Procyanidins from grape seeds protect against phorbol ester-induced oxidative cellular and genotoxic damage

AIM: To evaluate the inhibitory effects of Vitis vinifera procyanidins (PAs) on carcinogen-induced oxidative stress. METHODS: The single cell gel electrophoresis technique (comet assay) was employed to detect DNA damage induced by the carcinogen phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), The release of hydrogen peroxidase from polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) was assayed by the horseradish peroxidase-mediated oxidation of phenol red. The microplate assay was used to detect the presence of oxidative products by means of 2‘,7‘-dichlorofluorescindiacetate (DCFH-DA). The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of liver mitochondria was assayed, based on the ability of SOD to inhibit the generation of superoxidate anions by the xanthine-xanthine oxidase system. The malondialdehyde (MDA) level was determined by the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) assay. RESULTS: DNA of NIH3T3 cells was significantly damaged after addition of PMA. The length of the comet tail was observed ,while in normal cells the comet tail could not be observed. PAs showed significant protective effects on carcinogen PMA-induced DNA damage. Through assessment of DCFH-DA oxidation, PAs were shown to inhibit the PMA-induced release of hydrogen peroxide by PMNs, and to inhibit respiratory burst activity in NIH3T3 mouse fibroblasts. Ex vivo study showed that serum from rats administered with PAs displayed similar effects in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, PAs suppressed liver mitochondrial lipid peroxidation induced by PMA. PAs protected the activity of SOD and decreased the level of MDA in liver mitochondria damaged by PMA. CONCLUSION: Dietary PAs from grape seeds protect against carcinogen-induced oxidative cellular and genotoxic damage,     

Effects of GM-CSF, IL-3, and GM-CSF／IL-3 fusion protein on apoptosis of human myeloid leukemic cell line Tf-1 induced by irradiation

AIM: To observe the effects of three cytokines on the apoptosis of Tf-1 cells induced by γ irradiation and investigate the relationship between apoptosis and caspase-3 activity. METHODS: Different cytokines GM-CSF, IL-3 and GM-CS/IL-3 fusion protein were added into the irradiated Tf-1 cells. MTT assay, morphology, flow cytometry,and DNA fragmentation assay were used to observe the effects of cytokines on apoptosis. The caspase-3 activity was determined with a fluorocytometer. RESULTS: Irradiated Tf-1 cells showed typical morphological characteristic of apoptosis demonstrated by transmission electron microscopy and were accumulated in G0/G1 phase. In the groups treated with growth factors after irradiation, three cytokines significantly increased the viability rate, distinctly decreased the apoptosis rate and the proportion of DNA fragmentation. When Tf-1 cells were irradiated by γ irradiation, caspase-3 activity was increased at different time points. In comparison with the control group in which no growth factor was added after the cells were irradiated, the caspase-3 activity of irradiated Tf-1 cells was significantly inhibited by addition of the above cytokines. Thirty-six hours after irradiation, in the control group,GM-CSF, IL-3, GM-CSF and IL-3 in combination, and two GM-CSF/IL-3 fusion protein groups, the apoptosis ratewas 73 %, 11%, 15 %, 13 %, 12 %, and 13 %. The percent of fragmented DNA was 36 %, 19 %, 18 %, 14 %,13 %, and 14 %. The fluorescence intensity was 16923, 5529, 6581, 5322, 5426, and 5485. CONCLUSION:GM-CSF, IL-3, and GM-CSF/IL-3 fusion protein could protect Tf-1 cells from apoptosis induced by γ irradiation.After Tf-1 cells were irradiated, the caspase-3 activity was significantly increased but was dramatically decreased by the above cytokines. The remarkable inhibition of caspase-3 activity may be one of the mechanisms of these hematopoietic growth factors exerting their anti-apoptotic effects.     

Production of neutralizing monoclonal antibody against human vascular endothelial growth factor receptor Ⅱ

AIM: To prepare neutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAb) against extracellular immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domain Ⅲ of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor KDR and study its biological activity. METHODS: Soluble KDR Ig domain III (KDR-Ⅲ) fusion protein was expressed in E Coli and purified from the bacterial periplasmic extracts via an affinity chromatography. Monoclonal antibodies against KDR-Ⅲ were prepared by hybridoma technique. ELISA and FACS analysis were used to identify its specificity. Immunoprecipitation and [^3H]-thymidine incorporation assay were also used to detect the activity of anti-KDR mAb blocking the phosphorylation of KDR tyrosine kinase receptor and the influence on vascular endothelial growth factor-induced mitogenesis of human endothelial cells. RESULTS: A monoclonal antibody, Ycom1D3 (IgG1), was generated from a mouse immunized with the recombinant KDR-Ⅲ protein. YcomlD3 bound specifically to both the soluble KDR-Ⅲ and the cell-surface expressed KDR. Ycom1D3 effectively blocked VEGF/KDR interaction and inhibited VEGF-stimulated KDR activation in human endothelial cells. Furthermore, the antibody efficiently neutralized VEGF-induced mitogenesis of human endothelial cells. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the anti-KDR mAb, Ycom1D3, has potential applications in the treatment of cancer and other diseases where pathological angiogenesis is involved.     

Immunotherapy of tumors with recombinant adenovirus encoding macrophage inflammatory protein 3β induces tumor-specific immune response in immunocompetent tumor-bearing mice

Aim： Tumor immunotherapy aims at activating the body＇s own immune system to fight an existing tumor. Effective antitumor responses require tumor antigens to be presented to lymphocytes. We aimed to test the hypothesis that intratumoral administration of recombinant adenovirus encoding MIP3β would induce antitumor immunity by attracting and facilitating the interaction between lymphocytes and dendritic cells.
Methods： A recombinant adenovirus encoding microphage inflammatory protein 3β （AdMIPβ） was constructed. The antitumor activity of AdMIP3β in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice bearing CT26 colon adenocarcinoma and Lewis lung cancer was evaluated.
Results： Immunotherapy with AdMIP3β resulted in significant inhibition of tumor growth and prolonged survival of tumor-bearing mice. Tumor-specific immune responses elicited by AdMIP3β include MHC class I-dependent CD8^＋ CTL- mediated immune response and IFN-γ response. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated numerous CD11c^＋ cells and CD3^＋ T lymphocytes within tumor tissues of AdMIP3β-treated mice. These findings suggest that the mechanism of specific antitumor immunity induced by AdMIP3β may be involved in the chemoattraction of both T lymphocytes and DCs to the tumor site and thus facilitate the process of antigen capture and mature DC to prime naive T cells.
Conclusion： The present study may be important in the exploration of the potential application of AdMIP3β in the treatment of a broad spectrum of tumors.     

A novel PPAR alpha／gamma dual agonist inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis in human glioblastoma T98G cells

AIM: To examine the effect of a novel peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) α/γ dual agonist TZD 18 on cell proliferation and apoptosis in human glioblastoma T98G cells and its possible mechanism. METHODS: RTPCR, MTT, TUNEL, Flow cytometry, and Western blot analysis were employed. RESULTS: TZD18 inhibited the growth of T98G cells in a concentration-dependent manner, which was associated with a GI to S cell cycle arrest. Besides, significant apoptosis was induced after treatment with a non-toxic dose of TZD 18. During the process, the expression of Bcl-2 protein was down-regulated, while that of Bax and p27^kip proteins was up-regulated, and the activity of caspase-3 was elevated. However, this effect appeared to be PPARα and PPARγ/independent since their antagonists could not reverse this effect. CONCLUSIONS: TZD18, a novel PPARα/γ dual agonist, inhibited cell growth and induce apoptosis in human glioblastoma T98G cells in vitro, indicating a therapeutic potential for TZD18 in the treatment of glioblastoma.     

Effects of GM-CSF, IL-3, and GM-CSG/IL-3 fusion protein on apoptosis of human myeloid leukemic cell line Tf-1 induced by irradiation

AIM: To observe the effects of three cytokines on the apoptosis of Tf-1 cells induced by y irradiation and investigate the relationship between apoptosis and caspase-3 activity. METHODS: Different cytokines GM-CSF, IL-3 and GM-CS/IL-3 fusion protein were added into the irradiated Tf-1 cells. MTT assay, morphology, flow cytometry, and DNA fragmentation assay were used to observe the effects of cytokines on apoptosis. The caspase-3 activity was determined with a fluorocytometer. RESULTS: Irradiated Tf-1 cells showed typical morphological characteristic of apoptosis demonstrated by transmission electron microscopy and were accumulated in G0/G1 phase. In the groups treated with growth factors after irradiation, three cytokines significantly increased the viability rate, distinctly decreased the apoptosis rate and the proportion of DNA fragmentation. When Tf-1 cells were irradiated by y     

Expression of core binding factor alpha1 up-regulated by IGF-I, GM-CSF, and EGF through MAPK pathway in MC3T3-E1 and C2C12 cells

AIM: To study the regulating function and mechanism of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and epidermal growth factor (EGF) on murine core binding factor alpha1 (Cbfalpha1) gene expression. METHODS: Luciferase reporter gene method and RT-PCR technique were used to examine the effects of these growth factors on the promoter activity and mRNA expression of Cbfalpha1 gene in MC3T3-E1 and C2C12 cells. RESULTS: IGF-I (from 1 nmol/L to 1 micromol/L), GM-CSF (100 nmol/L), and EGF (1 micromol/L) increased the luciferase expression in MC3T3-E1 cells (P<0.05). And mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor, PD 98059 (10 micromol/L), completely blocked IGF-1, GM-CSF, and EGF-induced expression of Cbfa1 promoter activity (P<0.01). In C2C12 cells, IGF-I (from 1 nmol/L to 10 micromol/L), GM-CSF (100 nmol/L and 1 micromol/L), and EGF (100 nmol/L) enhanced the expression of luciferase reporter plasmid driven by mCbfalpha1 promoter (P<0.05). Addition of PD 98059 also blocked the stimulatory effects of these growth factors on Cbfalpha1 promoter activity (P<0.01). Moreover, Cbfalpha1 mRNA expression was significantly increased after treatment with IGF-I (1 nmol/L, 100 nmol/L), GM-CSF (100 nmol/L, 1 micromol/L), and EGF (1 micromol/L, 100 nmol/L) in MC3T3-E1 and C2C12 cells, respectively (P<0.05). These stimulatory effects of IGF-I, GM-CSF, and EGF on Cbfalpha1 mRNA expression were abolished by PD 98059. CONCLUSION: IGF-I, GM-CSF, and EGF could increase the promoter activity and the mRNA expression of murine Cbfalpha1 gene in MC3T3-E1 and C2C12 cells. These stimulatory effects might be mediated by activating the intracellular MAPK-dependent signaling pathway.     

Fluorofenidone inhibits transforming growth factor-beta1-induced cardiac myofibroblast differentiation

Cardiac myofibroblast differentiation, characterized by expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and fibrillar collagens, plays a key role in the adverse myocardial remodeling. Fluorofenidone (1-(3-fluorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(1H)-pyridone, AKF-PD) is a novel pyridone antifibrotic agent, which exerts a strong antifibrotic effect. This study investigated the potential role of AKF-PD in suppressing cardiac myofibroblast conversion induced by transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and the related mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways in neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts. The MAPK inhibitors used for pathway determination are c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor II (JNK inhibitor), PD98059 (extracellular signal-regulated kinase inhibitor (ERK) inhibitor) and SB203580 (p38 MAPK inhibitor). Cell proliferation was evaluated by multiply-table tournament (MTT) assay. The expressions of fibronectin (FN), alpha-SMA, phosphorylated ERK1/2 (pERK1/2) and ERK1/2 were investigated using Western blot analysis. AKF-PD remarkablely reduced the proliferative response of cardiac fibroblasts by 27.57% compared with TGF-beta1 stimulated group. AKF-PD, PD98059, and JNK inhibitor II completely prevented TGF-beta1-induced FN protein production. In addition, AKF-PD, PD98059 and SB203580 greatly attenuated alpha-SMA expression induced by TGF-beta1. Furthermore, AKF-PD significantly blocked TGF-beta1-induced phosphorylation of ERK. These results indicate that (1) AKF-PD inhibits TGF-beta1-induced myofibroblast differentiation; (2) the anti-fibrotic effects of AKF-PD are partially mediated by ERK phosphorylation.     

Reversal of angiotensin II-stimulated collagen gel contraction in cardiac fibroblasts by aminopeptidase inhibition

The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether aminopeptidase inhibition could affect the angiotensin II-stimulated collagen gel contraction in basal (control) and TGF-beta1-treated cardiac fibroblasts (or myofibroblasts). The tested aminopeptidase inhibitors were the broad range aminopeptidase inhibitor bestatin, the specific inhibitor of alanine aminopeptidase leuhistin, and the specific inhibitor of arginine aminopeptidase arphamenine A. Cardiac fibroblasts (from normal male adult rats) from passage 2 were cultured to confluency and incubated with(out) 400 pmol/L TGF-beta1 in Dulbecco Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS). These fibroblasts were then further incubated in a floating collagen gel lattice with the tested products (angiotensin II, bestatin, leuhistin, or arphamenine A) for 3 days in DMEM without FBS. The contraction of the collagen gel lattice by cardiac fibroblasts was determined by measuring the gel volume with tritiated water. Aminopeptidase activity was estimated by spectrophotometric determination of the liberation of p-nitroaniline from alanine- or arginine-p-nitroanilide. Angiotensin II (100 nmol/L) reduced the gel volume in control and TGF-beta1-treated cardiac fibroblasts. The angiotensin II-stimulated collagen gel contraction in control and TGF-beta1-treated fibroblasts was almost completely reversed by leuhistin and arphamenine A (100 micromol/L). Bestatin (100 micromol/L) only partially inhibited the angiotensin II-stimulated collagen gel contraction in control fibroblasts, although it did not affect the angiotensin II-induced contraction in TGF-beta1-treated fibroblasts. In control and TGF-beta1-treated cardiac fibroblasts, 100 micromol/L leuhistin or arphamenine A only partially inhibited alanine aminopeptidase activity, whereas bestatin (100 micromol/L) completely inhibited the alanine aminopeptidase activity. Arginine aminopeptidase activity was only partially inhibited by leuhistin and arphamenine A at 100 micromol/L in control and TGF-beta1-treated fibroblasts. Bestatin, however, completely blocked the arginine aminopeptidase activity in control fibroblasts and only partially in TGF-beta1-treated fibroblasts at 100 micromol/L. Our data suggest that both alanine and arginine aminopeptidases are involved in the reversal of the angiotensin II-stimulated collagen gel contraction in control and TGF-beta1-treated cardiac fibroblasts or myofibroblasts.     

小鼠干扰素调节因子3启动子质粒的构建及其启动子活性分析

目的构建包含小鼠干扰素调节因子3(mIRF-3)基因启动子的质粒,并评价其启动子活性。方法以小鼠全血细胞总DNA为模板,PCR扩增mIRF-3目的片段,亚克隆此片段至pGL3-basic荧光素酶报告基因的多克隆位点,构建含mIRF-3启动子的重组报告质粒pmIRF-3。将pmIRF-3、pGL3-basic和pGL3-control质粒分别转染小鼠胚胎成纤维细胞NIH3T3后,行荧光素酶活性检测,计算相对活性单位(RLU)。生物信息学分析转录因子结合位点。结果成功构建了重组报告质粒pmIRF-3。与pGL3-basic组相比,pmIRF-3、pGL3-control组RLU明显增加(0.443±0.113vs.18.907±3.335、25.704±5.850)(P<0.01)。mIRF-3启动子区域内存在AML-1a、E2F、MZF1、CdxA、OCT-x等多个转录因子结合位点。结论 mIRF-3转录起始位点附近1479bp序列在NIH3T3细胞中具有较强的启动子活性。     

Inhibition of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1-induced extracellular matrix with a novel inhibitor of the TGF-beta type I receptor kinase activity: SB-431542

Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) is a potent fibrotic factor responsible for the synthesis of extracellular matrix. TGF-beta1 acts through the TGF-beta type I and type II receptors to activate intracellular mediators, such as Smad proteins, the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and the extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway. We expressed the kinase domain of the TGF-beta type I receptor [activin receptor-like kinase (ALK)5] and the substrate, Smad3, and determined that SB-431542 is a selective inhibitor of Smad3 phosphorylation with an IC50 of 94 nM. It inhibited TGF-beta1-induced nuclear Smad3 localization. The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitors SB-203580 and SB-202190 also inhibit phosphorylation of Smad3 by ALK5 with IC50 values of 6 and 3 microM, respectively. This suggests that these p38 MAPK inhibitors must be used at concentrations of less than 10 microM to selectively address p38 MAPK mechanisms. However, the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB-242235 did not inhibit ALK5. To evaluate the relative contribution of Smad signaling and p38 MAPK signaling in TGF-beta1-induced matrix production, the effect of SB-431542 was compared with that of SB-242235 in renal epithelial carcinoma A498 cells. All compounds inhibited TGF-beta1-induced fibronectin (FN) mRNA, indicating that FN synthesis is mediated in part via the p38 MAPK pathway. In contrast, SB-431542, but not the selective p38 MAPK inhibitor SB-242235, inhibited TGF-beta1-induced collagen Ialpha1 (col Ialpha1). These data indicate that some matrix markers that are stimulated by TGF-beta1 are mediated via the p38 MAPK pathway (i.e., FN), whereas others seem to be activated via ALK5 signaling independent of the p38 MAPK pathway (i.e., col Ialpha1).     

TGF-beta1 increases motility and alphavbeta3 integrin up-regulation via PI3K, Akt and NF-kappaB-dependent pathway in human chondrosarcoma cells

Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) plays an essential role in tumor progression and metastasis. Integrins are the major adhesive molecules in mammalian cells. Here we found that TGF-beta1 increased the migration and cell surface expression of alphavbeta3 integrin in human chondrosarcoma cells (JJ012 cells). Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor (PI3K; Ly294002) or Akt inhibitor inhibited the TGF-beta1-induced increase the migration of chondrosarcoma cells. TGF-beta1 stimulation increased the phosphorylation of p85 subunit of PI3K, and serine 473 of Akt. In addition, treatment of JJ102 cells with NF-kappaB inhibitor (PDTC) or IkappaB protease inhibitor (TPCK) inhibited TGF-beta1-induced cells migration and integrins expression. Treatment of JJ012 cells with TGF-beta1-induced IkappaB kinase alpha/beta (IKKalpha/beta) phosphorylation, IkappaBalpha phosphorylation, p65 Ser(536) phosphorylation, and kappaB-luciferase activity. The TGF-beta1-mediated increases in IKKalpha/beta phosphorylation and p65 Ser(536) phosphorylation were inhibited by Ly294002 and Akt inhibitor. Cotransfection with p85 and Akt mutants also reduced the TGF-beta1-induced kappaB-luciferase activity. Taken together, these results suggest that the TGF-beta1 acts through PI3K/Akt, which in turn activates IKKalpha/beta and NF-kappaB, resulting in the activations of alphavbeta3 integrins and contributing the migration of chondrosarcoma cells.     

槲皮素对PDGF诱导的NIH 3T3细胞增殖的影响

目的研究酪氨酸蛋白激酶抑制剂槲皮素对ＰＤＧＦ诱导的ＮＩＨ３Ｔ３细胞增殖的影响。方法采用ＭＴＴ比色法、Ｇｉｅｍｓａ染色、流式细胞术（测定ＤＮＡ含量的变化及增殖细胞核抗原的表达）、及ＷｅｓｔｅｒｎＢｌｏｔ分析技术对ＰＤＧＦ诱导的ＮＩＨ３Ｔ３细胞增殖进行分析。结果与对照组相比，槲皮素处理可显著地抑制ＰＤＧＦ诱导的ＮＩＨ３Ｔ３细胞增殖，而且主要是细胞周期Ｓ期抑制，ＷｅｓｅｔｅｒｎＢｌｏｔ分析提示槲皮素可明显地抑制ＰＤＧＦ诱导的ＮＩＨ３Ｔ３细胞酪氨酸磷酸化程度。结论酪氨酸蛋白激酶抑制剂可显著地抑制ＰＤＧＦ诱导的ＮＩＨ３Ｔ３细胞增殖，可能是通过抑制酪氨酸蛋白激酶活性来完成。