Pien Tze Huang(片仔癀) Overcomes Doxorubicin Resistance and Inhibits Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in MCF-7/ADR Cells

Objective: To evaluate the effect of Pien Tze Huang(片仔癀, PZH) on breast cancer chemoresistance and related epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) and investigate the underlying mechanisms. Methods: 3-(4,5-Dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide(MTT) assay was used to determine the cell viability. Adriamycin(ADR) staining observed by fluorescence microscope was performed to detect the accumulation of ADR. Transwell assay was used to analyze the cell migration and invasion. Western-blot was performed to detect the protein expression of related genes. Results: MCF-7/ADR cells were resistant to ADR treatment, and PZH treatment inhibited the viability of MCF-7/ADR cells in a dose-dependent manner. PZH treatment also increased the intercellular accumulation of ADR and down-regulated the expression of ABCG2 and ABCB1 in MCF-7/ADR cells(P0.05). In addition, PZH treatment inhibited EMT, migration and invasion of MCF-7/ADR cells(P0.05). Moreover, PZH suppressed activation of transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β) signaling in MCF-7/ADR cells(P0.05). Conclusion: PZH treatment can effectively overcome chemoresistance via down-regulating ABCG2, ABCB1 and inhibit EMT in ADR resistant human breast cancer cells via suppression of the TGF-β1 pathway.     

Silencing MTA1 by RNAi Reverses Adhesion,Migration and Invasiveness of Cervical Cancer Cells （SiHa） via Altered Expression of p53, and E-cadherin/β-catenin Complex

It has been reported that metastasis-associated gene 1 (Mta1) is overexpressed in many malignant tumors with high metastatic potential. In addition, some studies indicated that MTA1 participated in invasion, metastasis, and survival of cancer cells by regulating cell migration, adhesion and proliferation. But the role of MTA1 is unclear in vitro in the development of cervical cancer cells. This study investigated whether and how MTA1 mediated cell proliferation, migration, invasion and adhesion in cervical cancer. MTA1 expression level was detected by Western blot in two cervical cancer cell lines of different invasion potentials. The effects of MTA1 expression on SiHa cell apoptosis, cycle, proliferation, migration, invasion and adhesion were tested by flow cytometry, MTT, wound-healing assay, Transwell assay and adhesion assay, respectively. The expression levels of p53, E-cadherin, and β-catenin activity were evaluated in untreated and treated cells. The results showed that MTA1 protein expression was significantly higher in SiHa than in HeLa, which was correlated well with the potential of migration and invasion in both cell lines. Furthermore, the cell invasion, migration and adhesion capabilities were decreased after inhibition of MTA1 expression mediated by Mta1-siRNA transfection in SiHa. However, no significant differences were found in cell apoptosis, cycle, and proliferation. In addition, E-cadherin and p53 protein levels were significantly up-regulated, while β-catenin was significantly down-regulated in SiHa transfected with the siRNA. These results demonstrated that MTA1 played an important role in the migration and invasion of cervical cancer cells. It was speculated that the decreased migration and invasion capability by inhibiting the MTA1 expression in the SiHa cell line may be mediated through the altered expression of p53, and E-cadherin/β-catenin complex. MTA1 could serve as a potential therapeutic target in cervical cancer.     

Role of Matrix Metalloproteinase- 1 （MMP- 1）/Protease-activated Receptor-1 （PAR-1）Signaling Pathway in the Cervical Cancer Invasion

Objective To investigate the role of matrix metalloproteinase-1 （MMP-1）/protease- activated receptor-1 （PAR-l） signaling in the cervical cancer invasion. Methods RT-PCR was used to test the mRNA level of MMP-1 in 59 cases of cervical squamous cell cancer. Cell invasion was evaluated by Transwell assay to explore the effect of adding human recombinant MMP-1 （rhMMP-1） and PARI-siRNA on cervical cancer invasion. Results In cervical cancer tissues, more MMP-1 expression was observed than that in the normal cervical tissues, and its expression correlated with cancer status. Human recombinant MMP-1 （rhMMP-1） could promote Hela cell invasion, and its number of invasive cell correlated with the concentration of rhMMP-1. Disrupting the expression of PAR-1 reduced the MMP-1 promoting-effect on Hela cell invasion, but had no effect on non-MMP-1 invasive action. Conclusion The MMP-1/PAR-1 signaling pathway is involved in cervical cancer invasion. Therefore, blocking PAR-1 may represent a new therapeutic option for metastatic cervical cancer.     

Functional expression of voltage-gated sodium channels Nav1.5 in human breast caner cell line MDA-MB-231

Voltage-gated sodium channels （VGSCs） are known to be involved in the initiation and progression of many malignancies, and the different subtypes of VGSCs play important roles in the metastasis cascade of many tumors. This study investigated the functional expression of Nav1.5 and its effect on invasion behavior of human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. The mRNA and protein expression of Nav1.5 was detected by real time PCR, Western Blot and immunofluorescence. The effects of Nav1.5 on cell proliferation, migration and invasion were respectively assessed by MTT and Transwell. The effects of Nav1.5 on the secretion of matrix metalloproteases （MMPs） by MDA-MB-231 were analyzed by RT-PCR. The over-expressed Nav 1.5 was present on the membrane of MDA-MB-231 cells. The invasion ability in vitro and the MMP-9 mRNA expression were respectively decreased to （47.82±0.53）% and （43.97±0.64）% （P〈0.05） respectively in MDA-MB-23 t cells treated with VGSCs specific inhibitor tetrodotoxin （TTX） by blocking Navl.5 activity. It was concluded that Navl.5 functional expression potentiated the invasive behavior of human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 by increasing the secretion of MMP-9.     

TGF-β1 Precursor and CD8 Are Potential Prognostic and Predictive Markers in Operated Breast Cancer简

The transforming growth factor β1（TGF-β1） and CD8-positive T cells are two important immune factors that function at opposite directions. The purpose of this study was to verify the relationship between the two factors and their associations with long-term effects of adjuvant chemotherapy or endocrine therapy in breast cancer. Expression of TGF-β1 precursor and CD8 was immunohistochemically detected on surgically-obtained tumor samples of 130（stageⅠ–Ⅲ） invasive breast carcinomas from Chinese subjects, who were followed up for a mean time of 112 months. Interstitial CD8-positive cells and TGF-β1 precursor-positive cells adjacent to tumor nests were counted. Infiltration of CD8-positive lymphocytes into tumor nests and TGF-β1 precursor expression in tumor cells were observed and survival analysis was performed. Our results showed that density of interstitial CD8-positive lymphocytes was an independent adverse prognostic factor for distant disease-free survival（DDFS）（HR=8.416, 95% CI=1.636–43.292, P=0.011） in hormone receptor-positive patients who were on adjuvant endocrine therapy. For breast cancer patients who did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy, those without infiltration of CD8-positive cells into tumor nests had a shorter overall survival（OS） than their counterparts with CD8-positive cell infiltration into tumor nests（Log-Rank, P=0.003）. But OS of patients without infiltration of CD8-positive cells into tumor nests was significantly prolonged by adjuvant chemotherapy（Log-Rank, P=0.013） and paralleled that of patients with CD8-positive cell infiltration. Although OS was shorter in the tumor cell TGF-β1 precursor（t-TGF-β1-pre）-positive patients than in the negative patients in patients without recieiving chemotherapy（P=0.053）, OS of t-TGF-β1-pre-positive patients was significantly prolonged by adjuvant chemotherapy（P=0.035） and was longer than that of t-TGF-β1-pre-negative patients. Analysis showed that t-TGF-β1-pre was an independent positive prognostic factor for DDFS（HR=0.392 95% CI=0.157–0.978, P=0.045） in patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy. This study suggested that density of interstitial CD8-positive lymphocytes was of prognostic value in hormone receptor-positive patients who received adjuvant endocrine therapy. Our study verified that adverse immunologic signatures consisting of absence of CD8-positive cells in tumor nests or expression of TGF-β1 precursor in tumor cells in breast cancer were associated with worse prognosis and significantly improved long-term survival with adjuvant chemotherapy, respectively.     

MiR-663a Inhibits Radiation-Induced Epithelium-to-Mesenchymal Transition by Targeting TGF-β1

Objective miR-663 a has been reported to be downregulated by X-ray irradiation and participates in radiation-induced bystander effect via TGF-β1. The goal of this study was to explore the role of mi R-663 a during radiation-induced Epithelium-to-mesenchymal transition(EMT).Methods TGF-β1 or IR was used to induce EMT. After mi R-663 a transfection, cell migration and cell morphological changes were detected and the expression levels of mi R-663 a, TGF-β1, and EMT-related factors were quantified.R...     

Effect of Rapamycin on TGF-β1- induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in LoVo colonic adenocarcinoma cells

Objective:To investigate the effect of Rapamycin on epithelial-mesenchyrnal transition(EMT) of LoVo colonic adenocarcinoma cells in vitro.Methods:Cultured LoVo colonic adenocarcinoma cells were divided into three groups: negative control group,EMT-inducing group(TGF-β1) and EMT-interfering group(TGF-β1 plus Rapamycin).E-cadherin expression in LoVo cells was detected by Western Blot,while the expression of vimentin was evaluated through immunocytochemistry.The Snail mRNA in LoVo cells was examined by RT-PCR.Results:TGF-β1 induced LoVo cell switching from polygonal to spindle-shaped.TGF-β1 enhanced the expression of vimentin,but lowered the level of E-cadherin.In contrast,Rapamycin impaired the transition induced by TGF-β1.Rapamycin dramatically abrogated TGF-β1-induced vimentin expression and restored E-cadherin expression in LoVo cells.Rapamycin significantly repressed the up-regulation of Snail mRNA expression induced by TGF-β1.Conclusion:Rapamycin dramatically abrogated TGF-β1 induced Snail mRNA expression in LoVo cells,hence inhibiting EMT of these cells in vitro.     

Effect of p120 catenin silencing on biological behaviors of PANC-1 cells

This study examined the possible role of p120ctn in the pathogenesis and development of pan-creatic cancer.PANC-1 cells,a kind of human pancreatic carcinoma cell line,were cultured in this study.p120ctn was immunocytochemically detected in PANC-1 cells.The recombinant lentivirus vector was constructed to knock down the p120ctn expression of PANC-1 cells.Real-time quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR) and Western blotting were used to determine the expression of p120ctn and E-cadherin in PANC-1 cells after p120ctn knockdown.The adhesion,invasion and migration capacity of PANC-1 cells after p120ctn knockdown was detected by cell adhesion,invasion and migration assays.Cell growth was measured by the MTT method.Cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting.The results showed that p120ctn knockdown led to significantly down-regulated E-cadherin and a reduced cell-to-cell adhesion ability in PANC-1 cells.shRNA-mediated knockdown of p120ctn reduced invasion and migration capacity of PANC-1 cells,inhibited cell growth,caused a significant decrease in the percentage of cells in G1,an increase in S,and promoted apoptosis of PANC-1 cells.It was concluded that p120ctn plays a pivotal role in the proliferation and metastasis of pancreatic carcinoma,suggesting that p120ctn is a novel target for pancreatic carcinoma treatment.     

Comparison of hyaluronidase expression,invasiveness and tubule formation promotion in ER （-） and ER （＋） breast cancer cell lines in vitro

Background Hyaluronidase （Hyase） is an enzyme which hydrolyses hyaluronan （HA）, a large nonsulfated glycosaminoglycan. Several genes have been identified to code for hyaluronidases in humans. Its role has only recently been underlined in the invasion of prostate cancer, colonic cancer, and breast cancer. Moreover, the findings were in agreement with some experimental results which showed that HA-derived oligosaccharides had angiogenesis-promoting activity. All these findings prompted us to investigate factors that had been characterized as putative invasive factors in different human breast cancer-derived cell lines. Methods We selected two series of human breast cancer-derived cell lines whose expression of estrogen receptors （ER） was previously published. Hyaluronidase secretion in culture medium and expression of matrix metallo-proteinase （MMP）-9, cathepsin-D （cath-D） and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） by cells were determined. We also investigated cell invasiveness in the Matrigel invasion assay, and studied the capability of cancer cells to promote in vitro formation of tubules by endothelial cells. Results ER（-） cells secreted significantly more hyaluronidase （P 〈0.001） and expressed significantly more VEGF （P 〈0.01）, MMP-9 （P 〈0.05） and cath-D （P 〈0.0001） than ER（＋） cells. Invasion through Matrigel by ER（-） Hyase（＋） cells was significantly higher than that by ER（＋） Hyase（-） cells （P 〈0.05）. In both cases, invasion was decreased by heparin （P 〈0.05）. When ECV-304 endothelial cells were co-cultivated in millicell chambers with cancer cells, ECV-304 cells were induced to form tubules. Tubule formation was demonstrated to be more prominent with ER（-） Hyase（＋） cells than with ER（＋） Hyase（-） cells （P 〈0.05）. Conclusion Invasive features of ER（-） breast cancer cells can be characterized in vitro by an invasive Matrigel assay, as the induction of tubule formation by ECV-304 endothelial cells, higher secretion of hyaluronidase, and higher expression of proteinases MMP-9, cath-D, and the angiogenesis promoting factor VEGF.     

Expression and biological function of N-myc down-regulated gene 1 in human cervical cancer

The expression of N-myc down-regulated gene 1 (NDRG1) has previously been reported to be involved in the proliferation,differentiation,invasion and metastasis of cancer cells,but its role in cervical cancer is still unclear.This study aimed to investigate the expression of NDRG1gene in human cervical cancer and its effect on aggressive tumor behaviors.The NDRG1 expression in cervical tissues and cells was detected by RT-PCR.Specific expression plasmid pEGFP-N1-NDRG1-GFP was used to enhance the expression of NDRG1 in human cervical cancer cell lines.The mRNA and protein level of NDRG1 was assessed by RT-PCR and Western blotting,respectively.Its effects on cell proliferation,migration,invasion,cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by MTT,transwell migration assay and flow cytometry (FCM),respectively.The results showed that the expression of NDRG1 in cervical cancer tissues and cells was significantly lower than in normal cervical tissues (P<0.001).After transfection with pEGFP-N1-NDRG1-GFP,the mRNA and protein expression of NDRG1 was up-regulated in Siha cells,which suppressed cell proliferation (P<0.001),induced cell cycle arrest (P<0.05),reduced invasion and migration of Siha cells (P<0.05),but caused no cell apoptosis.Moreover,vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF),a tumor-induced angiogenesis factor,was markedly reduced and E-cadherin,a cell adhesion molecule,was increased in the cells transfected with pEGFP-N1-NDRG1-GFP.It was concluded that up-regulated NDRG1 may play a role in the suppression of malignant cell growth,invasion and metastasis of human cervical cancer.     

Study on Expression of HERG Protein in A549 Cell and Their Clinical Significance

Objective To study the expression of HERG protein in A549 cell （a kind of non-small-cell lung cancer cells, NSCLC） and the relationship with biological behavior of NSCLC. Methods Expression of the HERG protein was detected by RT-PCR, and was evaluated by immunohistochemical polymer detection in 32 cases of non-small-cell lung cancer. Results The positive expression rate of HERG was 68.89% （22/32） in 32 cases of non-small-cell lung cancer, which is related to histological differentiation and surviving time （P〈0.05）, and the expression of HERG protein in A549 was highly detected by RT-PCR. Conclusion HERG protein expression may play an important role in judgment of prognosis of non small cell lung cancer, further study will likely clarify the molecular mechanism of tumor angiogenesis, it is also helpful toe the development of target-therapy to select the suitable target-gene.     

Expression of Serum and Glucocorticoid-inducible Kinase1 in Diabetic Rats and Its Modulation by Fluvastatin

The expression of serum and glucocorticoid-induced protein kinase in the renal cortex of diabetic rats was examined, and the function of signal transduction mediated by SGK1 in diabetic nephropathy and its modulation by fluvastatin were also investigated. 24 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group （n = 8）, diabetic nephropathy group （n = 8） and fluvastatin-treated diabetic nephropathy group （15 mg/kg/d, n=8）. The metabolic parameters were measured at the 8th week. The expression of transforming growth factor β1 （TGF-β1） and fibronectin （FN） was immunohistochemically examined. The expression of SGK1 was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot, and CTGF mRNA was assessed by RT-PCR. As compared to DN, blood glucose, 24-h urinary protein, Cer and kidney weight index were all decreased and the weight was increased obviously in group F. At the same time, mesangial cells and extracellular matrix proliferation were relieved significantly. The levels of cortex SGK1 mRNA and protein were up-regulated, and both TGF-β1 and FN were down-regulated by fluvastatin. The mRNA of SGK1 was positively correlated with the CTGF, TGF-β1 and FN. SGK1 expression is markedly up-regulated in the renal cortex of DN group and plays an important role in the development and progress of diabetic nephropathy by means of signal transduction. Fluvastatin suppressed the increased SGKlmRNA expression in renal cortex and postponed the development of diabetic nephropathy.     

Correlations Between Polymorphisms of Extracellular Superoxide Dismutase,Aldehyde Dehydrogenase-2 Genes,as Well as Drinking Behavior and Pancreatic Cancer

Objective To investigate the correlation between drinking behavior combined with polymorphisms of extracellular superoxide dismutase （EC-SOD） and aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 （ALDH2） genes and pancreatic cancer. Methods The genetic polymorphisms of EC-SOD and ALDH2 were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism in the peripheral blood leukocytes obtained from 680 pancreatic cancer cases and 680 non-cancer controls. Subsequently the frequency of genotype was compared between the pancreatic cancer patients and the healthy controls.The relationship of drinking with pancreatic cancer was analyzed. Results The frequencies of EC-SOD （C/G） and ALDH2 variant genotypes were 37.35% and 68.82% respectively in the pancreatic cancer cases, and were significantly higher than those in the healthy controls （21.03% and 44.56%, all P〈0.01）. People who carried EC-SOD （C/G） （0R=2.24, 95% C1= 1.81-4.03, P〈0.01） or ALDH2 variant genotypes （OR=2.75, 95% CI=1.92-4.47, P〈0.01） had a high risk to develop pancreatic cancer. Those who carried EC-SOD （C/G） genotype combined with ALDH2 variant genotype had a high risk for pancreatic cancer （29.56% vs. 6.76%, 0R=7.69, 95% CI=3.58-10.51, P〈0.01）. The drinking rate of the pancreatic cancer group （64.12%） was significantly higher than that of the control group （40.15%; OR=2.66, 95% CI=1.30-4.42, P〈0.01）. An interaction between drinking and EC-SOD （C/G）/ALDH2 variant genotypes increased the risk of occurrence of pancreatic cancer （OR=25.00, 95% CI= 11.87-35.64, P〈0.01）. Conclusion EC-SOD （C/G）, ALDH2 variant genotypes and drinking might be the risk factors of pancreatic cancer.     

Kanglaite combined Gemcitabine inhibits growth of nude mouse subcutaneous transplantation tumor of human PC-3 pancreatic cancer cell

Objective：To study the mechanisms of pancreatic cancer treatment with Kanglaite combined Gemcitabine by investigating the relationship between the apoptosis and the expression of bcl-2, Bax and VEGF in pancreatic cancer cells. Methods：Nude mouse subcutaneous transplantation tumor model of Human PC-3 pancreatic cancer was established; the expressions of bcl-2, Bax and VEGF of transplantation tumor cell were determined; the earlier apoptosis rate of pancreatic cancer cell and the gross tumor volume were determined. Results ..Kanglaite combined Gemcitabine remarkably decreased the protein expression of bcl-2,raised the expression of Bax,increased the apoptosis rate of the pancreatic cancer and contract the gross tumor volume. Kanglaite greatly decreased the protein expression of VEGF of the tumor cell. Conclusion ：Therapeutic efficacy of Kanglaite combined Gemcitabine is far better than separate use of the two medicines in the pancreatic cancer transplantation tumor treatment.