人滋养细胞TLR3信号通路活化抑制血管生成因子表达

目的 研究人类妊娠早期滋养细胞Toll样受体3(TLR3)活化对胎盘血管生成相关因子表达的影响,探讨该通路在妊娠期高血压疾病中的作用.方法 以TLR3配体刺激原代滋养细胞和永生化滋养细胞系swan71,不同时间点收集上清液及细胞.ELISA测定培养上清液中sFlt-1和PIGF浓度,real-time PCR法测定上述分子mRNA表达水平.结果 Poly(I∶C)刺激swan71后24、48和120 h,sFlt-1浓度显著高于未处理组(P＜0.05).Poly(I∶C)刺激原代滋养细胞后sFlt-1 mRNA水平升高,PlGF mRNA水平下降(P＜0.05).Poly(I∶C)诱导sFlt-1 mRNA的表达呈时间和剂量依赖性,24 h时效分析见其在处理2h达到峰值,PlGF mRNA则跌至最低水平(P＜0.05).Poly(I∶C)处理8～12 h,TLR3 mRNA水平亦显著升高(P＜0.05).结论 滋养细胞TLR3信号通路激活诱导sFlt-1表达,抑制PlGF表达,导致血管生成障碍,可能参与妊娠期高血压疾病的发生.     

Protease-activated receptor 2 signaling upregulates angiogenic growth factors in renal cell carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a highly vascular tumor associated with expression of various angiogenic growth factors. The precise process of how these growth factors are regulated in RCC is not fully understood. Recent evidence suggests that protease activated receptors (PARs), a new family of G-protein coupled receptors, play a crucial role in vascular development and tumor progression through a variety of mechanisms. However, the nature of PAR expression in human RCC tissues and its function in regulating angiogenesis in RCC are largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the expression and function of PAR-2 in RCC. RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry assays show that PAR-2 expression is significantly increased in human RCC tissue compared with the adjacent non-neoplastic kidney tissue. In RCC derived cells, PAR-2 is functional as evidenced by robust signaling through MAP kinases including ERK1/2 and JNK. Furthermore, activation of PAR-2 significantly upregulates several angiogenic cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, monocytes chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and growth-related oncogene (GRO). To our knowledge, this is the first report that characterized PAR-2 expression in RCC tissue and further demonstrated that PAR-2 has a critical role in regulating angiogenesis in RCC.     

基因Hath1表达对结肠癌细胞的抑制作用

目的研究Hath1基因对结肠癌细胞体外增殖的抑制作用。方法用trizol试剂提取肿瘤细胞总RNA,定量逆转录PCR法检测Hath1在结肠癌细胞和正常组织细胞中的表达;MTS和流式细胞仪法分别检测Hath1在结肠癌细胞中的增殖率和凋亡百分率;构建IEC-6稳定表达Hath1siRNA细胞系,检测Hath1siRNA对IEC-6细胞生长的影响。结果在正常人的小肠与结肠组织及大鼠小肠上皮细胞IEC-6中有着比较高水平的Hath1的表达,而在4株结肠癌细胞中Hath1的表达都很低。在表达Hath1的4株结肠癌细胞SW480、HT29、LS174T、SW620中,其细胞增殖率分别被抑制了38.5%、23.4%、55%、35.6%。在LS174T细胞中Hath1不能有效地诱导肿瘤细胞发生凋亡,但是可以显著地提高肿瘤细胞对化疗药物的敏感性。siRNA干扰试验进一步证明了Hath1起到肿瘤抑制基因的作用。结论 Hath1不能有效地诱导肿瘤细胞发生凋亡,但是可以显著地提高肿瘤细胞对化疗药物的敏感性。     

Hepsin inhibits the cell growth of endometrial cancer

Currently, several therapeutic approaches including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are available for the treatment of endometrial cancer. However, endometrial cancer cells may survive, resulting in relapse of the disease, and ultimately causing demise of the patient. Hepsin is a cell surface-expressed chymotrypsin-like serine protease and a member of the family of type II transmembrane serine proteases. To date, little is known about its precise mechanisms of action. We investigated the biological functions and effects in vitro and in vivo of Hepsin, using endometrial cancer cell lines transfected with Hepsin. In stably transfected Ishikawa/Hepsin cell lines (Hepsin-10 and -12), we observed a significant inhibitory effect on cell growth in a monolayer culture system and in anchorage-independent cell growth in soft agar in vitro. Furthermore, in a xenograft model, growth inhibitory effects were observed when compared with the effects of mock-transfected cells used as a control. Overall, Hepsin showed potential inhibitory effects mediated by the induction of 14-3-3sigma expression which leads to both cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase through cyclin B and cyclin A and the p53-dependent pathway activated by increasing the level of Bak and reducing the level of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL.     

下调TCF3抑制非小细胞肺癌细胞的增殖和迁移能力

目的:探索下调T细胞因子3(TCF3)抑制非小细胞肺癌细胞增殖和迁移的分子机制。方法:运用Lipofectamine 2000转染法将siTCF3和阴性对照siRNA(NCsiRNA)转染非小细胞肺癌A549和H1299细胞;运用real-time PCR和Western blot分别测定TCF3的mRNA和蛋白水平;运用萤光素酶报告基因实验测定TCF3的转录活性;MTT、克隆形成实验、Transwell实验和Annexin V-FITC/PI染色联合流式细胞术分别测定细胞的活力、克隆形成能力、转移能力及细胞凋亡率;Western blot检测Wnt、c-Myc、基质金属蛋白酶(MMP)-9、MMP-13、金属蛋白酶组织抑制物(TIMP)-1的蛋白表达水平。结果:与NCsiRNA转染组的细胞比较,siTCF3显著抑制A549细胞和H1299细胞中TCF3的mRNA和蛋白水平(P0.01)。TCF3转录活性和c-Myc蛋白表达水平明显低于NCsiRNA细胞(P0.05)。MTT实验结果显示,培养24 h、48 h、72 h和96 h的A549-siTCF3和H1299-siTCF3细胞活力均显著低于NCsiRNA细胞(P0.05)。与NCsiRNA细胞相比,siTCF3显著抑制A549细胞和H1299细胞的克隆形成能力(P0.01)。Transwell实验结果显示A549-siTCF3和H1299-siTCF3细胞迁移数显著低于A549-NCsiRNA和H1299-NCsiRNA组细胞(P0.05)。流式细胞术分析结果显示A549-siTCF3细胞和H1299-siTCF3细胞的凋亡率显著高于A549-NCsiRNA和H1299-NCsiRNA细胞(P0.01)。Western blot实验结果显示,下调TCF3表达能抑制Wnt蛋白的表达,MMP-9和MMP-13的蛋白表达明显降低,TIMP-1的蛋白表达增高。结论:siTCF3显著抑制A549细胞和H1299细胞的增殖和迁移能力,并诱导细胞凋亡,其分子机制可能通过下调Wnt通路活性以及调控MMP家族关键成员的表达而实现。     

MicroRNA-101 inhibits growth and metastasis of human ovarian cancer cells by targeting PI3K/AKT

IntroductionOvarian cancer is the most frequent cause of gynecological cancer related mortality in woman. This study was designed to investigate the role and therapeutic potential of miRNA-101 in ovarian cancer.Material and methodsExpression analysis was carried out by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Transfections were performed with the help of Lipofectamine 2000 reagent. AO/EB and annexin V/PI staining was used to detect apoptosis and flow cytometry was used for cell cycle analysis. Western blotting was employed for cell cycle analysis.ResultsIt was found that miRNA-101 was significantly down-regulated in ovarian cancer cells. The over-expression of miRNA-101 causes a significant decrease in the viability of ovarian cancer cells via the initiation of apoptosis and sub-G1 arrest of OVACAR-3 cells. It was indicated that PTEN was the potential target of miRNA-101 in OVACAR-3 cells. There was 4.5-fold up-regulation of PTEN expression in ovarian cancer cell lines and the over-expression of miRNA-101 in OVACAR-3 cells resulted in the down-regulation of PTEN expression. The inhibition of PTEN in the OVACAR-3 cells arrested the proliferation of these cells. The over-expression of miRNA-101 causes significant down-regulation in PI3K and AKT expression of OVACAR-3 cells.ConclusionsIt can be concluded that miRNA-101 acts as a tumor suppressor which may be beneficial in the treatment of ovarian cancer.     

Biopolymeric delivery matrices for angiogenic growth factors

The development of new therapeutic approaches that aim to help the body exert its natural mechanisms for vascularized tissue growth (therapeutic angiogenesis) has become one of the most active areas of tissue engineering. Through basic research, several growth factor families and cytokines that are capable to induce physiological blood vessel formation have been identified. Indeed, preclinical and clinical investigations have indicated that therapeutic administration of angiogenic factors, such as the prototypic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), to sites of ischemia in the heart or the limb can improve regional blood flow. For new and lasting tissue vascularization, prolonged tissue exposure to these factors could be critical. Furthermore, as shown for VEGF, dosage must be tightly controlled, as excess amounts of VEGF can cause severe vascular leakage and hypotension. This review emphasizes natural and synthetic polymer matrices with respect to their development as vehicles for local and controlled delivery of angiogenic proteins, such as VEGF and bFGF, and their clinical applicability. In the dawn of experimental vascular engineering, new biomaterial schemes for clinical growth factor administration that take better account of biological principles of angiogenic growth factor function and the cell biological basis necessary to produce functional vasculature are evolving. Alongside their base function as protective embedment for angiogenic growth factors, these new classes of bioactive polymers are engineered with additional functionalities that better preserve growth factor activity and more closely mimic the in vivo release mechanisms and profiles of angiogenic growth factors from the extracellular matrix (ECM). Consequently, the preparation of both natural or completely synthetic materials with biological characteristics of the ECM has become central to many tissue engineering approaches that aim to deliver growth factors in a therapeutically efficient mode. Another promising venue to improve angiogenic performance is presented by biomaterials that allow sequential delivery of growth factors with complementary roles in blood vessel initiation and stabilization.     

Bufalin induces growth inhibition, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human endometrial and ovarian cancer cells

Bufalin is a traditional Chinese medicine and it induces apoptosis in certain human tumor cell lines. We investigated the effect of bufalin on three endometrial cancer cell lines, two ovarian cancer cell lines, and on normal human endometrial epithelial cells. Endometrial and ovarian cancer cells were treated with various concentrations of bufalin, and its effect on cell growth, cell cycle, apoptosis, and related measurements was investigated. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay showed that all endometrial and ovarian cancer cell lines were sensitive to the growth-inhibitory effect of bufalin, although normal endometrial epithelial cells were viable after treatment with the same doses of bufalin that induced growth inhibition in endometrial and ovarian cancer cells. Cell cycle analysis indicated that their exposure to bufalin decreased the proportion of cells in the S-phase and increased the proportion in the G0/G1 phases of the cell cycle. Induction of apoptosis was confirmed by annexin V staining of externalized phosphatidylserine and loss of the transmembrane potential of mitochondria. This induction occurred in concert with the altered expression of genes related to cell cycle and apoptosis. These results suggest that bufalin may become a useful adjuvant therapy for endometrial and ovarian cancers with minimal side effects.     

miR-496过表达抑制结肠癌细胞生长和转移

目的:研究miR-496过表达对结肠癌细胞生长和转移的影响及其分子机制。方法:运用生物信息学软件筛选miR-496靶向相互作用蛋白;real-time PCR和Western blot法测定结肠癌细胞系HT29、HCT116、SW480以及正常结肠上皮细胞NCM460中miR-496、CTNNB1 mRNA和β-catenin蛋白的表达;运用Lipofectamine 2000将miR-496 mimics转染HT29、HCT116和SW480细胞,分别命名为HT29-miR-496 mimics、HCT116-miR-496 mimics和SW480-miR-496 mimics细胞,转染scramble为阴性对照;运用MTT法、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)试剂盒法、克隆形成实验和Transwell分别测定细胞活力、LDH漏出率、克隆形成能力和转移能力;萤光素酶报告基因实验测定miR-496启动子活性;Western blot法测定β-catenin、真核细胞翻译起始因子4E结合蛋白1(4E-BP1)、p-4E-BP1、低密度脂蛋白受体相关蛋白6(LRP6)、p-LRP6、MMP-7、MMP-9、MMP-13以及TIMP-2的蛋白水平。结果:miR-496与β-catenin内源性相互作用;miR-496在HT29、HCT116和SW480细胞中低表达,而在NCM460高表达;β-catenin在HT29、HCT116和SW480细胞中高表达,而在NCM460低表达;培养24 h、48 h、72 h、96 h的HT29-miR-496 mimics、HCT116-miR-496 mimics和SW480-miR-496 mimics细胞活力、LDH漏出率、克隆形成率和转移的细胞数均显著低于对照组(P0.05);萤光素酶报告基因实验结果显示转染miR-496 mimics细胞中的miR-496启动子活性明显增加(P0.05),分别是对照组的1.75倍、2.04倍和1.61倍。Western blot实验结果显示miR-496过表达抑制β-catenin蛋白表达,p-4E-BP1和p-LRP6的蛋白水平降低;siRNA或miR-496过表达介导的β-catenin表达下调能显著抑制MMP-7和MMP-9的表达,促进TIMP-2的表达。结论:miR-496在结肠癌细胞中低表达,在正常结肠上皮细胞中高表达;miR-496过表达抑制结肠癌细胞的生长和转移,其机制是通过抑制Wnt/β-catenin通路进一步抑制MMP-7和MMP-9表达,促进TIMP-2表达,从而抑制结肠癌细胞的恶性表型。     

Release of angiogenic growth factors from cells encapsulated in alginate beads with bioactive glass

Attempts to stimulate therapeutic angiogenesis using gene therapy or delivery of recombinant growth factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), have failed to demonstrate unequivocal efficacy in human trials. Bioactive glass stimulates fibroblasts to secrete significantly increased amounts of angiogenic growth factors and therefore has a number of potential applications in therapeutic angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to assess whether it is possible to encapsulate specific quantities of bioactive glass and fibroblasts into alginate beads, which will secrete growth factors capable of stimulating angiogenesis. Human fibroblasts (CCD-18Co) were encapsulated in alginate beads with specific quantities of 45S5 bioactive glass and incubated in culture medium (0-17 days). The conditioned medium was collected and assayed for VEGF or used to assess its ability to stimulate angiogenesis by measuring the proliferation of human dermal microvascular endothelial cells. At 17 days the beads were lysed and the amount of VEGF retained by the beads measured. Fibroblasts encapsulated in alginate beads containing 0.01% and 0.1% (w/v) 45S5 bioactive glass particles secreted increased quantities of VEGF compared with cells encapsulated with 0% or 1% (w/v) 45S5 bioactive glass particles. Lysed alginate beads containing 0.01% and 0.1% (w/v) 45S5 bioactive glass contained significantly more VEGF (p<0.01) compared with beads containing no glass particles. Endothelial cell proliferation was significantly increased (p<0.01) by conditioned medium collected from alginate beads containing 0.1% (w/v) 45S5 bioactive glass particles. The results of this study demonstrate that bioactive glass and fibroblasts can be successfully incorporated into alginate beads for use in delivering angiogenic growth factors. With further optimization, this technique offers a novel delivery device for stimulating therapeutic angiogenesis.     

Simvastatin inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in hepatic cancer cells

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of major health concerns worldwide and one of leading causes of cancer death after lung and gastric cancers. Simvastatin is a cholesterol-lowering drug which inhibits 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutarylcoenzyme CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase. Simvastatin exhibits numerous pleiotropic effects including anti-cancer activity. Yet, the anticancer effects in HCC remain poorly characterized. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effects of simvastatin on tumor cell growth, apoptosis and cell cycle. HepG2 and Huh7 cell lines were treated with simvastatin (32 and 64 μM) for different time periods. Tumor cell growth was assessed using MTT assay. Apoptosis and cell cycle analysis were also evaluated. Analysis of cell cycle proteins involved in simvastatin-induced manipulation was performed by Western blot and quantitative RT-PCR analyses. Simvastatin induced a reduction of tumor cell growth. In both cell lines, simvastatin induced apoptosis and impaired cell cycle progression as depicted by the greater rates of G0/G1-phase cells than the rates of S-phase cells. Protein expression levels of cell cycle regulating proteins CDK1, CDK2, CDK4, cyclin D1, cyclin E, p19 and p27 were markedly altered by simvastatin. Moreover, CDC2, CCND1 and CDCN2D mRNA expressions were also altered by drug treatment. Collectively, these results suggest that simvastatin induces apoptosis in tumor cells and its anti-proliferative activity was accompanied by inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinases and cyclins, whereas CDK inhibitors p19 and p27 were enhanced. These results may provide novel insights into simvastatin tumor-suppressive action.     

Insulin-like growth factor-I inhibits cell growth in the a549 non-small lung cancer cell line

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are potent mitogenic and antiapoptotic factors for many cell types, including some normal and neoplastic lung cells in vitro. However, in this study we show that IGF-I, at concentrations of 10 ng/ml or greater, significantly inhibits DNA synthesis and cell proliferation in a human lung adenocarcinoma cell line, A549. Inhibition of DNA synthesis was completely reversed by an IGF-I receptor-neutralizing antibody, alphaIR-3, indicating that IGF-I receptor activation is involved in its inhibitory effect. Attenuation of the p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (PI 3'-kinase) pathways downstream of the IGF-I receptor using the inhibitors PD98059 and LY294002, respectively, partially reversed IGF-I-induced inhibition. Acute (2-60 min) and chronic (24 h) exposure of A549 cells to 100 ng/ml IGF-I resulted in sustained phosphorylation of Akt/protein kinase B downstream of PI 3'-kinase, whereas p44/42 MAPK phosphorylation was decreased in response to chronic exposure to IGF-I. An IGF-I dose-dependent increase in the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21(Cip1/WAF1) was also observed over 24 h of treatment. Collectively, these data suggest that IGF-I is growth inhibitory to A549 cells, possibly via sustained activation of the PI 3'-kinase signaling pathway, and induction of p21(Cip1/WAF1).     

Expression of angiogenic growth factors by uterine natural killer cells during early pregnancy

Remodeling of uterine spiral arteries is critical for the continuation of a successful pregnancy. Uterine natural killer (uNK) cells are the predominant leukocyte population in the early pregnant decidua, and a role for these cells in spiral artery remodeling in pregnancy has been suggested. Angiogenic growth factors were measured in isolated uNK and total (unseparated) decidual cells (8-10 or 12-14 weeks gestation, n=5 each gestational age) after culture for 48 h. Angiopoietin (Ang)1, placental growth factor, transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Angiogenin, Ang2, fibroblast growth factor basic, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), platelet-derived growth factor-BB, and VEGF-A were measured using a FASTQuant angiogenic growth factor multiplex protein assay. Levels of Ang2, ICAM-1, and KGF, secreted by the total decidual fraction, decreased with increasing gestational age. uNK levels of Ang2 and VEGF-C also decreased with increasing gestational age. At 8-10 weeks gestation, there was no difference in the level of Ang1, Ang2, TGF-beta1, and VEGF-C secreted by uNK cells and the total decidual fraction. At 12-14 weeks, uNK cells secreted significantly lower levels of VEGF-C than the total decidual fraction. Early pregnancy decidua is a major source of angiogenic growth factors whose levels decrease with increasing gestational age, suggesting that they may play a role in spiral artery remodeling. uNK cells appear to be a prominent source of Ang1, Ang2, TGF-beta1, and VEGF-C within the placental bed.     

卵巢颗粒细胞激素与成纤维细胞生长因子的信号交流

卵泡周期性生长发育是一个十分复杂的过程,生长因子和激素在该过程中的调控作用一直是研究的热点。在卵泡发育过程中,颗粒细胞增殖导致卵泡生长、卵母细胞成熟,抑制颗粒细胞增殖,能打断卵泡生长程序导致不排卵。颗粒细胞的增殖和成熟是卵巢功能维持和发挥过程中的关键一环,这其中依赖多种因子的调控。近年来成纤维细胞因子基因家族在卵泡中的作用和功能逐渐被揭示,本文综述了卵巢颗粒细胞激素与成纤维细胞生长因子的信号交流。     

Oral administration of blueberry inhibits angiogenic tumor growth and enhances survival of mice with endothelial cell neoplasm

Endothelial cell neoplasms are the most common soft tissue tumor in infants. Subcutaneous injection of spontaneously transformed murine endothelial (EOMA) cells results in development of hemangioendothelioma (HE). We have previously shown that blueberry extract (BBE) treatment of EOMA cells in vitro prior to injection in vivo can significantly inhibit the incidence and size of developing HE. In this study, we sought to determine whether oral BBE could be effective in managing HE and to investigate the mechanisms through which BBE exerts its effects on endothelial cells. A dose-dependent decrease in HE tumor size was observed in mice receiving daily oral gavage feeds of BBE. Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed significantly enhanced survival for mice with HE tumors given BBE, compared to control. BBE treatment of EOMA cells inhibited both c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and NF-kappaB signaling pathways that culminate in monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) expression required for HE development. Antiangiogenic effects of BBE on EOMA cells included decreased proliferation by BrdU assay, decreased sprouting on Matrigel, and decreased transwell migration. Thus, this work provides first evidence demonstrating that BBE can limit tumor formation through antiangiogenic effects and inhibition of JNK and NF-kappaB signaling pathways. Oral administration of BBE represents a potential therapeutic antiangiogenic strategy for treating endothelial cell neoplasms in children.     

血管生长相关因子在脑血管畸形中的差异性表达

背景：脑血管畸形是在青壮年人群中造成出血性脑卒中的常见病因,畸形血管破裂出血可引发严重的神经功能障碍。脑血管畸形的形成及发病原理尚不明确。现代分子生物学的研究表明血管生长相关因子在脑血管畸形中可能存在异常表达。目的：评价血管生长相关因子在脑畸形血管中的表达差异,探讨血管生长相关因子与脑畸形血管形成的关系。方法：选择脑血管畸形患者与颅内出血开颅治疗患者各50例,通过免疫组织化学染色方法检测脑血管畸形标本和开颅治疗患者颞浅动脉标本中血管因子的表达差异。结果与结论：正常颞浅动脉中血管生长相关因子(血管内皮生长因子和转化生长因子α)几乎不表达,畸形血管中两者高表达(P < 0.05)。结果证实,与正常血管相比,脑血管畸形患者血管内皮生长因子和转化生长因子α的表达存在明显差异,脑畸形血管患者血管组织可表达更多的血管内皮生长因子和转化生长因子α。 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：组织构建;骨细胞;软骨细胞;细胞培养;成纤维细胞;血管内皮细胞;骨质疏松;组织工程全文链接：     

Tranilast treatment decreases cell growth, migration and inhibits colony formation of human breast cancer cells

In the treatment of breast cancer, although a wide of choice of drugs and treatment modalities are available, drug resistance or drug toxicity poses a considerable challenge. Tranilast is a well tolerated drug used in the treatment of allergic disorders. Previous works in various models have shown that tranilast has the potential to be used as an anti-cancer drug. Hence, in this study using human breast cancer cell lines BT-474 and MDA-MB-231, we studied the effect of tranilast on cell growth, migration and ability to prevent colony formation in vitro, properties that are relevant to a possible therapeutic effect in breast cancer. We found that tranilast inhibits the growth of both breast cancer cell lines. In the cell migration experiments, the tumor cells exhibit significantly slower wound closure after tranilast treatment, as well as reduced migration using an insert system. Downregulation of MRTF-A, a global cytoskeleton regulator was observed after tranilast treatment. Additionally, tranilast treatment increased levels of cleaved PARP in both cell lines tested indicating a stimulation of apoptosis. A significant reduction in colony size and number was observed in soft agar clonogenic assays in both cell lines after tranilast treatment. BT-474 cells were more responsive to tranilast treatment compared to MDA-MB-231 cells, suggesting a difference in modes of action, or sensitivity, possibly related to their different receptor status. Based on these changes in cancer cell lines, we conclude that tranilast exerts effects that set a rationale for future preclinical studies in animal models of breast cancer.