A novel benzothiazole-based mononuclear platinum(II) complex displaying potent antiproliferative activity in HepG-2 cells via mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis

A novel mononuclear platinum(II) complex, [Pt(L-H)Cl] (1, where L= N-(4-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)phenyl)-2-((2-pyridylmethyl)(2-hydroxyethyl)-amino)acetamide), was obtained by covalently tethering a benzothiazole derivative 2-(4-aminophenyl)benzothiazole to the 2-pyridylmethyl-2-hydroxyethylamine chelating PtII center. In vitro tests indicated that complex 1 displayed excellent antiproliferative activity against the tested cancer cell lines, especially liver cancer HepG-2 and SMMC-7221 cells. Importantly, the complex possessed 4.33-fold higher antiproliferative activity as compared with cisplatin against HepG-2 cells, but was less toxic to the normal cell line L02 with the selectivity index (SI = IC50(L02)/IC50(HepG-2)) value of 8.36 compared to cisplatin (SI, 1.40). The results suggested that 1 might have the potential to act as a candidate for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Cellular uptake and distribution studies showed that 1 could effectively pass through the membrane of cells, enter the nuclei and mitochondria, induce the platination of cellular DNA. The interaction of 1 with CT-DNA demonstrated that 1 could effectively bind to DNA in a dual binding mode, i.e., the intercalation of the 2-(4-aminophenyl)benzothiazole unit plus monofunctional platination of the platinum(II) moiety. In addition, Hoechst 33342 staining and flow cytometry analysis illustrated that 1 arrested the cell cycle in HepG-2 cancer cells at G2/M phases, induced mitochondrial membrane depolarization, increased ROS generation, and caused obvious cell apoptosis. Further cellular mechanism studies elucidated that 1 triggered HepG-2 cell apoptosis via the mitochondrial-mediated pathway by upregulating the gene and protein expression levels of Bax, downregulating the gene and protein expression levels of Bcl-2, and activating the caspase cascade.

WIPI2 enhances the vulnerability of colorectal cancer cells to erastin via bioinformatics analysis and experimental verification

Introduction

WD Repeat Domain Phosphoinositide Interacting 2 (WIPI2) is a WD repeat protein that interacts with phosphatidylinositol and regulates multiprotein complexes by providing a b-propeller platform for synchronous and reversible protein-protein interactions assembled proteins. Ferroptosis is a novel iron-dependent form of cell death. It is usually accompanied with the accumulation of membrane lipid peroxides. Our study is to focus on investigating the effect of WIPI2 on the growth and ferroptosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells and its potential mechanism.

Methods

We analyzed the expression of WIPI2 in colorectal cancer versus normal tissues through The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and the relationship between clinical traits and WIPI2 expression and prognosis was assessed by univariate and multifactorial cox analysis. Next, we constructed the siRNAs targeting the WIPI2 sequence si-WIPI2 to further investigate the mechanism of WIPI2 in CRC cells through vitro experiments.

Results

Public data from the TCGA platform showed that WIPI2 expression was significantly elevated in colorectal cancer tissues compared to paracancerous tissues, and high WIPI2 expressionpredicted poor prognosis for CRC patients. Moreover, we found that the knockdown of WIPI2 expression could inhibit the growth and proliferation of HCT116 and HT29 cells. Furthermore, we found that the expression level of ACSL4 decreased and that of GPX4 increased when WIPI2 was knocked down, suggesting that WIPI2 can potentially positively regulate CRC ferroptosis. Meanwhile, both NC and si groups were able to further inhibit cell growth activity, as well as increase WIPI2 and decrease GPX4 expression when treated with Erastin, but the rate of cell viability inhibition and the trend of protein changes were more significantly in the NC group than si groups, which indicated that Erastin induced CRC ferroptosis through the WIPI2/GPX4 pathway thereby enhancing the sensitivity of colorectal cancer cells to Erastin.

Conclusions

Our study suggested that WIPI2 had a promotional effect on the growth of colorectal cancer cells, and it also played an important role in the ferroptosis pathway.

Hyperphosphorylation of Tau Due to the Interference of Protein Phosphatase Methylesterase-1 Overexpression by MiR-125b-5p in Melatonin Receptor Knockout Mice

Melatonin has been indicated to ameliorate tau hyperphosphorylation in the pathogenesis of tau diseases, but the role of melatonin-receptor signal transduction has not been clearly discovered. In this study, we found intensive tau hyperphosphorylation in melatonin receptor knockout mice. Bielschowsky silver staining showed ghostlike neurofibrillary tangles in melatonin receptor-2 knockout (MT2KO) as well as melatonin receptors-1 and -2 knockout (DKO) mice, and an argyrophilic substance was deposited in melatonin receptor-1 knockout (MT1KO) mice. Furthermore, we found significantly decreased activity of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) by Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), which was partly due to the overexpression of protein phosphatase methylesterase-1 (PME-1), but not glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) or protein kinase B (Akt). Finally, we observed a significant increase in cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and a decrease in miR-125b-5p levels in MT1KO, MT2KO and DKO mice. Using a luciferase reporter assay, we discovered that miR-125b-5p largely decreased the expression of firefly luciferase by interfering with the 3′UTR of PME-1. Furthermore, miR-125b-5p mimics significantly decreased the expression of PME-1, while miR-125b-5p inhibitor induced tau hyperphosphorylation. These results show that melatonin-receptor signal transduction plays an important role in tau hyperphosphorylation and tangle formation.

[Efficacy and safety of Kangbingdu granules in the treatment of influenza: a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, positive-drug parallel control multicenter clinical trial]

Objective: To observe the efficacy and safety of Kangbingdu granules (KBD) in the treatment of influenza. Methods: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, and positive-drug parallel control trial was conducted in 27 Grade ⅢA hospitals in China and the subjects were randomly assigned to the KBD test group or the oseltamivir phosphate capsule control group at a ratio of 1∶1. 200 subjects were planned to be enrolled in each group. The experimental group was given KBD (18g each time, 3 times a day) and oseltamivir phosphate simulator orally, while the control group was given oseltamivir phosphate capsule (75 mg each time, twice a day) and KBD simulator orally for 5 days. The primary efficacy indicators included the remission time of major clinical symptoms and the time of complete defervescence. The secondary efficacy indicators included dosage of acetaminophen, the change of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score and the remission time of other important clinical symptoms. The efficacy of KBD in the test group and Oseltamivir phosphate control group were compared. Adverse events or adverse reactions were observed at the same time to evaluate the safety of KBD Granules. Results: A total of 393 subjects from 27 Grade ⅢA hospitals in China were enrolled. The experimental group included 195 subjects and 191 subjects (97.95%) completed the trial, While the control group included 198 subjects and 195 subjects (98.48%) completed the trial. There was no significant difference in the shedding rate and rejection rate between the two groups (P>0.05). In the Full Analysis Set (FAS), the mean age of the experimental group was (34.9±14.4) years old, with 83 males (42.78%). The mean age of the control group was (33.3±13.5) years old, with 78 males (39.59%). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in demographic data, physical examination, viral pathogen detection, total score of TCM syndromes and scores of each symptom at baseline (P>0.05). In the FAS, the remission time M (Q₁, Q₃) of major clinical symptoms was 3.0 (3.0, 4.0) days in the experimental group and 3.0 (3.0, 4.0) days in the control group, and the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The time M (Q₁, Q₃) of complete defervescence was 34.0 (20.3, 49.0) hours in the experimental group and 36.5 (19.6, 48.8) hours in the control group, and the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). KBD granules had the same effect as Oseltamivir phosphate capsule (P>0.05) in terms of acetaminophen dosage, TCM syndrome effect and disappearance rate of most important clinical symptoms. Meanwhile, the disappearance rate of dizziness and chest distress on day 3 in the KBD granules group was better than that of oseltamivir phosphate capsule (P<0.05). Conclusion: KBD granules have the same efficacy as Oseltamivir Phosphate capsule in the treatment of influenza and the drug safety is good.

Polyimide thin film composite (TFC) membranes via interfacial polymerization on hydrolyzed polyacrylonitrile support for solvent resistant nanofiltration

High performance solvent resistant nanofiltration membranes are fabricated via interfacial polymerization between m-phenylenediamine and 1,2,4,5-benzenetetra acylchloride on hydrolyzed polyacrylonitrile supports followed by chemical imidization.

Thickness-induced structural phase transformation of layered gallium telluride

We report a spontaneous phase transformation of GaTe, occurring when the bulk is exfoliated to a few layers. The results demonstrate the crucial role of interlayer interactions in the structural stability.

Preparation and performance of antibacterial layer-by-layer polyelectrolyte nanofiltration membranes based on metal–ligand coordination interactions

Coordinative nanofiltration membranes with commendable antibacterial property and hydrophilicity are prepared and investigated extensively by alternating LBL assembly of polyethyleneimine and polystyrene sulfonate using Cu²⁺ as coordination agent.

Down-regulated long non-coding RNA H19 inhibits carcinogenesis of renal cell carcinoma

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to have important regulatory roles in cancer biology. LncRNA H19 has been recently shown to be upregulated and play important roles in several cancers such as breast cancer, bladder cancer, and gastric cancer. However, the role of H19 in clear cell renal carcinoma (ccRCC) remains largely unknown.The expression levels of lncRNA H19 in ccRCC tissues and renal cancer cell lines were evaluated by quantitative Real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). And its association with overall survival of patients was analyzed by statistical analysis. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used to suppress H19 expression in renal cancer cell lines. In vitro assays were performed to further explore its role in tumor progression.The relative level of H19 was significantly higher in ccRCC compared to the adjacent normal renal tissues. And higher expression of H19 was found in renal cancer cells compared to the nonmalignant renal cells HK-2. Furthermore, The ccRCC patients with higher H19 expression had more advanced clinical stage and poorer prognosis than those with lower expression, Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that patients with higher H19 expression had a poorer overall survival and H19 expression could be an independent prognostic marker for ccRCC patient. The results of in vitro assays indicated that knockdown of H19 reduced cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. Our data suggested that lncRNA H19 might be considered as a potential prognostic indicator and a target for gene therapy of ccRCC.

Involvement of the Akt signaling pathway in ER-α36/GRP94-mediated signaling in gastric cancer

Glucose-regulated protein 94 (GRP94) has been implicated in the promotion of tumor proliferation and metastasis. Previous studies have found that GRP94 is involved in the malignant growth of gastric carcinoma cells through estrogen receptor-α36 (ER-α36)-mediated estrogen signaling, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, we examined the expression levels of GRP94 and ER-α36 in tumor specimens from gastric cancer patients by immunohistochemistry, and found that both GRP94 and ER-α36 were highly expressed in the cytoplasms of gastric carcinoma cells. Furthermore, treatment with 17β-estradiol at a concentration of 10⁻¹² M for 24 h increased the expression levels of GRP94 and ER-α36, and the phosphorylation levels of Akt at the Ser473 site (Ser473-Akt). In established SGC7901 gastric cancer cells with knockdown of ER-α36 expression, the levels of GRP94 and Ser473-Akt expression were significantly reduced. Thus, the Akt signaling pathway is a potentially important signaling pathway in ER-α36-GRP94-mediated gastric carcinogenesis.

Antidepressant drug, desipramine, alleviates allergic rhinitis by regulating Treg and Th17 cells

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is characterized by IgE-mediated immediate hypersensitivity and usually progresses to chronic nasal inflammation, with depression as one of its comorbidities. The importance of treating the depression in AR patients has been increasingly recognized. Desipramine is a representative of tricyclic-antidepressant agents. In the present study we investigate whether desipramine has therapeutic effects on AR inflammation. BALB/C mice were sensitized by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin (OVA), followed by repeated challenge with OVA intranasally. Desipramine was administered orally to treat the mice. The nasal symptoms (sneezing, nasal scratching etc.) of AR were evaluated to determine the severity of AR. Cytokines in the nasal lavage fluid (NALF), including interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin 4 (IL-4) and serum OVA-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody were measured by ELISA. The regulatory T cells (Treg) and T helper cells 17 (Th17) were quantified by flow cytometric analysis. As a result, the repeated oral administration of desipramine attenuated the nasal symptoms (sneezing and nasal rubbing) in AR mice. Desipramine also suppressed the serum OVA-specific IgE and IL-4 levels, but had no effect on IFN-gamma level. Moreover, desipramine treatment up regulated CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg cells, which were found down-regulated in established AR mice. Meanwhile, desipramine administration attenuated CD4+IL-17+ Th17 cells, which were significantly increased in AR mice. These results suggest that the antidepressant drug, desipramine, also has anti-allergic action, which was possibly achieved by reducing allergen-specific IgE and Th2 cytokine production and maintaining a balance between Treg and Th17 cells. Thus, this study provide the first evidence that desipramine may be utilized to treat allergic diseases, especially for those allergic patients with depression or depression patients with allergy.

The antagonistic effect between STAT1 and Survivin and its clinical significance in gastric cancer

In previous studies, we observed that STAT1 and Survivin correlated negatively with gastric cancer tissues, and that the functions of the IFN-γ-STAT1 pathway and Survivin in gastric cancer are the same as those reported for other types of cancer. In this study, the SGC7901 gastric cancer cell line and 83 gastric cancer specimens were used to confirm the relationship between STAT1 and Survivin, as well as the clinical significance of this relationship in gastric cancer. IFN-γ and STAT1 and Survivin antisense oligonucleotides (ASONs) were used to knock down the expression in SGC7901 cells. The protein expression of STAT1 and Survivin was tested by immunocytochemical and image analysis methods. A gastric cancer tissue microarray was prepared and tested by immunohistochemical methods. Data were analyzed by the Spearman's rank correlation analysis, the χ(2) test and Cox's multivariate regression analysis. Upon knockdown of IFN-γ, STAT1 and Survivin expression by ASON in the SGC7901 cell line, an antagonistic effect was observed between STAT1 and Survivin. In gastric cancer tissues, STAT1 showed a negative correlation with depth of invasion (p<0.05) in gastric cancer tissues exhibiting a negative Survivin protein expression. Furthermore, in tissues exhibiting a negative STAT1 protein expression, Survivin correlated negatively with N stage (p<0.05). Pathological and molecular markers were used to conduct Cox's multivariate regression analysis, and depth of invasion and N stage were found to be prognostic factors (p<0.05). On the other hand, in tissues exhibiting a negative Survivin protein expression, Cox's multivariate regression analysis revealed that the differentiation type and STAT1 protein expression were prognostic factors (p<0.05). There is an antagonistic effect between STAT1 and Survivin in gastric cancer, and this antagonistic effect is of clinical significance in gastric cancer.

Characterization of 236 novel alleles at the HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1, -DQB1 and -DPB1 loci from China Marrow Donor Program

Two hundred and thirty-six novel human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles are described from volunteer donors of the China Marrow Donor Program: 71 HLA-A alleles, 79 HLA-B alleles, 43 HLA-C, 16 HLA-DRB1 alleles, 26 HLA-DQB1 and 1 HLA-DPB1. Two hundred and thirteen (90.3%) of the 236 novel alleles are single nucleotide substitution variants when compared with their most homologous allele. Seventy-eight of these single nucleotide variants are silent substitutions. The remaining novel alleles differ from their most similar allele by two to four nucleotide substitutions. Some of the novel alleles encode amino acid changes at positions not previously reported to be polymorphic, such as codons 57, 62, 67, 41 and 52 in HLA-A alleles; codons 133, 156, 201 and 215 in HLA-B alleles; codons 74, 208 and 225 in HLA-C; codons 25, 32 and 72 in HLA-DRB1; codons 20, 39 and 77 in HLA-DQB1.

Surgical treatment of neuroblastoma

Nine patients with neuroblastoma were surgically treated and postoperatively followed up. Of the 9 cases, 8 survived well while the other one died of extensive metastasis within cranium 2 years after the operation. One patient had stayed alive for over 12 years.

Simian virus 40 large tumor antigen forms specific complexes with p53 and pRb in human brain tumors

OBJECTIVE

To study the role of simian virus 40 (SV40) early region gene coding product large tumor antigen (Tag) expression and the interaction between Tag and tumor suppressors p53 and pRb in human brain tumorigenesis.

METHODS

Tag was investigated by immunoprecipitation followed by silver staining and Western blot in 65 cases of human brain tumors and 8 cases of normal brain tissues. Tag-p53 and Tag-pRb complexes were screened in 18 and 15 Tag positive tumor tissues, respectively.

RESULTS

Tag was found in all 8 ependymomas and 2 choroid plexus papillomas, 90% of pituitary adenomas (9/10), 73% of astrocytomas (11/15), 70% of meningiomas (7/10), 50% of glioblastomas multiforme (4/8), 33% of medulloblastomas (2/6). 5 oligodendrogliomas, 1 pineocytoma, and 8 normal brain tissues were negative for Tag. Tag-p53 complex was detected in all 18 Tag positive tumors. Tag-pRb complex was found in all 15 Tag positive tumors.

CONCLUSION

SV40 Tag is expressed in human brain tumors and can form specific complexes with tumor suppressors p53 and pRb. The inactivation of p53 and pRb due to the formation of Tag-p53 and Tag-pRb complexes may be an important mechanism in the etiopathogenesis of human brain tumors.