Cholera toxin, a typical protein kinase A activator, induces G1 phase growth arrest in human bladder transitional cell carcinoma cells via inhibiting the c-Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway

Ethanol Extracts of Cornus alba Improve Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia by Inhibiting Prostate Cell Proliferation through Modulating 5 Alpha-Reductase/Androgen Receptor Axis-Mediated Signaling

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of ethanol extracts of Cornus alba (ECA) against benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in vitro and in vivo.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The prostate stromal cells (WPMY-1) and epithelial cells (RWPE-1) were used to examine the action mechanism of ECA in BPH in vitro. ECA efficacy was evaluated in vivo using a testosterone propionate (TP)-induced BPH rat model.

RESULTS

Treatment with ECA inhibited the proliferation of prostate cells by inducing G1-phase cell cycle arrest through the regulation of positive and negative proteins. Treatment of prostate cells with ECA resulted in alterations in the mitogen-activated protein kinases and protein kinase B signaling pathways. The transcriptional binding activity of the NF-κB motif was suppressed in both ECA-treated prostate cells. In addition, treatment with ECA altered the level of BPH-associated axis markers (5α-reductase, fibroblast growth factor-2, androgen receptor, epidermal growth factor, Bcl-2, and Bax) in both cell lines. Finally, the administration of ECA attenuated the enlargement of prostatic tissues in the TP-induced BPH rat model, accompanied by histology, immunoblot, and serum dihydrotestosterone levels.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrated that ECA exerted beneficial effects on BPH both in vitro and in vivo and might provide valuable information in the development of preventive or therapeutic agents for improving BPH.

Longitudinal assessment of B-RAF V595E levels in the peripheral cell-free tumor DNA of a 10-year-old spayed female Korean Jindo dog with unresectable metastatic urethral transitional cell carcinoma for monitoring the treatment response to a RAF inhibitor (sorafenib)

Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is the most common malignant tumor of the canine urinary tract. In this case study, a dog with metastatic urethral TCC was treated with sorafenib. The tumor expression levels of receptor tyrosine kinase genes, including VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, PDGFR-α, PDGFR-β, ALK, EGFR, ErbB2, and B-RAF, were analyzed. VEGFR was overexpressed in tumor tissues compared to the normal tissues. Considering the high frequency of B-RAF mutation in canine urological tumors, the B-RAF gene was examined, and the B-RAF V595E mutation was detected in the tumor tissue. Therefore, the antitumor effect of sorafenib, a multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitor, on unresectable metastatic urethral TCC characterized by B-RAF V595E was evaluated and circulating cell-free tumor DNA (ctDNA) was assessed for monitoring the treatment response. After the initiation of oral sorafenib therapy (4 mg/kg/day escalated to 10 mg/kg/day), the dysuria was alleviated gradually, and the patient remained stable for 3 months. During that treatment period, the patient showed various levels of changes associated with B-RAF V595E mutation in ctDNA as evident from longitudinal plasma samples after initiation of sorafenib therapy. The findings of this study suggest that ctDNA may serve as a useful non-invasive tool for monitoring the treatment response to anticancer drugs.

Oncoproteins of High-Risk HPV and EBV Cooperate to Enhance Cell Motility and Invasion of Human Breast Cancer Cells via Erk1/Erk2 and β-Catenin Signaling Pathways

Breast cancer is a leading cause of death in women around the world. Most breast cancer-related deaths are a result of complications from the metastatic spread. Several recent studies reported that high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) are co-presented in different types of human carcinomas including breast; however, the cooperative effects between high-risk HPVs and EBV oncoproteins in human breast cancer have not been investigated yet. Thus, we herein explored the cooperation outcome between E6/E7 and latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) oncoproteins of high-risk HPV type 16 and EBV, respectively, in two human breast cancer cell lines, MCF7 and MDA-MB-231. Our data revealed that the cooperation of E6/E7 and LMP1 oncoproteins stimulates cell proliferation and deregulates cell cycle progression of human breast cancer and normal mammary cells; in parallel, we noted that E6/E7/LMP1 incite colony formation of both breast cancer cell lines but not normal cells. More significantly, our results point out that the co-expression of E6/E7 and LMP1 oncoproteins enhances cell motility and invasion of MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines; this is accompanied by deregulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition biomarkers including E-cadherin, β-catenin, fascin, and vimentin. The molecular pathway analysis of HPV and EBV oncoproteins cooperation shows that it can enhance the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (Erk1/Erk2) in addition to β-catenin, which could be behind the effect of this cooperation in our cell models. The study clearly suggests that high-risk HPV and EBV coinfection can play an important role in breast cancer progression via Erk1/Erk2 and β-catenin signaling pathways.

Mesoporous silica coated carbon nanofibers reduce embryotoxicity via ERK and JNK pathways

Carbon nanofibers (CNFs) have been implicated in biomedical applications, yet, they are still considered as a potential hazard. Conversely, mesoporous silica is a biocompatible compound that has been used in various biomedical applications. In this regard, we recently reported that CNFs induce significant toxicity on the early stage of embryogenesis in addition to the inhibition of its angiogenesis. Thus, we herein use mesoporous silica coating of CNFs (MCNFs) in order to explore their outcome on normal development and angiogenesis using avian embryos at 3 days and its chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) at 6 days of incubation. Our data show that mesoporous silica coating of CNFs significantly reduces embryotoxicity provoked by CNFs. However, MCNFs exhibit slight increase in angiogenesis inhibition in comparison with CNFs. Further investigation revealed that MCNFs slightly deregulate the expression patterns of key controller genes involved in cell proliferation, survival, angiogenesis, and apoptosis as compared to CNFs. We confirmed these data using avian primary normal embryonic fibroblast cells established in our lab. Regarding the molecular pathways, we found that MCNFs downregulate the expression of ERK1/ERK2, p-ERK1/ERK2 and JNK1/JNK2/JNK3, thus indicating a protective role of MCNFs via ERK and JNK pathways. Our data suggest that coating CNFs with a layer of mesoporous silica can overcome their toxicity making them suitable for use in biomedical applications. Nevertheless, further investigations are required to evaluate the effects of MCNFs and their mechanisms using different in vitro and in vivo models.

Association of post-diagnostic use of cholera vaccine with survival outcome in breast cancer patients

Background

Expensive cancer treatment calls for alternative ways such as drug repurposing to develop effective drugs. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of post-diagnostic use of cholera vaccine on survival outcome in breast cancer patients.

Methods

Cancer diagnosis and cholera vaccination were obtained by linkage of several Swedish national registries. One vaccinated patient was matched with maximum two unvaccinated individuals based on demographic, clinical and socioeconomic factors. We performed proportional Cox regression model to analyse the differences in overall and disease-specific survivals between the matched patients.

Results

In total, 617 patients received cholera vaccine after breast cancer diagnosis. The median (interquartile range) time from diagnosis to vaccination was 30 (15–51) months and from vaccination to the end of follow-up it was 62 (47–85) months. Among them, 603 patients were matched with 1194 unvaccinated patients. Vaccinated patients showed favourable overall survival (hazard ratio (HR): 0.54, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.37–0.79) and disease-specific survival (HR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.33–0.84), compared to their unvaccinated counterpart. The results were still significant in multiple sensitivity analyses.

Conclusions

Post-diagnostic use of cholera vaccine is associated with a favourable survival rate in breast cancer patients; this provides evidence for repurposing it against breast cancer.

Peanut Sprout Extracts Cultivated with Fermented Sawdust Medium Inhibits Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia In Vitro and In Vivo

PURPOSE

In this study, we tested whether the resveratrol-enriched peanut sprout extracts cultivated with fermented sawdust medium (PSEFS) could suppress benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in vitro and in vivo.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The mode of action of PSEFS was estimated by employing high-performance liquid chromatography analysis, MTT assay, cell counting, cell cycle analysis, immunoblots, and immunoprecipitation and electrophoretic mobility shift assay. In vivo efficacy of PSEFS was analyzed in BPH animal model via immunostaining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

We selected the Yesan peanut sprout variety, which contains the highest level of resveratrol. The resveratrol levels in PSEFS were higher than those obtained with hydroponic technology. PSEFS treatment induced cell cycle arrest at the G1-phase by downregulating CDK4 and cyclin D1 via p21WAF1 induction in the RWPE-1 and WPMY prostate cells, thereby decreasing their proliferation. Treatment with PSEFS decreased ERK1/2 phosphorylation and increased JNK phosphorylation. The levels of DNA-bound transcription factors associated with proliferation (nuclear factor-κB, Sp-1, and AP-1) decreased upon PSEFS treatment in both prostate cells. Additionally, the levels of the molecular markers of BPH development (5α-reductase, androgen receptor, fibroblast growth factor, Bcl-2, and Bax) also changed by the addition of PSEFS. Finally, in a testosterone propionate-induced BPH model in rats, PSEFS administration attenuated the size, weight, and thickness of prostate tissues with no signs of death.

CONCLUSIONS

These results showed that PSEFS inhibited BPH both in vitro and in vivo and might be useful in the development of a potential BPH therapy.

Hydrangenol inhibits the proliferation, migration, and invasion of EJ bladder cancer cells via p21WAF1-mediated G1-phase cell cycle arrest, p38 MAPK activation, and reduction in Sp-1-induced MMP-9 expression

Hydrangenol is a dihydroisocoumarin that is mainly obtained from Hydrangea macrophylla. Recently, hydrangenol has garnered attention since several studies have reported that it has anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-diabetic, and anti-malarial activities. However, there have been few studies on the effect of hydrangenol on oncogenesis. In this study, we evaluated the anti-cancer activity of hydrangenol against the EJ bladder cancer cell line. Hydrangenol significantly inhibited the proliferation of EJ cells in a dose-dependent manner with an IC₅₀ of 100 µM. Flow cytometry and immunoblotting experiments indicated that EJ cells were arrested in the G1-phase of the cell cycle and showed reduced expression of CDK2, CDK4, cyclin D1, and cyclin E mediated via the upregulation of p21^WAF1. Hydrangenol increased the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK without affecting the phosphorylation of ERK and JNK. In addition, hydrangenol significantly inhibited the migratory and invasive activities of EJ cells by suppressing the enzymatic activity of MMP-9. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays suggested that the inhibition of MMP-9 activity by hydrangenol was attributable to its suppression of the Sp-1 transcription factor binding activity. This study is the first report on the mode of action of hydrangenol as an inhibitor of bladder cancer. We believe that these results provide novel insights that could aid the development of hydrangenol-based chemotherapeutic agents.

Inhibitory effect of Au@Pt-NSs on proliferation, migration, and invasion of EJ bladder carcinoma cells: involvement of cell cycle regulators, signaling pathways, and transcription factor-mediated MMP-9 expression

Background

Although the diverse biological properties of nanoparticles have been studied intensively, research into their mechanism of action is relatively rare. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms of the anticancer activity of heterometallic Au@Pt-nanoseeds (NSs) against bladder cancers.

Materials and methods

Mode of action of Au@Pt-NSs was investigated through MTT assay, flow cytometry analysis, Western immunoblots, real-time qPCR, wound-healing migration and invasion assays, zymography, and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA).

Results

Treatment with Au@Pt-NSs significantly inhibited the proliferation of EJ cells in a dose-dependent manner by inducing G1 phase cell cycle arrest. Among the regulators associated with the G1 cell cycle phase, CDK2, CDK4, cyclin D1, cyclin E, and p21WAF1 were shown to participate in the inhibitory pathways of Au@Pt-NSs. In addition, treatment with Au@Pt-NSs led to upregulation of phospho-p38 MAPK and downregulation of phospho-AKT in EJ cells. Interestingly, Au@Pt-NSs inhibited the migratory and invasive potential of the cells, which was attributed to the suppression of the enzymatic activity of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). Using MMP-9-specific oligonucleotides, we showed that transcription factors such as NF-κB and Sp-1 were responsible for the MMP-9-mediated metastatic potential of EJ cells.

Conclusion

Au@Pt-NSs significantly limited the progression, migration, and invasion of bladder cancer EJ cells. Our data represent a novel insight into developing cisplatin-like chemotherapeutic reagents with fewer side effects and provide useful information on molecular markers to monitor patients under Au@Pt-NSs-based chemotherapy.

Heterogeneous Family of Cyclomodulins: Smart Weapons That Allow Bacteria to Hijack the Eukaryotic Cell Cycle and Promote Infections

Some bacterial pathogens modulate signaling pathways of eukaryotic cells in order to subvert the host response for their own benefit, leading to successful colonization and invasion. Pathogenic bacteria produce multiple compounds that generate favorable conditions to their survival and growth during infection in eukaryotic hosts. Many bacterial toxins can alter the cell cycle progression of host cells, impairing essential cellular functions and impeding host cell division. This review summarizes current knowledge regarding cyclomodulins, a heterogeneous family of bacterial effectors that induce eukaryotic cell cycle alterations. We discuss the mechanisms of actions of cyclomodulins according to their biochemical properties, providing examples of various cyclomodulins such as cycle inhibiting factor, γ-glutamyltranspeptidase, cytolethal distending toxins, shiga toxin, subtilase toxin, anthrax toxin, cholera toxin, adenylate cyclase toxins, vacuolating cytotoxin, cytotoxic necrotizing factor, Panton-Valentine leukocidin, phenol soluble modulins, and mycolactone. Special attention is paid to the benefit provided by cyclomodulins to bacteria during colonization of the host.

The prognostic significance of DAPK1 in bladder cancer

Bladder cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death in men, however, there was only limited effective treatment for invasive bladder cancer. DAPK1 has been shown to play important role in apoptosis and autophagy to suppress cancer progression. Previous results have shown that DAPK1 promoter was hypermethylated in the majority of bladder cancer specimens, however, the prognostic significance of DAPK1 in bladder cancer has yet to be demonstrated. In the present study, we found that DAPK1 expression was negatively associated with tumor stage and a low level expression of DAPK1 in bladder cancer specimens were associated with shorter survival in bladder cancer patients in 3 independent bladder cancer datasets (n = 462). Further investigation showed that FGFR3 knockdown resulted in downregulation of DAPK1 in bladder cancer cell line, suggesting that FGFR3 may be an upstream factor of DAPK1. Further analysis of the 3 independent bladder cancer datasets have identified ACOX1, UPK2, TRAK1, PLEKHG6 and MT1X genes had their expression significantly correlated with that of DAPK1. Knockdown of DAPK1 in bladder cancer T24 cells resulted in downregulation of ACOX1, UPK2 and TRAK1. Interestingly, TRAK1, by itself, was a favorable prognostic marker in the 3 independent bladder cancer datasets. Importantly, by using connectivity mapping with DAPK1-associated gene signature, we found that vemurafenib and trametinib could possibly reverse DAPK1-associated gene signature, suggesting that inhibition of Raf/MEK pathway may be a potential therapeutic approach for bladder cancer. Indeed, treatment of vemurafenib in T24 bladder cancer cells resulted in upregulation of DAPK1 confirming our connectivity mapping, while knockdown of DAPK1 resulted in reduced sensitivity towards inhibition of Braf signaling by vemurafenib. Together, our results suggest that DAPK1 is an important prognostic marker and therapeutic target for bladder cancer and have identified possible therapeutic agents for future testing in bladder cancer models with low DAPK1 expression.

Pasteurella multocida Toxin Manipulates T Cell Differentiation

Pasteurella multocida causes various diseases in a broad range of wild and domestic animals. Toxigenic strains of the serotypes A and D produce an AB protein toxin named Pasteurella multocida toxin (PMT). PMT constitutively activates the heterotrimeric G protein subunits Gαq, Gα13, and Gαi through deamidation of a glutamine residue, which results in cytoskeletal rearrangements as well as increased proliferation and survival of the host cell. In human monocytes, PMT alters the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced activation toward a phenotype that suppresses T cell activation. Here we describe that the toxin also modulates CD4-positive T helper (Th) cells directly. PMT amplifies the expansion of Th cells through enhanced cell cycle progression and suppression of apoptosis and manipulates the differentiation of Th subclasses through activation of Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription (STAT) family members and induction of subtype-specific master transcription factors. A large population of toxin-treated T cells is double-positive for Foxp3 and RORγt, the transcription factors expressed by Treg and Th17 cells, respectively. This suggests that these cells could have the potential to turn into Th17 cells or suppressive Treg cells. However, in terms of function, the PMT-differentiated cells behave as inflammatory Th17 cells that produce IL-17 and trigger T cell proliferation.