Evaluation of the Antibacterial, Anti-Cervical Cancer Capacity, and Biocompatibility of Different Graphene Oxides

Cancer stands as one of the deadliest diseases in human history, marked by an inferior prognosis. While traditional therapeutic methods like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation have demonstrated success in inhibiting tumor cell growth, their side effects often limit overall benefits and patient acceptance. In this regard, three different graphene oxides (GO) with variations in their degrees of oxidation were studied chemically and tissue-wise. The accuracy of the synthesis of the different GO was verified by robust techniques using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), as well as conventional techniques such as infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), RAMAN spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The presence of oxygenated groups was of great importance. It affected the physicochemical properties of each of the different graphene oxides demonstrated in the presence of new vibrational modes related to the formation of new bonds promoted by the graphitization of the materials. The toxicity analysis in the Hep-2 cell line of graphene oxide formulations at 250 µg/mL on the viability and proliferation of these tumor cells showed low activity. GO formulations did not show high antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli strains. However, the different graphene oxides showed biocompatibility in the subdermal implantation model for 30, 60, and 90 days in the biomodels. This allowed healing by restoring hair and tissue architecture without triggering an aggressive immune response.

The effect of thymoquinone and propranolol combination on epidermoid laryngeal carcinoma cell

PURPOSE

We aimed to evaluate the effects of thymoquinone and propranolol on Hep-2 cells representing laryngeal Ca cell type in comparison with cisplatin. We also evaluated their combined effects.

METHODS

Apoptotic effects were directly analyzed via mitochondrial membrane potential and caspase-3 assays. In addition, effects on apoptosis and cell cycle via Bcl-2, Bax, P53, and Cyclin D1 mRNA expressions and effects on angiogenesis via VEGFA mRNA expression were evaluated by RT-qPCR.

RESULTS

According to our results, it was determined that the anticancer effects of thymoquinone on Hep-2 cells were higher than propranolol. Our JC-1 and caspase-3 results showed an effect close to cisplatin, especially for 50 µM thymoquinone. Significant differences were also obtained in Bcl-2, Bax, P53, and cyclin D1 results for similar concentrations compared to the control. No effect of thymoquinone was seen for VEGFA. Propranolol alone had no significant effect on JC-1 and Caspase-3. Propranolol had an effect on Bcl-2, Bax mRNA expressions compared to the control, only at 250 µM concentration. Propranolol and its combinations increased VEGFA mRNA expression-like cisplatin.

CONCLUSION

Thymoquinone induced apoptosis and blocked the cell cycle in Hep-2 cells. The effects of propranolol, which was reported to have an antiangiogenesis effect in some studies, on apoptosis and cell cycle were limited except at high concentrations. For this cell line, why propranolol causes an increase in VEGFA expression should be evaluated extensively. Thymoquinone shows promise for cancer therapy, but studies need to be designed in vivo to evaluate the effects more reliably.

Human platelet lysate efficiency, stability, and optimal heparin concentration required in culture of mammalian cells

Background

Fetal bovine serum (FBS) has been used to support the growth and proliferation of mammalian cells for decades. Owing to several risk factors associated with FBS, several trials have been conducted to evaluate substitutes to FBS with the same efficiency and the lower risk issues.

Methods

In this study, human platelet lysate (HPL) derived from activated human platelets was evaluated as an alternative to FBS due to the associated risk factors. To evaluate the efficiency of the preparation process, platelet count was performed before and after activation. The concentrations of several growth factors and proteins were measured to investigate HPL efficiency. HPL stability was studied at regular intervals, and optimal heparin concentration required to prevent gel formation in various media was determined. The biological activity of HPL and FBS was compared by evaluating the growth performance of Vero and Hep-2 cell lines.

Results

Result of platelet count assay revealed the efficiency of HPL preparation process. Growth factor concentrations in HPL were significantly higher than those in FBS, while the protein content of HPL was lower than that of FBS. Stability study data showed that the prepared HPL was stable for up to 15 months at -20℃. Ideal heparin concentration to be used in different media was dependent on calcium concentration. Results of cell viability assay showed that HPL was superior to FBS in supporting the growth and proliferation of Vero and Hep-2 cells.

Conclusion

The HPL prepared by the mechanical activation of platelets may serve as an efficient alternative to FBS in cell culture process.

Environmentally Relevant Concentrations of Bisphenol A Interact with Doxorubicin Transcriptional Effects in Human Cell Lines

The worldwide production of synthetic chemicals, including endocrine disruptor chemicals (EDCs), such as Bisphenol A (BPA) has increased significantly in the last two decades. Human exposure to BPA, particularly through ingestion, is continuous and ubiquitous. Although, considered a weak environmental estrogen, BPA can induce divergent biological responses through several signaling pathways, including carcinogenesis in hormone-responsive organs. However, and despite the continuous increase of tumor cell-resistance to therapeutic drugs, such as doxorubicin (DOX), information regarding BPA drug interactions is still scarce, although its potential role in chemo-resistance has been suggested. This study aims to assess the potential interactions between environmentally relevant levels of BPA and DOX at a therapeutic dosage on Hep-2 and MRC-5 cell lines transciptome. Transcriptional effects in key-player genes for cancer biology, namely c-fos, p21, and bcl-xl, were evaluated through qRT-PCR. The cellular response was analyzed after exposure to BPA, DOX, or co-exposure to both chemicals. Transcriptional analysis showed that BPA exposure induces upregulation of bcl-xl and endorses an antagonistic non-monotonic response on DOX transcriptional effects. Moreover, the BPA interaction with DOX on c-fos and p21 expression emphasize its cellular specificity and divergent effects. Overall, Hep-2 was more susceptible to BPA effects in a dose-dependent manner while MRC-5 transcriptional levels endorsed a non-monotonic response. Our data indicate that BPA environmental exposure may influence chemotherapy outcomes, which emphasize the urgency for a better understanding of BPA interactions with chemotherapeutic agents, in the context of risk assessment.

Differential expression of peroxiredoxin 3 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Peroxiredoxin (PRDX) proteins are involved in carcinogenesis. PRDX3, which is predominantly localized in mitochondria and up-regulated in several human cancers, seems to confer increased treatment resistance and aggressive phenotypes. This study examined the expression profile of PRDX3 and its possible clinical value in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). The expression of PRDX3 in LSCC samples was confirmed by Western blotting and further analyzed by immunohistochemistry in LSCC samples of different clinical pathological stages. The results showed that up-regulated expression of PRDX3 was observed in LSCC and associated with poor differentiation (P < 0.01), primary tumor location, N category and tumor stage (P < 0.05). Knockdown of PRDX3 in the Hep-2 laryngeal carcinoma epithelial cell line significantly enhanced Hep-2 cells’ apoptosis and inhibited their proliferation and migration. Taken together, our results suggest that PRDX3 has substantial clinical impact on the progression of LSCC and shed new light on the role of PRDX3 in treatment resistance and aggressive phenotypes in LSCC.

Inhibitory Effects of 5-Aza-2'-Deoxycytidine and Trichostatin A in Combination with p53-Expressing Adenovirus on Human Laryngocarcinoma Cells

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-Cdr) and trichostatin A (TSA) combined with p53-expressing adenovirus (Ad-p53) on Hep-2 cell line in vivo and in vitro, in order to explore its possibility in biological treatment of laryngocarcinoma.

METHODS

Effects of 5-Aza-Cdr and TSA in combination with Ad-p53 on Hep-2 cell line in vivo were determined by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. The effect of drug combination was calculated by Jin's formula. Effects on the cell line in vitro were investigated by establishing the nude mice model.

RESULTS

5-Aza-Cdr and TSA showed inhibitory effects on the proliferation of Hep-2 cells in dose- and time-dependent manner. Ad-p53 can inhibit the growth of Hep-2 cells in vivo and in vitro. However, the combination of epigenetic reagents (5-Aza-Cdr/TSA) and Ad-p53 was less effective than individual use of Ad-p53. 5-Aza-Cdr and Ad-p53 inhibited the growth of transplanted tumors and reduced the volume of tumors, and the tumor volume of Ad-p53 group was significantly smaller than that of the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Both epigenetic reagents (5-Aza-Cdr/TSA) and Ad-p53 can suppress cell proliferation on Hep-2 in vivo and in vitro and there may be some antagonistic mechanism between Ad-p53 and epigenetic reagents (5-Aza-Cdr/ TSA).