阻断PI3K/Akt信号通路对低氧微环境中BCSCs微球体细胞增殖的影响

目的:探讨LY294002特异性阻断磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶(phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase,PI3K)/Akt信号通路对低氧条件下乳腺癌干细胞(breast cancer stem cells,BCSCs)微球体细胞增殖的影响。方法:通过无血清悬浮培养技术从人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞中筛选BCSCs微球体,应用免疫荧光染色检测BCSCs相关标志物CD44及CD133的表达,MTT法检测不同浓度LY294002处理后BCSCs微球体细胞的增殖情况,RT-PCR法检测BCSCs微球体细胞中缺氧诱导因子-2α(hypoxia inducible factor-2α,HIF-2α)mRNA的表达,蛋白质印迹法检测BCSCs微球体细胞中HIF-2α、PI3K和磷酸化Akt(phospho-Akt,p-Akt)蛋白的表达。结果:筛选获得的微球体细胞高表达BCSCs相关标志物CD44和CD133。LY294002能有效抑制低氧条件下BCSCs微球体细胞的增殖,抑制效应在药物作用后72～96h最为明显(P<0.05)。与低氧组比较,低氧+LY294002组微球体细胞中HIF-2αmRNA及PI3K、p-Akt和HIF-2α蛋白表达水平均明显下调,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:LY294002通过特异性阻断PI3K/Akt信号通路而有效抑制低氧条件下BCSCs微球体细胞的体外增殖能力。     

岩藻糖基化抗原对卵巢癌细胞增殖信号通路PI3K/Akt的影响

目的:探讨岩藻糖基化抗原对人卵巢癌细胞系RMG-I增殖的影响,初步探讨其与增殖信号通路磷脂酰肌醇3激酶(PI3K)/蛋白激酶B(Akt)的关系。方法:观察PI3K/Akt通路抑制剂LY294002对岩藻糖基化抗原致卵巢癌细胞增殖的影响,四甲基偶氮唑盐(MTT)法检测岩藻糖基化抗原对细胞增殖的增强情况;Western blot观察RMG-I的Akt磷酸化蛋白表达。结果:α1,2-FT基因转染后细胞中Lewis(y)抗原含量明显增高。随着Lewis(y)含量的增加,RMG-I细胞增殖明显加快。Lewis(y)高表达卵巢癌细胞中磷酸化Akt的表达水平明显增高。PI3K抑制剂LY294002显著抑制Lewis(y)高表达卵巢癌细胞的增殖。抗Lewis(y)抗体和LY294002不仅降低了转染前后细胞中磷酸化Akt的表达水平,还消除了存在于细胞间的高低差别。结论:过表达的Lewis(y)抗原通过激活PI3K/Akt信号转导通路促进卵巢癌RMG-I细胞的增殖。抑制Lewis(y)抗原表达可能是一种治疗Lewis(y)高表达肿瘤的新方法。     

磷脂酰肌醇3激酶抑制剂LY294002对人胶质瘤U251细胞中HIF-1α表达和细胞生长的影响

目的:探讨低氧环境下磷脂酰肌醇3激酶(phosphatidylinositide3kinase,PI3K)抑制剂LY294002对人胶质瘤U251细胞中PI3K/丝氨酸-苏氨酸激酶(serine-threonine kinase,Akt)信号通路下游缺氧诱导因子-1α(hypoxia inducible factor-1α,HIF-1α)mRNA和蛋白的表达以及细胞生长、细胞凋亡、细胞黏附和侵袭能力的影响。方法:应用LY294002作用于低氧环境中的人胶质瘤U251细胞(低氧+LY294002组),以低氧环境中未加LY294002的细胞作为对照(低氧组)。CCK-8试剂盒检测U251细胞生长,FCM检测细胞凋亡百分比,黏附实验检测细胞黏附能力,侵袭实验检测细胞侵袭能力,蛋白质印迹法检测p-Akt蛋白的表达,RT-PCR和蛋白质印迹法检测HIF-1αmRNA及蛋白的表达。结果:LY294002能明显抑制p-Akt蛋白以及HIF-1αmRNA和蛋白的表达,与低氧组比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。LY294002能抑制低氧环境中U251细胞的增殖,抑制效果在药物作用后第2～6天时最为明显(P<0.05)。低氧+LY294002组中细胞凋亡百分比明显高于低氧组(P<0.01),而细胞黏附和侵袭能力明显低于低氧组(P<0.01)。结论:LY294002能抑制低氧环境中PI3K/Akt信号通路下游HIF-1αmRNA及蛋白的表达,抑制人胶质瘤U251细胞的生长,促进细胞凋亡,并抑制细胞黏附和侵袭能力。     

肝癌细胞中PI3K信号通路对VEGF表达的影响

目的:研究磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶(PI3K)信号通路在肝癌细胞血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)表达调控中的作用.方法: 体外培养高转移性人肝癌细胞株HCCLM3,分为对照组、PI3K特异性抑制剂LY294002浓度5μmol/L组,LY294002浓度10μmol/L及20μmol/L组,处理6小时后,采用逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)技术检测VEGF mRNA表达的变化.结果: LY294002可使肝癌细胞HCCLM3的VEGF mRNA的表达下降,且这种抑制作用随着LY294002浓度增大而增大(P<0.01),呈现剂量移赖性关系.结论: LY294002可以抑制肝癌细胞株HCCLM3中VEGF的表达,肝癌细胞VEGF的表达调控受PI3K信号通路调控.     

PI3K/Akt抑制剂LY294002对大肠癌细胞化疗增敏作用的探讨

目的 探讨PI3K/Akt特异性抑制剂LY294002与化疗药物联合使用对大肠癌细胞(HCT-8)化疗效果的影响.方法 将LY294002联合化疗药物作用于大肠癌细胞系HCT-8,MTT法检测单独使用5-Fu、奥沙利铂及联合PI3K抑制剂LY294002,对体外培养的大肠癌细胞系HCT-8增殖的抑制作用,流式细胞术检测HCT-8的凋亡率.结果 联合LY294002作用后,5-Fu、奥沙利铂对大肠癌细胞系HCT-8增殖的抑制作用明显增强(P<0.05),且能提高其凋亡率(P<0.05).结论 LY294002能有效提高化疗药物5-Fu、奥沙利铂体外对HCT-8细胞抑制作用的敏感性,抑制PI3K介导的信号转导通路,可明显提高大肠癌的化疗效果.     

LPA经PI3K/Akt信号转导通路抑制顺铂诱导卵巢癌细胞凋亡

 目的 研究PI3K/AKT信号转导通路对LPA保护顺铂诱导的卵巢癌SKOV3细胞凋亡作用的影响。 方法 MTT法检测LPA和LY294002对DDP作用后的SKOV3细胞增殖活性的影响;Hoechst33258荧光染色 观察凋亡细胞;FCM分析细胞凋 亡率;凝胶电泳观察凋亡细胞的DNA“梯状”条带;Western blot检测LPA、LY294002对磷酸 化Akt蛋白表达的影响。 结果 LPA+LY294002+DDP组对SKOV3细胞增殖的抑制作用、凋亡小体的产生及细胞凋亡率高于 LPA+DDP组(P<0.05),而与 LY294002+DDP组差异无统计学意义, DNA片段凝胶电泳示LPA作用后不产生明显的凋亡片段, LPA和LY294002同时作用可出现DNA断裂梯形条带。Western blot结果示LPA作用后磷酸化Akt 蛋白表达升高,而LY294002作用后,磷酸化Akt蛋白表达明显下降。 结论 LPA通过激活PI3K/Akt信号转导通路抑制顺铂诱导的卵巢癌细胞的凋亡。     

抑制PI3K/Akt通路提高HeLa细胞化疗效果的实验研究

目的探讨抑制PI3K/Akt信号转导通路提高抗癌药物对人宫颈癌HeLa细胞的杀伤作用。方法采用MTT法检测Celecoxib、DDP及Docetaxel单独或联合PI3K抑制剂LY294002对人宫颈癌HeLa细胞的抑制率;采用流式细胞技术检测药物单独或联合作用对HeLa细胞凋亡的影响。结果(1)联合LY294002能够显著提高Celecoxib、DDP及Docetaxel对HeLa细胞抑制率;(2)LY294002与Celecoxib、DDP及Docetaxel的协同治疗指数均小于1,二者起协同治疗作用;(3)联合LY294002能够增加HeLa细胞的凋亡水平。结论抑制PI3K/Akt信号转导通路能够显著提高Celecoxib、DDP及Docetaxel对HeLa细胞杀伤作用。     

抑制P13K／Akt通路提高肺腺癌细胞化疗的效果

摘要：目的探讨PI3K／Akt信号转导通路抑制剂LY294002对肺腺癌细胞株A549及裸鼠移植瘤化疗的增敏作用。方法采用MTT法及流式细胞仪检测LY294002、紫杉醇、LY294002联合紫杉醇对A549细胞增殖及凋亡的影响；通过裸鼠移植瘤模型检测LY294002、紫杉醇、LY294002联合紫杉醇对A549细胞成瘤性的影响。结果LY294002可增强紫杉醇对A549细胞的抑制作用，并且可提高其凋亡率。裸鼠移植瘤实验显示，LY294002与紫杉醇均可抑制移植瘤的生长，联用后抑瘤率增加。结论LY294002可增强紫杉醇对A549细胞、裸鼠移植瘤的化疗的敏感性，抑制PI3K／Akt信号转导通路可提高肺腺癌化疗的效果。     

PI-3K/Akt抑制剂LY294002对卵巢癌细胞A2780/Taxol多药耐药性的逆转作用

背景与目的:磷脂酰肌醇(phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase,PI-3K)可抑制细胞凋亡,对PI-3K抑制剂的研究可以更好地了解PI-3K的促癌机制,为多种癌症如卵巢癌、乳腺癌等的基因治疗提供线索。本研究目的在于探讨PI-3K/Akt信号通路抑制剂LY294002对卵巢癌耐紫杉醇细胞株A2780/Taxol多药耐药的逆转作用。方法:用LY294002处理A2780/Taxol细胞,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡,MTT法检测细胞对紫杉醇的药物敏感性,RT-PCR检测MDR1mRNA的表达,Western blot方法分析LY294002作用前后磷酸化Akt及P-gp蛋白的表达。结果:10和50μmol/L LY294002干预A2780/Taxol细胞24h后,A2780/Taxol细胞凋亡率分别为(8.84±1.65)%和(20.78±2.47)%,显著高于未干预细胞的凋亡率(1.25±0.78)%(P<0.05);A2780/Taxol细胞对紫杉醇的半数抑制浓度(IC50)显著降低(P<0.01),相对逆转效率最高可达(78.08±0.37)%;MDR-1mRNA、磷酸化Akt及P-gp蛋白均明显降低。结论:PI-3K/Akt信号通路的激活与卵巢癌细胞多药耐药的产生有关,PI-3K/Akt抑制剂LY294002可逆转卵巢癌细胞A2780/Taxol的多药耐药。     

PI3K/Akt途径在朊蛋白介导胃癌耐药中的作用研究

目的:探讨PI3K/Akt途径在朊蛋白(PrPc)介导胃癌耐药中的作用.方法:脂质体基因转染法建立高表达PrPc的胃癌细胞亚系.Western印迹检测转染细胞中Akt蛋白的表达.噻唑蓝(MTT) 比色法测定单独或联用PI3K抑制剂LY294002时转染细胞对化疗药物的敏感性.流式细胞仪检测单独或联用LY294002时转染细胞内阿霉素蓄积和潴留.结果:将PrPc正义载体pcDNA-PrP转入SGC7901,成功建立PrPc高表达胃癌细胞亚系并命名为PS;空载体转染细胞命名为BS.Western-Blot显示磷酸化Akt在PS中的表达较BS及SGC7901增高,而三者的总Akt则无差别.未经LY294002处理时,在阿霉素或长春新碱的作用下,PS的存活率分别为91.4%±3.4%和89.4%±3.8%,较BS(79.2%±4.3%和75.9%±2.1%)明显增高(均 ),PS细胞内阿霉素蓄积量和潴留量分别为4.4±0.3和4.2±0.4,明显低于BS(8.2±0.5和8.0±0.3)(均 );当联合LY294002处理后,PS在两种药物作用下的存活率均随着LY294002浓度的增加逐渐降低,并均在LY294002为30μmol/L时接近BS(均 ),PS细胞内阿霉素蓄积量和潴留量逐渐增高,并均在LY294002为30μmol/L时接近BS(均 ).结论:PrPc介导的胃癌耐药与PI3K/ Akt途径活性密切相关,抑制PI3K/ Akt途径活性可逆转PrPc介导的胃癌耐药.     

抑制PI3K/Akt提高药物对HeLa细胞放射增敏作用的研究

目的通过研究抑制PI3K／Akt提高多烯紫杉醇和顺铂对HeLa细胞放射增敏作用，探讨PI3K／Akt在多烯紫杉醇和顺铂放射增敏中的机制。方法体外培养HeLa细胞，应用MTT测定多烯紫杉醇和顺铂对HeLa细胞半数抑制率（IC50）。应用药物（IC20）单独及联合LY294002作用24h后X线2、3、4、6、8Gy照射。计算细胞克隆存活分数，多靶单击模型拟合曲线并计算Dq、D0、SF2值和放射增敏比（SER）。应用western blot方法检测Akt和磷酸化Akt蛋白的表达。应用流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡。结果多烯紫杉醇和顺铂能够明显提高放射引起的Akt磷酸化。多烯紫杉醇＋LY294002＋放射组、顺铂＋LY294002＋放射组SER（1．92、1．71）明显高于多烯紫杉醇＋放射组、顺铂＋放射组（1．41、1．37）。多烯紫杉醇＋LY294002＋放射组、顺铂＋LY294002＋放射组细胞凋亡率（12．5％、10．2％）明显高于多烯紫杉醇＋放射组、顺铂＋放射组（6．1％、5．1％）。结论P13K／Akt信号转导途径的活化是多烯紫杉醇和顺铂对HeLa细胞放射增敏作用降低的重要原因，抑制P13K／Akt能够提高多烯紫杉醇和顺铂对HeLa细胞的放射增敏作用。     

PI3K／Akt途径在朊蛋白介导胃癌耐药中的作用研究

目的：探讨P13K／Akt途径在朊蛋白（PrPc）介导胃癌耐药中的作用。方法：脂质体基因转染法建立高表达PrPc的胃癌细胞亚系。Western印迹检测转染细胞中Akt蛋白的表达。噻唑蓝（MTT）比色法测定单独或联用P13K抑制剂LY294002时转染细胞对化疗药物的敏感性。流式细胞仪检测单独或联用LY294002时转染细胞内阿霉素蓄积和潴留。结果：将PrPc正义载体pcDNA—PrP转入SGC7901,成功建立PrPc高表达胃癌细胞亚系并命名为PS;空载体转染细胞命名为BS。Western—Blot显示磷酸化Akt在PS中的表达较Bs及SGC7901增高,而三者的总Akt则无差别。未经LY294002处理时,在阿霉素或长春新碱的作用下,PS的存活率分别为91．4％±3．4％和89．4％±3．8％,较BS（79．2％±4．3％和75．9％±2．1％）明显增高（均）,PS细胞内阿霉素蓄积量和潴留量分别为4．4±0．3和4．2±0．4,明显低于BS（8．2±0．5和8．0±0．3）（均）;当联合LY294002处理后,PS在两种药物作用下的存活率均随着LY294002浓度的增加逐渐降低,并均在LY294002为30tLmol／L时接近BS（均）,PS细胞内阿霉素蓄积量和潴留量逐渐增高,并均在LY294002为30μmol／L时接近BS（均）。结论：PrPc介导的胃癌耐药与P13K／Akt途径活性密切相关,抑制P13K／Akt途径活性可逆转PrPc介导的胃癌耐药。     

P13-K抑制剂LY294002逆转P-gP介导的白血病和胃癌细胞耐药

背景与目的：磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶／蛋白激酶B[phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase（P13-K）／proteinkinaseB（Akt）,P13-K／Aktl通路是调控细胞生存的重要信号转导通路之一。本研究旨在探讨P13-K抑制剂LY294002对P-gP过表达的人类白血病K562／DNR和胃癌SGC7901／ADR细胞多药耐药性的逆转作用。方法：将细胞分为单纯药物组和LY294002预处理组,单纯药物组分别以柔红霉素（daunorubicin,DNR）、阿霉素（adriamycin,ADR）、长春新碱（vincristine,VCR）和依托泊甙（etoposide,VP-16）处理,LY294002预处理组在加药前以LY294002进行预处理。用台盼蓝拒染法及MTT法检测药物敏感性及LY294002对细胞耐药性的影响。Westernblot检测K562／DNR和SGC7901／ADR细胞中P．gP及p-Akt的表达。流式细胞术检测细胞内药物浓度。结果：2．5μmol／LLY294002预处理显著降低DNR、ADR、VCR和VP-16对K562／DNR细胞的IC50,相对逆转效率分别为72．4％、64．9％、60．4％和52．8％。此外,LY294002部分逆转SGC7901／ADR对ADR的耐药性,相对逆转效率为31．0％。LY294002预处理可部分抑制p-Akt和P-gP的表达。随着处理时间的延长．K562／DNR、SGC7901／ADR细胞内DNR、ADR的蓄积效应有增强的趋势。结论：LY294002通过抑制P13-K／Akt信号转导通路,部分逆转P-gp介导的白血病和胃癌细胞的多药耐药。     

Inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin pathway but not the MEK/ERK pathway attenuates laminin-mediated small cell lung cancer cellular survival and resistance to imatinib mesylate or chemotherapy

The fact that small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is commonly incurable despite being initially responsive to chemotherapy, combined with disappointing results from a recent SCLC clinical trial with imatinib, has intensified efforts to identify mechanisms of SCLC resistance. Adhesion to extracellular matrix (ECM) is one mechanism that can increase therapeutic resistance in SCLC cells. To address whether adhesion to ECM increases resistance through modulation of signaling pathways, a series of SCLC cell lines were plated on various ECM components, and activation of two signaling pathways that promote cellular survival, the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway and the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK/ERK) pathway, was assessed. Although differential activation was observed, adhesion to laminin increased Akt activation, increased cellular survival after serum starvation, and caused the cells to assume a flattened, epithelial morphology. Inhibitors of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway (LY294002, rapamycin) but not the MEK/ERK pathway (U0126) abrogated laminin-mediated survival. SCLC cells plated on laminin were not only resistant to serum starvation-induced apoptosis but were also resistant to apoptosis caused by imatinib. Combining imatinib with LY294002 or rapamycin but not U0126 caused greater than additive increases in apoptosis compared with apoptosis caused by the inhibitor or imatinib alone. Similar results were observed when adenoviruses expressing mutant Akt were combined with imatinib, or when LY294002 was combined with cisplatin or etoposide. These studies identify laminin-mediated activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway as a mechanism of cellular survival and therapeutic resistance in SCLC cells and suggest that inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway is one strategy to overcome SCLC resistance mediated by ECM.     

Reduced PTEN expression in breast cancer cells confers susceptibility to inhibitors of the PI3 kinase/Akt pathway.

The PTEN protein is a lipid phosphatase with putative tumor suppressing abilities, including inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Inactivating mutations or deletions of the PTEN gene, which result in hyper-activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, are increasingly being reported in human malignancies, including breast cancer, and have been related to features of poor prognosis and resistance to chemotherapy and hormone therapy. Prior studies in different tumor models have shown that, under conditions of PTEN deficiency, the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway becomes a fundamental proliferative and survival pathway, and that pharmacological inhibition of this pathway results in tumor growth inhibition. This study aimed to explore further this hypothesis in breast cancer cells. To this end, we have determined the growth response to inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in a series of breast cancer cell lines with different PTEN levels. The PTEN-negative cell line displayed greater sensitivity to the growth inhibitory effects of the PI3K inhibitor, LY294002 and rapamycin, an inhibitor of the PI3K/Akt downstream mediator mTOR, compared with the PTEN-positive cell lines. To determine whether or not these differences in response are specifically due to effects of PTEN, we developed a series of cell lines with reduced PTEN protein expression compared with the parental cell line. These reduced PTEN cells demonstrated an increased sensitivity to the anti-proliferative effects induced by LY294002 and rapamycin compared with the parental cells, which corresponded to alterations in cell cycle response. These findings indicate that inhibitors of mTOR, some of which are already in clinical development (CCI-779, an ester of rapamycin), have the potential to be effective in the treatment of breast cancer patients with PTEN-negative tumors and should be evaluated in this setting.     

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from leukemia patients inhibit growth and apoptosis in serum-deprived K562 cells

Background

The regulation of growth and apoptosis in K562 cells by human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from leukemia patients was investigated.

Methods

K562 cells were cocultured with leukemic MSCs under serum deprivation. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), PI staining, Annexin V/PI binding and FACS assays were used to investigate cell proliferation, cell cycle status, and apoptosis of K562 cells cultures in the presence or absence of 10% serum. Western blotting was used to determine the levels of Akt, phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt), the BCL-2 family member Bad, and phosphorylated Bad (p-Bad) proteins in K562 cells after coculturing with MSCs. The effects of {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"LY294002","term_id":"1257998346","term_text":"LY294002"}}LY294002 (a specific inhibitor of PI3K) on protein expression were also determined.

Results

K562 cell proliferation was inhibited by coculture with MSCs and the dominant cell cycle was the G₀-G₁ phase. The proportion of apoptotic K562 cells was decreased and the levels of p-Akt and p-Bad were upregulated after exposing K562 cells to MSCs. However, when {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"LY294002","term_id":"1257998346","term_text":"LY294002"}}LY294002 was used, p-Akt and p-Bad proteins inK562 cells showed a significant reduction, while no distinct variation was seen in the nonphosphorylated Akt and Bad protein levels.

Conclusion

Leukemic MSCs can inhibit K562 cell expansion and modulate the cell cycle to a state of relative quiescence. This allows the K562 cells to endure adverse conditions such as serum starvation. The PI3K-Akt-Bad signaling pathway may be involved in this antiapoptotic process via phosphorylation of the Akt and Bad proteins. Blocking MSC-induced transduction of the PI3K-Akt-Bad pathway may be a potential strategy for a targeted therapy to combat leukemia.     

Radiation sensitization of human cancer cells in vivo by inhibiting the activity of PI3K using LY294002

Multiple genetic alterations such as in Ras or EGFR can result in sustained signaling through PI3K. Our previous experiments have shown that resistance to radiation results from PI3K activity in cells in culture. Here we examined whether inhibition of PI3K in vivo would sensitize tumors to radiation.The human bladder cancer cell line T24 has amplified and mutated H-Ras resulting in sustained PI3K activity and phosphorylation of the downstream target of PI3K, Akt. Nude mice bearing T24 tumor cell xenografts were randomly assigned to one of four groups: control, radiation alone, the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 alone, or combined LY294002 and radiation. The LY294002 was delivered intraperitoneally to the mice. Downregulation of Akt was documented by Western blot analysis of tumor lysates. In vivo sensitization was measured using clonogenic assays or regrowth assays.A dose of 100 mg/kg of LY294002, but not 50 mg/kg, consistently eliminated the phosphorylation of Akt. This inhibition was transient, and Akt activity returned after 30 min. This dose resulted in severe respiratory depression and lethargy resolving without lethality. It is not possible to tell whether these side effects of LY294002 were mechanism-based or idiosyncratic. The PI3K inhibitor LY294002 by itself had minimal antitumor effect. The combination of LY294002 and radiation resulted in significant and synergistic reduction in clonogenicity and growth delay.Inhibition of PI3K by LY294002 can synergistically enhance radiation efficacy. This acts as a proof of principle that inhibition of the Ras to PI3K pathway could be useful clinically.     

Inhibiting the PI3K/Akt pathway reversed progestin resistance in endometrial cancer

Progestin resistance is the main obstacle to successful conservative therapy in young endometrial cancer patients. To investigate the molecular events that lead to progestin resistance and to find a possible way to reverse progestin resistance in endometrial cancer, we established a progestin-resistant Ishikawa cell line by long-term progestin treatment to downregulate progesterone receptor (PR) expression. Both medoxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) and LY294002, a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, were assayed for their effects on the proliferation of progestin-sensitive and progestin-resistant cancer cells, respectively. The MPA inhibited the PI3K/Akt pathway and suppressed cell proliferation in progestin-sensitive Ishikawa cells, but activated the PI3K/Akt pathway and had no effect on cell proliferation in progestin-resistant Ishikawa cells or HEC-1A cells. Inhibiting the PI3K/Akt pathway by LY294002 upregulated PR expression and diminished cell growth, especially in progestin-resistant endometrial cancer cells. In vivo endometrial cancer xenograft studies in nude mice also showed that inhibiting the PI3K/Akt pathway reversed progestin resistance in endometrial cancer. Our results indicate that activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway by progestin without PR mediation plays an important role in progestin resistance to endometrial cancer cells. In addition, inhibiting the PI3K/Akt pathway might reverse progestin resistance in endometrial cancer.     

The PI3K/Akt inhibitor LY294002 reverses BCRP-mediated drug resistance without affecting BCRP translocation

Cellular responses toward cytotoxic drugs are influenced by crosstalk between oncogenic signals and resistance mechanisms. Inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway is effective in sensitizing cancer cells of various organs, although the mechanisms largely remain to be elucidated. Breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP)/ABCG2, a drug efflux pump, confers resistance to multiple anticancer agents such as SN-38 and topotecan. Previous studies reported that inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway, by gene knockout or PI3K inhibitors, modulated BCRP-mediated drug transport via BCRP translocation in hematopoietic stem cells, renal polarized cells and glioma stem-like cells of mammals. In this study, we assessed the effects of PI3K inhibitors, LY294002 and wortmannin, on BCRP-mediated anticancer drug resistance of human cancer MCF-7 and A431 cells. LY294002, but not wortmannin, reversed the BCRP-mediated SN-38 and topotecan resistance. LY294002 treatment did not affect total or cell surface BCRP levels as determined by western blotting and flow cytometry but blocked BCRP-mediated topotecan efflux in a dose-dependent manner. Immunohistochemical analyses also demonstrated unchanged cellular BCRP distribution. BCRP overexpression in MCF-7 and A431 cells did not confer LY294002 resistance, suggesting that LY294002 is not a transported substrate of BCRP. LY294002 is a derivative of quercetin, a member of flavonoids. Taken together, these results suggest that LY294002 inhibits BCRP-mediated drug transport not by BCRP translocation through the PI3K/Akt signal but putatively as a competitive inhibitor in a major subset of cancer cells. Due to its dual effects, LY294002 could be a lead compound for developing more effective and tolerable reagents for cancer treatment.