Metal Complexes as Promising Matrix Metalloproteinases Regulators

Determination of anti-cancer effects of Nigella sativa seed oil on MCF7 breast and AGS gastric cancer cells

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the cytotoxic, apoptotic, invasion, metastasis, and heat shock proteins (HSPs) effects of N. sativa oil on breast and gastric cancer cells.

METHODS

We assessed the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of various concentrations of N. sativa oil (10-50-100-200 µg/mL) on MCF7 breast cancer and AGS, an adenocarcinoma of the gastric cell line, at 24, 48 and 72 h using the MTT test. Additionally, the expression of the Caspase-3, BCL2/Bax, MMP2-9 and HSP60-70 gene was examined using RT-PCR in cell lines treating with N. sativa.

RESULTS

The MTT experiments demonstrate that N. sativa has a time and dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the proliferation of MCF7 and AGS cancer cells. The vitality rates of MCF7 and AGS cells treated with N. sativa were 77.04-67.50% at 24 h, 65.28-39.14% at 48 h, and 48.95-32.31% at 72 h. The doses of 100 and 200 µg/mL were shown to be the most effective on both cancer cells. RT-PCR analysis revealed that N. sativa oil extract increased caspase-3 levels in both cell lines at higher concentrations and suppressed BCL2/Bax levels. Exposure of MCF7 and AGS cell lines to N. sativa caused a significant decrease in the expression of MMP2-9 and HSP60-70 genes over time, particularly at a dosage of 200 µg/mL compared to the control group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that N. sativa oil has a dose-dependent effect on cytotoxicity and the expression of apoptotic, heat shock proteins, and matrix metalloproteinases genes in breast and gastric cancer.

Relationship between the Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinases and Their Tissue Inhibitors in Patients with Brain Tumors

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors (TIMPs) play critical roles in regulating processes associated with malignant behavior. These endopeptidases selectively degrade components of the extracellular matrix (ECM), growth factors, and their receptors, contributing to cancer cell invasiveness and migratory characteristics by disrupting the basal membrane. However, the expression profile and role of various matrix metalloproteinases remain unclear, and only a few studies have focused on differences between diagnoses of brain tumors. Using quantitative real-time PCR analysis, we identified the expression pattern of ECM modulators (n = 10) in biopsies from glioblastoma (GBM; n = 20), astrocytoma (AST; n = 9), and meningioma (MNG; n = 19) patients. We found eight deregulated genes in the glioblastoma group compared to the benign meningioma group, with only MMP9 (FC = 2.55; p = 0.09) and TIMP4 (7.28; p < 0.0001) upregulated in an aggressive form. The most substantial positive change in fold regulation for all tumors was detected in matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MNG = 30.9, AST = 4.28, and GBM = 4.12). Notably, we observed an influence of TIMP1, demonstrating a positive correlation with MMP8, MMP9, and MMP10 in tumor samples. Subsequently, we examined the protein levels of the investigated MMPs (n = 7) and TIMPs (n = 3) via immunodetection. We confirmed elevated levels of MMPs and TIMPs in GBM patients compared to meningiomas and astrocytomas. Even when correlating glioblastomas versus astrocytomas, we showed a significantly increased level of MMP1, MMP3, MMP13, and TIMP1. The identified metalloproteases may play a key role in the process of gliomagenesis and may represent potential targets for personalized therapy. However, as we have not confirmed the relationship between mRNA expression and protein levels in individual samples, it is therefore natural that the regulation of metalloproteases will be subject to several factors.

C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 inhibition promotes the effect of plantamajoside in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, and, more than half of these cases are diagnosed in China. However, effective treatment for HCC is still limited.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) was first activated and inhibited in HepG2 cells using a pharmacological method. HepG2 cell proliferation was detected using the CCK-8 method. Metastasis and apoptosis of HepG2 cells were detected using wound healing and flow cytometry. The expression of each target molecule related to metastasis and invasion, such as MMPs, E-cadherin and the PI3K/AKT/Mcl-1/PARP signaling pathway was detected by western blotting. The secretion of molecular metastases was detected using competitive ELISA.

RESULTS

This study constructed a CXCR4 activation and inhibition model in HepG2 cells. CXCR4 inhibition promoted the inhibitory effect of plantamajoside on the proliferation and metastasis of cells, which led to apoptosis. Furthermore, we found that the expression of apoptosis-related proteins was increased after treatment with plantamajoside combined with CXCR4 inhibition. In addition, the expression and secretion of pro-metastatic proteins, including MMPs and E-cadherin were decreased. We also noticed that this effect might be mediated by the PI3K/AKT/Mcl-1/PARP signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

CXCR4 inhibition may contribute to the treatment of HCC. Inhibition of CXCR4 expression contributes to the therapeutic effect of plantamajoside; the effect of plantamajoside might be mediated by the PI3K/AKT/Mcl-1/PARP signaling pathway; and CXCR4 might be a therapeutic target of HCC.

Vitamin A, D, E, and K as Matrix Metalloproteinase-2/9 Regulators That Affect Expression and Enzymatic Activity

Fat-soluble vitamins (vitamin A, D, E, and K) assume a pivotal role in maintaining human homeostasis by virtue of their enzymatic functions. The daily inclusion of these vitamins is imperative to the upkeep of various physiological processes including vision, bone health, immunity, and protection against oxidative stress. Current research highlights fat-soluble vitamins as potential therapeutics for human diseases, especially cancer. Fat-soluble vitamins exert their therapeutic effects through multiple pathways, including regulation of matrix metalloproteinases' (MMPs) expression and enzymatic activity. As MMPs have been reported to be involved in the pathology of various diseases, such as cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological disorders, regulating the expression and/or activity of MMPs could be considered as a potent therapeutic strategy. Here, we summarize the properties of fat-soluble vitamins and their potential as promising candidates capable of effectively modulating MMPs through multiple pathways to treat human diseases.