肿瘤坏死因子相关的凋亡诱导配体对胰腺癌细胞抗肿瘤作用的研究

Objective To investigate the antitumor effect of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)gene transfection mediated by adenovirus into human pancreatic carcinoma cell line Panc-1, and the mechanisms involved in this effect. Methods TRAIL gene was transfected into pancreatic cancer cell line Panc-1 by an adenovirus vector (Ad-TRAIL).Level of TRAIL mRNA expression was determined using RT-PCR, and TRAIL protein synthesis was evaluated with Western blot. Cell-growth activities were determined by MTT assay. The bystander effect was observed by co-culturing the Panc-1cells with the transfected TRAIL gene at different ratios. Apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells was detected by flow cytometry.Procaspase-8 and procaspase-3 were determined by Western blot. Results The stable overexpression of TRAIL was detected in Panc-1 cells transfected by Ad-TRAIL. Ad-TRAIL significantly inhibited of cell viability of Panc-1 cells. Furthermore,co-culture of cancer cells transfected with TRAIL with that nontransfected resulted in the cell death of both cells by bystander effect. Moreover, the percentage of apoptotic cells was significantly higher in the Ad-TRAIL-treatment group compared to the control groups (P ＜ 0.01). And there was a diminished amount of procaspase-8 and procaspase-3 after infection with Ad-TRAIL. Conclusion The overexpression of TRAIL gene in Panc-1 cells by Ad-TRAIL exerts its antitumor effects, and themechanisms involved in this effect may be proapoptosis and bystander effect.     

亚毒性浓度顺铂联合紫花牡荆素体外诱导人卵巢癌细胞调亡(英文)

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of Casticin (CAS) combination with Cisplatin (DDP) in sub-toxic concentration on apoptosis of human ovarian cancer HO-8910 cells in vitro and unravel the associated mechanisms. Methods: Human ovarian cancer HO-8910 cells were cultured in vitro. The inhibitory effect of CAS combination with DDP in sub-toxic concentration on viability of human ovarian cancer HO-8910 cells was evaluated by the MTT assay. Morphological changes of cell apoptosis were detected by Hoechst 33258 staining assay. Cell apoptosis rate was analyzed by flow cytometry. The protein expression level was analyzed by Western blot. Results: CAS in sub-toxic concentration and DDP in sub-toxic concentration could slightly inhibit Human ovarian cancer HO-8910 cells, but CAS combination with DDP in sub-toxic concentration significantly inhibited the growth of HO-8910 cells, and growth inhibition rate was increased drastically compared with the control group (P﹤0.01), and the inhibiting effect showed synergistic action. Human ovarian cancer HO-8910 cells showed the typical morphological changes of apoptosis and apoptosis rate markedly increased when they were exposed to CAS combination with DDP in sub-toxic concentration for 48 h. Western blot showed that the expression of bcl-2 protein was down-regulated and protein level of caspase-3 was activated by CAS combination with DDP in sub-toxic concentration. Conclusion: CAS combination with DDP in sub-toxic concentration could inhibit the cells growth and lead to cell apoptosis in human ovarian cancer HO-8910 cells. And the down-regulation of bcl-2 protein expression and activation of caspase-3 protein might contribute to CAS combination with DDP in sub-toxic concentration in human cancer HO-8910 cells.     

Anticancer effect and enhanced chemotherapy potential of resveratrol in human pancreatic cancer cell lines

Objective Gemcitabine, the only approved drug for the treatment of pancreatic cancer, is not very effective. Novel and effective cancer chemopreventive agents are urgently needed. Recently, emerging studies determined resveratrol possessed anticancer effects on various cancer cells. We explored the anticancer effect of resveratrol in pancreatic cancer cells and investigated the involved moleculars of action. We also examined whether resveratrol enhanced antitumor activity of gemcitabine in vitro.Methods Proliferation inhibition was assessed by cell count kit-8 assay. Cell cycle phase distribution and apoptotic cells were measured by flow cytometric analysis. We determined the expression of bcl-2, cyclinD1, and activation of caspases-3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase1 proteins used Western blot analysis.Results Resveratrol inhibited the proliferation of three pancreatic cancer cell lines in a dose dependent fashion, and induced accumulation of cells at the G1 phase as well as apoptosis. Our data also demonstrated that resveratrol enhanced gemcitabine-induced apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells. In addition, resveratrol inhibited the expression of cyclinD1, bcl-2, and induced activation of caspase-3 and poly(ADPribose) polymerase1. Conclusion Our results suggested that resveratrol might be not only a potential regimen, but also an effective chemosensitizer for the chemotherapy of pancreatic cancer.     

Autophagy Enhances the Aggressiveness of Human Colorectal Cancer Cells and Their Ability to Adapt to Apoptotic Stimulus

Objective To investigate LC3B-Ⅱand active caspase-3 expression in human colorectal cancer to elucidate the role of autophagy and to explore the relationship of autophagy with apoptosis in human colorectal cancer. Methods LC3B expression was detected by immunohistochemistry in 53 human colorectal cancer tissues and 20 normal colon tissues.The protein levels of LC3B-Ⅱand active caspase-3 were also determined by Western blot analysis in 23 human colorectal cancer tissues and 10 normal colon tissues. Results LC3B was expressed both in cancer cells and normal epithelial cells.LC3B expression in the peripheral area of cancer tissues was correlated with several clinicopathological factors,including tumor differentiation(P=0.002),growth pattern of the tumor margin (P=0.028),pN(P=0.002),pStage(P=0.032),as well as vessel and nerve plexus invasion(P=0.002).The protein level of LC3B-Ⅱin cancer tissue was significantly higher than in normal tissue(P=0.038),but the expression of active forms of procaspase-3 in cancer tissue was lower(P=0.041).There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the expression levels of LC3B-Ⅱand the active forms of procaspase-3(r=0.537,P=0.008). Conclusions Autophagy has a prosurvival role in human colorectal cancer.Autophagy enhances the aggressiveness of colorectal cancer cells and their ability to adapt to apoptotic stimulus.     

Apoptosis Induced by Ginsenoside Rg3 in a Human Bladder Carcinoma Cell Line

OBJECTIVE This study was conducted to explore the effect of Rg3 on inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis in bladder cancer cells. METHODS The EJ bladder cancer cell line was treated with Rg3 at various concentrations. Cell proliferation was measured by the MTT assay. Morphological changes in the cells were observed by fluorescent staining using Hoechst 33258. The cell cycle and apoptotic rate were analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM) and the expression of caspase-3 in cells was detected by immunocytochemistry. DMA ladder analysis was conducted by agarose gel electrophoresis. RESULTS Rg3 inhibited proliferation of EJ cells in a concentration-dependent manner, resulting in an IC50 for Rg3 at 48 h of 125.5μg/ml. When treated with 150μg/ml of Rg3 for 24 h and 48 h, the cells showed apoptotic morphological characteristics including condensed chromatin, nuclear fragmentation, apoptotic bodies and bright fluorescent granules as well as a higher caspase-3 expression. The FCM assay indicated that Rg3 altered the cell cycle and induced apoptosis of the EJ cells, when treated for 24 h and 48 h with 75μg/ml of Rg3 as well as for 48 h with 150μg/ml. The percentages of cells in the S phase and the G2/M transition were increased, whereas the percentages of cells in the G0-G1 transition were decreased. The apoptotic rates were increased from (1.05±0.17)% in the control group cells to (8.41±0.98)%,(18.57±2.20)% and (33.98±1.64)% respectively. Significant changes in the DNA ladders, showed that the effects of Rg3 were displayed in a dose and time dependent manner. CONCLUSION The results suggest that Ginsenoside Rg3 exerts an inhibitory effect on proliferation of EJ cells by inducing apoptosis.     

The Effect of the MDM2-p53 Loop on the Sensitivity of Ovarian Cancer Cells to Cisplatin

OBJECTIVE To explore whether MDM2 transfection can alter the MDM2-p53 autoregulatory feedback loop so as to change the sensitivity of ovarian cancer cell lines to cisplatin. METHODS The ovarian cancer cell line A2780 expressing wild-type P53 and the ovarian cancer cell line SKOV-3 with the p53 null type were stably transfected with pCMV-MDM2 or pCMV as a control. The blocked expression of P53 was determined by Western blots. Cytotoxicity was assessed using the MTT assay and the trypan blue exclusion assay. Flow cytometry was used to detect changes in the cell cycle and removal of platinum -DNA adducts was measured by atomic absorption spec-troscopy. RESULTS (1) Parental A2780 and A2780-V cells (IC50= 15.14±1.39 μmol) have similar cisplatin sensitivities, whereas sensitivity to cisplatin in A2780-M cells (IC50=7.98±1.32 μmol) was 2 to 3 fold greater (P=0.001). The trypan blue exclusion assay demonstrated that cisplatin killed a higher percentage of A2780-M cells compared to A2780-V cells. There was no significant change following MDM2 transfection in SKOV-3 cells. (2) After cisplatin treatment, A2780-M cells showed a pronounced S-phase arrest, however, A2780 cells with the intact wild-type P53, arrested primarily at the G2/M transition. (3) Platinum uptake was similar for all of the A2780 cell lines after ciaplatin treatment, but the removal of plat-inum-DNA adducts was reduced in the A2780-M cells compared with A2780-V cells. CONCLUSION MDM2 increases cisplatin cytotoxicity in ovarian cancer cells by blocking the expression of p53 through the MDM2-p53 autoregulatory feedback loop.     

荜茇明碱诱导乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞凋亡的实验研究(英文)

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the apoptosis induced by piperlongumine on human breast adenoma MDA-MB-231 cells and the mechanism involved. Methods: Human breast adenoma MDA-MB-231 cells line was cultured in vitro. The inhibitory effect of piperlongumine on the proliferation of human breast adenoma MDA-MB-231 cells was measured by CCK-8 assay. Distribution of cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry. The apoptosis rates of MDA-MB-231 cells were measured using Annexin V/PI staining. The flow cytometry with the probe of DCFH-DA was used to detect the intracellular reactive oxygen species levels. Western blot was used to explore the protein expression of Bcl-2 and Bax. Results: The CCK-8 assay showed that piperlongumine had an inhibiting effect on the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells in a concentrationand time-dependent manner. MDA-MB-231 cells were markedly arrested at G0/G1 phase after treatment of piperlongumine. Piperlongumine induced apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 cells obviously. The level of intracellular reactive oxygen species was increased in a dose-dependent manner. The antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cystein inhibited the apoptosis of cells and the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species was also decreased. By Western blot analysis, we found the expression of Bax was up-regulated whereas that of Bcl-2 was down-regulated in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusion: Piper-longumine possesses a significant function for inhibiting proliferation, arresting cells at G0/G1 phase and inducing apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 cells, which seems to be associated with the increased generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species as well as the down-regulation of Bcl-2 and up-regulation of Bax.     

Construction of PR domain eukaryotic expression vector and its inhibitory effect on esophageal cancer cells

Objective：PR domain is responsible for the tumor suppressing activity of RIZ1.The study aimed to construct human PR domain eukaryotic expression vectors,transfect human esophageal cancer cells （TE13）,and evaluate the anticancer activity of PR domain on human esophageal cancer TE13 cells.Methods：First,mRNA was extracted from human esophageal cancer tissue by RT-PCR,then reversetranscribed to cDNA.After amplifying from the DNA template,PR domain was linked to T vector.Second,after extraction,PR domain was cut using enzyme and linked to pcDNA3.1（＋）.Then,the plasmid was transfered to Trans1-T1 phage resistant competent cells,following by extracting the ultrapure plasmid,and transfecting into TE13 cells.In the end,the protein expression of pcDNA3.1（＋）/PR domain in TE13 was detected by Western blot,and the apoptosis of TE 13 by technique of flow cytometry.Results：More than 5,000 bp purposed band of pcDNA3.1（＋）/PR domain plasmid was found by agarose gel electrophoresis.After transfection,the PR domain （molecular weight of about 28 Da） was found only in 3,4 and 5 groups by Western blot.Flow cytometry assay showed apoptosis in experimental group was significantly more than that in the control group （P＜0.05）.Conclusions：The PR domain eukaryotic expression vector was constructed successfully.The protein of the PR domain could be expressed in esophageal cancer TE13 cells firmly after transfection,and a single PR domain could promote apoptosis of TE13 cells.     

The Effect of Curcumin on Proliferation and Apoptosis in LNCaP Prostate Cancer Cells

OBJECTIVE To observe the effect of curcumin on proliferation and apop-tosis in the prostate cancer LNCaP cell line. METHODS The AXSYMTM system luciferase method was used to examine the effect of various concentratious of curcumin on the content of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in prostate cancer LNCaP cells. A pGL3-PSA luciferase expression vector, containing 640 bp DNA of the PSA gene 5' -promoter region was constructed and transfected into the LNCaP cells with lipofectin. By measuring luciferase activity, the effect of 10 μmol/L, 20 μmol/L, 30 and 40 μmol/L curcumin on the promoter was studied. Effects on cell growth and apoptosis were analyzed by microscopy, the MTT colorimetric assay and flow cytometry. Western-blotting was used to measure expression of the androgen receptor (AR) in the LNCaP cells treated with different concentrations of curcumin. RESULTS The results showed that the expression of PSA was inhibited as curcumin reduced the activity of luciferase. Curcumin also caused a sigificant concentration-dependent decrease in AR expession measured by Western -blotting. Cell growth was inhibited and apoptosis was induced. CONCLUSION By inhibiting AR expression, curcumin reduced the function of the PSA promoter and inhibited PSA protein expression. Curcumin decreased the cellular proliferation and induced apoptosis in LNCaP cells in a concention-dependent manner.     

凋亡抑制蛋白XIAP和促凋亡因子Smac在胰腺癌化疗抵抗中的调控作用

目的探讨凋亡抑制蛋白XIAP和促凋亡因子Smac在胰腺癌细胞化疗抵抗中的作用及其分子机制。方法应用流式细胞术检测顺铂、5-FU介导的Panc-1、BXPC-3的凋亡率及胞浆染色分析细胞XIAP表达变化,Western-blot分析XIAP、Smac、Caspase-3表达水平；构建pEGFP-N1／Smac真核表达载体并转染胰腺癌Panc-1细胞,流式细胞术检测转染胞浆表达型 Smac基因对Panc-1细胞凋亡敏感性的作用。结果与BXPC-3细胞相比,Panc-1对顺铂或5-FU介导的凋亡具有较强抵抗性,Western blot分析显示Panc-1细胞高表达XIAP,在化疗药物作用下化疗敏感细胞BXPC-3胞浆内XIAP水平下降明显多于Panc-1细胞,而且凋亡的BXPC-3细胞释放入胞浆内的成熟 Smac蛋白水平明显高于Panc-1细胞。转染胞浆表达型Smac基因至化疗抵抗Panc-1细胞,可明显下调其XIAP表达水平,促进效应 Caspase-3分子活化,显著提高顺铂、5-FU诱导的细胞凋亡率。结论在化疗药物诱导的凋亡中,线粒体释放Smac下调XIAP是胰腺癌化疗敏感性的重要决定因素,而上调Smac活性蛋白的胞浆表达作为一种有效调节信号,通过拮抗XIAP的凋亡抑制作用协同化疗药物促进胰腺癌细胞凋亡。     

Smac合成肽靶向下调凋亡抑制蛋白XIAP提高胰腺癌细胞化疗敏感性

目的:探讨包含目的蛋白功能结构域的Smac合成肽能否增强胰腺癌细胞的化疗药物敏感性及其作用机制.方法:化学合成SmacN7细胞可穿透融合多肽,共沉淀实验观察SmacN7细胞穿透肽与胰腺癌Panc-1细胞内的XIAP的相互作用,应用流式细胞术检测SmacN7细胞穿透肽与顺铂、5-FU联用对Panc-1细胞凋亡的影响,MTT法检测SmacN7细胞穿透肽应用前后Panc-1细胞的化疗药物敏感性.结果:SmacN7融合多肽能与内源性XIAP结合,明显下调Panc-1细胞XIAP表达水平,显著增强顺铂或5-FU诱导的Panc-1细胞凋亡,使其对顺铂、5-FU的药物半数抑制浓度(IC50)分别降低1.98倍、2.62倍.结论:应用包含目的蛋白功能结构域的Smac合成肽能靶向下调胰腺癌Panc-1细胞XIAP表达,显著提高其化疗敏感性,为胰腺癌的生物治疗协同化疗提供了新思路.     

Overexpression of neuropilin-1 promotes constitutive MAPK signalling and chemoresistance in pancreatic cancer cells

Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) is a novel co-receptor for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Neuropilin-1 is expressed in pancreatic cancer, but not in nonmalignant pancreatic tissue. We hypothesised that NRP-1 expression by pancreatic cancer cells contributes to the malignant phenotype. To determine the role of NRP-1 in pancreatic cancer, NRP-1 was stably transfected into the human pancreatic cancer cell line FG. Signal transduction was assessed by Western blot analysis. Susceptibility to anoikis (detachment induced apoptosis) was evaluated by colony formation after growth in suspension. Chemosensitivity to gemcitabine or 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was assessed by MTT assay in pancreatic cancer cells following NRP-1 overexpression or siRNA-induced downregulation of NRP-1. Differential expression of apoptosis-related genes was determined by gene array and further evaluated by Western blot analysis. Neuropilin-1 overexpression increased constitutive mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling, possibly via an autocrine loop. Neuropilin-1 overexpression in FG cells enhanced anoikis resistance and increased survival of cells by > 30% after exposure to clinically relevant levels of gemcitabine and 5-FU. In contrast, downregulation of NRP-1 expression in Panc-1 cells markedly increased chemosensitivity, inducing > 50% more cell death at clinically relevant concentrations of gemcitabine. Neuropilin-1 overexpression also increased expression of the antiapoptotic regulator, MCL-1. Neuropilin-1 overexpression in pancreatic cancer cell lines is associated with (a) increased constitutive MAPK signalling, (b) inhibition of anoikis, and (c) chemoresistance. Targeting NRP-1 in pancreatic cancer cells may downregulate survival signalling pathways and increase sensitivity to chemotherapy.     

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand-induced apoptosis is inhibited by Bcl-2 but restored by the small molecule Bcl-2 inhibitor, HA 14-1, in human colon cancer cells.

PURPOSE: Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a promising anticancer agent that induces apoptosis in multiple tumor cell types while sparing most normal cells. We determined the effect of ectopic Bcl-2 expression on TRAIL-induced apoptosis and whether the small molecule Bcl-2 inhibitor, HA14-1, could increase TRAIL sensitivity. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: SW480 human colon cancer cells were stably transfected with the PC3-Bcl-2 plasmid or vector alone. Cells were incubated with recombinant human TRAIL +/- HA14-1 or caspase-9 inhibitor (Z-LEHD-FMK). Apoptosis was analyzed by Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate labeling and DNA fragmentation factor 45 (DFF45) cleavage. Clonigenic survival was also studied. Caspase activation was determined by immunoblotting or colorimetric assay. The cytosolic expression of Bid, Bax, and XIAP and release of cytochrome c and Smac/DIABLO were determined by immunoblotting. RESULTS: Bcl-2 overexpression partially protected SW480 cells from a dose-dependent induction of apoptosis by TRAIL, as did a caspase-9 inhibitor, and increased their clonogenic survival. Bcl-2 overexpression attenuated TRAIL-induced cleavage of caspase-8, indicating its activation upstream and downstream of mitochondria, as well as cleavage of Bid and caspase-3. Bcl-2 inhibited TRAIL-induced Bax translocation, cytosolic release of cytochrome c and Smac/DIABLO, and the downstream cleavage of XIAP and DFF45. Coadministration of HA14-1 and TRAIL increased apoptosis in SW480/Bcl-2 cells by restoring Bax redistribution and cytochrome c release. CONCLUSIONS: Bcl-2 confers apoptosis resistance to TRAIL by inhibiting a mitochondrial amplification step and by inactivating downstream XIAP in SW480 cells. HA14-1 reversed Bcl-2-mediated TRAIL resistance, suggesting a novel strategy for increasing TRAIL sensitivity in Bcl-2-overexpressing colon cancers.     

Mechanisms of TRAIL and gemcitabine induction of pancreatic cancer cell apoptosis

The aim of this study was to investigate induction of apoptosis by the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and gemcitabine in the pancreatic cancer cell line SW1990. The sensitivity of SW1990 cells to TRAIL and/or gemcitabine-induced apoptosis and the rate of apoptosis were assessed by MTT assay and flow cytometry, respectively. We used Hoechst 33342 staining to observe apoptotic morphology and expression levels of proteins were analyzed by Western blottin. Growth inhibition and apoptosis rates on treatment with the combination of TRAIL and gemcitabine were significantly higher than with each drug alone (p<0.05). Pancreatic cancer cells exhibited a typical apoptosis morphology after treatment with TRAIL or gemcitabine. The levels of cellular apoptosis-associated proteins such as Smac/DIABLO, Cyto C, and the activated fragment of caspase-3 (P17) increased, but the expression of XIAP was significantly decreased after 24 h (p<0.05). SW1990 cells responded to TRAIL and/or gemcitabine-induction of apoptosis in a time and concentration-dependent manner. The mechanism of the apoptosis-sensitization effect appeared associated with significant up-regulation of Smac/DIABLO and cytochrome C, down-regulation of XIAP, and activation of caspase-3.     

Disturbed balance of expression between XIAP and Smac/DIABLO during tumour progression in renal cell carcinomas

Dysregulation of apoptosis plays an important role in tumour progression and resistance to chemotherapy. The X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) is considered to be the most potent caspase inhibitor of all known inhibitor of apoptosis-family members. Only recently, an antagonist of XIAP has been identified, termed Smac/DIABLO. To explore the relevance of antiapoptotic XIAP and proapoptotic Smac/DIABLO for tumour progression in renal cell carcinomas (RCCs), we analysed XIAP and Smac/DIABLO mRNA and protein expression in the primary tumour tissue from 66 RCCs of all major histological types by quantitative real-time PCR, Western blot and ELISA. X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis and Smac/DIABLO mRNA expression was found in all RCCs. Importantly, the relative XIAP mRNA expression levels significantly increased from early (pT1) to advanced (pT3) tumour stages (P=0.0002) and also with tumour dedifferentiation (P=0.04). Western blot analysis confirmed the tumour stage-dependent increase of XIAP expression on the protein level. In contrast, mRNA and protein expression levels of Smac/DIABLO did not significantly change between early and advanced tumour stages or between low and high tumour grades. Consequently, the mRNA expression ratio between antiapoptotic XIAP and proapoptotic Smac/DIABLO markedly increased during progression from early (pT1) to advanced (pT3) tumour stages. Moreover, RCCs confined within the organ capsule (pT1 and pT2) exhibited a significantly lower XIAP to Smac/DIABLO expression ratio when compared with RCCs infiltrating beyond the kidney (pT3; P=0.01). Thus, our investigation demonstrates that the delicate balance between XIAP and Smac/DIABLO expression is gradually disturbed during progression of RCCs, resulting in a relative increase of antiapoptotic XIAP over proapoptotic Smac/DIABLO, thereby probably contributing to the marked apoptosis resistance of RCC.     

Coexistence of high levels of apoptotic signaling and inhibitor of apoptosis proteins in human tumor cells: implication for cancer specific therapy

It is well known that dysfunction of the apoptotic pathway confers apoptosis resistance and results in a low sensitivity of human cancer cells to therapeutic agents. A novel strategy to overcome the resistance is to target the apoptotic pathway directly. To identify molecular targets in the apoptotic pathway that are differentially regulated in cancer and normal cells, we have examined the levels of apoptotic effectors and inhibitors in human tumor and normal cell lines as well as in cancer and normal tissues. These include three pancreatic cancer lines (BXPC-3, MIA PaCa-2, and Panc-1), four breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-435, MDA-MB-361, and MCF-7), and colon carcinoma line (SW620). Additionally, breast carcinoma tissue specimens were examined. Compared with normal human fibroblast and mammary epithelial cell lines, we detected high basal levels of caspase-3 and caspase-8 activities and active caspase-3 fragments in the tumor cell lines and cancer tissues in the absence of apoptotic stimuli. Furthermore, the tumor cells expressed high levels of survivin and XIAP, two members of the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) protein family. When the activity of these IAPs was blocked by expression of dominant-negative mutant survivin (survivinT34A) and XIAP-associated factor 1, respectively, apoptosis was induced in tumor but not normal cell lines. Moreover, down-regulation of both survivin and XIAP significantly enhanced tumor-cell apoptosis as compared with inhibition of either survivin or XIAP alone. These results suggest that up-regulated IAP expression counteracts the high basal caspase-3 activity observed in these tumor cells and that apoptosis in tumor cells but not normal cells can be induced by blocking IAP activity. Therefore, IAPs are important molecular targets for the development of cancer-specific therapeutic approaches.     

DNMT3a通过STAT3及RAD51影响胰腺癌细胞对奥沙利铂敏感性的研究

目的:检测DNMT3a在胰腺癌细胞中的表达及对奥沙利铂（oxaliplatin，OXA）敏感性的影响，探讨DNMT3a对胰腺癌细胞奥沙利铂敏感性影响的机制。方法:MTT法检测奥沙利铂对人胰腺癌Panc-1细胞的增殖影响，及下调DNMT3a对Panc-1细胞奥沙利铂敏感性的影响。Western blot检测siDNMT3a对DNMT3a蛋白表达的影响，检测奥沙利铂及下调DNMT3a对γ-H2AX、RAD51、p-STAT3和STAT3蛋白表达的影响。流式细胞仪检测奥沙利铂及联合下调DNMT3a对Panc-1细胞凋亡的影响。结果:奥沙利铂能够以浓度依赖方式抑制胰腺癌Panc-1细胞的增殖。奥沙利铂能够引起DNA损伤、γ-H2AX上调及RAD51增高，同时引起STAT3通路的一过性活化。下调DNMT3a表达能够明显增加Panc-1细胞对奥沙利铂的敏感性，抑制STAT3一过性活化，并抑制RAD51表达，促进DNA损伤，进而增加奥沙利铂诱导Panc-1细胞的凋亡。结论:下调DNMT3a表达能够通过抑制STAT3活化及增加DNA损伤增加胰腺癌细胞对奥沙利铂的敏感性，DNMT3a有望成为胰腺癌新的治疗靶点。