Coenzyme Q0 defeats NLRP3-mediated inflammation, EMT/metastasis, and Warburg effects by inhibiting HIF-1α expression in human triple-negative breast cancer cells

Coenzyme Q₀ (CoQ₀) is a derivative quinone from Antrodia camphorata (AC) that exerts anticancer activities. This study examined the anticancer attributes of CoQ₀ (0-4 µM) on inhibited anti-EMT/metastasis and NLRP3 inflammasome, and altered Warburg effects via HIF-1α inhibition in triple-negative breast cancer (MDA-MB-231 and 468) cells. MTT assay, cell migration/invasion assays, Western blotting, immunofluorescence, metabolic reprogramming, and LC-ESI-MS were carried out to assess the therapy potential of CoQ₀. CoQ₀ inhibited HIF-1α expression and suppressed the NLRP3 inflammasome and ASC/caspase-1 expression, followed by downregulation of IL-1β and IL-18 expression in MDA-MB-231 and 468 cells. CoQ₀ ameliorated cancer stem-like markers by decreasing CD44 and increasing CD24 expression. Notably, CoQ₀ modulated EMT by upregulating the epithelial marker E-cadherin and downregulating the mesenchymal marker N-cadherin. CoQ₀ inhibited glucose uptake and lactate accumulation. CoQ₀ also inhibited HIF-1α downstream genes involved in glycolysis, such as HK-2, LDH-A, PDK-1, and PKM-2 enzymes. CoQ₀ decreased extracellular acidification rate (ECAR), glycolysis, glycolytic capacity, and glycolytic reserve in MDA-MB-231 and 468 cells under normoxic and hypoxic (CoCl₂) conditions. CoQ₀ inhibited the glycolytic intermediates lactate, FBP, and 2/3-PG, and PEP levels. CoQ₀ increased oxygen consumption rate (OCR), basal respiration, ATP production, maximal respiration, and spare capacity under normoxic and hypoxic (CoCl₂) conditions. CoQ₀ increased TCA cycle metabolites, such as citrate, isocitrate, and succinate. CoQ0 inhibited aerobic glycolysis and enhanced mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in TNBC cells. Under hypoxic conditions, CoQ₀ also mitigated HIF-1α, GLUT1, glycolytic-related (HK-2, LDH-A, and PFK-1), and metastasis-related (E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and MMP-9) protein or mRNA expression in MDA-MB-231 and/or 468 cells. Under LPS/ATP stimulation, CoQ₀ inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome/procaspase-1/IL-18 activation and NFκB/iNOS expression. CoQ₀ also hindered LPS/ATP-stimulated tumor migration and downregulated LPS/ATP-stimulated N-cadherin and MMP-2/-9 expression. The present study revealed that suppression of HIF-1α expression caused by CoQ₀ may contribute to inhibition of NLRP3-mediated inflammation, EMT/metastasis, and Warburg effects of triple-negative breast cancers.

Antrodia camphorata and coenzyme Q0 , a novel quinone derivative of Antrodia camphorata, impede HIF-1α and epithelial-mesenchymal transition/metastasis in human glioblastoma cells

Antrodia camphorata (AC) and Coenzyme Q₀ (CoQ₀ ), a novel quinone derivative of AC, exhibits antitumor activities. The present study evaluated EMT/metastasis inhibition and autophagy induction aspects of AC and CoQ₀ in human glioblastoma (GBM8401) cells. Our findings revealed that AC treatment (0-150 μg/mL) hindered tumor cell proliferation and migration/invasion in GBM8401 cells. Notably, AC treatment inhibited HIF-1α and EMT by upregulating epithelial marker protein E-cadherin while downregulating mesenchymal proteins Twist, Slug, Snail, and β-catenin. There was an appearance of the autophagy markers LC3-II and p62/SQSTM1, while ATG4B was downregulated by AC treatment. We also found that CoQ₀ (0-10 μM) could inhibit migration and invasion in GBM8401 cells. In particular, E-cadherin was elevated and N-cadherin, Vimentin, Twist, Slug, and Snail, were reduced upon CoQ₀ treatment. In addition, MMP-2/-9 expression and Wnt/β-catenin pathways were downregulated. Furthermore, autophagy inhibitors 3-MA or CQ reversed the CoQ₀ -elicited suppression of migration/invasion and metastasis-related proteins (Vimentin, Snail, and β-catenin). Results suggested autophagy-mediated antiEMT and antimetastasis upon CoQ₀ treatment. CoQ₀ inhibited HIF-1α and metastasis in GBM8401 cells under normoxia and hypoxia. HIF-1α knockdown using siRNA accelerated CoQ₀ -inhibited migration. Finally, CoQ₀ exhibited a prolonged survival rate in GBM8401-xenografted mice. Treatment with Antrodia camphorata/CoQ₀ inhibited HIF-1α and EMT/metastasis in glioblastoma.

The in vitro and in vivo anticancer activities of Antrodia salmonea through inhibition of metastasis and induction of ROS-mediated apoptotic and autophagic cell death in human glioblastoma cells

BACKGROUND

Antrodia salmonea (AS) exhibits anticancer activities against various cancers.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the anticancer activities of AS on human glioblastoma (GBM8401 and U87MG) cells both in vitro and in vivo and explained the underlying molecular mechanism.

METHODS

MTT, colony formation, migration/invasion assay, immunoblotting, immunofluorescence, TUNEL, Annexin V/PI staining, AO staining, GFP-LC3 transfection, TEM, qPCR, siLC3, DCFH2-DA assay, and xenografted-nude mice were used to assess the potential of AS therapy.

RESULTS

AS treatment retarded growth and suppressed colony formation in glioblastoma cells. AS attenuates EMT by suppressing invasion and migration, increasing E-cadherin expression, decreasing Twist, Snail, and N-cadherin expression, and inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin pathways in GBM8401 and U87MG cells. Furthermore, AS induced apoptosis by activating caspase-3, cleaving PARP, and dysregulating Bax and Bcl-2 in both cell lines. TUNEL assay and Annexin V/PI staining indicated AS-mediated late apoptosis. Interestingly, AS induced autophagic cell death by LC3-II accumulation, AVO formation, autophagosome GFP-LC3 puncta, p62/SQSTM1 expression, and ATG4B inhibition in GBM8401 and U87MG cells. TEM data revealed that AS favored autophagosome and autolysosome formation. The autophagy inhibitors 3-MA/CQ and LC3 knockdown suppressed AS-induced apoptosis in glioblastoma cells, indicating that the inhibition of autophagy decreased AS-induced apoptosis. Notably, the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) inhibited AS-mediated ROS production and AS-induced apoptotic and autophagic cell death. Furthermore, AS induced ROS-mediated inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. AS reduced the tumor burden in GBM8401-xenografted nude mice and significantly modulated tumor xenografts by inducing anti-EMT, apoptosis, and autophagy. AS could be a potential antitumor agent in human glioblastoma treatment.

Punicalagin is cytotoxic to human colon cancer cells by modulating cell proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the anticancer effect of punicalagin, an abundant bioactive tannin compound isolated from Punica granatum L., on three colon cancer cell lines, namely, HCT 116, HT-29, and LoVo.Research Design: Normal and colon cancer cells were treated with different concentrations of punicalagin for different periods. Data Collection and Analysis: Cell viability was measured with a CCK-8 assay. Programmed cell death and invasion were analyzed using an annexin V and cell death kit and a cell invasion analysis kit. The expression of active caspase-3, MMP-2, MMP-9, Snail, and Slug were measured by Western blot.Results: The results of the cell viability analysis showed that punicalagin was cytotoxic to colon cancer cells, but it was not to normal cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Additionally, punicalagin induced apoptosis in colon cancer cells (shown by the cumulative percentage of colorectal cancer cells in early and late apoptosis). It was found that caspase-3 activity increased following punicalagin treatment. Western blot results also showed that punicalagin increased the expression of activated caspase-3. In contrast, punicalagin inhibited the invasion of colon cancer cells. Further, treatment of colon cancer cells with punicalagin suppressed the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, Snail, and Slug. Conclusions: These results showed that the activation of caspase-3 and the inhibition of MMP-2, MMP-9, Snail and Slug were involved in the effects of punicalagin on colon cancer cells.

GRK3 as a Prognosis Biomarker in Gastric Cancer

Background: Globally, gastric cancer is ranked 4th and 3rd in terms of incidence and mortality rate among all cancer types. This study aimed to examine the relationship between G protein-coupled receptor kinase 3 (GRK3) and gastric cancer prognosis and investigate the role of GRK3 in gastric cancer carcinogenesis.

Methods: GRK3 level in gastric tissues and cells were determined using immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. Kaplan-Meier analysis with the log-rank test was employed to evaluate the relationship between GRK3 expression and gastric cancer prognosis. RNAi technology was applied to examine the effects of GRK3 inhibition on gastric cancer proliferation and spread.

Results: GRK3 overexpression was correlated significantly with lymphatic metastasis (P = 0.0011), distant metastasis (P < 0.0001), TNM stage (P = 0.0035), and vascular invasion (P = 0.0025). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the disease-free survival and overall survival of patients with high GRK3 expression were significantly shorter than those of patients with low GRK3 expression. Multivariate Cox regression analysis also showed that the overexpression of GRK3 was an independent prognostic biomarker of gastric cancer (P = 0.029). In cultured gastric cancer cells, GRK3 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Further analysis revealed that more GRK3-knockdown cells were in G0/G1 phase and few cells were in S phase, thereby inhibiting cell proliferation.

Conclusions: GRK3 overexpression can be a candidate biomarker for gastric cancer prognosis. GRK3 is also a potential therapeutic target for gastric cancer.

A novel mechanism driving poor-prognostic gastric cancer: overexpression of the transcription factor Krüppel-like factor 16 promotes growth and metastasis of gastric cancer through regulating the Notch pathway

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide and has high rates of morbidity and mortality. This study investigated the role of Krüppel-like factor 16 (KLF16) in GC. Real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry were used to examine the expression of KLF16 in gastric cells and tissues. Gene overexpression and silencing were applied to study the involvement of KLF16 in GC cell growth and metastasis along with its underlying mechanism. The results indicate that KLF16 overexpression is significantly associated with nodal status, distant metastasis, staging, degree of differentiation, vascular invasion, and patient survival. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model analysis revealed that the overexpression of KLF16 is an independent prognostic biomarker of GC. The in vitro study revealed that up-regulated KLF16 accelerates cell growth and metastasis, whereas the inhibition of KLF16 suppresses these cellular activities. The results of an animal study also indicated that the overexpression and silencing of KLF16 accelerate and repress xenograft proliferation and metastasis. Further studies of affected cell growth and metastasis revealed that KLF16 modulates the cell cycle and epithelial-mesenchymal transition through transcriptional regulation of microfibrillar-associated protein 5. Collectively, these results reveal that KLF16 overexpression is a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for the treatment of GC.

The influence of mechanical Circulatory support on post-transplant outcomes in pediatric patients: A multicenter study from the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) Registry

BACKGROUND

Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is increasingly being used as a bridge to transplant in pediatric patients. We compare outcomes in pediatric patients bridged to transplant with MCS from an international cohort.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study of heart-transplant patients reported to the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) registry from 2005-2017 includes 5,095 patients <18 years. Pretransplant MCS exposure and anatomic diagnosis were derived. Outcomes included mortality, renal failure, and stroke.

RESULTS

26% of patients received MCS prior to transplant: 240 (4.7%) on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), 1,030 (20.2%) on ventricular assist device (VAD), and 54 (1%) both. 29% of patients were <1 year, and 43.8% had congenital heart disease (CHD). After adjusting for clinical characteristics, compared to no-MCS and VAD, ECMO had higher mortality during their transplant hospitalization [OR 3.97 & 2.55; 95% CI 2.43-6.49 & 1.42-4.60] while VAD mortality was similar [OR 1.55; CI 0.99-2.45]. Outcomes of ECMO+VAD were similar to ECMO alone, including increased mortality during transplant hospitalization compared to no-MCS [OR 4.74; CI 1.81-12.36]. Patients with CHD on ECMO had increased 1 year, and 10 year mortality [HR 2.36; CI 1.65-3.39], [HR 1.82; CI 1.33-2.49]; there was no difference in survival in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients based on pretransplant MCS status.

CONCLUSION

Survival in CHD and DCM is similar in patients with no MCS or VAD prior to transplant, while pretransplant ECMO use is strongly associated with mortality after transplant particularly in children with CHD. In children with DCM, long term survival was equivalent regardless of MCS status.

Correction: Hseu, Y.-C., et al. The In Vitro and In Vivo Anticancer Properties of Chalcone Flavokawain B through Induction of ROS-Mediated Apoptotic and Autophagic Cell Death in Human Melanoma Cells. Cancers 2020, 12, 2936

In the original article [...].

The In Vitro and In Vivo Anticancer Properties of Chalcone Flavokawain B through Induction of ROS-Mediated Apoptotic and Autophagic Cell Death in Human Melanoma Cells

Melanoma is the most prevalent type of skin cancer with high mortality rates. This study demonstrates the in vitro and in vivo anticancer properties of chalcone flavokawain B (FKB) induced ROS-mediated apoptosis and autophagy in human melanoma (human epithelial melanoma cell line A375 and/or human skin lymph node derived melanoma cell line A2058) cells. Cell viability was calculated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and the expression patterns of various apoptosis, autophagy-associated proteins were determined by Western blot methods. Annexin V was detected by flow cytometry, whereas acidic vesicular organelles (AVOs) and intracellular ROS levels were measured by fluorescence microscopy. The in vivo anticancer properties of FKB were evaluated by xenografting the A375 cells into nude mice. The results convey that FKB inhibited cell viability, B-Raf proto-oncogene, serine/threonine kinase (BRAF)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) expression in human melanoma cells. Caspase-3 activation, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage pathway, and Bcl2 associated X (Bax)/B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) dysregulation were involved in the execution of apoptosis. Moreover, FKB-induced autophagy was observed through increased microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3B (LC3-II) accumulation and AVOs formation, which was also associated with an increase in sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1/p62), decreased protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) expressions, and dysregulated Beclin-1/Bcl-2 levels. Autophagy inhibitors [3-methyladenine (3-MA)/chloroquine (CQ)] and LC3 silencing suppressed FKB-induced apoptosis by decreasing caspase-3 in melanoma cells. The antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) diminished FKB-induced apoptotic and autophagic cell death. However, the inhibition of apoptosis decreased FKB-induced autophagy (LC3-I/II). The in vivo study confirmed that FKB inhibited melanoma growth in A375-xenografted nude mice. This study concluded that FKB is critically associated with the execution and generation of ROS-modulated apoptotic and autophagic cell death of melanoma cells. FKB also repressed tumor growth in xenografted nude mice. Therefore, flavokawain B might be a potential anti-tumor agent in human melanoma treatment.

Reverse electromechanical modelling of diastolic dysfunction in spontaneous hypertensive rat after sacubitril/valsartan therapy

Aims

Hypertension is a significant risk for the development of left ventricular hypertrophy, diastolic dysfunction, followed by heart failure and sudden cardiac death. While therapy with sacubitril/valsartan (SV) reduces the risk of sudden cardiac death in patients with heart failure and systolic dysfunction, the effect on those with diastolic dysfunction remains unclear. We hypothesized that, in the animal model of hypertensive heart disease, treatment with SV reduces the susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmia.

Methods and results

Young adult female spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHRs) were randomly separated into three groups, which were SHRs, SHRs treated with valsartan, and SHRs treated with SV. In addition, the age‐matched and weight‐matched Wistar Kyoto rats were considered as controls, and there were 12 rats in each group. In vivo ventricular tachyarrhythmia induction and in vitro optical mapping were used to measure the inducibility of ventricular arrhythmias and to characterize the dynamic properties of electrical propagation. The level of small‐conductance Ca²⁺‐activated potassium channel type 2 (KCNN2) was analysed in cardiac tissue. Compared with SHR with left ventricular hypertrophy, treatment with SV significantly improved cardiac geometry (relative wall thickness, 0.68 ± 0.11 vs. 0.76 ± 0.13, P < 0.05) and diastolic dysfunction (isovolumetric relaxation time, 59.4 ± 3.2 vs. 70.5 ± 4.2 ms, P < 0.05; deceleration time of mitral E wave, 46 ± 4.8 vs. 42 ± 3.8, P < 0.05). The incidence of induced ventricular arrhythmia was significantly reduced in SHR treated with SV compared with SHR (ventricular tachycardia, 1.14 ± 0.32 vs. 2.91 ± 0.5 episodes per 10 stimuli, P < 0.001; ventricular fibrillation, 1.72 ± 0.31 vs. 5.81 ± 0.42 episodes per 10 stimuli, P < 0.001). The prolonged action potential duration (APD) and increase of the maximum slope of APD restitution were observed in SHR, while the treatment of SV improved the arrhythmogeneity (APD, 37.12 ± 6.18 vs. 92.41 ± 10.71 ms at 250 ms pacing cycle length, P < 0.001; max slope 0.29 ± 0.01 vs. 1.48 ± 0.04, P < 0.001). These effects were strongly associated with down‐regulation of KCNN2 (0.38 ± 0.07 vs. 0.74 ± 0.12 ng/ml, P < 0.001). The treatment of SV also decreased the level of N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide, cardiac bridging integrator‐1, and intramyocardial fibrosis of SHR.

Conclusions

In conclusion, synergistic blockade of the neprilysin and the renin–angiotensin system by SV in SHRs results in KCNN2‐associated electrical remodelling in ventricle, which stabilizes electrical dynamics and attenuates arrhythmogenesis.

Flavokawain B and Doxorubicin Work Synergistically to Impede the Propagation of Gastric Cancer Cells via ROS-Mediated Apoptosis and Autophagy Pathways

Simple Summary

Among various kinds of treatment strategies for cancers, combination therapy has attracted significant attention due to its beneficial effects than the individual effects of the same compounds. Based on this idea, this study has investigated the synergistic effects of combination treatment of a natural anti-cancer agent flavokawain B (FKB) and a chemotherapeutic agent Doxorubicin on human gastric cancer cells and the underlying molecular mechanisms were deciphered through in vitro and in vivo approaches. Experimental data obtained in this study provided promising application prospects of FKB + Doxrubicin combination treatment in human gastric cancer cells.

Abstract

Chalcone flavokawain B (FKB) possesses a chemopreventive and anti-cancer activity. Doxorubicin is a chemotherapeutic DNA intercalating agent widely used in malignancy treatment. The present study investigated whether synergistic effects exist between the combination of FKB (1.25–5 µg/mL) and doxorubicin (0.5 µg/mL) on the apoptosis and autophagy in human gastric cancer (AGS) cells, and the possible in vitro and in vivo mechanisms. The MTT assay measured cell viability. Various apoptotic-, autophagy-associated protein expression was determined by the Western blot technique. FKB+doxorubicin synergy was estimated by the Chou-Talalay combination index (CI) method. In vivo studies were performed on BALB/c mice. Results showed that compared to FKB/doxorubicin treatments, low doses of FKB+doxorubicin suppressed AGS cell growth. FKB potentiated doxorubicin-induced DNA fragmentation, apoptotic cell death, and enhanced doxorubicin-mediated mitochondrial, death receptor pathways. FKB+doxorubicin activated increased LC3-II accumulation, p62/SQSTM1 expression, and AVO formation as compared to the FKB/doxorubicin alone treatments indicating autophagy in these cells. The death mechanism in FKB+doxorubicin-treated AGS cells is due to the activation of autophagy. FKB+doxorubicin-mediated dysregulated Bax/Bcl-2, Beclin-1/Bcl-2 ratios suggested apoptosis, autophagy induction in AGS cells. FKB+doxorubicin-induced LC3-II/AVOs downregulation was suppressed due to an apoptotic inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK. Whereas, 3-methyladenine/chloroquine weakened FKB+doxorubicin-induced apoptosis (decreased DNA fragmentation/caspase-3). Activation of ERK/JNK may be involved in FKB+doxorubicin-induced apoptosis and autophagy. FKB+doxorubicin-triggered ROS generation, but NAC attenuated FKB+doxorubicin-induced autophagic (LC3 accumulation) and apoptotic (caspase-3 activation and PARP cleavage) cell death. FKB+doxorubicin blocked gastric cancer cell xenografts in nude mice in vivo as compared to FKB/doxorubicin alone treatments. FKB and doxorubicin wielded synergistic anti-tumor effects in gastric cancer cells and is a promising therapeutic approach.

Aberrant Expression of NCAPG is Associated with Prognosis and Progression of Gastric Cancer

Introduction

Gastric cancer (GC), one of the most prevalent malignancies, is the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. The aim of this study is to investigate the involvement of non-structural maintenance of chromosomes condensin I complex subunit G (NCAPG) in the prognosis of GC.

Methods

Western blotting and immunostaining were employed to measure the NCAPG level in gastric tissues and cells. Kaplan–Meier analysis was applied to analyze the prognostic value of NCAPG in GC. RNA interference was applied to investigate the influence of the NCAPG silencing on GC cell growth and spread.

Results

NCAPG overexpression was associated with several clinicopathologic characteristics, including nodal status (P = 0.0378), distant metastasis (P = 0.0088), staging (P = 0.0230), vascular invasion (P = 0.0012), and disease-free survival (P = 0.004). Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that NCAPG overexpression was positively correlated to poor GC patients disease-free and overall survival (P = 0.004 and P < 0.001, respectively). Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that the overexpression of NCAPG was a prognostic biomarker of GC (P = 0.005). In cultured GC cells, the knockdown of NCAPG suppressed cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Meanwhile, further studies revealed that the NCAPG silencing induces the G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and accordingly represses cell division. Finally, Western blotting showed that NCPAG knockdown dysregulated cell cycle- and epithelial–mesenchymal transition-related molecules.

Conclusion

Overall, the results reveal that NCAPG overexpression is a candidate prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target in GC.

The Leaf Extracts of Toona sinensis and Fermented Culture Broths of Antrodia camphorata Synergistically Cause Apoptotic Cell Death in Promyelocytic Leukemia Cells

Toona sinensis is a common edible vegetable that is used in certain Chinese dishes and has importance in folk medicine. The leaf extracts of T sinensis possess and exhibit anticancer efficacy against various cancer cell types. In Taiwanese folklore, Antrodia camphorata, also known as “Niu-Cheng-Zi,” is used in traditional medicine to treat various illnesses. Its fruit and mycelium possess various potent antiproliferative properties. Two studies from our group have reported that T sinensis or A camphorata has the ability to cause apoptosis in various cancer cells. Conversely, underlying molecular mechanisms and any beneficial effects remain unknown. This study shows anticancer efficacy for both T sinensis and A camphorata co-treatments that target HL-60 cells. The combination index values indicate that 40 µg/mL of T sinensis and 25 µg/mL of A camphorata as a combined treatment shows a synergetic effect, which reduces HL-60 cell proliferation. Alternately, this treatment exhibited no cytotoxic effects for human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Western blot data showed that T sinensis and A camphorata as a combined treatment result in augmented expression of apoptosis, cytochrome c release, Bcl-2 inhibition, expression of Bax, Fas, and FasL, as well as the cleavage of Bid in HL-60 cells. Moreover, this combined treatment overshadowed monotherapy in its ability to inhibit uPAR, MMP-9, MMP-2, COX-2 expression, and PGE₂ secretions. Our study strongly implies that this combined treatment offers more beneficial effects to suppress and treat leukemia due to apoptosis-mediated cell inhibition. Further in vivo studies related to the combined treatment could establish its future potential.

Kalantuboside B induced apoptosis and cytoprotective autophagy in human melanoma A2058 cells: An in vitro and in vivo study

Kalantuboside B (KB), a natural bufadienolide derivative extracted from the succulent plant Kalanchoe tubiflora, is well-known for its cardiotonic, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we tested in vitro and in vivo anti-cancer efficacy with low concentrations of KB (5-30 ng/mL; 8.7-52.2 nM) on A2058 melanoma cells; and for the molecular mechanisms that underlie them. KB significantly inhibited the cell viability and colony formation via arresting the cell cycle at G2/M phase. There was an association with a decrease in Cyclin A/B1, Cdc25C, and Cdc2 expressions. Further, this treatment indicated the induction of apoptosis, DNA fragmentation, cytochrome c release, and caspase-3, -8, -9, and -12 activation, and PARP cleavage, which shows that mitochondrial, death-receptor, and ER-stress signaling pathways are involved. KB-induced autophagy was apparent from enhanced LC3-II accumulation, GFP-LC3 puncta, and AVO formation. Surprisingly, KB-mediated cell death was potentiated by 3-MA and CQ to suggest the role of autophagy as a cytoprotective mechanism. Moreover, KB-treated A2058 cells enhanced intracellular ROS generation and antioxidant NAC prevented apoptosis and reversed cytoprotective autophagy. Interestingly, KB-induced apoptosis (PARP cleavage) and cytoprotective autophagy (LC3-II accumulation) were mediated by the up-regulation of the ERK signaling pathway. It was also shown that KB promoted cytoprotective autophagy by a calcium dependent-p53 downregulation pathway. In vivo data showed that KB suppressed tumor growth significantly in A2058-xenografted nude mice. A Western blot indicated cell-cycle inhibition (cyclin A reduction), apoptosis induction (PARP cleavage and Bcl-2 inhibition), and cytoprotective autophagy (LC3-II upregulation and p53 downregulation) in KB-treated A2058-xenografted mice. Our findings suggested that KB-induced ROS pathway plays a role in mediating the apoptosis and cytoprotective autophagy in human melanoma cells. Thus, KB is considered to be a putative anti-tumor agent.

Clinicopathologic and Prognostic Significance of Thymopoietin-α Overexpression in Gastric Cancer

As one of the deadliest and most common malignancies in the world, gastric cancer (GC) represents a serious health threat. Despite recent advances in the field, the prognosis of patients with metastatic GC remains poor. In this study, we aimed to investigate the clinical impact of the alpha subunit of the nuclear structural protein thymopoietin (TMPO-α) in GC. The expression of TMPO-α in seven gastric cell lines was detected by immunoblotting. The expression level of TMPO-α levels in gastric tissues collected from 145 GC patients was examined by immunohistochemistry. The correlations between TMPO-α expression level and clinicopathologic parameters, as well as the association of TMPO-α expression with overall survival, were assessed. Immunohistochemistry showed that the expression of TMPO-α was significantly higher in GC tissues and cells in comparison with non-tumor tissues and cells. Furthermore, the overexpression of TMPO-α in gastric tissues (56%) was positively associated with Lauren classification (P = 0.0159), nodal status (P = 0.0265), distant metastasis (P < 0.0001), stage (P = 0.0367), and degree of differentiation (P = 0.0009). Patients with high TMPO-α levels had a significantly poorer overall survival than those with low levels (P = 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis also indicated that TMPO-α was an independent prognostic marker for GC (P = 0.045). In addition, studies conducted in GC cells indicated that knockdown of TMPO-α suppressed cell proliferation and invasion. These findings indicate that TMPO-α overexpression can predict clinicopathologic features and the outcome of patients with GC.

Anti-EMT properties of CoQ0 attributed to PI3K/AKT/NFKB/MMP-9 signaling pathway through ROS-mediated apoptosis

Background

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women. In triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells, a novel quinone derivative, coenzyme Q₀ (CoQ₀), promotes apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest. This study explored the anti-epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and antimetastatic attributes of CoQ₀ in TNBC (MDA-MB-231).

Methods

Invasion, as well as MTT assays were conducted. Lipofectamine RNAiMAX was used to transfect cells with β-catenin siRNA. Through Western blotting and RT-PCR, the major signaling pathways’ protein expressions were examined, and the biopsied tumor tissues underwent immunohistochemical and hematoxylin and eosin staining as well as Western blotting.

Results

CoQ₀ (0.5–2 μM) hindered tumor migration, invasion, and progression. Additionally, it caused MMP-2/− 9, uPA, uPAR, and VEGF downregulation. Furthermore, in highly metastatic MDA-MB-231 cells, TIMP-1/2 expression was subsequently upregulated and MMP-9 expression was downregulated. In addition, CoQ₀ inhibited metastasis and EMT in TGF-β/TNF-α-stimulated non-tumorigenic MCF-10A cells. Bioluminescence imaging of MDA-MB-231 luciferase–injected live mice demonstrated that CoQ₀ significantly inhibited metastasis of the breast cancer to the lungs and inhibited the development of tumors in MDA-MB-231 xenografted nude mice. Silencing of β-catenin with siRNA stimulated CoQ₀-inhibited EMT. Western blotting as well as histological analysis established that CoQ0 reduced xenografted tumor development because apoptosis induction, cell-cycle inhibition, E-cadherin upregulation, β-catenin downregulation, and metastasis and EMT regulatory protein modulation were observed.

Conclusions

CoQ₀ inhibited the progression of metastasis as well as EMT (in vitro and in vivo). The described approach has potential in treating human breast cancer metastasis.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13046-019-1196-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Anticancer activities of chalcone flavokawain B from Alpinia pricei Hayata in human lung adenocarcinoma (A549) cells via induction of reactive oxygen species-mediated apoptotic and autophagic cell death

Chalcones found in fruits and vegetables have promising cancer chemopreventive properties. This study attempts to identify the anticancer efficacies of chalcone flavokawain B (FKB) in the rhizomes of Alpinia pricei Hayata by examining key molecular events in non-small-cell lung cancer (A549) cells. Our results indicated that in human A549 cells, FKB (0-15 μg/ml) decreases cell viability and colony formation, dysregulates the Bax:B-cell lymphoma 2 ratio and increases apoptotic DNA fragmentation. Mitochondrial (caspase-9/-3 and poly ADP ribose polymerase [PARP]) signaling was found to be involved in FKB-induced apoptosis. In addition, FKB-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and N-acetylcysteine attenuated FKB-induced apoptotic cell death. Moreover, FKB triggered autophagy, as evidenced by the improved acidic vesicular organelle formation, lipidated light chain 3 (microtubule-related light chain 3) accumulation, and ATG7 expression and the decreased mammalian target of rapamycin phosphorylation. Furthermore, FKB suppressed ROS-mediated ATG4B expression. Inhibiting autophagy using 3-methyladenine/chloroquine diminished FKB-induced cell death, indicating that autophagy is triggered as a death mechanism by FKB. In summary, FKB has a crucial role in the execution and propagation of ROS-mediated apoptotic and autophagic cell death of lung adenocarcinoma cells.

Antrodia salmonea suppresses invasion and metastasis in triple-negative breast cancer cells by reversing EMT through the NF-κB and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

Antrodia salonea (AS), a fungus that is indigenous to Taiwan has been well known for its anti-cancer properties. We investigated the anti-metastatic and anti-epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) properties of AS in TNBC cells. To determine their EMT and metastasis levels, in vitro wound healing, wound invasion, Western blotting, RT-PCR, luciferase activity and immunofluorescence assays were performed, while the in vivo anti-metastatic efficacy of AS was evaluated in BALB/c-nu mice through bioluminescence imaging, HE staining, and immunohistochemical staining. MDA-MB-231 cells, when treated with AS concentrations (25-100 μg/mL) resulted in significant reduction of invasion and migration as well as the downregulation of VEGF, uPAR, uPA and MMP-9 (inhibition of PI3K/AKT/NFκB pathways). AS treatment prevented morphological changes and reversed EMT through the upregulation of E-cadherin and the downregulation of N-cadherin, Slug, Twist, and Vimentin. Inhibition of Smad3 signaling pathway, downregulation of β-catenin pathway and upregulation of GSK3β expression were also observed while, suppression of metastasis and EMT in TGF-β1-stimulated non-tumorigenic MCF-10A cells was observed when treated with AS. Histological analysis confirmed that AS reduced tumor metastasis and upregulated E-cadherin expression in biopsied lung tissues. Our results indicated that AS exhibits anti-EMT and anti-metastatic activity, that could contribute to develop anticancer drugs against TNBC.

Ubiquitin-specific protease 3 overexpression promotes gastric carcinogenesis and is predictive of poor patient prognosis

Although gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common cancers, knowledge of its development and carcinogenesis is limited. To date, expression of ubiquitin-specific protease 3 (USP3) in all types of cancer, including GC, is still unknown. The present study explored the involvement of USP3 in the carcinogenesis and prognosis of GC. We measured USP3 expression in normal and GC tissues and cell lines. Correlations between USP3 protein level and clinicopathological parameters, as well as the significance of USP3 protein level for disease-free survival were assessed. Small hairpin RNA technology and transfection were used to investigate the effect of USP3 manipulation on cell proliferation and spreading. Moreover, xenograft proliferation and metastasis were used to explore the influence of USP3 on tumor growth and metastasis in animals. An increase in USP3 expression was observed in GC cells and tissues. The overexpression of USP3 was significantly correlated with several clinicopathological parameters and poor disease-free survival. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the overexpression of USP3 was an independent prognostic biomarker. Silencing of USP3 suppressed GC cell proliferation and spreading in vitro as well as xenograft proliferation and metastasis in vivo; however, opposite results were obtained when USP3 was overexpressed. Further studies showed that USP3 influenced cell proliferation and spreading by regulating the cell cycle control- and epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related molecules. This study suggests that USP3 overexpression can be a useful biomarker for predicting the outcomes of GC patients and that USP3 targeting represents a potential modality for treating GC.

High-quality thulium iron garnet films with tunable perpendicular magnetic anisotropy by off-axis sputtering - correlation between magnetic properties and film strain

Thulium iron garnet (TmIG) films with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) were grown on gadolinium gallium garnet (GGG) (111) substrates by off-axis sputtering. High-resolution synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction studies and spherical aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscope (Cs-corrected STEM) images showed the excellent crystallinity of the films and their sharp interface with GGG. Damping constant of TmIG thin film was determined to be 0.0133 by frequency-dependent ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) measurements. The saturation magnetization (Ms) and the coercive field (Hc) were obtained systematically as a function of the longitudinal distance (L) between the sputtering target and the substrate. A 170% enhancement of PMA field (H⊥) was achieved by tuning the film composition to increase the tensile strain. Moreover, current-induced magnetization switching on a Pt/TmIG structure was demonstrated with an ultra-low critical current density (jc) of 2.5 × 106 A/cm2, an order of magnitude smaller than the previously reported value. We were able to tune Ms, Hc and H⊥ to obtain an ultra-low jc of switching the magnetization, showing the great potential of sputtered TmIG films for spintronics.

Loss of cyclin-dependent kinase-like 2 predicts poor prognosis in gastric cancer, and its overexpression suppresses cells growth and invasion

Cyclin-dependent kinase-like 2 (CDKL2), a new member of the cyclin-dependent kinase family, may be involved in gastric cancer (GC) progression. Thus, we conducted this study to explore the clinical effect of CDKL2 in GC. Immunohistochemistry was used to measure CDKL2 levels in gastric tissues. The association of a high CDKL2 level with clinical and pathological characteristics, and the correlation between the CDKL2 level and disease-free and overall survival were analyzed. Transfection was employed to overexpress CDKL2 in GC cells and to investigate the effect of CDKL2 overexpression on cell proliferation and invasion. Loss of CDKL2 was positively correlated with several clinical and pathological characteristics, and patients with a low CDKL2 level had significantly poorer disease-free and overall survival than those with a high level (P = .005 and .001, respectively). Univariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model indicated that a low CDKL2 level was a prognosticator for inferior disease-free survival (P = .007). Based on immmunoblotting data, AGS and HGC-27 GC cells were chosen for CDKL2 overexpression. Cellular studies revealed that CDKL2 overexpression impaired cell proliferation and invasion. Loss of CDKL2 may serve as a biomarker for predicting GC patient outcomes and a potential therapeutic target for GC treatment.

How deep is the inflammation in chronic rhinosinusitis? Sinus wall thickness and blood eosinophilia

Various factors have been proposed to be related to refractory chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Treatment for refractory CRS is challenging for ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeons. The aim of the study was to determine the clinical features associated with the severity of CRS that may necessitate revision surgery by eliminating the bias of the surgeons technique using standardizing surgical procedures. Sinus wall thickness and blood eosinophilia, which may represent the depth of inflammation in CRS, are associated with the need for revision surgery. We found that, when the thickness of the postero-lateral maxillary sinus wall is more than 3.03 mm, there is an increased probability for a need for revision surgery. CRS patients with thickened sinus walls were found to have poorer outcomes. Further research is needed in order to justify this type of surgical procedure for CRS.

Antrodia camphorata inhibits metastasis and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition via the modulation of claudin-1 and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways in human colon cancer cells

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Antrodia camphorata (AC) is a well known traditional Chinese medicinal mushroom in Taiwan, has been used to treat various diseases including cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, we investigated the anti-metastatic and anti-EMT properties of a fermented culture broth of AC in human colon SW480^claudin-1- and metastatic SW620^claudin-1+ cancer cells in vitro.

RESULTS

AC down-regulates claudin-1 and inhibits the proliferation and colony-formation abilities of both SW620^claudin-1+ and SW480^claudin-1- cells. In highly metastatic SW620^claudin-1+ cells, non-cytotoxic concentrations of AC significantly inhibited migration/invasion, accompanied by the down-regulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 proteins. AC decreased nuclear translocation of Wnt/β-catenin through a GSK3β-dependent pathway. AC consistently inhibited EMT by up-regulating the epithelial and downregulating the mesenchymal marker proteins. In SW480^claudin-1- cells, AC suppressed migration/invasion potentially through the inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/NFκB signaling pathways without altering the expression levels of β-catenin and GSK3β proteins.

CONCLUSION

Altogether, this study demonstrates the anti-metastatic and anti-EMT activities of AC, which may contribute to the development of a chemopreventive agent for colon cancer.

Overexpression of Mitochondrial GTPase MFN2 Represents a Negative Prognostic Marker in Human Gastric Cancer and Its Inhibition Exerts Anti-Cancer Effects

Background: As one of the most common malignancies in the world, little is known about the molecular mechanism underlying gastric cancer (GC) and its progression. In this study, we aimed to investigate the clinical impact of the mitochondrial GTPase mitofusin 2 (MFN2) in GC.

Methods: Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the expression levels of MFN2 in gastric tissues obtained from 141 patients with GC. The correlations between MFN2 protein level and clinicopathologic parameters, as well as the significance of MFN2 protein level for overall and disease-free survival were assessed. siRNA technology was used to study the effect of MFN2 knockdown on cell proliferation and invasion.

Results: The overexpression of MFN2 was positively associated with depth of invasion (P = 0.0430), stage (P = 0.0325) and vascular invasion (P = 0.0077). Patients with high expression levels of MFN2 had a significantly lower overall survival rate and disease-free survival rate compared with those with low expression levels (P = 0.003 and 0.001, respectively). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the overexpression of MFN2 was an independent prognostic marker for inferior overall survival and disease-free survival (P = 0.015 and 0.025, respectively). In addition, studies conducted in GC cells indicated that knockdown of MFN2 suppressed cell proliferation and invasion.

Conclusions: Overexpression of MFN2 can be used as a marker to predict the outcome of patients with GC. Furthermore, targeting MFN2 might provide a new therapeutic modality for the treatment of GC.

EPAC1 overexpression is a prognostic marker and its inhibition shows promising therapeutic potential for gastric cancer

cAMP signaling controls a variety of cellular functions. In addition to the well-known signal transducer cAMP-dependent protein kinase, a more recently discovered transducer is the exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (EPAC). EPAC responses are mediated by small G proteins, which regulate biologic functions such as cell adhesion, migration and proliferation. Recently, the clinical importance of EPAC1 has received increased attention. This study investigated the correlations between the expression of EPAC1 and various clinicopathologic parameters as well as the survival of the patients with gastric cancer (GC). The patient cohort in this study consisted of 141 cases of GC that presented from 1999 through 2011; documented clinicopathologic parameters and clinical outcomes were available for all cases. Immunoblotting, immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time PCR were used to examine EPAC1 expression in gastric cells and tissues. siRNA technology was used to study the effect of EPAC1 knockdown on cell proliferation and invasion. An increase in EPAC1 expression was found in GC cells and tissues. The overexpression of EPAC1 was associated with the depth of invasion (P=0.0021), stage (P=0.0429), and vascular invasion (P=0.0049) and was correlated with poor disease-free survival (P=0.0029) and overall survival (P=0.0024). A univariate Cox regression analysis showed that the overexpression of EPAC1 was a prognostic marker for GC (P=0.038). Furthermore, cell studies indicated that the knockdown of EPAC1 in GC cells suppressed cell proliferation and invasion. The overexpression of EPAC1 can be used as a marker to predict the outcome of patients with GC, and EPAC1 represents a potential therapeutic modality for treating GC.

High expression of mitochondrial intermembrane chaperone TIMM9 represents a negative prognostic marker in gastric cancer

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignant cancers worldwide. However, little is known about the molecular process underlying this disease and its progression. This study investigated correlations between the expression of a mitochondrial inner membrane protein translocase of inner mitochondrial membrane 9 homolog (TIMM9) and various clinicopathologic parameters as well as patients' survival.

METHODS

Gastric tissue samples were obtained from 140 patients with GC and expression levels of TIMM9 were analyzed through immunohistochemistry. Paired t tests were used to analyze the differences in the expression levels of TIMM9 in both tumor and nontumor tissues for each patient. Two-tailed χ² tests were performed to determine whether the differences in TIMM9 expression and clinicopathologic parameters were significant. Time-to-event endpoints for clinicopathologic parameters were plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method, and statistical significance was determined using univariate log-rank tests. Cox proportional hazard model was used for multivariate analysis to determine the independence of prognostic effects of TIMM9 expression.

RESULTS

A borderline association was found between overexpression of TIMM9 and vascular invasion (p = 0.0887). Patients with high expression levels of TIMM9 achieved a significantly lower disease-free survival rate compared with those with low expression levels (p = 0.005). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that overexpression of TIMM9 was an independent prognostic marker for GC (p = 0.011).

CONCLUSION

Overexpression of TIMM9 can be used as a marker to predict the outcome of patients with GC.

VAV3 oncogene expression in colorectal cancer: clinical aspects and functional characterization

Although colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide, the current therapeutic approaches for advanced CRC are ineffective. In this study, we investigated the involvement of the VAV3 oncogene in tumor progression and in the prognosis of human CRC. The two patient cohorts in this study comprised 354 CRC cases from 1998 to 2005 with documented pathologic and clinical factors and clinical outcomes. VAV3 protein levels were significantly correlated with the depth of invasion (P = 0.0259), the nodal status (P < 0.0001), distant metastasis (P = 0.0354), the stage (P < 0.0001), and poor disease-free survival (P = 0.003). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that VAV3 overexpression is an independent prognostic marker for CRC (P = 0.041). In vitro experiments indicated that VAV3 knockdown inhibited CRC cell growth, spread, and xenograft proliferation. Mechanistic studies further revealed that VAV3 overexpression could dysregulate the expression of cell cycle control- and metastasis-related molecules by activating the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway in both CRC cells and xenografts. This study suggests that VAV3 overexpression could be a useful marker for predicting the outcomes of CRC patients and that VAV3 targeting represents a potential modality for treating CRC.

YM155 down-regulates survivin and XIAP, modulates autophagy and induces autophagy-dependent DNA damage in breast cancer cells

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to determine the potency and molecular mechanism of action of YM155, a first-in-class survivin inhibitor that is currently under phase I/II clinical investigations, in various drug-resistant breast cancers including the oestrogen receptor positive (ER(+) ) tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer and the caspase-3-deficient breast cancer.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

The potency of YM155 in SK-BR-3, MDA-MB-231, MCF7 and its tamoxifen-resistant sublines, TamR6, TamR7, TamR8, TamC3 and TamC6, were determined by MTT assay. Western blot analysis, flow cytometric analysis, reverse transcription-PCR, fluorescent microscopy and comet assay were used to determine the molecular mechanism of action of YM155 in different breast cancer cell lines.

KEY RESULTS

YM155 was equally potent towards the parental ER(+) /caspase-3-deficient MCF7 breast cancer cells and its tamoxifen-resistant sublines in vitro. The ER(-) /HER2(+) SK-BR-3 breast cancer cells and the triple-negative/caspase-3-expressing metastatic aggressive MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells were also sensitive to YM155 with IC50 values in the low nanomolar range. Targeting survivin by YM155 modulated autophagy, induced autophagy-dependent caspase-7 activation and autophagy-dependent DNA damage in breast cancer cells. Interestingly, YM155 also induced XIAP degradation and the degradation of XIAP might play an important role in YM155-induced autophagy in breast cancer cells.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

YM155 is a potent survivin inhibitor that has potential for the management of various breast cancer subtypes regardless of the expression of ER, HER2 and caspase-3. Importantly, this study provides new insights into YM155's molecular mechanism of action and therapeutic potential in the treatment of tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer.

Induction of Nrf2-mediated genes by Antrodia salmonea inhibits ROS generation and inflammatory effects in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages

Antrodia salmonea (AS), a well-known medicinal mushroom in Taiwan, has been reported to exhibit anti-oxidant, anti-angiogenic, anti-atherogenic, and anti-inflammatory effects. In the present study, we investigated the activation of Nrf2-mediated antioxidant genes in RAW264.7 macrophages by the fermented culture broth of AS, studied the resulting protection against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated inflammation, and revealed the molecular mechanisms underlying these protective effects. We found that non-cytotoxic concentrations of AS (25-100 μg mL⁻¹) protected macrophages from LPS-induced cell death and ROS generation in a dose-dependent manner. The antioxidant potential of AS was directly correlated with the increased expression of the antioxidant genes HO-1, NQO-1, and γ-GCLC, as well as the level of intracellular GSH followed by an increase in the nuclear translocation and transcriptional activation of the Nrf2-ARE pathway. Furthermore, Nrf2 knockdown diminished the protective effects of AS, as evidenced by the increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, including PGE₂, NO, TNF-α, and IL-1β, in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Notably, AS treatment significantly inhibited LPS-induced ICAM-1 expression in macrophages. Our data suggest that the anti-inflammatory potential of Antrodia salmonea is mediated by the activation of Nrf2-dependent antioxidant defense mechanisms. Results support the traditional usage of this beneficial mushroom for the treatment of free radical-related diseases and inflammation.

Antrodia salmonea inhibits TNF-α-induced angiogenesis and atherogenesis in human endothelial cells through the down-regulation of NF-κB and up-regulation of Nrf2 signaling pathways

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Antrodia salmonea (AS) is known as a traditional Chinese medicine, but very few biological activities have been reported.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present study was aimed to investigate the anti-angiogenic and anti-atherosclerotic potential of the fermented culture broth of AS against tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-stimulated human endothelial (EA.hy 926) cells.

RESULTS

The non-cytotoxic concentrations of AS significantly inhibited TNF-α-induced migration/invasion and capillary-like tube formation in EA.hy 926 cells. Furthermore, AS suppressed TNF-α-induced activity and expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and cell-surface expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), which was associated with abridged adhesion of U937 leukocytes to endothelial cells. Moreover, AS significantly down-regulated TNF-α-induced nuclear translocation and transcriptional activation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) followed by suppression of I-κB degradation and phosphorylation of I-κB kinase-α (IKKα). Notably, the protective effect of AS was directly correlated with the increased expression of hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1) and γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-GCLC), which was reasoned by nuclear translocation and transactivation of NF-E2 related factor-2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE). Furthermore, HO-1 knockdown by HO-1-specific shRNA diminished the protective effects of AS on TNF-α-stimulated invasion, tube formation, and U937 adhesion in EA.hy 926 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, these results suggest that Antrodia salmonea may be useful for the prevention of angiogenesis and atherosclerosis.

Clinical and Prognostic Implications of Transcription Factor SOX4 in Patients with Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is one of the most common malignant cancers worldwide but the current therapeutic approaches for advanced colon cancer are less efficient. This study investigated associations between the expression of nuclear transcription factor SOX4 and various clinicopathologic parameters as well as patients' survival. Expression levels of nuclear SOX4 were analyzed by immunohistochemistry; the data comprised colon tissues from 263 patients with colon cancer. Paired t tests were used to analyze the differences in nuclear SOX4 expression between tumor and non-tumor tissues from each patient. Two-tailed Χ(2) tests were performed to determine whether the differences in nuclear SOX4 expression and clinicopathologic parameters were significant. Time-to-event endpoints for clinicopathologic parameters were plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method, and statistical significance was determined using univariate log-rank tests. Cox proportional hazard model was used for multivariate analysis to determine the independence of prognostic effects of nuclear SOX4 expression. Overexpression of nuclear SOX4 was significantly correlated with depth of invasion (P = 0.0041), distant metastasis (P<0.0001), and stage (P = 0.0001). Patients who displayed high expression levels of nuclear SOX4 achieved a significantly poorer disease-free survival rate, compared with patients with low SOX4 expression levels (P<0.001). Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that overexpression of nuclear SOX4 was a clear prognostic marker for colon cancer (P = 0.001). Overexpression of nuclear SOX4 may be used as a marker to predict the outcome of patients with colon cancer.

The anti-cancer activity of Antrodia camphorata against human ovarian carcinoma (SKOV-3) cells via modulation of HER-2/neu signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Antrodia camphorata (AC) is well known in Taiwan as a traditional Chinese medicinal fungus. However, the anticancer activity of AC against human HER-2/neu-overexpressing ovarian cancers is poorly understood.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The aim of this study is to investigate whether a submerged fermentation culture of AC can inhibit human ovarian carcinoma cell (SKOV-3) proliferation by suppressing the HER-2/neu signaling pathway. Cell viability, colony formation, DCFH-DA fluorescence microscopy, western blotting, HER-2/neu immunofluorescence imaging, flow cytometry, and TUNEL assays were carried out to determine the anti-cancer effects of AC.

RESULTS

MTT and colony formation assays showed that AC induced a dose-dependent reduction in SKOV-3 cell growth. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated that HER-2/neu activity and tyrosine phosphorylation were significantly inhibited by AC. Furthermore, AC treatment significantly inhibited the activation of PI3K/Akt and their downstream effector β-catenin. We also observed that AC caused G2/M arrest mediated by down-regulation of cyclin D1, cyclin A, cyclin B1, and Cdk1 and increased p27 expression. Notably, AC induced apoptosis, which was associated with DNA fragmentation, cytochrome c release, caspase-9/-3 activation, PARP degradation, and Bcl-2/Bax dysregulation. An increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was observed in AC-treated cells, whereas the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) prevented AC-induced cell death, HER-2/neu depletion, PI3K/Akt inactivation, and Bcl-2/Bax dysregulation, indicating that AC-induced cell death was mediated by ROS generation.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that AC may exert anti-tumor activity against human ovarian carcinoma by suppressing HER-2/neu signaling pathways.

Frequent DNA methylation of MiR-129-2 and its potential clinical implication in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly malignant tumor with poor prognosis and high mortality due to a lack of effective medical treatment and apparent early stage symptoms. Understanding molecular mechanism of cancer development is crucial for HCC diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. Recently, microRNAs have been shown to play an important role in carcinogenesis, being regulated by DNA methylation in several cases. In this study, a whole genome approach was used to identify methylation-regulated miRNAs in HCC, finally focusing on miR-129-2. MiR-129-2 methylation and reduced expression were observed in all examined HCC cell lines but not in normal liver cells and tissues. In 39 (93%) of 42 HCC, the methylation levels of miR-129-2 were significantly increased in tumor tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. Furthermore, miR-129-2 methylation was detectable in plasma samples from HCC patients, but not in plasma samples from healthy individuals or patients with liver cirrhosis. At a cut-off value of -2.36 (log2 transformation of methylation level), it was possible to distinguish HCC from healthy and cirrhotic controls with sensitivity and specificity of 88% and 100%, respectively. This study indicates that miR-129-2 methylation is highly accurate in distinguishing HCC patients from cirrhosis patients and healthy individuals, implying its potential utility as an early diagnostic marker for HCC.

Comparative proteomics, network analysis and post-translational modification identification reveal differential profiles of plasma Con A-bound glycoprotein biomarkers in gastric cancer

In the study, we used Con A affinity chromatography, 1-D gel electrophoresis, and nano-LC-MS/MS to screen biomarker candidates in plasma samples obtained from 30 patients with gastric cancer and 30 healthy volunteers. First, we pooled plasma samples matched by age and sex. We identified 17 differentially expressed Con A-bound glycoproteins, including 10 upregulated proteins and 7 downregulated proteins; these differences were significant (Student's t-test, p-value<0.05). Furthermore, 2 of the upregulated proteins displayed expression levels that were increased by 2-fold or more in gastric cancer samples when compared with normal control samples. These proteins included leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein (LRG1) and inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H3 (ITIH3), and the expression levels were validated by Western blot analysis. Pathway and network analysis of the differentially expressed proteins by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis revealed vital canonical pathways involving acute phase response signaling, the complement system, LXR/RXR activation, hematopoiesis from pluripotent stem cells, and primary immunodeficiency signaling. Our results suggest that Con A-bound LRG1 and ITIH3 may not be practically applicable as a robust biomarker for the early detection of gastric cancer. Additionally, three novel PTMs in ITIH3 were identified and include hexose-N-acetyl-hexosamine at asparagine-(41), trimethylation at aspartic acid-(290), and flavin adenine dinucleotide at histidine-(335).

BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Our study was to describe a combinatorial approach of Con A affinity chromatography, 1-D SDS-PAGE, and nano-LC/MS/MS that provides a label-free, comparative glycoproteomic quantification strategy for the investigation of glycoprotein profiles in plasma from gastric cancer patients versus healthy volunteers and to identify glycoprotein biomarkers for the early clinical detection of gastric cancer. Three novel PTMs, HexHexNAc, trimethylation and FAD, in Con A-bound ITIH3 were identified and built in molecular modeling. The aspartic acid-(290) trimethylation site was located in a metal ion-dependent adhesion site (MIDAS motif; (290)-DXSXS…T…D-(313)) that may influence important function for binding protein ligands.

Clinicopathological correlation and prognostic significance of protein kinase cα overexpression in human gastric carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

This study investigated the PKCα protein expression in gastric carcinoma, and correlated it with clinicopathological parameters. The prognostic significance of PKCα protein expression in gastric carcinoma was analyzed.

METHODS

Quantitative real-time PCR test was applied to compare the PKCα mRNA expression in tumorous and nontumorous tissues of gastric carcinoma in ten randomly selected cases. Then PKCα protein expression was evaluated in 215 cases of gastric carcinoma using immunohistochemical method. The immunoreactivity was scored semiquantitatively as: 0 = absent; 1 = weak; 2 = moderate; and 3 = strong. All cases were further classified into two groups, namely PKCα overexpression group with score 2 or 3, and non-overexpression group with score 0 or 1. The PKCα protein expression was correlated with clinicopathological parameters. Survival analysis was performed to determine the prognostic significance of PKCα protein expression in patients with gastric carcinoma.

RESULTS

PKCα mRNA expression was upregulated in all ten cases of gastric carcinoma via quantitative real-time PCR test. In immunohistochemical study, eighty-eight out of 215 cases (41%) of gastric carcinoma revealed PKCα protein overexpression, which was statistically correlated with age (P = 0.0073), histologic type (P<0.0001), tumor differentiation (P = 0.0110), depth of invasion (P = 0.0003), angiolymphatic invasion (P = 0.0373), pathologic stage (P = 0.0047), and distant metastasis (P = 0.0048). We found no significant difference in overall and disease free survival rates between PKCα overexpression and non-overexpression groups (P = 0.0680 and 0.0587). However, PKCα protein overexpression emerged as a significant independent prognostic factor in multivariate Cox regression analysis (hazard ratio 0.632, P = 0.0415).

CONCLUSIONS

PKCα protein is upregulated in gastric carcinoma. PKCα protein expression is statistically correlated with age, histologic type, tumor differentiation, depth of invasion, angiolymphatic invasion, pathologic stage, and distant metastasis. The PKCα protein overexpression in patients with gastric carcinoma is a significant independent prognostic factor in multivariate Cox regression analysis.

Clinical and prognostic association of transcription factor SOX4 in gastric cancer

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignant cancers worldwide. However, little is known about the molecular process by which this disease develops and progresses. This study investigated correlations between the expression of nuclear transcription factor SOX4 and various clinicopathologic parameters as well as patients' survival. Expression levels of nuclear SOX4 were analyzed by immunohistochemistry; the data comprised gastric tissues from 168 patients with GC. Paired t tests were used to analyze the differences in nuclear SOX4 expression between tumor and non-tumor tissues from each patient. Two-tailed Χ² tests were performed to determine whether the differences in nuclear SOX4 expression and clinicopathologic parameters were significant. Time-to-event endpoints for clinicopathologic parameters were plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method, and statistical significance was determined using univariate log-rank tests. Cox proportional hazard model was used for multivariate analysis to determine the independence of prognostic effects of nuclear SOX4 expression. Overexpression of nuclear SOX4 was significantly correlated with depth of invasion (P<0.0001), nodal status (P = 0.0055), distant metastasis (P = 0.0195), stage (P = 0.0003), and vascular invasion (P = 0.0383). Patients who displayed high expression levels of nuclear SOX4 achieved a significantly poorer disease-free survival rate, compared with patients with low SOX4 expression levels (P = 0.003). Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that overexpression of nuclear SOX4 was a clear prognostic marker for GC (P = 0.004). Overexpression of nuclear SOX4 can be used as a marker to predict the outcome of patients with GC.

Clinical significance of increased guanine nucleotide exchange factor Vav3 expression in human gastric cancer

Although gastric cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide, little is known on the molecular process of its development and progression. This study investigates the involvement of guanine nucleotide exchange factor Vav3 in tumor progression and in the prognosis of human gastric cancer. The two patient cohorts in this study consisted of 167 gastric cancer cases from 1997 through 2001, documenting pathologic and clinical factors, as well as the clinical outcomes. Immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription PCR, immunoblotting, and immunofluorescence were used to examine Vav3 expression in tumor and nontumor pairs of gastric tissues and gastric cell lines. Small hairpin RNA (shRNA) technology was used to study the effects of Vav3 knockdown on the growth and spread of gastric cancer cells. Finally, xenograph proliferation was used to study the tumor growth. Overexpression of Vav3 was associated with the depth of invasion (P = 0.0004), nodal status (P = 0.0260), distant metastasis (P = 0.0003), stage (P = 0.0002), and vascular invasion (P = 0.0286); and correlated with poor disease-free survival (P < 0.0001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis shows that overexpression of Vav3 is an independent prognostic marker for gastric cancer (P = 0.033). Disrupting the expression of Vav3 using shRNA technology inhibited gastric cancer cell growth, spread, and xenograph proliferation. This study suggests that overexpression of Vav3 can be a useful marker for predicting the outcome of patients with gastric cancer and that Vav3 targeting can represent a potential modality for treating gastric cancer.

The chalcone flavokawain B induces G2/M cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis in human oral carcinoma HSC-3 cells through the intracellular ROS generation and downregulation of the Akt/p38 MAPK signaling pathway

Chalcones have been described to represent cancer chemopreventive food components that are rich in fruits and vegetables. In this study, we examined the anti-oral cancer effect of flavokawain B (FKB), a naturally occurring chalcone isolated from Alpinia pricei (shell gingers), and revealed its molecular mechanism of action. Treatment of human oral carcinoma (HSC-3) cells with FKB (1.25-10 μg/mL; 4.4-35.2 μM) inhibited cell viability and caused G(2)/M arrest through reductions in cyclin A/B1, Cdc2, and Cdc25C levels. Moreover, FKB treatment resulted in the induction of apoptosis, which was associated with DNA fragmentation, mitochondria dysfunction, cytochrome c and AIF release, caspase-3 and caspase-9 activation, and Bcl-2/Bax dysregulation. Furthermore, increased Fas activity and procaspase-8, procaspase-4, and procaspase-12 cleavages were accompanied by death receptor and ER-stress, indicating the involvement of mitochondria, death-receptor, and ER-stress signaling pathways. FKB induces apoptosis through ROS generation as evidenced by the upregulation of oxidative-stress markers HO-1/Nrf2. This mechanism was further confirmed by the finding that the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) significantly blocked ROS generation and consequently inhibited FKB-induced apoptosis. Moreover, FKB downregulated the phosphorylation of Akt and p38 MAPK, while their inhibitors LY294002 and SB203580, respectively, induced G(2)/M arrest and apoptosis. The profound reduction in cell number was observed in combination treatment with FKB and Akt/p38 MAPK inhibitors, indicating that the disruption of Akt and p38 MAPK cascades plays a functional role in FKB-induced G(2)/M arrest and apoptosis in HSC-3 cells.

Femtosecond high-power spontaneous mode-locked operation in vertical-external cavity surface-emitting laser with gigahertz oscillation

We realize a femtosecond high-power spontaneous mode-locked operation with gigahertz oscillation in a vertical-external cavity surface-emitting laser under the condition of eliminating the internal and external unwanted reflection. We find that the reflectivity of the output coupler has a significant influence not only on the output power but also on the output pulse duration. With an incident pump power of 20 W, we have achieved 2.35 W of average output power with 778 fs pulse duration at a repetition rate of 2.17 GHz. The shortest pulse duration was 654 fs at an average output power of 0.45 W.