Phragmunis a suppresses glioblastoma through the regulation of MCL1-FBXW7 by blocking ELK1-SRF complex-dependent transcription

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive brain tumor. During screening work, we found a new compound named phragmunis A (PGA), which is derived from the fruitbody of Trogia venenata, exhibits a potential cytotoxic effect on patient-derived recurrent GBM cells and temozolomide (TMZ)-resistant cell lines. The present study was designed to investigate the potential molecular mechanism of the anti-glioma effects of PGA in vitro and in vivo. Studies investigating the mechanism revealed that PGA diminished the binding efficiency of ETS family of transcription factor (ELK1) and Serum response factor (SRF), and suppressed ELK1-SRF complex-dependent transcription, which decreased the transcriptional levels of downstream genes Early growth response protein 1 (EGR1)-Polycomb ring finger (BMI1), thus inducing the imbalanced regulation between Myeloid cell leukaemia-1 (MCL1) and F-Box and WD repeat domain containing 7 (FBXW7). Finally, orthotopic xenograft models were established to confirm the anti-glioma effect of PGA on tumour growth. We showed, for the first time, that the cytotoxic effects of PGA occurred by inducing MCL1 inhibition and FBXW7 activation by blocking ELK1-SRF complex-dependent transcription. The blockage of ELK1-mediated transcription resulted in the suppression of EGR1-BMI1, which led to the upregulation of FBXW7 expression and downregulation of MCL1. These findings suggested that PGA could be a therapeutic drug candidate for the treatment of recurrent GBM by targeting the ELK1-SRF complex.

Moschamindole induces glioma cell apoptosis by blocking Mia40-dependent mitochondrial intermembrane space assembly and oxidative respiration

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most frequent, lethal, and aggressive tumor of the central nervous system in adults. In this study, we found for the first time that moschamindole (MCD), a rare phenolic amide with 8/6/6/5/5 rings, is a major bioactive constituent derived from Phragmites communis Trin (Poaceae) that exhibits a potential cytotoxic effect on both TMZ-resistant GBM cell lines and xenograft models. MCD-induced intrinsic apoptosis signals and mitochondrial dysfunction were confirmed by cell cycle arrest, caspase-3/7 activation, and membrane potential depolarization. Furthermore, investigations exploring the mechanism showed that MCD specifically inhibits Mia40-mediated oxidative folding of mitochondrial intermembrane space (IMS) proteins via PCR assay and immunoblot analysis. MCD relies on its positive charge to associate with mitochondrial oxidative respiration, thus blocking energy metabolism and inducing apoptosis. Overexpression and upregulation of Mia40 were proven to reverse MCD-induced apoptosis and were correlated with the chemoresistance of GBM in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Taken together, our study demonstrates that Mia40 is a potential target of the chemoresistance of glioblastoma and suggests that MCD might be a potential agent for the individualized treatment of chemoresistant GBM based on mitochondrial metabolic characteristics and Mia40 expression.

MicroRNA-561 Affects Proliferation and Cell Cycle Transition Through PTEN/AKT Signaling Pathway by Targeting P-REX2a in NSCLC

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. miR-561 has been reported to be downregulated in gastric cancer and affects cancer cell proliferation and metastasis. However, the role and underlying molecular mechanism of miR-561 in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain unknown and need to be further elucidated. In this study, we discovered that miR-561 expression was downregulated in human NSCLC tissues and cell lines. The overexpression of miR-561 inhibited NSCLC cell proliferation and cell cycle G₁/S transition and induced apoptosis. The inhibition of miR-561 facilitated cell proliferation and G₁/S transition and suppressed apoptosis. miR-561 expression was inversely correlated with P-REX2a expression in NSCLC tissues. P-REX2a was confirmed to be a direct target of miR-561 using a luciferase reporter assay. The overexpression of miR-561 decreased P-REX2a expression, and the suppression of miR-561 increased P-REX2a expression. Particularly, P-REX2a silencing recapitulated the cellular and molecular effects observed upon miR-561 overexpression, and P-REX2a overexpression counteracted the effects of miR-561 overexpression on NSCLC cells. Moreover, both exogenous expression of miR-561 and silencing of P-REX2a resulted in suppression of the PTEN/AKT signaling pathway. Our study demonstrates that miR-561 inhibits NSCLC cell proliferation and G₁/S transition and induces apoptosis through suppression of the PTEN/AKT signaling pathway by targeting P-REX2a. These findings indicate that miR-561 plays a significant role in NSCLC progression and serves as a potential therapeutic target for NSCLC.

The clinical use of the platelet/lymphocyte ratio and lymphocyte/monocyte ratio as prognostic predictors in colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Conflicting evidence exists regarding the effects of platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and lymphocyte/monocyte ratio(LMR) on the prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. This study aimed to evaluate the roles of the PLR and LMR in predicting the prognosis of CRC patients via meta-analysis.

METHODS

Eligible studies were retrieved from the PubMed, Embase,andChina National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases, supplemented by a manual search of references from retrieved articles. Pooled hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated using the generic inverse variance and random-effect model to evaluate the association of PLR and LMR with prognostic variables in CRC, including overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS) and disease-free survival (DFS).

RESULTS

Thirty-three studies containing 15,404 patients met criteria for inclusion. Pooled analysis suggested that elevated PLR was associated with poorer OS (pooled HR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.41 - 1.75, p< 0.00001, I2=26%) and DFS (pooled HR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.31 - 1.92, p< 0.00001, I2=66%). Conversely, high LMR correlated with more favorable OS (pooled HR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.50 - 0.68, p< 0.00001, I2=44%), CSS (pooled HR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.40 - 0.72, p< 0.00001, I2=11%) and DFS (pooled HR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.71- 0.94,p=0.005, I2=29%).

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated PLR was associated with poor prognosis, while high LMR correlated with more favorable outcomes in CRC patients. Pretreatment PLR and LMR could serve as prognostic predictors in CRC patients.

[Phase Ⅳ clinical trial for external use of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor gel in treating deep partial-thickness burn wounds]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of external use of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) gel on deep partial-thickness burn wounds.

METHODS

Sixty-eight hospitals in our country including our unit performed a phase Ⅳ clinical trial for rhGM-CSF gel in patients (conforming to the study criteria) with deep partial-thickness burn wounds from November 2010 to July 2012. Multicenter, randomized, positive-homogenous-controlled, and open trial method was used in the trial, and patients from 10 hospitals were grouped into the positive-homogenous-controlled trial, while patients from the other 58 hospitals were grouped into open trial. (1) Controlled trial. Patients were divided into rhGM-CSF group and conventional treatment group (CT) with the ratio of 1∶1 according to the stratified randomization method. Wounds of patients in rhGM-CSF group were coated with rhGM-CSF gel, and wounds of patients in group CT were covered by gauze with iodophor. Scores of wound exudate and wound edge response before treatment and on treatment day (TD) 2, 4, 8, 10, 14, 20, and 28 were conventionally evaluated. Wound healing rates on TD 8, 10, 14, 20, and 28 were calculated. Complete wound healing time and overall efficiency including cure, excellence, progress, and invalid situation on TD 28 were recorded. Safety indexes including vital signs and laboratory test indexes before and during treatment, and adverse reactions during treatment were observed. (2) Open trial. Wounds of patients in this trail were all coated with rhGM-CSF gel. Complete wound healing time, overall efficiency, and safety indexes of patients were recorded as in controlled trial. Data were processed with CMH-χ(2) test, Fisher's exact test, signed rank sum test, paired t test, Log-Rank test, and Wilcoxon rank sum test.

RESULTS

(1) Controlled trail. A total of 366 patients from 10 hospitals were included in this trial, and 358 cases with 177 cases in rhGM-CSF group and 181 cases in group CT finished the trial. There were no statistically significant differences in gender, age, injury characteristics, and combined medication situation between patients in two groups (χ(2)=1.510, with t values from 0.458 to 0.820, P values above 0.05). Scores of wound exudate of patients in two groups were similar before treatment and on TD 2, 20, and 28 (t=0.420, with Z values from 0.735 to 1.939, P values above 0.05). Scores of wound exudate of patients in rhGM-CSF group were significantly lower than those in group CT on TD 4, 8, 10, and 14 (with Z values from 2.054 to 2.580, P values below 0.05). Scores of wound edge response of patients in two groups were similar before treatment and on each TD (t=0.340, with Z values from -1.147 to 1.874, P values above 0.05). Wound healing rate of patients in rhGM-CSF group was significantly higher than that in group CT on each TD (with Z values from 2.630 to 5.235, P values below 0.01). The complete wound healing time of patients in rhGM-CSF group was (16.93±0.40) d, which was significantly shorter than that in group CT[(19.88±0.41) d, χ(2)=26.732, P<0.001]. At last, 171 (96.61%) patients were completely cured in rhGM-CSF group, while excellence, progress, and invalid results were achieved in 3 (1.69%), 1 (0.56%), and 2 (1.13%) patients, respectively. Whereas, 161 (88.95%) patients were completely cured in group CT, while excellence, progress, and invalid results were achieved in 11 (6.08%), 5 (2.76%), and 4 (2.12%) patients, respectively. Total efficacy of patients in rhGM-CSF group was significantly higher than that in group CT (χ(2)=5.784, P<0.05). Levels of vital signs and laboratory test indexes of patients in two groups before and during treatment were similar. There were no statistically significant differences in adverse reaction or drug-related adverse reaction between patients in two groups during treatment (with P values above 0.05). (2) Open trial. A total of 2 380 patients were enrolled in, and 2 329 patients finished the trial. The complete wound healing time of patients was (16.28±0.10)d. At last, 2 257 (96.91%) patients were totally cured, while excellence, progress, and invalid results were achieved in 36 (1.55%), 16 (0.69%), and 20 (0.86%) patients, respectively. Vital signs and laboratory test indexes of patients before and during treatment were similar. The drug-related adverse reaction was observed in 44 patients (1.89%).

CONCLUSIONS

External use of rhGM-CSF gel on deep partial-thickness burn wounds can promote wound healing and is safe for clinical use.

HIV-related behaviors, social support and health-related quality of life among men who have sex with men and women (MSMW): a cross-sectional study in Chongqing, China

Background

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has become commonly used both as a concept and as a field of research. However, little is known about the HRQOL of men who have sex with men and women (MSMW). The aim of this study was to examine HIV-related behaviors, social support, and HRQOL status and explore its predictors among MSMW.

Methods

An anonymous cross-sectional study was conducted by snowball sampling method in 2013. A total of 563 Chinese MSM completed a structured questionnaire. The HRQOL and social support were measured with the Chinese version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BRFE) and the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), respectively.

Results

Of the 563 MSM analyzed, 77 (13.68%) were MSMW who had a higher proportion of in-marriage and preference for an insertive role as compared with the men who have sex with men only (MSMO) (P<0.05). As high as 70.13% of MSMW had no regular sex partners and 72.73% of MSMW reported engaging in unprotected anal sex in the last six months. 36.36% had tested for HIV, while only 12.99% had accepted HIV voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services. The scores of objective support and subjective support in MSMW were significantly higher than that of MSMO (P<0.05). No statistically significant difference was found in scores of all the four domains of the HRQOL between MSMW and MSMO. When comparing the HRQOL scores of MSMW with the Chinese general population reference group, the scores of MSMW were significantly lower in physical health domain. In a multivariate regression model, age, monthly income, sexual role, VCT acceptability, subjective support were associated with variability in HRQOL.

Conclusions

To improve the HRQOL among MSMW, more attention needs to be paid to those with low social support, low-income, the old and those prefer a receptive role during anal sex populations.

Gemcitabine inhibits the micrometastasis of non-small cell lung cancer by targeting the EpCAM-positive circulating tumor cells via the HGF/cMET pathway

Recurrence and metastasis are responsible for the death of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the metastatic pathway have proven to be essential. This pilot study evaluated the sensitivity of gemcitabine in micrometastasis and CTCs from NSCLC patients. EpCAM-positive CTCs were detected in forty patients with NSCLC at treatment initiation and disease evaluation time-points. EpCAM-positive CTCs were defined as EpCAM-positive and CD45-negative. Total RNA was isolated from EpCAM-enriched CTCs and cytokeratin levels were detected by PCR. The HGF/cMET pathway was evaluated in CTCs from patients with different treatments and in A549 cells. The EMT-related markers were analyzed by IHC. We further explored the predictive value of baseline CTCs in patients that were receiving different treatments. The median number of CTCs in NSCLC patients was 65 CTCs/ml more than in the healthy 23?fold (median, 5.2 CTCs/ml). The mean change in cell count was significantly different for patients with gemcitabine compared to patients with non-gemcitabine treatments (-86.28 vs. -15.23/ml; P<0.05). A significant decrease was noted in the expression of cytokeratin in the CTCs of the two groups (P<0.05). The HGF/cMET pathway was inactivated in CTCs and A549 cells treated with gemcitabine, and the cell migration and invasion abilities were inhibited by gemcitabine via the HGF/cMET pathway. Furthermore, the decreased cell migration and invasion abilities may also be involved in the inhibition of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by gemcitabine. At a median follow-up of 36 months, the CTC count was confirmed to be a robust prognostic marker in the NSCLC population (CTCs >151, median: 15.0 months and CTCs <151, median: 32.0 months). Additionally, the survival rate in the gemcitabine group (24 months) was better than in non-gemcitabine group (21 months), suggesting a therapeutic benefit for NSCLC patient survival with the common therapy plus gemcitabine. Gemcitabine treatment decreased EpCAM-positive CTCs in NSCLC patients and inhibited EMT by the HGF/cMET pathway.

Knockdown of lymphoid enhancer factor 1 inhibits colon cancer progression in vitro and in vivo

Expression of lymphoid enhancer factor 1 (LEF1) is frequently altered in different human cancers. This study aimed to assess LEF1 expression in colon cancer tissues and to explore changed phenotypes, gene expressions, and the possible mechanism after knocked down LEF1 expression in colon cancer cell lines. A total of 106 colon cancer and matched paratumorous normal tissues were used to assess LEF1 expression using immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR. LEF1 lentivirus was used to knockdown LEF1 expression for the assessment of cell viability, cell cycle distribution, apoptosis, and gene expressions. The nude mouse xenograft assay was performed to detect the effects of LEF1 knockdown in vivo. The data showed that the levels of LEF1 mRNA and protein were significantly increased in human colon cancer tissues compared to the matched paratumorous normal tissues and were associated with infiltration depth, lymph node and distant metastases, advanced TNM (tumor-node-metastasis) stages, and shorter overall survival. Furthermore, LEF1 knockdown reduced tumor cell viability, invasion capacity, MMP2 and MMP-9 expression, but induced apoptosis. Nude mouse xenograft assay showed that LEF1 knockdown suppressed tumor formation and growth in vivo. In addition, the expression of Notch pathway-related proteins RBP-jκ and Hes1 was reduced in LEF1 knockdown cells. Taken together, LEF1 protein was overexpressed in colon cancer tissues and knockdown of LEF1 expression inhibited colon cancer growth in vitro and in vivo. These data suggest that targeting of LEF1 expression should be further evaluated for colon cancer prevention and therapy.

CDK-associated Cullin 1 can promote cell proliferation and inhibit cisplatin-induced apoptosis in the AGS gastric cancer cell line

Background

Gastric cancer is a common and highly lethal malignancy in the world, but its pathogenesis remains elusive. In this study, we focus on the biological functions of CDK-associated Cullin1 (CAC1), a novel gene of the cullin family, in gastric cancer, which may help us to further understand the origin of this malignancy.

Methods

The AGS and MGC803 gastric cancer cell lines and the GES-1 gastric mucosa cell line were selected for study. At first, CAC1 expressions of those cell lines were examined by quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot examinations, then CAC1 small interfering RNA (CAC1-siRNA) were designed and transfected into the AGS cell line with a relatively high level of CAC1. Once CAC1 was silenced, a series of biological characteristics of AGS cells such as cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, and expressions of apoptosis-related genes (P53, BCL2 and BAX) were determined by MTT, flow cytometry, qRT-PCR and western blot, respectively.

Results

CAC1 expression of AGS or MGC803 was much higher than that of GES-1. After CAC1 expression was effectively depressed by RNA interference in AGS cells, significant cell growth inhibition occurred. Furthermore, the proportion of cells treated with CAC1-siRNA increased in the G1 phase and decreased in the S phase, indicative of G1 cell cycle arrest. More importantly, the proportions of early/late apoptosis in AGS cells were enhanced with cis-diaminedichloroplatinum (cisplatin, CDDP) treatment, but to a higher extent with cisplatin plus CAC1-siRNA. Interestingly, BCL2 mRNA copies showed about a 30% decrease in the cisplatin group, but dropped by around 60% in the cisplatin plus CAC1-siRNA group. Conversely, the P53 mRNA expressions obtained nearly a two-fold increase in the cisplatin group, in addition to a five-fold increase in the cisplatin plus CAC1-siRNA group, and the BAX mRNA levels had almost a two- and four-fold augmentation, respectively. Meanwhile, P53, BAX and BCL2 showed the same alteration patterns in western blot examinations.

Conclusions

CAC1 can promote cell proliferation in the AGS gastric cancer cell line. Moreover, it can prevent AGS cells from experiencing cisplatin-induced apoptosis via modulating expressions of P53, BCL2 and BAX.