Functional estrogen receptor signal transduction pathway activity and antihormonal therapy response in low-grade ovarian carcinoma

Background

Advanced low-grade ovarian carcinoma (LGOC) is difficult to treat. In several studies, high estrogen receptor (ER) protein expression was observed in patients with LGOC, which suggests that antihormonal therapy (AHT) is a treatment option. However, only a subgroup of patients respond to AHT, and this response cannot be adequately predicted by currently used immunohistochemistry (IHC). A possible explanation is that IHC only takes the ligand, but not the activity, of the whole signal transduction pathway (STP) into account. Therefore, in this study, the authors assessed whether functional STP activity can be an alternative tool to predict response to AHT in LGOC.

Methods

Tumor tissue samples were obtained from patients with primary or recurrent LGOC who subsequently received AHT. Histoscores of ER and progesterone receptor (PR) were determined. In addition, STP activity of the ER STP and of six other STPs known to play a role in ovarian cancer was assessed and compared with the STP activity of healthy postmenopausal fallopian tube epithelium.

Results

Patients who had normal ER STP activity had a progression-free survival (PFS) of 16.1 months. This was significantly shorter in patients who had low and very high ER STP activity, with a median PFS of 6.0 and 2.1 months, respectively (p < .001). Unlike ER histoscores, PR histoscores were strongly correlated to the ER STP activity and thus to PFS.

Conclusions

Aberrant low and very high functional ER STP activity and low PR histoscores in patients with LGOC indicate decreased response to AHT. ER IHC is not representative of functional ER STP activity and is not related to PFS.     

基于网络药理学和实验验证探讨香菇多糖抑制三阴乳腺癌的作用机制

目的 基于网络药理学研究香菇多糖抑制三阴乳腺癌（TNBC）的作用机制并采用细胞和动物实验进行验证。方法 通过GeneCards数据库和DisGeNET数据库筛选与TNBC相关基因靶点，利用TCMID、PubChem、SwissTargetPrediction和GeneCards数据库查询香菇多糖相关基因靶点。使用Sangerbox软件进行基因本体论（GO）富集和京都基因与基因组百科全书（KEGG）通路富集分析。结合STRING数据库与Cytoscape 3.7.0软件将共同靶点进行可视化处理，筛选核心靶点，构建"化合物-靶点-通路"网络。利用Metascape软件进行转录因子及相关调控基因特异富集。体外培养小鼠TNBC细胞4T1和人TNBC细胞MDA-MB-231，磺酰罗丹明B染色法观察香菇多糖（31.25、62.5、125、250、500、1 000μg·mL^-1）对细胞存活率的影响；健康雌性BABLC小鼠sc接种1×10⁶个4T1-Luc细胞构建TNBC模型，通过小动物活体成像系统观察香菇多糖（100、200 mg·kg^-1）对肿瘤生长的影响，实时荧光定量PCR （qRT-PCR）技术检测肿瘤组织信号转导和转录活化因子3（STAT3）和血管内皮生长因子A （VEGFA） mRNA表达。结果 数据库及软件分析得到香菇多糖治疗TNBC关键靶点52个，靶点主要涉及PI3K-Akt、AGE-RAGE、HIF-1、MAPK信号通路和肿瘤蛋白多糖相关通路，PPI分析得到VEGFA、STAT3、MAPK1、IL2、TNF、RELA、AKT1、MAPK3、BCL2L1和HSP90AA1 10个hub基因。与对照组比较，香菇多糖对4T1和MDA-MB-231细胞存活率均有显著抑制作用（P<0.05、0.01），且作用呈浓度相关性；在给药14、21d后，与模型组比较，香菇多糖能够剂量相关性地抑制小鼠TNBC肿瘤的生长，高剂量组差异显著（P<0.05、0.01），21 d抑制率达到（91.9±4.7）%；与对照组比较，香菇多糖给药后能够剂量相关性抑制STAT3和VEGFA的mRNA表达，高剂量组差异显著（P<0.05、0.01）。结论 香菇多糖可通过多靶点、多途径协同作用抑制TNBC的生长。     

基于传统性状客观化分析的川贝母质量评价

目的对川贝母的外观性状进行客观量化,完善其质量评价方法。方法用游标卡尺测定高度和直径,在人眼对外观色泽观察的基础上用色差仪对粉末色泽进行客观量化,通过紫外分光光度法测定总生物碱的含量,对高度、直径、△E值与总生物碱含量测定结果进行统计学分析,确定外观性状与内在成分之间的相关程度。结果高度与总生物碱的含量呈极显著负相关(P<0.01)、直径与总生物碱的含量呈负相关,综合来看随着川贝母鳞茎的增大,总生物碱含量呈降低趋势。△E值与总生物碱含量之间的相关性不显著。结论由于总生物碱含量可以客观地反映川贝母的质量,本实验的结果为川贝母传统以"个小为佳"、"碎贝、破贝不可入药"的观点赋予了科学的依据,肯定了川贝母"不得水洗"的传统加工方法。不同规格的川贝母中以松贝为优。     

银杏内酯B对肌萎缩侧索硬化细胞模型的保护作用及其机制

目的:探讨银杏内酯B(ginkgolide B,GB)对肌萎缩侧索硬化细胞模型c-Jun氨基末端激酶(JNK)信号通路及细胞凋亡的影响。方法:通过含过表达人突变超氧化物歧化酶1(SOD1)~(G93A)基因(hSOD1~(G93A))和过表达人野生SODWT基因(hSOD1WT)与空质粒的慢病毒感染NSC34细胞,经一定浓度的嘌呤霉素筛选,倒置荧光显微镜下观察慢病毒的转染效率和细胞形态的变化,蛋白免疫印迹法(Western blot)检验感染细胞是否过表达SOD1蛋白,建立hSOD1~(G93A)-NSC34细胞系后给予GB,细胞培养分组为正常组、模型组、不同浓度GB组(25,50,75,100 mg·L-1)组,48 h后噻唑蓝(MTT)比色法检测细胞存活率,筛选出最佳药物浓度,后续实验分组为以正常组,模型组,75 mg?L~(-1) GB组,SP600125组,75 mg?L-1GB+SP600125组,流式细胞术检测各组细胞的凋亡率,蛋白免疫印迹法(Western blot)检测磷酸化(p-)JNK,c-Jun,p-c-Jun,半胱氨酸天冬氨酸蛋白酶-3(Caspase-3)蛋白的表达。结果:与正常的NSC34细胞比较,hSOD1~(G93A)NSC34组细胞胞体变圆,突触减少、变短,而hSOD1WT NSC34组细胞和空质粒组细胞形态学未发生明显变化,与正常组比较,hSOD1~(G93A)NSC34组,hSOD1WTNSC3组细胞内SOD1蛋白水平显著升高(P0. 01),肌萎缩侧索硬化(ALS)细胞模型成功建立。与正常组比较,模型组细胞存活率显著降低(P0. 01);与模型组比较,给予不同浓度GB后,细胞存活率均显著升高(P0. 01),药物质量浓度为75 mg?L-1时细胞存活率显著升高(P0. 01)。后续实验,与正常组比较,模型组凋亡率,p-JNK,p-c-Jun,cleaved Caspase-3蛋白表达量显著升高(P0. 01);与模型组比较,75 mg?L-1GB组,SP600125组,75 mg?L-1GB+SP600125组凋亡率,p-JNK,p-c-Jun,cleaved Caspase-3蛋白表达明显降低(P0. 05,P0. 01)。结论:GB对肌萎缩侧索硬化细胞模型具有抑制细胞凋亡的保护作用,这种保护作用可能是通过JNK信号通路实现的。     

穴位埋线对肾虚血瘀型子宫内膜异位症患者IL-1β、TNF-α、VEGF和MMP-2水平的影响

目的:基于PI3K/Akt/mTOR信号通路,探讨穴位埋线疗法治疗肾虚血瘀型子宫内膜异位症的临床疗效及对IL-1β、TNF-α、VEGF和MMP-2等相关信号通路下游细胞因子的水平的影响。方法:选取肾虚血瘀型子宫内膜异位症的门诊和住院患者86例,按照随机数字表法随机分为穴位埋线组和西药组,西药组口服孕三烯酮胶囊(内美通),穴位埋线组在西药组的基础上采用穴位埋线进行治疗,治疗3个月后观察两组患者的临床疗效和IL-1β、TNF-α、VEGF、MMP-2等相关信号通路下游细胞因子的水平。结果:治疗后穴位埋线组总有效率93.02%(40/43),西药组总有效率83.72%(36/43),两组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。治疗3个月后,穴位埋线组和西药组的VAS评分、血清IL-1β、TNF-α、VEGF和MMP-2水平均较治疗前改善(P<0.01),但穴位埋线组较西药组改善更为明显(P<0.05或P<0.01)。治疗过程中,西药组不良反应发生率为18.60%(8/43),穴位埋线组不良反应发生率为4.65%(2/43),两组不良反应发生率比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:穴位埋线可以显著改善子宫内膜异位症患者的临床症状和体征,并能显著降低孕三烯引起的不良反应,可见穴位埋线疗法可以作用PI3K/Akt/mTOR信号通路,通过改善通路下游的IL-1β、TNF-α、VEGF和MMP-2水平,发挥治疗子宫内膜异位症的作用。     

基于灰色关联度分析和聚类分析的3种滇产重楼抗肝癌作用谱效关系探索

目的:研究长柱重楼、滇重楼和南重楼的HPLC指纹图谱与其抗肝癌作用的谱效关系,为明确重楼抗肝癌作用的物质基础提供实验依据。方法:采用HPLC建立3种重楼提取物的指纹图谱,流动相乙腈(A)-水(B)梯度洗脱(0～10 min,20%A; 10～20 min,20%～25%A; 20～30 min,25%～30%A; 30～40 min,30%～35%A; 40～50 min,35%～40%A; 50～60 min,40%A; 60～75 min,40%～45%A; 75～80 min,45%～60%A),流速0. 9 m L·min~(-1),检测波长203 nm;利用噻唑蓝(MTT)比色法测定3种重楼提取物对肝癌HepG2细胞的增殖抑制作用,计算半数抑制浓度(IC_(50));运用聚类分析(HCA)和灰色关联度分析(GRA)研究3种重楼指纹图谱和抗肝癌作用的关系,找出对抗肝癌作用贡献较大的成分。结果:在3种重楼的HPLC指纹图谱中,确定其中11个色谱峰为共有峰。作用时间72 h时长柱重楼、滇重楼、南重楼的IC_(50)分别为148. 33,178. 87,208. 09 mg·L~(-1),其中长柱重楼的抗肝癌活性最强。灰色关联度结果显示,滇重楼共有峰中关联度较高的为1～10号峰,长柱重楼共有峰关联度较高的为1～7号峰,南重楼共有峰中关联度较高的为1～4,6～10,N1号峰,与IC_(50)关联度均0. 7。各重楼变量的聚类分析结果显示,可与IC_(50)聚为一类的色谱峰的关联度均 0. 7。结论:建立了3种重楼的HPLC指纹图谱,重复性良好。3种重楼中的1～4,6和7号色谱峰对抗肝癌药效贡献最大。     

Cancer stem cells in Epstein‐Barr virus‐associated gastric carcinoma

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a decisive role in the development and progression of cancer. To investigate CSCs in Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV)‐associated carcinoma (EBVaGC), we screened previously reported stem cell markers of gastric cancer in EBV‐infected gastric cancer cell lines (TMK1 and NUGC3) and identified CD44v6v9 double positive cells as candidate CSCs. CD44v6/v9^+/+ cells were sorted from EBVaGC cell line (SNU719) cells and EBV‐infected TMK1 cells and these cell populations showed high spheroid‐forming ability and tumor formation in SCID mice compared with the respective CD44v6/v9^?/? cells. Sphere‐forming ability was dependent on the nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) signaling pathway, which was confirmed by decrease of sphere formation ability under BAY 11‐7082. Small interfering RNA knockdown of latent membrane protein 2A (LMP2A), one of the latent gene products of EBV infection, decreased spheroid formation in SNU719 cells. Transfection of the LMP2A gene increased the sphere‐forming ability of TMK1 cells, which was mediated through NF‐κB signaling. Together, these results indicate that CD44v6v9^+/+ cells are CSCs in EBVaGC that are maintained through the LMP2A/NF‐κB pathway. Future studies should investigate CD44v6/v9^+/+ cells in normal and neoplastic gastric epithelium to prevent and treat this specific subtype of gastric cancer infected with EBV.