Differentiation inducing effects of vesnarinone on human glioma cells

The effects of 3,4-dihydro-6-[4-(3,4-dimethoxybenzoyl)-1-piperazinyl]-2(1H)-quinolinone (vesnarinone) on the growth of glioma cells were examined in vitro. Vesnarinone at a dose of 100 mug/ml suppressed the growth of four different glioma cell lines, U-251MG, U-373MG, U-87MG and A-172, by approximately 50%, with an elongation of the cytoplasmic process on day 5 of culture. The long-term culture of U-87MG with 10 mug/ml of vesnarinone was continued up to day 34. Although growth suppression was approximately 25% on day 5, it reached over 95% on day 34. An increase in the cyclic adenosine monophosphate content of glioma cells cultured with vesnarinone was observed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The accumulation of glial fibrillary acidic protein was observed to occur with vesnarinone by ELISA. These findings suggest that vesnarinone suppressed the growth and induced differentiation of glioma cells in vitro.     

吉非替尼对表达PTEN的胶质瘤细胞株U87细胞增殖活性的影响

目的探讨表皮生长因子受体抑制剂吉非替尼对表达磷酸酶一张力蛋白同源物（FrEN）的胶质瘤细胞株U87细胞增殖活性的影响。方法将人脑恶性胶质瘤细胞株U87细胞（PTEN缺失）置人DMEM中培养,根据转染质粒不同分为空白组（不转染任何质粒）、空载体组（转染pCDNA3．1载体）和PTEN组（转染pCDNA3．1-PTEN质粒）,采用5-溴脱氧尿嘧啶核苷（Brdu）,碘化丙碇双掺入法分析细胞DNA合成水平,采用流式细胞仪分析细胞周期,采用蛋白免疫印迹法分析蛋白表达。结果与空白组和空载体组相比,PTEN组PTEN蛋白表达水平明显升高,而磷酸化Akt蛋白表达水平明显降低。PTEN组BrdU阳性细胞比例[（13．5±2．7）％]明显低于空白组[（39．5±4．2）％;P〈0．05]和空载体组为[（40．7±5．1）％;P〈0．05]。PTEN组GJG。期细胞比例[（80．2±6．6）％]明显高于空白组[（43．2±5．2）％;P〈0．05]和空载体组[（41．1＋4．7）％;P〈0．05],而s和G2,M期细胞比例[分别为（35．7±3．7）％和（21．1±2．1）％]明显低于空白组[分别为（36．5±4．1）％和（22．4±1．9）％;P〈0．05]和空载体组[分别为（12．7＋2．O）％和（7．1±1．1）％;P〈0．051。结论高表达PTEN蛋白能够增强胶质瘤细胞株U87细胞对吉非替尼的敏感性。     

Survivin-specific small interfering RNAs enhance sensitivity of glioma U-87MG cells to paclitaxel by promoting apoptosis

A survivin siRNA expression vector was transfected into glioma U-87MG cells and these cells were then treated with paclitaxel.The results showed that survivin-specific siRNA combined with paclitaxel treatment synergistically inhibited glioma U-87MG cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis.This treatment also inhibited the expression of the cell cycle regulatory proteins,survivin,cyclinD1,c-Myc and CDK4 and enhanced the sensitivity of U-87MG cells to paclitaxel.     

Rescue of social behavior impairment by clozapine and alterations in the expression of neuronal receptors in a rat model of neurodevelopmental impairment induced by GRPR blockade

We have previously shown that pharmacological blockade of the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) during the neonatal period in rats produces behavioral features of developmental neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, we show that social interaction deficits in this model are reversed by the atypical antipsychotic clozapine given in the adulthood. In addition, we analyzed the mRNA expression of three neuronal receptors potentially involved in the etiology of disorders of the autism spectrum. Rats were injected with the GRPR antagonist RC-3095 or saline (SAL) from postnatal days 1-10, and tested for social behavior and recognition memory in the adulthood. One hour prior to the behavioral testing, rats were given a systemic injection of clozapine or saline. The mRNA expression of the NR1 subunit of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and GRPR was measured in the hippocampus and cortex of a separate set of rats given RC-3095 or SAL neonatally. Rats given neonatal RC-3095 showed decreased social interaction and impaired object recognition memory. Clozapine rescued the social interaction impairment. Neonatal treatment with RC-3095 also resulted in dose-dependent decreases in the expression of GRPR, NR1, and EGFR in the cortex, whereas all three receptor mRNAs were increased in the hippocampus in rats treated with the lower dose of RC-3095. The results contribute to further validate the novel rat model of neurodevelopmental disorders induced by GRPR blockade, and shows alterations in the expression of neuronal receptors in this model.     

Monoclonal antibody against human glioblastoma multiforme (U-87MG) immunoprecipitates a protein of molecular mass 38 kDa and inhibits tumor growth in nude mice

A monoclonal antibody 6DS₁ against a human glioblastoma multiforme cell line U-87MG recognizes a tumor-specific, cell surface antigen of human glioblastoma cell lines. Partial cross-reactivity is observed with two human neuroblastoma cell lines, SK-N-SH and SK-N-MC, with little or no reactivity towards a rat glioma cell line C6 or normal human adult and fetal brain tissues. The antibody recognizes an antigen of molecular mass 38 kDa as inferred from Western blot analysis and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the immunoprecipitate. The monoclonal antibody 6DS₁ inhibits both the attachment to substratum and growth of U-87MG cells. It strongly cross-reacts with xenotransplants of U-87MG cells and inhibits tumorigenesis (subcutaneous implants of U-87MG cells) in nude mice.     

Bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide receptors in the basolateral amygdala regulate memory consolidation

Several receptor and intracellular signalling systems in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) regulate memory formation. In the present study, we show that bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) receptors in the BLA are involved in the consolidation of affectively motivated memory. Adult male rats were trained in a single-trial step-down inhibitory avoidance task and tested for retention 24 h later. Post-training systemic injection of the bombesin/GRP receptor antagonist (D-Tpi6, Leu13 psi[CH2NH]-Leu14) bombesin (6-14) (RC-3095) impaired memory retention. In rats implanted under thionembutal anaesthesia with guide cannulae aimed at the BLA, post-training bilateral infusion of RC-3095 into the BLA dose-dependently impaired retention. Pre-training unilateral muscimol inactivation of the BLA blocked the memory-impairing effect of post-training systemic administration of RC-3095. The results suggest that bombesin/GRP receptors in the BLA are involved in the consolidation of aversive memory, and the BLA mediates the memory-impairing effect of systemic bombesin/GRP receptor blockade.     

Role of high molecular weight extracellular matrix proteins in glioma cell migration

Malignant human gliomas are characterized by an uncontrolled cell proliferation and infiltrative growth within the brain. Complete surgical removal is difficult due to disseminated tumour cells, and the fundamental mechanisms responsible for this spread are poorly understood. An extensive tumour cell movement along blood vessels is frequently observed and this may be due to specific interactions between tumour cell surface receptors and specific extracellular matrix (ECM) components present in conjunction with vascular elements. In order to investigate the influence of ECM on glioma cell migration, three different human glioma cell lines (U-373 MG, A-172 MG and HF-66) were exposed to known ECM components of the basement membrane (laminin, fibronectin and collagen type IV). Cell migration from multicellular spheroids was studied, using a custom-made medium which was prepared by removing the high molecular weight protein fraction (>100 kDa) from newborn calf serum by ultrafiltration. To this medium, the specific ECM components were added. For two of the cell lines (A-172 MG and U-373 MG), laminin was the most potent stimulator of glioma cell migration; the effect of laminin exceeded that evoked by ordinary serum-supplemented medium. For the HF-66 cell line, fibronectin was the most potent stimulator of migration. Western blot analysis showed that the A-172 MG and HF-66 cell lines expressed low amounts of laminin compared with U-373 MG, which showed extensive intrinsic synthesis of this ligand. U-373 MG was the only cell line that migrated in pure filtered medium. The cells stimulated by fibronectin expressed a different morphology from those stimulated by laminin suggesting that specific ECM-receptor binding may activate different cytoskeletal components within the cells. Furthermore, it was shown that there was no difference in the amount of protein synthesis between cells grown in filtered medium and in filtered medium supplemented with different ECM components. This suggests that ECM-induced cell migration is not dependent on a high level of protein synthesis. It is also shown that α3 integrin, which is a receptor-subunit for laminin, fibronectin and collagen type IV, was highly expressed in all cell lines. This study indicates that glioma cells need serum proteins with a molecular weight >100 kDa to migrate in vitro, and that laminin and fibronectin play an important role in this process.     

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity is required for the induction of differentiation in C6 glioma cells by panaxydol

Panaxydol isolated from the lipophilic fractions of Tienchi ginseng (Panax notoginseng) induces growth inhibition and differentiation of rat C6 glioma cells. The underlying molecular mechanisms are not completely understood. In the present study, we identified phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-K) as a necessary enzyme for the differentiation of C6 cells treated with panaxydol. The specific PI 3-K inhibitor wortmannin resulted in attenuated differentiation of C6 cells induced by panaxydol, and was associated with perinuclear localization of glial fibrillary acidic protein expression and a diminished process formation. These data suggest that induction of differentiation in C6 cells by panaxydol could be mediated through a PI 3-K-dependent pathway.     

表达VASH1基因的人脑胶质瘤U-87MG细胞对化疗药物敏感性的变化

目的 探讨表达人血管生成抑制因子１（VASH1）的人脑胶质瘤U-87MG细胞对化疗药物的敏感性变化。方法 构建针对VASH1的慢病毒载体pGCL-GFP-VASH1,经测序鉴定后转染293T细胞,筛选出适合浓度的慢病毒转染人脑胶质瘤U-87MG细胞,荧光显微镜下检测转染效率;通过RT-PCR和Western blot分析U-87MG细胞VASH1 mRNA和蛋白表达水平;用CCK-8法检测U-87MG细胞在化疗药物顺铂和替莫唑胺作用下的存活率。流式细胞仪检测U-87MG细胞凋亡。结果 成功构建pGCL-GFP-VASH1慢病毒载体,并成功转染U-87MG细胞,转染率达70％以上;RT-PCR和Western blot结果证实转染VASH1慢病毒载体的U-87MG细胞表达VASH1 mRNA和蛋白。在顺铂或替莫唑胺作用下,表达VASH1的U-87MG细胞存活率均较未表达VASH1的U-87MG细胞明显降低（P<0.01）,而且U-87MG细胞凋亡率明显增加（P<0.01）。结论 VASH1慢病毒载体转染U-87MG细胞可使其稳定表达VASH1,并提高人脑胶质瘤U-87MG细胞对化疗药物敏感性、增加细胞凋亡率。     

Autocrine signaling through Ras regulates cell survival activity in human glioma cells: potential cross-talk between Ras and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Akt pathway

Autocrine fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling mediates an uncontrollable growth of human gliomas. We investigated the intracellular signaling of FGF on cell survival activity. U251MG human glioma cells were infected with adenovirus vectors expressing dominant negative type I FGF receptor (DNFR), constitutive active Ras (RasL61), or dominant negative Ras (RasN17). DNFR reduced glioma cell accumulation with apoptosis and this reduction was alleviated with exogenous epidermal growth factor (EGF), which can activate Ras independent of FGFR but not with bFGF. RasL61 prevented but RasN17-enhanced DNFR-induced apoptosis. Reportedly, cell survival signaling through Akt was constitutively active in U251MG cells and this effect may be dependent on autocrine signaling and dysfunction of PTEN, a tumor suppressor gene limiting phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) activity. DNFR dose-dependently inhibited Akt activity and this inhibition was recovered by RasL61, whereas RasN17 inhibited Akt activity. Wortmannin (a PI3K inhibitor) inhibited Akt activity and mildly promoted apoptosis. RasL61 prevented the down-regulation of Akt activity and apoptosis induced by wortmannin, but RasN17 plus wortmannin strongly inhibited Akt activity and promoted marked apoptosis. Our data suggested that the cell survival activity of human gliomas is largely dependent on cross-talk between Ras and the PI3K-Akt pathway, and this cross-talk could be a potential target for molecular-based therapeutics.     

Physiology of transformed glial cells

Much of our present knowledge of glial cell function stems from studies of glioma cell lines, both rodent (C6, C6 polyploid, and TR33B) and human (1321N1, 138MG, D384, R-111, T67, Tp-301MG, Tp-483MG, Tp-378MG, U-118MG, U-251MG, U-373MG, U-787MG, U-1242MG, and UC-11MG). New methods such as patch clamp and Ca²⁺ imaging have lead to rapid progress the last few years in our knowledge about glial cells, where an unexpected presence and diversity of receptors and ion channels have emerged. Basic mechanisms related to membrane potential and K⁺ transport and the presence of voltage gated ion channels (Na⁺, inwardly rectifying K⁺, Ca²⁺ activated K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Cl^? channels) have been identified. Receptor function and intracellular signaling for glutamate, acetylcholine, histamine, serotonin, cathecolamines, and a large number of neuropeptides (bradykinin, cholecystokinin, endothelin, opioids, and tachykinins) have been characterized. Such studies are facilitated in cell lines which offer a more homogenous material than primary cultures. Although the expression of ion channels and receptors vary considerably between different cell lines and comparative studies are rare, a few differences (compared to astrocytes in primary culture) have been identified which may turn out to be characteristic for glioma cells. Future identification of specific markers for receptors on glial and glioma cells related to cell type and growth properties may have great potential in clinical diagnosis and therapy. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Effects of a gastrin-releasing peptide receptor antagonist on d-amphetamine-induced oxidative stress in the rat brain

Previous studies have suggested that bipolar disorder may be associated with oxidative stress. Administration of d-amphetamine (AMPH) has been put forward as an animal model of mania, and has shown to increase oxidative stress parameters in the rat brain. Thus, we have used the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor antagonist [D-Tpi⁶Leu¹³psi (CH₂NH)-Leu¹⁴] bombesin (RC-3095) as a pharmacological tool to investigate the role of bombesin-like peptides in the redox balance in the hippocampus and cortex of rats treated with AMPH. Rats were given a single 10 ml/kg intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of saline (SAL) or RC-3095 (0.1, 1.0 or 10.0 mg/kg) followed by an i.p. injection of SAL or amphetamine (AMPH 2.0 mg/kg) 30 min later. Locomotor activity was evaluated 2 h after the last drug injection. The thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), protein carbonyl formation, superoxide dismutase and catalase (CAT) activity were measured in hippocampus, striatum and cortex as markers of oxidative stress. The results show that RC-3095 blocks AMPH-induced hyperlocomotion. Moreover, specific doses of RC-3095 alone increased the levels of oxidative stress in the dorsal hippocampus and cortex. However, when AMPH was subsequently administrated, RC-3095 decreased TBARS and protein carbonyls formation and increased the superoxide dismutase and CAT activity in the hippocampus, striatum and cortex. The effects of GRPR antagonist seemed to be region and dose specific. In conclusion, the results suggest that GRPR antagonists might display antioxidant properties in the brain.     

白藜芦醇通过Fas-线粒体双途径诱导U-87脑胶质瘤细胞凋亡

目的研究白藜芦醇（Res）对人脑胶质瘤细胞系U-87细胞增殖抑制和诱导凋亡作用,并探讨其分子机制。方法以人脑胶质瘤细胞系U-87细胞为靶细胞,应用四氮唑蓝（MTT）比色法测定细胞增殖活性;AnnexinV/碘化丙啶（PI）双标记和细胞形态学法检测U-87细胞凋亡;流式细胞仪（FCM）检测细胞Fas蛋白表达水平、线粒体跨膜电位（Δψm）、细胞色素C（Cytc）释放和Caspase-3活性变化。结果Res明显抑制U-87细胞的增殖,呈浓度及时间依赖性（P〈0.01）;20μmol/L和40μmol/LRes处理U-87细胞,AnnexinV/PI染色显示凋亡细胞明显增多,细胞凋亡率分别为42.57%和62%,同时细胞出现典型的凋亡形态改变;FCM检测显示Fas蛋白表达增高1.6～2.2倍,线粒体Δψm降低15%～63%,胞浆Cytc含量增加2.5～7.3倍,Caspase-3被激活,活性增高25%～112%。结论Res体外明显抑制U-87细胞的增殖,通过Fas-线粒体双途径诱导U-87细胞凋亡。     

Knockdown of annexin 2 decreases migration of human glioma cells in vitro

Diffuse invasion of brain tissue is a major reason for the poor prognosis of patients with glioblastoma. Annexin 2, a member of the large annexin family of Ca2+ and membrane-binding proteins, is expressed at high protein levels in human gliomas and has been proposed as a marker of glioma malignancy, while its functional role in these tumours is unknown so far. The ability of annexin 2 to interact with the actin cytoskeleton, as well as its potential to bind invasion-associated proteases, suggests that it could participate in invasion-associated processes in human gliomas. Therefore, we analysed here functional consequences of RNA interference-mediated silencing of annexin 2 in U87MG and U373MG human glioma cell lines. While no impact of annexin 2 downregulation on proliferation and adhesion was observed, our analyses revealed that migration of U87MG and U373MG cells was significantly inhibited following annexin 2 depletion. This effect was not related to a compensatory increase of the related annexins 1 or 6. Our findings identify annexin 2 as a potential candidate involved in glioma invasion and support the potential of RNA interference as powerful tool in the decryption of glioma invasion mechanisms.     

九节龙皂苷对胶质瘤U373MG的抑制作用及其机制研究

目的 探讨九节龙皂苷对人脑胶质瘤细胞U373MG增殖的抑制作用及其机制.方法 培养U373MG细胞系,随机分为二甲基亚砜对照组(control组)和九节龙皂苷治疗(ADS)组.采用甲基噻唑基四唑法检测不同剂量ADS对人胶质瘤细胞U373MG增殖的影响;流式细胞仪观察细胞凋亡情况.免疫组化检测凋亡蛋白Caspase-3、p-Caspase-3的表达变化.结果 与对照组比较,ADS可显著降低U373MG细胞的生存率;流式细胞仪检测结果显示,随着ADS浓度的增大,U373MG细胞的凋亡率明显上升,免疫组化结果同样证明,ADS可呈剂量依赖性的促进凋亡信号Caspase-3和p-Caspase-3的高表达,不同组间差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 ADS可呈剂量依赖性的抑制U373MG细胞增殖,可能通过促进Caspase-3、p-Caspase-3的表达,诱发U373 MG细胞大量凋亡,发挥重要的抗肿瘤作用.     

The Effect of Hyaluronic Acid on the Invasiveness of Malignant Glioma Cells : Comparison of Invasion Potential at Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogel and Matrigel

Objective

Hyaluronidase (HAse), a degrading enzyme of hyaluronic acid (HA), is highly expressed in patients with malignant glioma. The purpose of this study was to verify whether HAse is related to the invasion of glioma cells. We also investigated if glioma cells with higher mobility in 2-dimensioal (2-D) method have also higher mobility at 3-dimensional (3-D) environment.

Methods

Malignant glioma cell lines (U87MG, U251MG, U343MG-A, and U373MG) were used, and their HAse expressions were evaluated by HA zymography. The migration ability was evaluated by simple scratch technique. The invasiveness of each cell lines was evaluated by Matrigel invasion assay and HA hydrogel invasion assay. In HA hydrogel invasion assay, colonies larger than 150 µm were regarded as positive ones and counted. Statistical analysis of migration ability and invasion properties of each cell lines was performed using t-test.

Results

In scratch test to examine migration ability of each cell lines, U87MG cells were most motile than others, and U343MG-A least motile. The HAse was expressed in U251MG and U343MG-A cell lines. However, U87MG and U373MG cell lines did not express HAse activity. In Matrigel invasion assay, the cell lines expressing HAse (U251MG and U343MG-A) were more invasive in the presence of HA than HAse deficient cell lines (U87MG and U373MG). In HA hydrogel invasion assay, the HAse-expressing cell lines formed colonies more invasively than HAse-deficient ones.

Conclusion

Malignant Glioma cells expressing HAse were more invasive than HAse-deficient ones in 3-dimensional environment. Therefore, it might be suggested that invasion of malignant gliomas is suppressed by inhibition of HAse expression or HA secretion. Additionally, the ability of 2-D migration and 3-D invasion might not be always coincident to each other in malignant glioma cells.