes in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistic studies revealed that the combination treatment promoted epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) degradation through non-muscle myosin IIA (NM IIA)-induced endocytosis of EGFR, further inhibited the activity of hexokinase II (HK II), and eventually promoted the aerobic glycolysis inhibition activity more efficiently compared with TPT or DT-13 monotherapy. The combination therapy also inhibited the specific binding of HK II to mitochondria. When using the NM II inhibitor (-)002Dblebbistatin or MYH-9 shRNA, the synergistic inhibition effect of DT-13 and TPT on aerobic glycolysis was eliminated in BGC-823 cells. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed selective up-regulation of NM IIA while specific down-regulation of p-CREB, EGFR, and HK II by the combination therapy. Collectively, these findings suggested that this regimen has significant clinical implications, warranted further investigation.