PW06 Triggered Fas-FADD to Induce Apoptotic Cell Death In Human Pancreatic Carcinoma MIA PaCa-2 Cells through the Activation of the Caspase-Mediated Pathway

Newly Synthesized PW06 Induced Cell Apoptosis in Human Glioblastoma Multiforme GBM 8401 Cells Through Caspase- and Mitochondria-Dependent Pathways

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common, aggressive, and dangerous lethal tumor in the brain, which develops in adults. Currently, the efficiency of chemotherapy treatment for GBM patients is still unsatisfactory. PW06 was synthesized by Dr. Lien's laboratory (China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan), and it was demonstrated to induce cancer cell apoptosis in human pancreatic carcinoma MIA PaCa-2 cells. However, the anti-cancer activities of PW06 on human GBM cancer cells are not reported. Thus, herein, PW06 was investigated on the anticancer activity on human glioblastoma multiforme GBM 8401 cells. Both PI exclusion and Annexin V/PI double staining methods were conducted for investing cell viability and apoptosis in GBM 8401 cells, respectively; they were analyzed with flow cytometer assay. Results showed that PW06 decreased total viable cell number with the process of cell apoptosis in GBM 8401 cells. Both productions of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Ca2+, affect mitochondria membrane potential (ΔΨm) levels, and activities of caspase-3, -8, and -9 in GBM 8401 cells after exposure with PW06 were assayed by flow cytometer. Results showed that PW06 promoted ROS production and Ca2+ release from ER but lowered the levels of ΔΨm, and it also induced higher activities in caspase-3, -8, and -9 in GBM 8401 cells. Evaluation of protein expressions associated with apoptosis in GBM 8401 cells after being incubated with PW06 were conducted by Western blot analysis. Results show that PW06 increased GADD153, BiP, ATF-6α, ATF-6β, eIF2α, eIF2αpSer51, CHOP, and caspase-4, and they are associated with ER stress-associated protein expression. However, it induced higher pro-apoptotic proteins (Bax and Bad) expression and inhibited anti-apoptotic proteins (Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, and Mcl-1) expression, even promoting higher cleaved caspase-8, -9, and -3 protein expression and increased EndoG and AIF in GBM 8401 cells. Collectively, it may suggest PW06 exits anti-GBM activity to process cell apoptosis in the human GBM 8401 cells in vitro.

Research Progress of Regulatory Cell Death in Coronary Microembolization

Coronary microembolization (CME) is defined as atherosclerotic plaque erosion, spontaneous rupture, or rupture of the plaque while undergoing interventional therapy resulting in the formation of tiny emboli that obstruct the coronary microcirculatory system. For percutaneous coronary intervention, CME is a major complication, with a periprocedural incidence of up to 25%. Recent studies have demonstrated that regulatory cell death (RCD) exerts a profound influence on CME through its modulation of inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, cell death, and angiogenesis. RCD, including apoptosis, autophagy, and pyroptosis, is a unique class of genetically highly regulated death patterns pervasive in instances of coronary microembolization. The aim of this review is to summarize the currently known molecular mechanisms underlying CME. Further investigations of the RCD mechanisms may unravel new avenues for the prevention and treatment of CME.

The multifaceted mechanisms of Dihydrotanshinone I in the treatment of tumors

The morbidity and mortality of malignant tumors are progressively rising on an annual basis. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) holds promise as a possible therapeutic agent for the avoidance or therapy of malignant tumors. Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Danshen), a traditional Asian functional food, has therapeutic characteristics in application for the treatment of malignant tumors. Dihydrotanshinone I (DHTS) is the principal lipophilic phenanthraquinone compound found in Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, whose anti-tumor effect has attracted widespread attention. The anti-tumor effects include inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, triggering apoptosis of tumor cells, inducing ferroptosis in tumor cells, inhibiting tumor cell invasion and metastasis, and improving drug resistance of tumor cells. In this paper, we summarized and analyzed the mechanisms and targets of anti-tumor effect of DHTS, providing new ideas and establishing a solid theoretical basis for the future advancement and clinical treatment of DHTS.

Fluoxetine as a Potential Therapeutic Agent for Inhibiting Melanoma Brain and Lung Metastasis: Induction of Apoptosis, G0/G1 Cell Cycle Arrest, and Disruption of Autophagy Flux

Brain metastases and lung metastases are major causes of treatment failure and related mortality in melanoma. Fluoxetine hydrochloride (FXT), a widely-used antidepressant, has emerged as a potential anticancer agent in preclinical studies. Previous research has shown its potential to inhibit melanoma. However, its efficacy and the underlying mechanisms in melanoma metastasis, especially concerning brain metastases and lung metastases, remain underexplored. This study investigates FXT's inhibitory effects on melanoma growth and metastasis to the lung and brain. Employing a combination of in vitro assays, we demonstrate FXT's potent suppression of melanoma growth through induction of intrinsic apoptosis, disruption of autophagic flux, and cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase. In in vivo mouse models, we found that FXT exhibits strong inhibitory activity against melanoma brain metastases and lung metastases. Our findings provide a foundation for future clinical exploration of FXT as a novel treatment strategy for melanoma, underscoring its ability to target both primary and metastatic lesions.

PW06 suppresses cancer cell metastasis in human pancreatic carcinoma MIA PaCa-2 cells via the inhibitions of p-Akt/mTOR/NF-κB and MMP2/MMP9 signaling pathways in vitro

PW06 [(E)-3-(9-ethyl-9H-carbazol-3-yl)-1-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl) prop-2-en-1-one], a kind of the carbazole derivative containing chalcone moiety, induced cell apoptosis in human pancreatic carcinoma in vitro. There is no investigation to show that PW06 inhibits cancer cell metastasis in human pancreatic carcinoma in vitro. Herein, PW06 (0.1-0.8 μM) significantly exists in the antimetastatic activities of human pancreatic carcinoma MIA PaCa-2 cells in vitro. Wound healing assay shows PW06 at 0.2 μM suppressed cell mobility by 7.45 and 16.55% at 6 and 24 hours of treatments. PW06 at 0.1 and 0.2 μM reduced cell mobility by 14.72 and 21.8% for 48 hours of treatment. Transwell chamber assay indicated PW06 (0.1-0.2 μM) suppressed the cell migration (decreased 26.67-35.42%) and invasion (decreased 48.51-68.66%). Atomic force microscopy assay shows PW06 (0.2 μM) significantly changed the shape of cell morphology. The gelatin zymography assay indicates PW06 decreased MMP2's and MMP9's activities at 48 hours of treatment. Western blotting assay further confirms PW06 reduced levels of MMP2 and MMP9 and increased protein expressions of EGFR, SOS1, and Ras. PW06 also increased the p-JNK, p-ERK, and p-p38. PW06 increased the expression of PI3K, PTEN, Akt, GSK3α/β, and E-cadherin. Nevertheless, results also show PW06 decreased p-Akt, mTOR, NF-κB, p-GSK3β, β-catenin, Snail, N-cadherin, and vimentin in MIA PaCa-2 cells. The confocal laser microscopy examination shows PW06 increased E-cadherin but decreased vimentin in MIA PaCa-2 cells. Together, our findings strongly suggest that PW06 inhibited the p-Akt/mTOR/NF-κB/MMPs pathways, increased E-cadherin, and decreased N-cadherin/vimentin, suppressing the migration and invasion in MIA PaCa-2 cells in vitro.