Pyruvate kinase is protected by glutathione-dependent redox balance in human red blood cells exposed to reactive oxygen species

To determine the antioxidant role of glutathione (GSH) in human red blood cells (RBCs), we investigated the effect of disrupting GSH homeostasis on the oxidative modification of thiol-dependent enzymes by exposure to tert-butyl hydroperoxide (BHP). When hemolysate was incubated with BHP, significant decreases in enzyme activity were observed. However, the inactivation did not occur in intact RBC suspensions that were exposed to BHP. In this study, we used two independent treatments aimed at decreasing the level of reduced form of GSH, pre-incubation with a glutathione reductase inhibitor or glucose-free medium to examine the influences of preventing GSH-dependent antioxidant and reactivation activity on thiol-dependent enzyme. Pyruvate kinase (PK) activity clearly decreased along with depletion of GSH compared to other glycolytic enzyme activities by BHP exposure in RBCs. The addition of GSH, but not glucose, before BHP exposure completely prevented the inactivation of PK in hemolysate; however, partial reactivation of inactivated PK was observed by post-addition of both GSH and glutaredoxin at an early stage during BHP exposure. Moreover, hydroxyl radicals but not hydrogen peroxide inactivated PK. These results suggest that PK is highly susceptible to radicals and that GSH is essential to protect PK activity by not only directly scavenging radicals but also by systematically reactivating oxidized enzyme in human RBCs.     

Nonpeptide alpha(v)beta(3) antagonists. 1. Transformation of a potent, integrin-selective alpha(IIb)beta(3) antagonist into a potent alpha(v)beta(3) antagonist

Modification of the potent fibrinogen receptor (alpha(IIb)beta(3)) antagonist 1 generated compounds with high affinity for the vitronectin receptor alpha(v)beta(3). Sequential modification of the basic N-terminus of 1 led to the identification of the 5,6,7, 8-tetrahydro[1,8]naphthyridine moiety (THN) as a lipophilic, moderately basic N-terminus that provides molecules with excellent potency and selectivity for the integrin receptor alpha(v)beta(3). The THN-containing analogue 5 is a potent inhibitor of bone resorption in vitro and in vivo. In addition, the identification of a novel, nonpeptide radioligand with high affinity to alpha(v)beta(3) is also reported.     

Binding model for nonpeptide antagonists of alpha(v)beta(3) integrin

A binding model for nonpeptide antagonists of integrin alpha(v)beta(3) has been developed through docking analyses utilizing the MMFFs force field and the recently published crystal structure, 1JV2. Results of this docking study have led to the identification of a novel binding model for selective antagonists of alpha(v)beta(3) over alpha(IIb)beta(3) integrins. Four different chemical classes are shown to bind in a similar fashion providing a measure of confidence in the proposed model. All alpha(v)beta(3) and alpha(IIb)beta(3) antagonists have a basic nitrogen separated some distance from a carboxylic acid to mimic RGD. For the alpha(v)beta(3) antagonists under present consideration, these charged ends are separated by twelve bonds. The basic nitrogen of the active alpha(v)beta(3) ligands are shown to interact with D150 of alpha(v) and the ligands' carboxylic acid interact with R214 of beta(3) while adopting an extended conformation with minimal protein induced internal strain. In addition, an energetically favorable interaction is found with all of the active alpha(v)beta(3) molecules with Y178 of alpha(v) when docked to the crystallographically determined structure. This novel interaction may be characterized as pi-pi stacking for the most active of the alpha(v)beta(3) selective antagonists. The proposed model is consistent with observed activity as well as mutagenicity and photoaffinity cross-linking studies of the alpha(v)beta(3) integrin.     

Isoxazolines as potent antagonists of the integrin alpha(v)beta(3)

Starting with lead compound 2, we sought to increase the selectivity for alpha(v)beta(3)-mediated cell adhesion by examining the effects of structural changes in both the guanidine mimetic and the substituent alpha to the carboxylate. To prepare some of the desired aminoimidazoles, a novel reductive amination utilizing a trityl-protected aminoimidazole was developed. It was found that guanidine mimetics with a wide range of pK(a)'s were potent antagonists of alpha(v)beta(3). In general, it appeared that an acylated 2-aminoimidazole guanidine mimetic imparted excellent selectivity for alpha(v)beta(3)-mediated adhesion versus alpha(IIb)beta(3)-mediated platelet aggregation, with selectivity of approximately 3 orders of magnitude observed for compounds 3g and 3h. It was also found in this series that the alpha-substituent was required for potent activity and that 2,6-disubstituted arylsulfonamides were optimal. In addition, the selective alpha(v)beta(3) antagonist 3h was found to be a potent inhibitor of alpha(v)beta(3)-mediated cell migration.     

alpha(v)beta(3) Integrin antagonists as inhibitors of bone resorption

The alpha(v)beta(3) integrin is a non-covalent, heterodimeric, cell-surface protein that is expressed with varying density on numerous cell types, including osteoclasts, vascular smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells and a variety of tumour cells. Functionally, alpha(v)beta(3) mediates a diverse range of biological events including the adhesion of osteoclasts to bone matrix, smooth muscle cell migration and angiogenesis. Specifically, there has been significant attention focused on the preparation of inhibitors of alpha(v)beta(3) for use as inhibitors of bone resorption, in recognition of the medical need for improved prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Herein, we summarise the pertinent chemistry and biological advances in the medicinal design and biological evaluation of peptide and small molecule alpha(v)beta(3) antagonists as inhibitors of bone resorption.     

Disubstituted indazoles as potent antagonists of the integrin alpha(v)beta(3)

A new series of indazole-containing alpha(v)beta(3) integrin antagonists is described. Starting with lead compound 18a, variations in a number of structural features were explored with respect to inhibition of the binding of beta(3)-transfected 293 cells to fibrinogen and to selectivity for alpha(v)beta(3) over GPIIbIIIa, another RGD-binding integrin. Indazoles attached to a 2-aminopyridine or 2-aminoimidazole by a propylene linker at the indazole 1-position and to a diaminopropionate derivative via a 5-carboxylate amide provided the best potency with moderate selectivity. Several differences in the SAR of the diaminopropionate moiety were observed between this series and a series of isoxazoline-based selective GPIIbIIIa antagonists. Compound 34a (SM256) was a potent antagonist of alpha(v)beta(3) (IC(50) 2.3 nM) with 9-fold selectivity over GPIIbIIIa.     

L-kynurenine-induced apoptosis in human NK cells is mediated by reactive oxygen species

Recent studies have shown that indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) plays a pivotal role in the modulation of immune response against tumor and virus infection. Here we demonstrate the pro-apoptotic effect of L-kynurenine, a tryptophan catabolite of IDO, on human NK cell line, NK92 MI. Treatment with L-kynurenine dose-dependently induced growth inhibition and apoptosis in NK92 MI cells. Treatment with the antioxidant NAC completely protected cells from L-kynurenine-induced apoptosis. Moreover, we found that treatment with Z-VAD-fmk and ZB4 slightly inhibited L-kynurenine-induced apoptosis, suggesting that L-kynurenine-induced apoptosis in NK cells occurs primarily through an ROS mediated pathway. We observed that the presence of NAC blocks cytochrome c release and activation of caspase-3 during L-kynurenine-induced apoptosis. Overall, we conclude that L-kynurenine resulting from IDO can cause cell death via ROS pathway in NK cells. Our findings provide a new insight into the interaction between NK cells and IDO positive cancer cells in regulating immune responses.     

Berberine-induced apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells is initiated by reactive oxygen species generation

Phytochemicals show promise as potential chemopreventive or chemotherapeutic agents against various cancers. Here we report the chemotherapeutic effects of berberine, a phytochemical, on human prostate cancer cells. The treatment of human prostate cancer cells (PC-3) with berberine induced dose-dependent apoptosis but this effect of berberine was not seen in non-neoplastic human prostate epithelial cells (PWR-1E). Berberine-induced apoptosis was associated with the disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential, release of apoptogenic molecules (cytochrome c and Smac/DIABLO) from mitochondria and cleavage of caspase-9,-3 and PARP proteins. This effect of berberine on prostate cancer cells was initiated by the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) irrespective of their androgen responsiveness, and the generation of ROS was through the increased induction of xanthine oxidase. Treatment of cells with allopurinol, an inhibitor of xanthine oxidase, inhibited berberine-induced oxidative stress in cancer cells. Berberine-induced apoptosis was blocked in the presence of antioxidant, N-acetylcysteine, through the prevention of disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential and subsequently release of cytochrome c and Smac/DIABLO. In conclusion, the present study reveals that the berberine-mediated cell death of human prostate cancer cells is regulated by reactive oxygen species, and therefore suggests that berberine may be considered for further studies as a promising therapeutic candidate for prostate cancer.     

beta(2) and beta(3)-adrenoceptor inhibition of alpha(1)-adrenoceptor-stimulated Ca(2+) elevation in human cultured prostatic stromal cells

Prostatic beta-adrenoceptors inhibit alpha(1)-adrenoceptor-stimulated contractility. This study examines the effects of beta-adrenoceptor stimulation upon phenylephrine-induced elevations of intracellular Ca(2+)([Ca(2+)](i)) in human cultured prostatic stromal cells, and contractility of human prostatic tissue. Human cultured prostatic stromal cells were used for [(3)H]-cAMP accumulation studies or were loaded with 5-oxazolecarboxylic acid, 2-(6-(bis(2-((acetyloxy)methoxy)-2-oxoethyl)amino)-5-(2-(2-(bis(2-((acetyloxy)methoxy)-2-oxoethyl)amino)-5-methylphenoxy)ethoxy)-2-benzofuranyl)-, (acetyloxy)methyl ester (FURA-2AM, 10 microM) for Ca(2+) imaging studies. The beta-adrenoceptor agonist isoprenaline increased the accumulation of [(3)H]-cAMP (pEC(50)+/-S.E.M. 6.58+/-0.11) in human cultured prostatic stromal cells, an effect antagonized by the beta(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist (+/-)-1-[2,3-(dihydro-7-methyl-1H-inden-4-yl)oxy]-3-[(1-methylethyl)amino]-2-butanol (ICI 118,551), but not by the beta(1)-adrenoceptor antagonist, atenolol. Isoprenaline (3 microM), the adenylyl cyclase activator, forskolin (20 microM) and the phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor, rolipram (10 microM) inhibited the elevation of [Ca(2+)](i) elicited by phenylephrine (20 microM). The effect of isoprenaline could be blocked by ICI 118,551 (100 nM), the adenylyl cyclase inhibitor cis-N-(2-phenylcyclopentyl)-azacyclotridec-1-en-2-amine (MDL 12,330A, 20 microM) and the K(Ca) channel blocker, iberiotoxin (100 nM), but not by atenolol (1 microM) or the K(ATP) channel blocker, glibenclamide (3 microM). Agonists selective for beta(1)-(xamoterol and prenalterol), beta(2)-(procaterol and salbutamol) and beta(3)-((+/-)-(R(*), R(*))-[4-[2-[[2-(3-chlorophenyl)-2-hydroxyethyl]amino]propyl]phenoxy]acetic acid, BRL37344) adrenoceptors inhibited the elevation of [Ca(2+)](i) elicited by phenylephrine (20 microM) with a rank order of BRL37344> or =xamoterol> or =isoprenaline>procaterol> or =prenalterol>salbutamol. The xamoterol effect was reversed by ICI 118,551 (100 nM), but not by 1-(2-ethylphenoxy)-3-[[(1S)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-naphthalenyl]amino]-(2S)-2-propanol (SR59230A, 100 nM) or atenolol (1 microM). The BRL37344 effect was reversed by SR59230A (100 nM), but not by atenolol (1 microM) or ICI 118,551 (100 nM). Both xamoterol and BRL37344 inhibited phenylephrine-induced tissue contractility. This study shows that both xamoterol and BRL37344 are effective inhibitors of phenylephrine-induced effects in human cultured prostatic stromal cells and in prostatic tissue.     

Development and evaluation of lipid microbubbles targeted to alpha(v)beta(3)-integrin via biotin-avidin bridge

This work was to report preparation and quality control of targeted microbubbles (MB(t)) via biotin-avidin bridge, specifically verification of the "biotin-avidin-biotin" sandwich structure. (1) Lipid microbubbles filled with sulphur hexafluoride were produced by sonication and compared with commercially available microbubbles. (2) MB(t) were produced via biotin-avidin bridge. Specifically, the "biotin-avidin-biotin" sandwich structure on the surface of MB(t) was verified in vitro using fluorescence. (3) Adhesion of alpha(v)beta(3)-integrin targeted MB(t) (MB(αvβ3)) to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was tested using the parallel plate flow chamber (PPFC). "Biotin-avidin" is a reliable method to attach molecular probe onto the surface of microbubbles.     

Targeting cell surface alpha(v)beta(3) integrin increases therapeutic efficacies of a legumain protease-activated auristatin prodrug

Novel monomethylauristatin E (MMAE) prodrug 8 was designed and prepared that bound cell surface glycoprotein integrin αvβ3, and was activated using legumain protease as a catalyst. Upon activation, prodrug 8 strongly induced the death of MDA-MB-435 cells that express integrin αvβ3 on cell surface. Efficacies of prodrug 8 were also determined in vivo using animal models of 4T1 murine breast cancer, D121 Lewis lung carcinoma, and MDA-MB-435 human breast cancer. The results demonstrated that prodrug 8 decreased tumor growth and metastasis effectively. In comparison to the parent cytotoxin, MMAE, and prodrug 3, prodrug 8 was less toxic to mouse white blood cells. The latter caused no loss in weight gain of mice at a dose 3 mg/kg, which is over 30 times in excess to MMAE (0.1 mg/kg). We hypothesize that overexpression and colocalization of integrin αvβ3 and legumain protease on tumor cells, tumor vasculature, and/or tumor microenvironments can be exploited to enhance the efficacy and selectivity of potent cytotoxins, such as MMAE, which is otherwise too toxic to use for therapy.     

Ca2+ permeability of the (alpha4)3(beta2)2 stoichiometry greatly exceeds that of (alpha4)2(beta2)3 human acetylcholine receptors

Human alpha4beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes or transfected cell lines are present as a mixture of two stoichiometries, (alpha4)2(beta2)3 and (alpha4)3(beta2)2, which differ depending on whether a beta2 or alpha4 subunit occupies the accessory subunit position corresponding to beta1 subunits of muscle AChRs. Pure populations of each stoichiometry can be expressed in oocytes by combining a linked pair of alpha4 and beta2 with free beta2 to produce the (alpha4)2(beta2)3 stoichiometry or with free alpha4 to produce the (alpha4)3(beta2)2 stoichiometry. We show that the (alpha4)3(beta2)2 stoichiometry and the (alpha4)2(beta2)2beta3 and (alpha4)2(beta2)2alpha5 subtypes in which beta3 or alpha5occupy the accessory positions have much higher permeability to Ca2+ than does (alpha4)2(beta2)3 and suggest that this could be physiologically significant in triggering signaling cascades if this stoichiometry or these subtypes were found in vivo. We show that Ca2+ permeability is determined by charged amino acids at the extracellular end of the M2 transmembrane domain, which could form a ring of amino acids at the outer end of the cation channel. Alpha4, alpha5, and beta3 subunits all have a homologous glutamate in M2 that contributes to high Ca2+ permeability, whereas beta2 has a lysine at this position. Subunit combinations or single amino acids changes at this ring that have all negative charges or a mixture of positive and negative charged amino acids are permeable to Ca2+. All positive charges in the ring prevent Ca2+ permeability. Increasing the proportion of negative charges is associated with increasing permeability to Ca2+.     

顺铂降低铜离子转运蛋白1表达诱导人食管鳞癌细胞耐药

目的诱导对顺铂耐药的人食管鳞癌细胞株,并进一步研究细胞耐药性产生的机制。方法逐渐增加顺铂浓度处理人食管鳞癌细胞HKESC-1,诱导顺铂耐药细胞株HKESC-1/cis。MTT法观察顺铂的细胞毒作用以及细胞的生长曲线。电感耦合等离子体质谱检测细胞内顺铂的蓄积和Pt-DNA加合物的形成。Western blot检测铜离子转运蛋白(copper transporter 1,CTR1)的表达。结果顺铂耐药细胞株HKESC-1/cis较其亲代细胞HKESC-1对顺铂引起的细胞毒作用敏感性下降,耐药指数为2.9。顺铂耐药细胞株HKESC-1/cis与其亲代细胞HKESC-1的生长速度相似。然而,HKESC-1/cis细胞内顺铂蓄积和Pt-DNA加合物的形成较HKESC-1细胞减少,并且CTR1蛋白表达水平降低。结论顺铂通过降低细胞膜CTR1蛋白的表达,抑制顺铂进入细胞,导致细胞耐药性的产生。     

Disposition of a novel and potent alpha(v)beta3 antagonist in animals, and extrapolation to man

1. The disposition of 3-[2-oxo-3-[3-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-[1,8]naphthyridin-2-yl) propyl]-imidazolidin-1-yl]-3(S)-(6-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)propionic acid (compound A), a potent and selective alpha(v)beta(3) antagonist, was characterized in several animal species in support of its selection for preclinical safety studies and potential clinical development. 2. Compound A exhibited marked species differences in pharmacokinetics; the plasma clearances and bioavailabilities ranged from 33-47 ml min(-1) kg(-1) in rats and mice to 4-9 ml min(-1) kg(-1) in dogs and monkeys, and about 20% in rats to 70-80% in dogs and monkeys, respectively. Both the intravenous (i.v.) and oral kinetics of compound A were linear over the dose range studied in dogs (0.1-5 mg kg(-1) i.v. and 0.25-20 mg kg(-1) orally [p.o.]) and rats (1-30 mg kg(-1) i.v. and 4-160 mg kg(-1) p.o.). 3. Compound A was eliminated substantially by urinary excretion; the urinary recovery of the unchanged drug was 67% in rhesus, 48% in dogs and about 30% in rats. In these animal species, biotransformation was modest. 4. Following i.v. administration of [(14)C]-compound A to rats, the radioactivity rapidly distributed to all tissues investigated, with high levels of the radioactivity detected in liver, kidney and intestine soon after the drug administration. The radioactivity declined rapidly, with less than 1% of the i.v. dose remaining at 30-h post-dose. 5. Compound A was moderately bound to plasma proteins, with unbound fractions of 26, 20, 14 and 5% for rats, dogs, monkeys and humans, respectively. It was bound primarily to human alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein (about 85% binding at 0.1% concentration), as compared with human albumin (< 50% binding at 4% concentration). 6. Using simple allometry, compound A was predicted to exhibit relatively low clearance (1-3 ml min(-1) kg(-1)) and low volume of distribution (0.1-0.3 l kg(-1)) in humans. Based on the predicted values, compound A was projected to exhibit a favourable oral pharmacokinetic profile in humans, with good bioavailability (50-80%). These predicted values provided a basis for compound selection for further development.     

Rhodostomin, a snake venom disintegrin, inhibits angiogenesis elicited by basic fibroblast growth factor and suppresses tumor growth by a selective alpha(v)beta(3) blockade of endothelial cells

Angiogenesis consists of the proliferation, migration, and differentiation of endothelial cells, although angiogenic factor and integrin-extracellular matrix interaction modulate this process. We report here that a snake venom-derived disintegrin, rhodostomin, inhibited distinct steps in angiogenesis elicited by basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and also suppressed in vivo murine melanoma tumor growth. Rhodostomin dose-dependently inhibited bFGF-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation as examined by cell number count, metabolic activity, and BrdU incorporation assays with submicromolar IC(50) values. However, it apparently did not affect the viability of murine B16F10 melanoma cells, even up to 50 microM. Rhodostomin also inhibited HUVEC migration and invasion evoked by bFGF, and tube formation of bFGF-treated HUVECs in Matrigel. Moreover, rhodostomin selectively inhibited bFGF-, but not vascular endothelial growth factor-associated angiogenesis in the chick chorioallantoic membrane model. Furthermore, rhodostomin blocked both bFGF- and B16F10-induced neovascularization in murine Matrigel plug model and suppressed the growth of subcutaneously inoculated B16F10 solid tumor, leading to a prolonged survival of the rhodostomin-treated C57BL/6 mice. The antiangiogenic effect of rhodostomin on bFGF-treated HUVECs is related to the integrin alpha(v)beta(3) blockade, as evidenced by its selective inhibition on the binding of 7E3, a monoclonal antibody (mAb) raised against alpha(v)beta(3,) but not that of P1F6, an alpha(v)beta(5) mAb toward both naive and bFGF-primed HUVECs. Moreover, 7E3 specifically blocked fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated rhodostomin binding to HUVEC, whereas P1F6 and anti-integrin alpha(2), alpha(3), alpha(4), or alpha(5) mAbs did not.     

Induction of apoptosis by the plant alkaloid sampangine in human HL-60 leukemia cells is mediated by reactive oxygen species

Sampangine is a plant-derived copyrine alkaloid extracted from the stem bark of Cananga odorata. This azaoxoaporphine alkaloid primarily exhibits antifungal and antimycobacterial activities but also displays in vitro antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum and it is cytotoxic to human malignant melanoma cells. Recently, sampangine was described as a pro-apoptotic agent, but the biochemical pathway leading to cell death remained unclear. Considering that sampangine possesses an iminoquinone moiety, potentially functioning as an oxidizing agent, we have investigated the implication of an oxidant stress on sampangine-induced cytotoxicity. We show that the treatment of human HL-60 leukemia cells for 48 h with sampangine induced an important oxidative burst. Real time flow cytometry measurements indicated that the production of oxidative species is very rapid, within minutes following the drug addition. Quenching of reactive oxygen species by the antioxidants N-acetyl cystein, vitamin C and vitamin E abolishes the pro-apoptotic activity of sampangine. The drug-induced production of reactive oxygen species is associated with cell cycle perturbations and mitochondrial alterations. This study shed light on the mechanism of action of sampangine and provides novel opportunities to use azaoxoaporphine alkaloids as lead compounds for the design of pro-apoptotic anticancer agents.     

Characterization of the recombinant human neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors alpha3beta2 and alpha4beta2 stably expressed in HEK293 cells

HEK293 cells were stably transfected with the cDNAs encoding full-length human neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunit combinations alpha3beta2 or alpha4beta2. [(3)H]-(+/-)Epibatidine ([(3)H]-(+/-)EPI) bound to membranes from A3B2 (alpha3beta2) and A4B2.2 (alpha4beta2) cells with K(d) values of 7.5 and 33.4 pM and B(max) values of 497 and 1564 fmol/mg protein, respectively. Concentration-dependent increases in intracellular free Ca(2+) concentration were elicited by nAChR agonists with a rank order of potency of EPI>1,1-dimethyl-4-phenylpiperazinium (DMPP)>nicotine (NIC)=suberyldicholine (SUB)>cytisine (CYT)=acetylcholine (ACh) for A3B2 cells and EPI>CYT=SUB=NIC=DMPP>ACh for A4B2.2 cells. Antagonists of nAChRs blocked NIC-induced responses with a rank order of potency of d-tubocurarine (d-Tubo)=mecamylamine (MEC)>dihydro-beta-erythroidine (DHbetaE) in A3B2 cells and MEC=DHbetaE>d-Tubo in A4B2.2 cells. Whole-cell patch clamp recordings indicate that the decay rate of macroscopic ACh-induced currents is faster in A3B2 than in A4B2.2 cells and that A3B2 cells are less sensitive to ACh than A4B2.2 cells. ACh currents elicited in alpha3beta2 and alpha4beta2 human nAChRs are maximally potentiated at 20 and 2 mM external Ca(2+), respectively.Our results indicate that stably expressed alpha3beta2 and alpha4beta2 human nAChRs are pharmacologically and functionally distinct.     

三氧化二砷对肝癌细胞内活性氧水平的影响

目的探讨三氧化二砷（As2O3）对肝癌细胞增殖及细胞内活性氧（ROS）水平的影响。方法用As2O3作用于体外培养的人肝癌SMMC-7721细胞株，分别用MTT法和流式细胞仪观察SMMC-7721细胞增殖情况并检测ROS。结果MTT结果显示As2O3能明显抑制SMMC-7721细胞的增殖．并呈时间和浓度依赖性。流式细胞仪分析显示As2O3作用后的人肝癌SMMC-7721细胞内ROS水平明显增高（P〈0．01）．并也呈时间和浓度依赖性。结论As2O3可通过抑制人肝癌SMMC-7721细胞的增殖和提高细胞内ROS水平诱导细胞凋亡而发挥抗肿瘤作用，这可能也是As2O3抗肝癌的主要途径之一。     

Silica-induced generation of extracellular factor(s) increases reactive oxygen species in human bronchial epithelial cells.

Chronic inflammation and production of DNA-damaging reactive oxygen species (ROS) may be involved in silica-induced lung cancer. Studies to date have largely focused on silica-induced production of ROS by lung phagocytes. In this study, we investigated the hypothesis that particulate silica (DQ12) can also induce elevations in intracellular ROS in a cancer-target cell type, i.e., human bronchial epithelial cells (BECs), via an indirect mechanism that involves ROS-inducing extracellular factor(s) that occur upon the interaction of silica with culture medium. The intracellular production of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) in BECs was assessed by flow cytometry via monitoring dichlorofluorescein (DCF) fluorescence. Culture medium containing 10% human serum was incubated with silica particles in concentrations ranging from 10 to 50 microg/ml, and following incubation for 1 h and removal of the particles, the resulting supernatants were added to BECs. Silica-treated medium induced significant increases in intracellular H(2)O(2) after the medium had been treated with as little as 10 microg/ml of the particles. Further, the level of ROS increases in BECs in response to silica-treated medium was found to be virtually identical to that induced in cells that were directly treated with silica in suspension. Based on enzyme inhibitory studies, the mechanism for this increased generation of intracellular ROS appears to involve both mitochondrial respiration and a NAD(P)H oxidase-like system. Spectrofluorimetric experiments with the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase showed that superoxide anions (O2*-) and H(2)O(2) are generated in silica-treated medium, but these ROS do not fully account for the induction of the intracellular ROS response. Iron, on the other hand, was found to be crucial to the process. Our collective results suggest silica-aqueous medium interactions can lead to the generation of factor(s) that induce the intracellular production of potentially DNA-damaging ROS in BECs in a manner that does not require direct particle-cell interactions.