Enhanced Antitumor Effects of Adenoviral-Mediated siRNA against GRP78 Gene on Adenosine-Induced Apoptosis in Human Hepatoma HepG2 Cells

Our previous studies show that adenosine-induced apoptosis is involved in endoplasmic reticulum stress in HepG2 cells. In this study, we have investigated whether knockdown of GRP78 by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) increases the cytotoxic effects of adenosine in HepG2 cells. The adenovirus vector-delivered shRNA targeting GRP78 (Ad-shGRP78) was constructed and transfected into HepG2 cells. RT-PCR assay was used to determine RNA interference efficiency. Effects of knockdown of GRP78 on adenosine-induced cell viabilities, cell-cycle distribution and apoptosis, as well as relative protein expressions were determined by flow cytometry and/or Western blot analysis. The intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration was detected by laser scanning confocal microscope. Mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) was measured by a fluorospectrophotometer. The results revealed that GRP78 mRNA was significantly downregulated by Ad-shGRP78 transfection. Knockdown of GRP78 enhanced HepG2 cell sensitivity to adenosine by modulating G0/G1 arrest and stimulating Bax, Bak, m-calpain, caspase-4 and CHOP protein levels. Knockdown of GRP78 worsened cytosolic Ca²⁺ overload and ΔΨm loss. Knockdown of caspase-4 by shRNA decreased caspase-3 mRNA expression and cell apoptosis. These findings indicate that GRP 78 plays a protective role in ER stress-induced apoptosis and show that the combination of chemotherapy drug and RNA interference adenoviruses provides a new treatment strategy against malignant tumors.     

Methyl Sartortuoate Inhibits Colon Cancer Cell Growth by Inducing Apoptosis and G2/M-Phase Arrest

The potential anti-neoplastic activity of terpenoids is of continued interest. In this study, we investigate whether methyl sartortuoate, a terpenoid isolated from soft coral, induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in a human colon cancer cell line. Culture studies found that methyl sartortuoate inhibited colon cancer cell (LoVo and RKO) growth and caused apoptotic death in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, by activation of caspase-8, caspase-9, caspase-3, p53 and Bax, and inactivation of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) apoptosis regulating proteins. Methyl sartortuoate treatment led to reduced expression of cdc2 and up-regulated p21 and p53, suggesting that Methyl sartortuoate induced G2-M arrest through modulation of p53/p21/cdc2 pathways. Methyl sartortuoate also up-regulated phospho-JNK and phospho-p38 expression levels. This resulted in cell cycle arrest at the G2-M phase and apoptosis in LoVo and RKO cells. Treatment with the JNK inhibitor SP600125 and the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 prevented methyl sartortuoate-induced apoptosis in LoVo cells. Moreover, methyl sartortuoate also prevented neoplasm growth in NOD-SCID nude mice inoculated with LoVo cells. Taken together, these findings suggest that methyl sartortuoate is capable of leading to activation of caspase-8, -9, -3, increasing p53 and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio apoptosis through MAPK-dependent apoptosis and results in G2-M phase arrest in LoVo and RKO cells. Thus, methyl sartortuoate may be a promising anticancer candidate.     

LincRNA-p21: Implications in Human Diseases

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), which lack significant protein-coding capacity, regulate various biological processes through diverse and as yet poorly understood molecular mechanisms. However, a number of studies in the past few years have documented important functions for lncRNAs in human diseases. Among these lncRNAs, lincRNA-p21 has been proposed to be a novel regulator of cell proliferation, apoptosis and DNA damage response, and involved in the initiation and progression of human diseases. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of lincRNA-p21, mainly focus on the known biological functions and its underlying mechanisms. Moreover, we highlight the growing body of evidences for the importance of lincRNA-p21 in diverse human diseases, which indicate lincRNA-p21 as a potential diagnostic marker and/or a valuable therapeutic target for these diseases.     

Pro-Apoptotic and Immunotherapeutic Effects of Carbon Nanotubes Functionalized with Recombinant Human Surfactant Protein D on Leukemic Cells

Nanoparticles are efficient drug delivery vehicles for targeting specific organs as well as systemic therapy for a range of diseases, including cancer. However, their interaction with the immune system offers an intriguing challenge. Due to the unique physico-chemical properties, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are considered as nanocarriers of considerable interest in cancer diagnosis and therapy. CNTs, as a promising nanomaterial, are capable of both detecting as well as delivering drugs or small therapeutic molecules to tumour cells. In this study, we coupled a recombinant fragment of human surfactant protein D (rfhSP-D) with carboxymethyl-cellulose (CMC) CNTs (CMC-CNT, 10–20 nm diameter) for augmenting their apoptotic and immunotherapeutic properties using two leukemic cell lines. The cell viability of AML14.3D10 or K562 cancer cell lines was reduced when cultured with CMC-mwCNT-coupled-rfhSP-D (CNT + rfhSP-D) at 24 h. Increased levels of caspase 3, 7 and cleaved caspase 9 in CNT + rfhSP-D treated AML14.3D10 and K562 cells suggested an involvement of an intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. CNT + rfhSP-D treated leukemic cells also showed higher mRNA expression of p53 and cell cycle inhibitors (p21 and p27). This suggested a likely reduction in cdc2-cyclin B1, causing G2/M cell cycle arrest and p53-dependent apoptosis in AML14.3D10 cells, while p53-independent mechanisms appeared to be in operation in K562 cells. We suggest that CNT + rfhSP-D has therapeutic potential in targeting leukemic cells, irrespective of their p53 status, and thus, it is worth setting up pre-clinical trials in animal models.     

Long Non-Coding RNA GDAR Regulates Ovine Granulosa Cells Apoptosis by Affecting the Expression of Apoptosis-Related Genes

Short-term dietary supplementation of ewes during the luteal phase can increase fertility, most probably by stimulating glucose uptake by the follicles. However, the molecular mechanism of glucose regulation of follicular development has not yet been clarified, especially the further study of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in determining fertility during follicular development. We generated granulosa cell (GC) models of different doses of glucose (0, 2.1, 4.2, 8.4, 16.8 and 33.6 mM), and observed that the highest cell viability was recorded in the 8.4 mM group and the highest apoptosis rates were recorded in the 33.6 mM group. Therefore, a control group (n = 3, 0 mM glucose), a low glucose group (n = 3, add 8.4 mM glucose), and a high glucose group (n = 3, add 33.6 mM glucose) of GCs were created for next whole genomic RNA sequencing. In total, 18,172 novel lncRNAs and 510 annotated lncRNAs were identified in the GCs samples. Gene Ontology indicated that differentially expressed lncRNAs associated with cell apoptosis were highly enriched. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis of lncRNA target genes found that the apoptosis pathway and the p53 signaling pathway were both enriched. Furthermore, we focused on the function of a lncGDAR and verified that lncGDAR could influence cell apoptosis in GC development through affecting the mRNA and protein expression of apoptosis-related markers. These results provide the basis for further study of the lncRNA regulation mechanism in nutrition on female fertility.     

G Protein-Coupled Receptor 87 (GPR87) Promotes Cell Proliferation in Human Bladder Cancer Cells

G protein-coupled receptor 87 (GPR87) is a newly deorphanized member of the cell surface molecule G protein-coupled receptor family. GPR signaling was shown to play a role in promotion of cell growth and survival, metastasis, and drug resistance. The overexpression of GPR87 has also been reported in many malignant tumors including bladder cancer. The aim of the present study is to examine the effect of silencing GPR87 expression with a replication-deficient recombinant adenoviral vector expressing short hairpin RNA targeting GPR87 (Ad-shGPR87) and to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms in bladder cancer cells. Six GPR87-expressing human bladder cancer cells, HT1197, HT1376, J82, RT112, TCCSUP and UMUC3, were used. Infection with Ad-shGPR87 effectively downregulated the GPR87 expression, and significantly reduced the percentage of viable cells in 4 of 6 cell lines as detected by an MTT assay. Significant inhibition on cell proliferation with Ad-shGPR87 was observed in the wild-type p53 bladder cancer cell lines (HT1197, RT112, TCCSUP and UMUC3), but not in the mutant p53 cells (HT1376 and J82). As represented by a wild-type p53 RT112 cell, Ad-shGPR87 infection significantly enhanced p53 and p21 expression and caused caspase-dependent apoptosis. Furthermore, the treatment with Ad-shGPR87 exerted a significant antitumor effect against the GPR87-expressing RT112 xenografts. GPR87 appeared to be a promising target for gene therapy, and Ad-shGPR87 had strong antitumor effects, specifically anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects, against GPR87-expressing human bladder cancer cells.     

PML(NLS~-)干扰对HL-60细胞增殖与凋亡的影响

目的探讨缺失核定位信号的PML,即PML(NLS-)干扰对急性早幼粒细胞白血病细胞HL-60增殖与凋亡的影响。方法将靶向PML(NLS-)基因的3组干扰质粒pGpu6-PML(NLS-)shRNA和阴性对照质粒pGpu6-NCshRNA分别转染HL-60细胞,转染后48 h,G418筛选阳性克隆,分别命名为Si-1、Si-2、Si-3和NC组,并设空白对照组。采用RT-PCR法和Western blot法检测各组细胞中PML(NLS-)基因mRNA的转录水平和蛋白的表达水平;MTT法检测细胞的增殖活力;流式细胞术分析细胞的细胞周期及凋亡情况。结果 Si-1和Si-2组HL-60细胞PML(NLS-)基因mRNA的转录水平和蛋白的表达水平与空白对照组相比明显减低(P<0.05),有干扰效果;Si-1组HL-60细胞的增殖水平与空白对照组相比明显降低(P<0.05),以转染后48 h降低最为显著(P<0.01);抑制PML(NLS-)表达可引起HL-60细胞S期比例增高,G1和G2期比例下降(P<0.05);Si-1组细胞凋亡率明显高于NC组和空白对照组(P<0.05)。结论干扰PML(NLS-)的表达可促进HL-60细胞的凋亡,抑制其增殖。     

p53 Enhances Artemisia annua L. Polyphenols-Induced Cell Death Through Upregulation of p53-Dependent Targets and Cleavage of PARP1 and Lamin A/C in HCT116 Colorectal Cancer Cells

Plant-derived natural polyphenols exhibit anticancer activity without showing any noticeable toxicities to normal cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of p53 on the anticancer effect of polyphenols isolated from Korean Artemisia annua L. (pKAL) in HCT116 human colorectal cancer cells. We confirmed that pKAL induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, propidium iodide (PI) uptake, nuclear structure change, and acidic vesicles in a p53-independent manner in p53-null HCT116 cells through fluorescence microscopy analysis of DCF/PI-, DAPI-, and AO-stained cells. The pKAL-induced anticancer effects were found to be significantly higher in p53-wild HCT116 cells than in p53-null by hematoxylin staining, CCK-8 assay, Western blot, and flow cytometric analysis of annexin V/PI-stained cells. In addition, expression of ectopic p53 in p53-null cells was upregulated by pKAL in both the nucleus and cytoplasm, increasing pKAL-induced cell death. Moreover, Western bot analysis revealed that pKAL-induced cell death was associated with upregulation of p53-dependent targets such as p21, Bax and DR5 and cleavage of PARP1 and lamin A/C in p53-wild HCT116 cells, but not in p53-null. Taken together, these results indicate that p53 plays an important role in enhancing the anticancer effects of pKAL by upregulating p53 downstream targets and inducing intracellular cell death processes.     

Voltage-Gated Potassium Channel Kv1.3 Is Highly Expressed in Human Osteosarcoma and Promotes Osteosarcoma Growth

Deregulation of voltage-gated potassium channel subunit Kv1.3 has been reported in many tumors. Kv1.3 promotes tumorigenesis by enhancing cell proliferation while suppressing apoptosis. However, the expression and function of Kv1.3 in osteosarcoma are unknown. In the present study, we detected the expression of Kv1.3 in human osteosarcoma cells and tissues by RT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry. We further examined cell proliferation and apoptosis in osteosarcoma MG-63 cells and xenografts following knockdown of Kv1.3 by short hairpin RNA (shRNA). We found that Kv1.3 was upregulated in human osteosarcoma. Knockdown of Kv1.3 significantly suppressed cell proliferation and increased apoptosis as demonstrated by enhanced cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and the activation of Caspase-3/7. Furthermore, adenovirus delivered shRNA targeting Kv1.3 significantly inhibited the growth of MG-63 xenografts. Taken together, our results suggest that Kv1.3 is a novel molecular target for osterosarcoma therapy.     

靶向Pin1基因的shRNA干扰质粒的构建及其对大肠癌SW620细胞Pin1基因的抑制作用

目的构建靶向Pin1基因的短发夹RNA(shRNA)干扰真核表达质粒,并检测其对大肠癌SW620细胞Pin1基因的抑制作用。方法设计合成特异性针对人Pin1基因的寡核苷酸序列,退火后与pGenesil-1载体连接,构建靶向Pin1基因的shRNA真核表达质粒pGenesil-1-Pin1(+),利用脂质体转染大肠癌SW620细胞,以质粒pGenesil-1-Pin(-)转染细胞和未转染细胞为对照。利用荧光显微镜观察转染后细胞表达的绿色荧光蛋白,估算转染效率;应用实时荧光定量PCR和Western blot检测其对SW620细胞Pin1基因mRNA转录及蛋白表达的影响。结果所构建的特异Pin1shRNA真核表达质粒经酶切及测序证明构建正确,转染SW620细胞的转染效率为64%。shRNA对SW620细胞Pin1基因mRNA的抑制率在转染后72h最高,为70.2%,蛋白抑制率为60%。结论已成功构建了靶向Pin1基因的shRNA干扰真核表达质粒,可抑制SW620细胞Pin1基因mRNA的转录及蛋白的表达。     

The Anti-Proliferative and Apoptotic Effects of Rutaecarpine on Human Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Line CE81T/VGH In Vitro and In Vivo

The overall five-year survival rate for patients with esophageal cancer is low (15 to 25%) because of the poor prognosis at earlier stages. Rutaecarpine (RTP) is a bioalkaloid found in the traditional Chinese herb Evodia rutaecarpa and has been shown to exhibit anti-proliferative effect on tumor cells. However, the mechanisms by which RTP confer these effects and its importance in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma treatment remain unclear. Thus, in the present study, we first incubated human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell line, CE81T/VGH, with RTP to evaluate RTP’s effects on tumor cell growth and apoptosis. We also performed a xenograft study to confirm the in vitro findings. Furthermore, we determined the expression of p53, Bax, bcl-2, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PCNA in CE81T/VGH cells or the tumor tissues to investigate the possible mechanisms. All the effects of TRP were compared with that of cisplatin. The results showed that RTP significantly inhibits CE81T/VGH cell growth, promotes arrest of cells in the G₂/M phase, and induces apoptosis. Consistently, the in vivo study showed that tumor size, tumor weight, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen protein expression in tumor tissue are significantly reduced in the high-dose RTP treatment group. Furthermore, the in vitro and in vivo studies showed that RTP increases the expression of p53 and Bax proteins, while inhibiting the expression of Bcl-2 in cancer cells. In addition, RTP significantly increases the expression of cleaved caspase-9 and cleaved caspase-3 proteins in tumor tissues in mice. These results suggest that RTP may trigger the apoptosis and inhibit growth in CE81T/VGH cells by the mechanisms associated with the regulation of the expression of p53, Bax, Bcl-2, as well as caspase-9 and caspase-3.     

Se-Methylselenocysteine Inhibits Apoptosis Induced by Clusterin Knockdown in Neuroblastoma N2a and SH-SY5Y Cell Lines

Apoptosis, as a programmed cell death process, is essential for the maintenance of tissue function in organisms. Alteration of this process is linked to many diseases. Over-expression of clusterin (Clu) can antagonize apoptosis in various cells. Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for human health. Its biological function is also associated with cell apoptosis. To explore the function of Clu and the impact of Se in the process of apoptosis, several short-hairpin RNAs (shRNA) were designed for the construction of two sets of recombinant plasmids: one set for plasmid-transfection of mouse neuroblastoma N2a cells (N2a cells); and the other set for lentiviral infection of human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells (SH-SY5Y cells). These shRNAs specifically and efficiently interfered with the intracellular expression of Clu at both the mRNA and protein levels. The Clu-knockdown cells showed apoptosis-related features, including down-regulation of antioxidative capacity and the Bcl-2/Bax ratio and up-regulation of caspase-8 activity. Se-methylselenocysteine (MSC) at an optimum concentration of 1 μM could reverse the alteration in antioxidative capacity, Bcl2/Bax ratio and caspase-8 activity caused by Clu-knockdown, thus inhibiting apoptosis and maintaining cell viability. The results hereby imply the potentiality of Clu and Se in neuroprotection.     

USP22 Promotes NSCLC Tumorigenesis via MDMX Up-Regulation and Subsequent p53 Inhibition

Increasing evidence suggests that ubiquitin-specific protease 22 (USP22) has great clinicopathologic significance in oncology. In this study, we investigated the role of USP22 in human NSCLC tumorigenesis along with the underlying mechanisms of action. First, we determined the expression of USP22 in human NSCLC, as well as normal tissues and cell lines. We then studied the effects of USP22 silencing by shRNA on NSCLC cell growth in vitro and tumorigenesis in vivo, along with the effect on the p53 pathway. We found that USP22 is overexpressed in human NSCLC tissues and cell lines. USP22 silencing by shRNA inhibits proliferation, induces apoptosis and arrests cells at the G0/G1 phases in NSCLC cells and curbs human NSCLC tumor growth in a mouse xenograft model. Additionally, USP22 silencing downregulates MDMX protein expression and activates the p53 pathway. Our co-immunoprecipitation analysis shows that USP22 interacts with MDMX in NSCLC cells. Furthermore, MDMX silencing leads to growth arrest and apoptosis in NSCLC cells, and over-expression of MDMX reverses the USP22 silencing-induced effects. Taken together, our results suggest that USP22 promotes NSCLC tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo through MDMX upregulation and subsequent p53 inhibition. USP22 may represent a novel target for NSCLC treatment.     

Photodynamic Treatment Induces an Apoptotic Pathway Involving Calcium, Nitric Oxide, p53, p21-Activated Kinase 2, and c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase and Inactivates Survival Signal in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

Photodynamic treatment (PDT) elicits a diverse range of cellular responses, including apoptosis. Previously, we showed that PDT stimulates caspase-3 activity, and subsequent cleavage and activation of p21-activated kinase 2 (PAK2) in human epidermal carcinoma A431 cells. In the current study, pretreatment with nitric oxide (NO) scavengers inhibited PDT-induced mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) changes, activation of caspase-9, caspase-3, p21-activated protein kinase 2 (PAK2) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and gene expression of p53 and p21 involved in apoptotic signaling. Moreover, PAK2 activity was required for PDT-induced JNK activation and apoptosis. Inhibition of p53 mRNA expression using small interfering RNA (siRNA) additionally blocked activation of PAK2 and apoptosis induced by PDT. Importantly, our data also show that PDT triggers cell death via inactivation of ERK-mediated anti-apoptotic pathway. PDT triggers cell death via inactivation of the HSP90/multi-chaperone complex and subsequent degradation of Ras, further inhibiting anti-apoptotic processes, such as the Ras→ERK signal transduction pathway. Furthermore, we did not observe two-stage JNK activation for regulation of PAK2 activity in the PDT-induced apoptotic pathway in HUVECs, which was reported earlier in A431 cells. Based on the collective results, we have proposed a model for the PDT-triggered inactivation of the survival signal and apoptotic signaling cascade with Rose Bengal (RB), which sequentially involves singlet oxygen, Ca(2+), NO, p53, caspase-9, caspase-3, PAK2, and JNK.     

神经纤毛蛋白1基因RNA干扰质粒对胃腺癌细胞SGC7901增殖和凋亡的影响

目的探讨神经纤毛蛋白1(Neuropilin1,NRP1)基因RNA干扰质粒对胃腺癌细胞SGC7901增殖和凋亡的影响。方法构建NRP1基因特异性shRNA表达质粒,经脂质体介导转染入人胃腺癌SGC7901细胞。采用Western blot法检测细胞中NRP1蛋白的表达水平,应用流式细胞术和Annexin-V-FITC/PI法检测细胞的增殖水平和凋亡率。结果经酶切及测序鉴定证明,shRNA-NRP1质粒构建正确,转染SGC7901细胞48h后,能有效抑制NRP1蛋白的表达,G0/G1期细胞百分比显著升高,S期细胞显著减少,细胞凋亡率增加。结论 shRNA-NRP1质粒能有效抑制胃腺癌SGC7901细胞株NRP1蛋白的表达,细胞周期阻滞在G0/G1期,从而降低细胞的增殖水平,诱导细胞进入凋亡期。