Effect of Diacerein on HOTAIR/IL-6/STAT3, Wnt/β-Catenin and TLR-4/NF-κB/TNF-α axes in colon carcinogenesis

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignancy with high mortality and poor prognosis. Diacerein (DIA) is an anti-inflammatory used for treatment of osteoarthritis. We delineated some underlying molecular mechanisms of DIA’s anti-carcinogenic effect in CRC using in vivo and in vitro models. Human Caco-2 cells were treated with DIA followed by MTT and Annexin V assays and CRC was experimentally induced using 1,2-dimethylhydrazine. DIA (50 mg/kg/day, orally) was administrated for 8 weeks. The MTT assay confirmed cytotoxic effect of DIA in vitro and Annexin V confirmed its apoptotic effect. DIA resulted in regression of tumour lesions with reduced colonic TLR4, NF-κB and TNF-α protein levels and down-regulated VEGF expression, confirming anti-angiogenic impact. DIA triggered caspase-3 expression and regulated Wnt/β-Catenin pathway, by apparently interrupting the IL-6/STAT3/ lncRNA HOTAIR axis. In conclusion, DIA disrupted IL-6/STAT3/ lncRNA HOTAIR axis which could offer an effective therapeutic strategy for the management of CRC.     

Sorafenib,rapamycin, and venetoclax attenuate doxorubicin-induced senescence and promote apoptosis in HCT116 cells

Emerging evidence has shown that the therapy-induced senescent growth arrest in cancer cells is of durable nature whereby a subset of cells can reinstate proliferative capacity. Promising new drugs named senolytics selectively target senescent cells and commit them into apoptosis. Accordingly, senolytics have been proposed as adjuvant cancer treatment to cull senescent tumor cells, and thus, screening for agents that exhibit senolytic properties is highly warranted. Our study aimed to investigate three agents, sorafenib, rapamycin, and venetoclax for their senolytic potential in doxorubicin-induced senescence in HCT116 cells. HCT116 cells were treated with one of the three agents, sorafenib (5 µM), rapamycin (100 nM), or venetoclax (10 µM), in the absence or presence of doxorubicin (1 µM). Senescence was evaluated using microscopy-based and flow cytometry-based Senescence-associated-β-galactosidase staining (SA-β-gal), while apoptosis was assessed using annexin V-FITC/PI, and Muse caspase-3/-7 activity assays. We screened for potential genes through which the three drugs exerted senolytic-like action using the Human Cancer Pathway Finder PCR array. The three agents reduced doxorubicin-induced senescent cell subpopulations and significantly enhanced the apoptotic effect of doxorubicin compared with those treated only with doxorubicin. The senescence genes IGFBP5 and BMI1 and the apoptosis genes CASP7 and CASP9 emerged as candidate genes through which the three drugs exhibited senolytic-like properties. These results suggest that the attenuation of doxorubicin-induced senescence might have shifted HCT116 cells to apoptosis by exposure to the tested pharmacological agents. Our work argues for the use of senolytics to reduce senescence-mediated resistance in tumor cells and to enhance chemotherapy efficacy.     

树突状细胞相关的C型凝集素1在小鼠肾缺血再灌注中的作用及其机制

目的探究树突状细胞相关的C型凝集素-1(Dectin-1)在小鼠肾缺血再灌注损伤中的作用及其机制。方法C56BL/6雄性小鼠60只,随机数字表法分为假手术组、肾缺血再灌注损伤(RIRI)组、生理盐水组、昆布多糖(LAM)低剂量组(20 mg/kg)、LAM中剂量组(40 mg/kg)、LAM高剂量组(80 mg/kg)。采集小鼠血液标本,测定血清肌酐(Cr)及尿素氮(BUN)水平;苏木精-伊红(HE)染色评估各组小鼠肾组织病理学改变;原位缺口末端标记法(TUNEL)法检测细胞凋亡数量;定时定量反转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-qPCR)法检测白细胞介素(IL)-1β、半胱氨酰天冬氨酸特异性蛋白酶(Caspase)-1、核苷酸结合寡聚化结构域样受体3(NLRP3)、凋亡相关微粒蛋白(ASC)的mRNA水平;蛋白质印迹法(Western blot)检测葡萄糖调节蛋白78(GRP78)、磷酸化真核细胞翻译启始子2α(p-eIF2α)/真核细胞翻译启始子2α(eIF2α)、C/EBP同源蛋白(CHOP)的蛋白水平。组间比较采用t检验。结果RIRI组小鼠BUN及Cr水平明显高于假手术组(Cr 157.23±15.90比15.97±0.70,t=23.963,P<0.05;BUN 16.66±0.87比4.34±0.49,t=28.217,P<0.05),LAM组小鼠BUN及Cr水平明显低于假手术组(Cr 123.70±9.66比103.33±3.95比79.90±4.04比157.23±15.90,t=6.653、7.159、12.861,P值均<0.05;BUN 11.56±0.80比9.37±0.81比7.13±0.63比16.66±0.87,t=5.427、13.593、34.028,P值均<0.05),差异均有统计学意义;LAM组小鼠凋亡细胞明显低于RIRI组(14.44±1.91比40.89±4.53,t=10.137,P<0.05);LAM组小鼠IL-1β、Caspase-1、NLRP3、ASC的信使RNA(mRNA)水平明显低于RIRI组,差异有统计学意义(IL-1β为2.56±0.09比4.98±0.44,t=7.932,P<0.05;Caspase-1为1.77±0.12比4.00±0.22,t=12.160,P<0.05;NLRP3为2.43±0.28比4.71±0.28,t=16.474,P<0.05;ASC为1.99±0.16比3.14±0.17,t=15.977,P<0.05);LAM组小鼠GRP78、p-eIF2α/eIF2α、CHOP蛋白水平明显低于RIRI组,差异均有统计学意义(GRP78为0.472±0.026比1.215±0.073,t=26.501,P<0.05;eIF2α/p-eIF2α为0.697±0.016比0.871±0.028,t=9.877,P<0.05;0.621±0.035比1.086±0.115,t=5.419,P<0.05)。结论Dectin-1拮抗剂Laminarin可减轻小鼠肾缺血再灌注损伤,其机制可能与抑制细胞凋亡、焦亡及内质网应激有关。     

A review of the differing roles of dead and live osteocytes

BackgroundOsteocytes form a network through gap junction-coupled cell processes and canaliculi throughout bone; this network extends to the osteoblasts in the bone surface. The osteocyte network is considered to function in mechanosensing and mechanotransduction. However, the lack of suitable animal models makes it difficult to clarify the function of osteocytes.HighlightAny kind of osteocyte death results in necrosis, whereby the intracellular contents, including immunostimulatory molecules, which activate osteoclastogenesis, are released through the canaliculi to the bone surface. This leads to enhanced bone resorption in the damaged region of the bone. Overexpression of Bcl2 in osteoblasts reduces the number of osteoblast processes, resulting in a reduction in the numbers of osteocyte processes and canaliculi. The osteocytes gradually die without enhancement of bone resorption because a severe reduction in the number of canaliculi interrupts the release of intracellular contents to the bone surface. Bcl2 transgenic mice at 4 months of age, in which the osteocyte network is disrupted, are an appropriate mouse model for the evaluation of osteocyte function. These mice show that the osteocyte network enhances bone resorption and inhibits bone formation under physiological conditions, and that these osteocyte functions are augmented under unloaded conditions. Under such conditions, Rankl upregulation in osteoblasts and Sost upregulation in osteocytes are, at least in part, responsible for enhanced bone resorption and suppressed bone formation, respectively.ConclusionDead osteocytes induce bone resorption, while live osteocytes enhance bone resorption and inhibit bone formation under physiological conditions, while their functions are augmented under unloaded conditions.     

甜菜碱对大鼠心肌缺血再灌注损伤炎症及心肌细胞凋亡的影响

目的 探讨甜菜碱对大鼠心肌缺血再灌注（IR）损伤的影响及发生机制。方法 选用成年雄性SD大鼠18只,采用随机数字表分为假手术组（SO组）、缺血再灌注组（IR组）及甜菜碱组（450 mg/kg灌胃）,每组6只大鼠。SO组：开胸,前降支动脉下穿线不结扎,IR组和甜菜碱组：开胸,缺血30 min,再灌注4 h。ELISA法检测并比较3组大鼠心肌损伤标记物乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）、肌酸激酶b（CK-Mb）和肌钙蛋白I（cTnI）和检测炎症因子（HMGB1、IL-17A、IL-6以及TNF-α）的表达。Western Blot法检测并比较3组大鼠心肌组织凋亡蛋白（caspase-3,Bcl-2和Bax）的相对表达量。结果 与SO组比较,IR组中心肌损伤标记物（CK、LDH和cTnI）、炎症因子和凋亡蛋白的表达均增高,差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）。与IR比较,甜菜碱组心肌损伤标记物、炎症因子和凋亡蛋白的表达下降,抗凋亡蛋白Bcl-2的表达增加,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论 甜菜碱可以通过抑制炎症反应和心肌细胞凋亡减轻大鼠心肌IR损伤。     

Resveratrol-loaded PLGA nanoparticles mediated programmed cell death in prostate cancer cells

Resveratrol (RL), a natural polyphenol, is known for its diverse biological effects against various human cancer cell lines. But low aqueous solubility, poor bioavailability, and stability limit its efficacy against prostate cancer. In this study polymeric nanoparticles encapsulating resveratrol (RLPLGA) were designed and their cytotoxic and mode of apoptotic cells death against prostate cancer cell line (LNCaP) was determined. Nanoparticles were prepared by solvent displacement method and characterized for particle size, TEM, entrapment efficiency, DSC and drug release study. RLPLGA exhibited a significant decrease in cell viability with 50% and 90% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀ and IC₉₀) of 15.6?±?1.49 and 41.1?±?2.19?μM respectively against the LNCaP cells. This effect was mediated by apoptosis as confirmed by cell cycle arrest at G1-S transition phase, externalization of phosphatidylserine, DNA nicking, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species generation in LNCaP cells. Furthermore, significantly greater cytotoxicity to LNCaP cells was observed with nanoparticles as compared to that of free RL at all tested concentrations. RLPLGA nanoparticles presented no adverse cytotoxic effects on murine macrophages even at 200?μM. Our findings support the potential use of developed resveratrol loaded nanoparticle for the prostate cancer chemoprevention/ chemotherapy with no adverse effect on normal cells.     

Chitosan-based zinc oxide nanoparticle for enhanced anticancer effect in cervical cancer: A physicochemical and biological perspective

In this study, chitosan-assembled zinc oxide nanoparticle (CZNP) was successfully prepared for evaluated for its anticancer efficacy against cervical cancer cells. The CZNP particles were nanosized and spherical in shape. The zinc oxide nanoparticle (ZNP) and CZNP showed significant cytotoxicity in cervical cancer cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Results showed that the enhanced cytotoxicity was mainly attributed to the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in the cancer cells. The apoptosis assay further revealed that apoptosis was the main reason behind the cell killing effect of the zinc oxide nanoparticles. The apoptosis was further confirmed by the nuclear chromatin assay. Live dead assay showed increased red fluorescent cell for CZNP treated cancer cells. Overall, metal oxide present in nanoparticulate dimensions will be advantageous in imparting the cytotoxicity to cervical cancer cell.     

CDCA7 promotes lung adenocarcinoma proliferation via regulating the cell cycle

CDCA7 is overexpressed in several malignant cancers and is predicted by bioinformatics to be a candidate oncogene in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). However, the clinical and biological function of CDCA7 in LUAD has never been investigated. In this study, we used quantitative real-time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry to determine the expression level and clinical significance of CDCA7. As a result, CDCA7 was significantly overexpressed in LUAD compared to adjacent normal tissues. Furthermore, overexpression of CDCA7 was positively associated with more advanced clinical features. Silencing CDCA7 inhibited cell proliferation in LUAD through G1 phase arrest and induction of apoptosis. In conclusion, CDCA7 can be used as a potential therapeutic target for new biomarkers and LUAD.     

MicroRNA-17 promotes osteosarcoma cells proliferation and migration and inhibits apoptosis by regulating SASH1 expression

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are abnormally expressed in numerous diseases, which are intimately associated with cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Recent study indicated that miR-17 may be involved in regulating osteosarcoma (OS) occurrence and development, but its function and mechanism have not been reported. In this study, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to measure the expression of miR-17, and Western blotting assay was performed to measure the expressions of SAM and SH3 domain containing 1 (SASH1), phosphoinoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (AKT), Caspase3, Bcl-2 gene family (Bcl-2, Bax) and matrix metalloprotein (MMP-2, MMP-9) in MG-63 cells. Luciferase reporter assay was conducted to confirm the target of SASH1 by miR-17. Cell proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis assay was performed to investigate the role of miR-17 in OS cells. We found that the expression of miR-17 was significantly up-regulated in OS cell lines. MiR-17 inhibitor inhibited the proliferation ability, and induced apoptosis of OS cells. Besides, miR-17 inhibitor prevented the migration and invasion of OS cells. Further, we identified that SASH1 was a target gene of miR-17. In addition, knockdown of miR-17 increased the protein expression of SASH1, and regulate related genes of cell proliferation, invasion and anti-apoptosis in the downstream of OS cells. These findings indicated that miR-17 was over-expressed and promoted cell proliferation, migration and inhibited cell apoptosis by targeting SASH1 in OS cells.     

Upregulation of miR‑95-3p inhibits growth of osteosarcoma by targeting HDGF

Osteosarcoma is the most common bone malignancy and miR-95-3p plays an important role in multiple cancers. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect and potential mechanism of miR-95-3p on the growth of osteosarcoma. In vitro, the osteosarcoma cell lines, SAOS-2 and U2OS cells, were transfected with miR-95-agomir to assess the role of miR-95-3p in proliferation and apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells. We determined that overexpression of miR-95-3p significantly attenuated cell proliferation but enhanced apoptosis in SAOS-2 and U2OS cells. We also found that overexpression of miR-95-3p in osteosarcoma cells downregulated the expression of hepatoma-derived growth factor (HDGF). Next, knockdown of HDGF by siRNA targeting HDGF clearly inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in U2OS cells. In vivo, a tumor formation assay in BALB/c nude mice was conducted by injecting the pre-miR-95 or control vector lentivirus-infected U2OS cells to determine the effect of miR-95-3p on the growth of osteosarcoma. Results showed miR-95-3p overexpression inhibited the osteosarcoma growth and downregulated the HDGF expression in xenografted tumor. For mechanism study, we co-transfected HDGF/pcDNA3.1 plasmid and miR-95-agomir to U2OS cells, and we demonstrated that overexpression of HDGF could attenuate the effects of miR-95-3p on U2OS cell proliferation, apoptosis and migration. These findings indicated that miR-95-3p might act as a potential tumor suppressor in osteosarcoma by targeting HDGF. Thus, miR-95-3p may become a potential therapeutic in treatment of osteosarcoma.