白藜芦醇抑制MCF-7乳腺癌细胞增殖的机制研究

研究白藜芦醇对MCF-7乳腺癌细胞抑制效应及其作用机制。方法：以人MCF-7乳腺癌细胞株为研究对象,利用MTT方法研究白藜芦醇抑制MCF-7乳腺癌细胞的生物学效应;观察在ERK1/2抑制剂PD98059预处理情况下,白藜芦醇抑制MCF-7乳腺癌细胞增殖效应的改变;利用免疫印迹方法观察白藜芦醇对MCF-7乳腺癌细胞中ERK1/2与AKT信号分子的蛋白表达。结果：白藜芦醇能够明显降低MCF-7乳腺癌细胞增殖能力,该作用呈一定的浓度依赖性关系。在ERK1/2抑制剂PD98059预处理情况下,白藜芦醇对MCF-7乳腺癌细胞增殖抑制效应能明显抑制,PD98059可明显减轻该效应。同时,白藜芦醇明显增加p-ERK1/2蛋白表达,降低p-AKT表达水平,但对ERK1/2与AKT蛋白表达无改变。结论：白藜芦醇能够有效抑制MCF-7乳腺癌细胞增殖,该效应与白藜芦醇对ERK1/2及AKT信号途径的调节有关。     

JNK/MAPK在LPS诱导乳腺癌细胞MCF-7上皮间质转化过程中的作用

目的：探讨JNK/MAPK在LPS诱导乳腺癌细胞上皮间质转化（ EMT）过程中的作用。方法：将乳腺癌细胞 MCF-7分为3组：正常对照组、LPS（10μg/ml）处理组、LPS﹢SP-600125诱导实验组。应用real-time RT-PCR与Western blot法检测上皮细胞表面标志E-钙黏蛋白（ E-cadherin）和间质细胞表面标志N     

Knockdown of c-Myc expression by RNAi inhibits MCF-7 breast tumor cells growth in vitro and in vivo

IntroductionBreast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide. Elevated expression of c-Myc is a frequent genetic abnormality seen in this malignancy. For a better understanding of its role in maintaining the malignant phenotype, we used RNA interference (RNAi) directed against c-Myc in our study. RNAi provides a new, reliable method to investigate gene function and has the potential for gene therapy. The aim of the study was to examine the anti-tumor effects elicited by a decrease in the protein level of c-Myc by RNAi and its possible mechanism of effects in MCF-7 cells.MethodA plasmid-based polymerase III promoter system was used to deliver and express short interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting c-myc to reduce its expression in MCF-7 cells. Western blot analysis was used to measure the protein level of c-Myc. We assessed the effects of c-Myc silencing on tumor growth by a growth curve, by soft agar assay and by nude mice experiments in vivo. Standard fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis and TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labelling assay were used to determine apoptosis of the cells.ResultsOur data showed that plasmids expressing siRNA against c-myc markedly and durably reduced its expression in MCF-7 cells by up to 80%, decreased the growth rate of MCF-7 cells, inhibited colony formation in soft agar and significantly reduced tumor growth in nude mice. We also found that depletion of c-Myc in this manner promoted apoptosis of MCF-7 cells upon serum withdrawal.Conclusionc-Myc has a pivotal function in the development of breast cancer. Our data show that decreasing the c-Myc protein level in MCF-7 cells by RNAi could significantly inhibit tumor growth both in vitro and in vivo, and imply the therapeutic potential of RNAi on the treatment of breast cancer by targeting overexpression oncogenes such as c-myc, and c-myc might be a potential therapeutic target for human breast cancer.     

脂肪间充质干细胞分泌的Exosome促进结肠癌细胞系上皮间质转化

目的：研究间充质干细胞（mesenchymal stem cell,MSC）来源的Exosome对结肠癌细胞系HCT8上皮间质转化（epithelial mesenchymal transition,EMT）的影响。方法从人脂肪组织中分离出MSC后,对MSC进行培养并传代,并对MSC的分化能力进行鉴定。在人脂肪来源的MSC中提取Exosome后,用透射电子显微镜观察并拍照,并用蛋白质印迹法检测其抗原表达情况。在HCT8培养体系中加入人脂肪来源的MSC分泌的Exosome ,定量PCR和蛋白质印迹法检测上皮和间质转化相关标志物的表达,细胞侵袭和迁移实验检测人脂肪来源的MSC分泌的Exosome对HCT8迁移和侵袭的影响。结果人脂肪来源的MSC具有多系分化能力,人脂肪来源的Exosome直径为40～100 nm ,表达CD63、HSP70和HSP90,下调HCT8上皮相关标志E-cadherin和ZO-1的表达,上调间质相关标志Fibronectin的表达,促进HCT8的迁移和侵袭。结论人脂肪来源的MSC分泌的Exosome可促进结肠癌细胞系HCT8的EMT。     

Sheep,wolf, or werewolf: Cancer stem cells and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition

Multiple cancers contain subpopulations that exhibit characteristics of cancer stem cells (CSCs), the ability to self-renew and seed heterogeneous tumors. Recent evidence suggests two potentially overlapping models for these phenotypes: one where stem cells arise from multipotent progenitor cells, and another where they are created via an epithelial to mesenchymal transition. Unraveling this issue is critical, as it underlies phenomena such as metastasis and therapeutic resistance. Therefore, there is intense interest in understanding these two types of CSSs, how they differ from differentiated cancer cells, the mechanisms that drive their phenotypes, and how that knowledge can be incorporated into therapeutics.     

Relationship of growth stimulated by lithium,estradiol, and EGF to phospholipase C activity in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells

Summary Lithium-stimulated MCF-7 cell proliferation was compared to proliferation stimulated by other mitogens for this cell line - estradiol (E₂) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) - and lithium was found to be effective within a narrow concentration range. Mitogenic effects of lithium on proliferation stimulated by E₂ and EGF were additive below maximum, but were not synergistic. The phosphoinositide pathway is a cell signaling system involved in cell proliferation, within which phospholipase C (PLC)-mediated hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P₂] leads to the production of the second messengers inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P₃] and diacylglycerol (DAG), as well as to calcium mobilization. At mitogen concentrations which maximally stimulated cell growth, estradiol stimulated both growth and PLC activity, while EGF and lithium stimulated cell growth but had little effect on the activity of the enzyme. Dose-responses with EGF revealed that a low concentration (0.1 ng/ml, 0.017 nM) of EGF appeared to stimulate both PLC activity and cell growth, but that higher concentrations of EGF which stimulated greater proliferation inhibited PLC activity. Steady-state levels of inositol phosphates including inositol trisphosphate were increased by all three mitogens. In growth assays, the phorbol ester phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), which mimics the actions of DAG, stimulated some cell growth, but dioctanoylglycerol, an additional DAG analog, and the calcium ionophore A23187, alone or with the DAG analogs, had no effect. These results suggest that PLC-mediated PtdIns(4,5)P₂ hydrolysis is not primarily associated with signaling proliferation by lithium or EGF in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.     

Mammary serine protease inhibitor inhibits epithelial growth factor‐induced epithelial‐mesenchymal transition of esophageal carcinoma cells

BACKGROUND:

By using proteomic technology, the authors previously observed the substantial down‐regulation of mammary serine protease inhibitor (maspin) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and metastases. In the current study, they examined the effects of maspin re‐expression in a maspin‐null esophageal cancer cell line EC109 and also investigated the underlying mechanism.

METHODS:

A cell line with stable maspin expression was established. An epithelial growth factor (EGF)‐induced epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) model was used to mimic some aspects of the metastatic process in vitro. The effects of maspin reintroduction on EGF‐induced EMT and cell growth characteristics were evaluated. Comparative proteomic analysis of transfected cells versus parental cells was then performed to explore the potential mechanism.

RESULTS:

The introduction of maspin into EC109 cells was able to inhibit EGF‐induced EMT and altered cell growth characteristics, including the serum dependence, proliferative response to EGF stimulation, and colony formation ability in soft agar, indicating a conversion from a malignant phenotype to a benign phenotype. Proteomic analysis revealed a significant down‐regulation of a group of glycolytic enzymes in maspin‐transfected cells. In addition, maspin‐transfected cells expressed much lower levels of hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α than parental cells or empty vector transfected cells.

CONCLUSIONS:

Maspin exhibited a metastasis‐suppressive effect, which may be a consequence of the reversal of the malignant phenotype of EC109 cells. The switch of cellular metabolic phenotype to low glycolysis by the gain of maspin function may play a key role in the process. This finding provides additional evidence of the tumor metastasis‐suppressive activity of maspin and may indicate a new direction for future studies of the mechanism of maspin. Cancer 2009. © 2008 American Cancer Society.     

稳定转染ERβ基因对MCF-7乳腺癌细胞系生长特性的影响

目的研究在不同处理因子作用下,外源基因ERβ的表达对MCF-7乳腺癌细胞系生长特性的影响。方法利用lipofectamine 2000将ERβ真核表达载体pCDNA3,ERβ导入MCF-7乳腺癌细胞系。采用含雌激素应答元件（ERE）的荧光素酶报告基因及Western blot方法,检测转染细胞中ERβ的转录活性和蛋白表达水平,筛选阳性克隆。以亲本细胞MCF-7及转染空载体质粒pCDNA3的MCF-7细胞为对照,在雌激素E2和雌激素受体拮抗剂4-OHT作用下观察细胞的生长特点。结果在转染ERβ基因的MCF3细胞系中,ERβ的转录激活活性明显升高;Western blot检测证实,ERβ的蛋白表达水平显著增高。在无处理因子情况下,外源基因ERβ在MCF-7细胞系中的表达对细胞的形态及生长速度无明显影响。与亲本细胞MCF-7及转染空载体质粒的MCF-7细胞相比,稳定转染ERβ的MCF-7细胞对雌激素的敏感性下降,但对4-OHT处理的敏感性无明显减少。结论外源性ERβ基因在MCF-7乳腺癌细胞中的稳定表达不增加对4-OHT的耐药性,但使之对雌激素的敏感性下降。     

炎症对上皮间质转化的调控机制

炎症在肿瘤发生发展中发挥重要作用.上皮间质转化（EMT）是肿瘤增殖、侵袭及转移过程中的重要分子机制.越来越多的研究表明,炎症与EMT密切相关.在炎症微环境中,细胞因子和炎症微生物都参与EMT的调控.     

Structure-activity relations of s-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase inhibitors on the growth of MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Summary SAMDC is a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of spermidine and spermine, 2 polyamines that are essential for cell proliferation. Inhibition of polyamine biosynthesis is often targeted as a therapeutic strategy to suppress cancer cell growth as these cells contain elevated levels of polyamines. We examined the effect of a new group of SAMDC inhibitors, CGP33829, CGP35753, CGP36958, CGP39937, and CGP48664, (obtained from CibaGeigy, Basel, Switzerland), and their parent compound, MGBG, on the proliferation of MCF-7 breast cancer cells. MGBG had minimal effects on the proliferation of MCF-7 cells up to 6 µM concentration. In contrast, CGP48664 and CGP39937, containing 2 aromatic rings that delocalize the electron system of the backbone of MGBG, were potent inhibitors with 50% growth inhibition at 0.5 µM concentration. Other CGP compounds were less effective in inhibiting cell growth. The ability of CGP48664 to inhibit MCF-7 cell proliferation was related to its ability to inhibit SAMDC and to consequently deplete spermidine and spermine levels in the cell. Exogenous spermidine and spermine could reverse the growth inhibitory effects of this compound. CGP compounds also increased the activity of ODC, another enzyme involved in polyamine biosynthesis. Northern blot analysis of mRNA from MCF-7 cells progressing in cell cycle after G1 synchronization did not show an increase in ODC mRNA level by CGP48664. These data demonstrate structure-activity relationships of a series of MGBG derivatives on cell growth, enzyme activities, and polyamine biosynthesis in a hormoneresponsive breast cancer cell line and suggest potential application of SAMDC inhibitors as therapeutic agents.     

Low pO2 and beta-estradiol induce VEGF in MCF-7 and MCF-7-5C cells: relationship to in vivo hypoxia

Previous work from this laboratory demonstrated that MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells grown in nude mice contained minimal hypoxia but that tamoxifen treatment of these tumors resulted in increased hypoxia (Evans S. et al., Cancer Research, 1997). These findings led to studies exploring the link between estrogen signaling and tumor oxygenation and determining the role of VEGF in this process. The stimulation of estrogen-dependent MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells in vitro with -estradiol resulted in a two-fold induction of VEGF mRNA and 1.3–2-fold increase in protein, similar to what was observed when these cells were exposed to 0.1% oxygen. Furthermore, the two stimuli given together had an additive effect on (increasing) VEGF expression, suggesting that the combination of hypoxia and estrogen may be important in upregulating VEGF in some breast cancers. Estrogen-independent MCF-7-5C cells, developed by growing MCF-7 cells in long-term culture in estrogen-free media, were also studied. Using EF5, a fluorinated 2-nitroimidazole which localizes to hypoxic cells, MCF-7-5C tumors grown in nude mice were found to contain lower pO₂ levels and more hypoxic regions than similarly grown MCF-7 tumors. We tested the hypothesis that this might be the result of defective expression of VEGF in MCF-7-5C cells in response to -estradiol and/or hypoxia. However, MCF-7-5C and MCF-7 cells showed a similar induction of VEGF in vitro in response to either -estradiol or hypoxia. Therefore, although these two cell lines grown as tumors have substantial differences in the presence and patterns of hypoxia, this could not be explained by a difference in VEGF induction.     

ERβ1对乳腺癌MCF-7细胞Efp基因表达的抑制作用

目的 了解雌激素受体β1（ERβ1）对雌激素敏感性指状蛋白（Efp）基因的调节作用,为进一步探讨ERβ对Efp基因的调控机制奠定基础.方法 应用脂质体法将ERβ1真核表达质粒转染至乳腺癌MCF-7细胞中,再用Western blot检测转染细胞中Efp蛋白表达的变化.MTT比色试验观察ERβ1真核表达质粒转染后MCF-7细胞增殖活性的变化.结果 外源性ERβ1真核表达质粒组MCF-7细胞较未转染组MCF-7细胞Efp蛋白表达明显减弱.ERβ1基因转染后的MCF-7细胞的增殖活性降低.结论 ERβ1基因的表达可以抑制人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞中Efp基因的表达,并抑制MCF-7细胞的增殖能力,可能在乳腺肿瘤发生、发展机制中具有重要的作用.     

RhG-CSF对乳腺癌细胞MCF-7增殖作用的影响

目的：探讨人重组粒细胞集落刺激因子（RhG-CSF）对乳腺癌细胞株MCF-7的增殖作用的影响。方法：体外培养人乳腺癌细胞株MCF-7,将含不同浓度RhG-CSF的培养液与MCF-7细胞共同培养不同时间,采用MTT比色法计算细胞生长增殖率;Anexxin V/PI双染试剂盒检测细胞凋亡率。实验结果用SPSS.v16.0软件分析。结果：不同浓度RhG-CSF处理细胞后,可以显著促进MCF-7细胞株的增殖（P〈0.01）,且当浓度为10μg/L时增殖作用最强。同时各浓度的RhG-CSF亦可抑制MCF-7细胞凋亡（P〈0.01）。结论：RhG-CSF可以显著促进人乳腺癌细胞株MCF-7增殖。当浓度小于10μg/L时,增殖呈浓度依赖性。大于10μg/L时,增殖能力反而逐渐下降。同时RhG-CSF亦可抑制MCF-7细胞凋亡。     

靶向VEGF的不对称siRNA抑制乳腺癌MCF-7细胞的增殖

目的:探讨靶向血管内皮生长因子(vascular endothelial growth factor,VEGF)基因的siRNA对乳腺癌MCF-7细胞的抑制效果。方法:设计靶向VEGF的4种小干扰RNA(small interfering RNA,siRNA),包括对称siRNA(siRNA21/21,siRNA23/23)与不对称siRNA(asymmetric siRNA,aiRNA;aiRNA21/23,aiRNA19/21)。siRNA转染入MCF-7细胞后,MTT及流式细胞术检测MCF-7细胞增殖及凋亡情况,RT-PCR、ELISA法检测MCF-7细胞中VEGF基因和蛋白的表达。结果:与对照组相比,aiRNA21/23、siRNA23/23、aiRNA19/21、siRNA21/21这4种siRNA都能有效抑制VEGF mRNA的表达[(71.4±5.01)%、(40.0±3.11)%、(37.2±2.79)%、(11.1±0.99)%vs(2.4±0.11)%,P<0.01],且抑制MCF-7细胞的增殖[(44.7±5.38)%、(38.5±5.67)%、(33.6±2.18)%、(33.1±3.18)%vs(2.2±0.28)%,P<0.01],其中以不对称aiRNA21/23的抑制效果最明显。与对照组比较,aiRNA21/23显著促进MCF-7细胞的凋亡[(49.9±4.02)%vs(4.7±0.91)%,P<0.01]。结论:靶向VEGF基因的siRNA可抑制MCF-7细胞的增殖、促进细胞凋亡,尤以不对称siRNA的效果最明显。     

Gold nanoparticles induce apoptosis in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells

Background: Gold nanoparticles have recently been investigated with respect to biocompatibility accordingto their interactions with cells. The purpose of this study was to examine cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction bywell-characterized gold nanoparticles in human breast epithelial MCF-7 cells. Methods: Apoptosis was assessedby TUNEL, cytotoxicity by MTT assay and caspase 3, 9, p53, Bax and Bcl expression by real-time PCR assays.Results: Gold nanoparticles at up to 200 μg/mL for 24 hours exerted concentration-dependent cytotoxicity andsignificant upregulation of mRNA expression of p53, bax, caspase-3 & caspase-9, whereas expression of antiapoptoticbcl-2 was down-regulated. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge this is the first report showingthat gold nanoparticles induce apoptosis in MCF-7cells via p53, bax/bcl-2 and caspase pathways.     

Hydroxyl safflower yellow B combined with doxorubicin inhibits the proliferation of human breast cancer MCF-7 cells

Doxorubicin (DOX) is currently the preferred chemotherapeutic agent for breast cancer, and hydroxyl safflower yellow B (HSYB) has a tumor growth-inhibiting activity. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of HSYB combined with DOX on the proliferation of human breast cancer MCF-7 cells and explore the underlying mechanism. MTT and cell colony formation assays revealed that the proliferation rate of MCF-7 cells was signifiscantly decreased after HSYB and DOX treatment. Combined HSYB and DOX treatment significantly decreased the expression levels of BCL-2 in MCF-7 cells, while the expression levels of apoptosis-associated proteins, including cleaved caspase-9, BAX and cleaved caspase-3, were markedly increased. Furthermore, flow cytometry and western blot analysis demonstrated that combined HSYB and DOX treatment stimulated an increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species and promoted the release of cytochrome c, leading to apoptosis. The current data suggested that the combination of HSYB and DOX may have marked antitumor activity.     

Fra-1 regulates vimentin during Ha-RAS-induced epithelial mesenchymal transition in human colon carcinoma cells

The process of epithelial mesenchymal transition, whereby cells acquire molecular alterations and fibroblastic features, is a fundamental process of embryogenesis and cancer invasion/metastasis. The mechanisms responsible for epithelial mesenchymal transition remain elusive. Human tumors frequently establish constitutively activated RAS signaling, which contributes to the malignant phenotype. In an effort to dissect distinct RAS isoform specific functions, we previously established human colon cell lines stably overexpressing activated Harvey-RAS (Ha-RAS) and Kirsten-RAS (Ki-RAS). Using these, we observed that only oncogenic Ha-RAS overexpression resulted in morphologic and molecular changes suggestive of epithelial to mesenchymal transition. We showed that vimentin, a key molecule of epithelial mesenchymal transition, was differentially regulated between Ha-RAS and Ki-RAS leading to a Ha-RAS specific induction of a migratory phenotype and eventually epithelial to mesenchymal transition. We demonstrated that the AP-1 sites in vimentin promoter could be involved in this regulation. A potential role of FRA-1 was suggested in the regulation of vimentin during the Ha-RAS-induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition, in association with colon cell migration. Our results therefore propose that in colon cells, the induction of epithelial mesenchymal transition by oncogenic Ha-RAS could occur through the overexpression of proteins like FRA-1 and vimentin.