Nitric Oxide Donor DETA/NO Inhibits the Growth of Endometrial Cancer Cells by Upregulating the Expression of RASSF1 and CDKN1A

A coumarin-furoxan hybrid as novel nitric oxide donor induced cell apoptosis and ferroptosis in NSCLC by promoting S-nitrosylation of STAT3 and negative regulation of JAK2-STAT3 pathway

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) still lacks effective treatment because of its extensive mutation diversity and frequent drug resistance. Therefore, it is urgent to develop new therapeutic strategies for NSCLC. In this study, we evaluated the inhibitory effect of a new coumarin-furoxan hybrid compound 9, a nitric oxide (NO) donor drug, on NSCLC proliferation and its mechanism. Our results show that compound 9 can inhibit the growth of four NSCLC cell lines and H1975 xenograft model in a dose-dependent manner. Compound 9 effectively releases high concentrations of NO within the mitochondria, leading to cellular oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis. Moreover, compound 9 inhibits JAK2/STAT3 protein phosphorylation and induces S-nitrosylation modification of STAT3, ultimately resulting in endogenous apoptosis in NSCLC. Additionally, compound 9 significantly induces NSCLC ferroptosis by depleting intracellular GSH, elevating MDA levels, inhibiting SLC7A11/GSH protein expression, and negatively regulating the JAK2/STAT3 pathway. In summary, this study elucidates the inhibitory effects of compound 9 on NSCLC proliferation and provides insights into the underlying mechanisms, offering new possibilities for NSCLC treatment strategies.

Overview of the effects and mechanisms of NO and its donors on biofilms

Microbial biofilm is undoubtedly a challenging problem in the food industry. It is closely associated with human health and life, being difficult to remove and antibiotic resistance. Therefore, an alternate method to solve these problems is needed. Nitric oxide (NO) as an antimicrobial agent, has shown great potential to disrupt biofilms. However, the extremely short half-life of NO in vivo (2 s) has facilitated the development of relatively more stable NO donors. Recent studies reported that NO could permeate biofilms, causing damage to cellular biomacromolecules, inducing biofilm dispersion by quorum sensing (QS) pathway and reducing intracellular bis-(3'-5')-cyclic dimeric guanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) levels, and significantly improving the bactericidal effect without drug resistance. In this review, biofilm hazards and formation processes are presented, and the characteristics and inhibitory effects of NO donors are carefully discussed, with an emphasis on the possible mechanisms of NO resistance to biofilms and some advanced approaches concerning the remediation of NO donor deficiencies. Moreover, the future perspectives, challenges, and limitations of NO donors were summarized comprehensively. On the whole, this review aims to provide the application prospects of NO and its donors in the food industry and to make reliable choices based on these available research results.

The Nitric Oxide Donor [Zn(PipNONO)Cl] Exhibits Antitumor Activity through Inhibition of Epithelial and Endothelial Mesenchymal Transitions

Simple Summary

Nitric oxide (NO) plays a critical pathophysiological role in cancer by modulating several processes, such as angiogenesis, tumor growth, and metastatic potential. The aim of this study was to characterize the antitumor effects of a novel NO donor, [Zn(PipNONO)Cl], on the processes of epithelial– and endothelial–mesenchymal transitions (EMT and EndMT), known to actively participate in cancer progression. Two tumor cells lines were used in this study: human lung cancer cells (A549) and melanoma cells (A375), alone and co-cultured with human endothelial cells. Our results demonstrate that both tumor and endothelial cells were targets of NO action, which impaired EMT and EndMT functional and molecular features. Further studies are needed to finalize the therapeutic use of the novel NO donor.

Abstract

Exogenous nitric oxide appears a promising therapeutic approach to control cancer progression. Previously, a nickel-based nonoate, [Ni(SalPipNONO)], inhibited lung cancer cells, along with impairment of angiogenesis. The Zn(II) containing derivatives [Zn(PipNONO)Cl] exhibited a protective effect on vascular endothelium. Here, we have evaluated the antitumor properties of [Zn(PipNONO)Cl] in human lung cancer (A549) and melanoma (A375) cells. Metastasis initiates with the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, consisting of the acquisition of invasive and migratory properties by tumor cells. At not cytotoxic levels, the nonoate significantly impaired A549 and A375 EMT induced by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Reduction of the mesenchymal marker vimentin, upregulated by TGF-β1, and restoration of the epithelial marker E-cadherin, reduced by TGF-β1, were detected in both tumor cell lines in the presence of Zn-nonoate. Further, the endothelial–mesenchymal transition achieved in a tumor-endothelial cell co-culture was assessed. Endothelial cells co-cultured with A549 or A375 acquired a mesenchymal phenotype with increased vimentin, alpha smooth muscle actin and Smad2/3, and reduced VE-cadherin. The presence of [Zn(PipNONO)Cl] maintained a typical endothelial phenotype. In conclusion, [Zn(PipNONO)Cl] appears a promising therapeutic tool to control tumor growth and metastasis, by acting on both tumor and endothelial cells, reprogramming the cells toward their physiologic phenotypes.

Ferroptosis: Opportunities and Challenges in Treating Endometrial Cancer

Ferroptosis, a new way of cell death, is involved in many cancers. A growing number of studies have focused on the unique role of ferroptosis on endometrial cancer. In this study, we made a comprehensive review of the relevant articles published to get deep insights in the association of ferroptosis with endometrial cancer and to present a summary of the roles of different ferroptosis-associated genes. Accordingly, we made an evaluation of the relationships between the ferroptosis-associated genes and TNM stage, tumor grade, histological type, primary therapy outcome, invasion and recurrence of tumor, and accessing the different prognosis molecular typing based on ferroptosis-associated genes. In addition, we presented an introduction of the common drugs, which targeted ferroptosis in endometrial cancer. In so doing, we clarified the opportunities and challenges of ferroptosis activator application in treating endometrial cancer, with a view to provide a novel approach to the disease.

Gasotransmitters in the tumor microenvironment: Impacts on cancer chemotherapy (Review)

Nitric oxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide are three endogenous gasotransmitters that serve a role in regulating normal and pathological cellular activities. They can stimulate or inhibit cancer cell proliferation and invasion, as well as interfere with cancer cell responses to drug treatments. Understanding the molecular pathways governing the interactions between these gases and the tumor microenvironment can be utilized for the identification of a novel technique to disrupt cancer cell interactions and may contribute to the conception of effective and safe cancer therapy strategies. The present review discusses the effects of these gases in modulating the action of chemotherapies, as well as prospective pharmacological and therapeutic interfering approaches. A deeper knowledge of the mechanisms that underpin the cellular and pharmacological effects, as well as interactions, of each of the three gases could pave the way for therapeutic treatments and translational research.

Plasma Gelsolin Confers Chemoresistance in Ovarian Cancer by Resetting the Relative Abundance and Function of Macrophage Subtypes

Simple Summary

Ovarian cancer is one of the deadliest female cancers with very poor survival, primarily due to late diagnosis, recurrence and chemoresistance. Although the over-expression of plasma gelsolin (pGSN) protects ovarian cancer cells from chemotherapy-induced death, its immunological role in the tumor microenvironment is less explored. Here, we demonstrate that pGSN over-expression downregulates the anti-tumor functions of M1 macrophages, an effect that contributes to chemoresistance and poor patient survival. This study demonstrates the novel inhibitory role of pGSN on tumor-infiltrated M1 macrophages and also offers new insights in maximizing the effectiveness of immunotherapy for ovarian cancer patients.

Abstract

Ovarian cancer (OVCA) is the most lethal gynaecological cancer with a 5-year survival rate less than 50%. Despite new therapeutic strategies, such as immune checkpoint blockers (ICBs), tumor recurrence and drug resistance remain key obstacles in achieving long-term therapeutic success. Therefore, there is an urgent need to understand the cellular mechanisms of immune dysregulation in chemoresistant OVCA in order to harness the host’s immune system to improve survival. The over-expression of plasma gelsolin (pGSN) mRNA is associated with a poorer prognosis in OVCA patients; however, its immuno-modulatory role has not been elucidated. In this study, for the first time, we report pGSN as an inhibitor of M1 macrophage anti-tumor functions in OVCA chemoresistance. Increased epithelial pGSN expression was associated with the loss of chemoresponsiveness and poor survival. While patients with increased M1 macrophage infiltration exhibited better survival due to nitric-oxide-induced ROS accumulation in OVCA cells, cohorts with poor survival had a higher infiltration of M2 macrophages. Interestingly, increased epithelial pGSN expression was significantly associated with the reduced survival benefits of infiltrated M1 macrophages, through apoptosis via increased caspase-3 activation and reduced production of iNOS and TNFα. Additionally, epithelial pGSN expression was an independent prognostic marker in predicting progression-free survival. These findings support our hypothesis that pGSN is a modulator of inflammation and confers chemoresistance in OVCA, in part by resetting the relative abundance and function of macrophage subtypes in the ovarian tumor microenvironment. Our findings raise the possibility that pGSN may be a potential therapeutic target for immune-mediated chemoresistance in OVCA.

Pillars and Gaps of S-Nitrosylation-Dependent Epigenetic Regulation in Physiology and Cancer

Nitric oxide (NO) is a diffusible signaling molecule produced by three isoforms of nitric oxide synthase, which release NO during the metabolism of the amino acid arginine. NO participates in pathophysiological responses of many different tissues, inducing concentration-dependent effect. Indeed, while low NO levels generally have protective effects, higher NO concentrations induce cytotoxic/cytostatic actions. In recent years, evidences have been accumulated unveiling S-nitrosylation as a major NO-dependent post-translational mechanism ruling gene expression. S-nitrosylation is a reversible, highly regulated phenomenon in which NO reacts with one or few specific cysteine residues of target proteins generating S-nitrosothiols. By inducing this chemical modification, NO might exert epigenetic regulation through direct effects on both DNA and histones as well as through indirect actions affecting the functions of transcription factors and transcriptional co-regulators. In this light, S-nitrosylation may also impact on cancer cell gene expression programs. Indeed, it affects different cell pathways and functions ranging from the impairment of DNA damage repair to the modulation of the activity of signal transduction molecules, oncogenes, tumor suppressors, and chromatin remodelers. Nitrosylation is therefore a versatile tool by which NO might control gene expression programs in health and disease.

Molecular hybrids: A five-year survey on structures of multiple targeted hybrids of protein kinase inhibitors for cancer therapy

Protein kinases have grown over the past few years as a crucial target for different cancer types. With the multifactorial nature of cancer, and the fast development of drug resistance for conventional chemotherapeutics, a strategy for designing multi-target agents was suggested to potentially increase drug efficacy, minimize side effects and retain the proper pharmacokinetic properties. Kinase inhibitors were used extensively in such strategy. Different kinase inhibitor agents which target EGFR, VEGFR, c-Met, CDK, PDK and other targets were merged into hybrids with conventional chemotherapeutics such as tubulin polymerization and topoisomerase inhibitors. Other hybrids were designed gathering kinase inhibitors with targeted cancer therapy such as HDAC, PARP, HSP 90 inhibitors. Nitric oxide donor molecules were also merged with kinase inhibitors for cancer therapy. The current review presents the hybrids designed in the past five years discussing their design principles, results and highlights their future perspectives.

Downregulation of HOXA11 enhances endometrial cancer malignancy and cisplatin resistance via activating PTEN/AKT signaling pathway

PURPOSE

Endometrial cancer is the most common malignant tumor of female genital system worldwide. Homeobox A11 (HOXA11) is an evolutionarily conserved Homeobox gene closely implicated in carcinogenesis. However, the mechanisms of HOXA11 in the progression and cisplatin resistance of endometrial cancer remain unclear.

METHODS

The expression of HOXA11 was analyzed based on 548 endometrial cancer and 35 control tissues from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Transwell assay was performed to investigate the effect of HOXA11 on endometrial cell migration and invasion. TUNEL staining was carried out to assay the role of HOXA11 in endometrial cell apoptosis. Western blot was employed to detect the protein levels of B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated X (Bax), cleaved caspase-3, matrix metalloproteinase-2/9 (MMP/9), phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), protein kinase B (AKT) and p-AKT.

RESULTS

TCGA data showed that HOXA11 expression was significantly down-regulated in endometrial cancer tissue samples. The overexpression of HOXA11 promoted the apoptosis, but inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of endometrial cancer cells. HOXA11 knockdown with small interfering RNA (siRNA) considerably repressed cell apoptosis, while promoted cell proliferation, migration, and invasion through PTEN/AKT signaling pathway. Interestingly, HOXA11 was lowly expressed in Ishikawa cells treated with cisplatin. In addition, HOXA11 knockdown increased the resistance of endometrial cancer to cisplatin through activating PTEN/AKT signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

Low HOXA11 expression may promote the proliferation, migration, invasion of endometrial cancer cells, and increase their resistance to cisplatin through activating PTEN/AKT pathway.

Exogenous NO induces apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via positive p38/JNK signaling pathway and negative ERK signaling pathways

JS-K as an exogenous NO donor could release NO after activation by glutathione S-transferases (GSTs). The present study explores the effects of JS-K on MAPK pathway in HepG2 and Bel-7402 cells. JS-K significantly prompted apoptosis and SB203580 (a p38 inhibitor) and SP600125 (a JNK inhibitor) prior to JS-K could partly reverse apoptosis and activation of cleaved-caspase-3 and cleaved PARP. However, U0126 (a MEK inhibitor) strengthened the cell apoptosis and the expressions of cleaved-caspase-3 and cleaved PARP. JS-K caused phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and JNK but attenuated phosphorylation of ERK, which were reversed by Carboxy-PTIO (a NO scavenger). Meanwhile, the phosphorylation of HSP27, c-JUN and ATF-2 were activated in JS-K-treated cells. SB203580 and SP600125 could attenuate phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and JNK, respectively. The phosphorylation in downstream substrates of p38 MAPK and JNK was also abolished by SB203580 and SP600125 in JS-K-treated cells. Additionally, JS-K decreased phosphorylation of c-Raf, which subsequently caused a decrease of MEK1/2 phosphorylation. Several downstream targets of ERK1/2 including p90RSK and transcription factors (e.g., Elk-1, c-Myc and c-Fos) were inhibited. U0126 potentiated JS-K-induced inhibitory effect of Raf/MEK/ERK pathway. The same results were also observed in the downstream substrates of ERK1/2 including p90RSK, Elk-1, c-Myc and c-Fos. Moreover, Carboxy-PTIO abolished the inhibitory effect of Raf/MEK/ERK pathway triggered by JS-K. Finally, JS-K significantly suppressed the growth of rat primary hepatic carcinoma via MAPK pathway in vivo. Taken together, JS-K can induce hepatocellular carcinoma cells apoptosis through its activation of JNK and p38 MAPK and inactivation of Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathways.

Evaluation of novel paclitaxel-loaded NO-donating polymeric micelles for an improved therapy for gastroenteric tumor

A NO-releasing polymer (mPEG-PLA-NO) is developed as a micellar nanoparticle delivery system for the carrier of antitumor drug paclitaxel.

Recent Developments in Pharmacological Effect, Mechanism and Application Prospect of Diazeniumdiolates

Nitric oxide (NO) is a simple structured and unstable free radical molecule, which participates in the regulation of many pathophysiological processes. It functions both as a second messenger and as an endogenous neurotransmitter. Diazeniumdiolates (NONOates) are a series of compounds containing the functional parent nuclear structure of [N(O)NO]-, which are the most widely studied NO donors. NONOates are unstable and easy to release NO in physiological conditions. The biomedical applications and drug development of NO donor have attracted the scientists' attention in recent years. In this review, recent advances in NONOates research are highlighted in terms of chemical structures, molecular characteristics, pharmacological effects, and biomedical application prospects.

Progesterone receptor inhibits the proliferation and invasion of endometrial cancer cells by up regulating Krüppel-like factor 9

Background

Krüppel-like factor 9 (KLF9) is one of the most important members of the KLF family, and is abnormally expressed in many tumors. However, the detailed function of KLF9 in endometrial cancer (EC) was barely investigated.

Methods

In this study, a total of 52 paired EC tissues were recruited to detect the KLF9 expression. Then a serial of phenotypic experiments and mechanism researches were performed.

Results

The results showed that KLF9 expression was decreased in EC tissues, and the reduced expression of KLF9 is associated with highly metastatic capacity of EC cells. KLF9 could inhibit the proliferation and invasion of EC cells by inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Progesterone receptor (PR) could bind to KLF9 promoter and a positive correlation between KLF9 and PR expression was witnessed.

Conclusions

Taken together, the reduction of KLF9 induced by PR might participate in the development of EC and targeting KLF9 may provide a novel strategy for EC management.

Sensitizing activities of nitric oxide donors for cancer resistance to anticancer therapeutic drugs

Cancer is not a single disease but it constitutes a large variety of different types that are also different from each other phenotypically and molecularly. Although the standard treatments have resulted in clinical responses in a subset of patients, though, many patients relapse and no longer respond to further treatments. Hence, both the innate and adaptive resistance to treatments are the main challenges in today's treatment strategies. Noteworthy, several novel treatment strategies, particularly immunotherapies, used alone or in combination, have been developed and that have significantly improved the therapeutic response of many unresponsive cancer patients. Nevertheless, even with the latest new developments of therapeutics that were effective in a larger subset of patients, there is still an urgent need to treat the remaining unresponsive subset of patients. This requires the development of new targeting agents of superior antitumor activities that will lead to overcoming the unaffected resistance by current treatments. There has been accumulating evidence suggesting nitric oxide donors as such targeting agents and considering their pleiotropic antitumor activities, including both the reversal of chemo and immuno-resistance of various unresponsive resistant cancers. The in vitro and in vivo preclinical findings corroborate the sensitizing antitumor activities of nitric oxide donors. In addition, a few clinical findings with NO donors that have been applied in patients have corroborated their antitumor and sensitizing activities in combination with standard therapies. In this review, the role and underlying mechanisms by which nitric oxide donors sensitize cancer resistant cells to both chemotherapy and immunotherapy are briefly described.