• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2017

Objectives : We investigated the synergistic effects of bee venom (BV) and natural killer (NK) cells on B16F10 melanoma cell apoptosis mediated by IL-4. Methods : We performed a cell viability assay to determine whether BV can enhance the inhibitory effect of NK-92MI cells on the growth of B16F10 melanoma cells, and western blot analysis to detect changes in the expression of IL-4, $IL-4R{\alpha}$, and other apoptosis-related proteins. EMSA was performed to observe the activity of STAT6. To confirm that the inhibitory effect of BV and NK cells was mediated by IL-4, the above tests were repeated after IL-4 silencing by siRNA (50 nM). Results : B16F10 melanoma cells co-cultured with NK-92MI cells and simultaneously treated by BV ($5{\mu}g/ml$) showed a higher degree of proliferation inhibition than when treated by BV ($5{\mu}g/ml$) alone or co-cultured with NK-92MI cells alone. Expression of IL-4, $IL-4R{\alpha}$, and that of other pro-apoptotic proteins was also enhanced after co-culture with NK-92MI cells and simultaneous treatment with BV ($5{\mu}g/ml$). Furthermore, the expression of anti-apoptotic bcl-2 decreased, and the activity of STAT6, as well as the expression of STAT6 and p-STAT6 were enhanced. IL-4 silencing siRNA (50 nM) in B16F10 cells, the effects of BV treatment and NK-92MI co-culture were reversed. Conclusion : These results suggest that BV could be an effective alternative therapy for malignant melanoma by enhancing the cytotoxic and apoptotic effect of NK cells through an IL-4-mediated pathway.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.163-168
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• 2003

The reactive oxygen species (ROS) are considered to be an important mediator in pancreatic ${\beta}$ cell destruction, thereby triggering the development of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. In the present study, HIV-1 Tat-mediated transduction of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) was investigated to evaluate its protective potential against streptozotocin (STZ)-induced cytotoxicity in insulin-producing MIN6N cells. Tat-SOD fusion protein was successfully delivered into MIN6N cells in a dose-dependent manner and the transduced fusion protein was enzymatically active for 48 h. The STZ induced-cell destruction, superoxide anion radical production, and DNA fragmentation of MIN6N cells were significantly decreased in the cells pretreated with Tat-SOD for 1 h. Furthermore, the transduction of Tat-SOD increased Bcl-2 and heat shock protein 70 (hsp70) expressions in cells exposed to STZ, which might be partly responsible for the effect of Tat-SOD. These results suggest that an increased of free radical scavenging activity by transduction of Tat-SOD enhanced the tolerance of the cell against oxidative stress in STZ-treated MIN6N cells. Therefore, this Tat-SOD transduction technique may provide a new strategy to protect the pancreatic ${\beta}$ cell destruction in ROS-mediated diabetes.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2022

Humulus japonicus (HJ) is a widely used herbal medicine for pulmonary tuberculosis, hypertension, leprosy, and venomous wounds in Asia, particularly in China. Although HJ has certain physiological activities, such as longitudinal bone growth, antioxidation and alleviation of rheumatism, its anticancer activities, other than in colorectal and ovarian cancer, are yet to be studied. In this study, we investigated the anti-cancer activity and mechanism of methanol extracts of HJ (MeHJ) against human FaDu hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells. MeHJ suppressed FaDu cell viability without affecting normal cells (L929), which was demonstrated using the MTT and Live & Dead assays. Furthermore, MeHJ effectively inhibited colony formation of FaDu cells, even at non-cytotoxic concentrations, and significantly induced apoptosis through the proteolytic cleavage of caspase-9, -3, -7, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase and through the downregulation of BCL-2 and upregulation of BAX in FaDu cells, as determined by DAPI staining, flow cytometry, and western blot analyses. Collectively, these findings suggest that the inhibitory effects of MeHJ on the growth and colony formation of oral cancer cells may be mediated by caspase- and mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathways in human FaDu hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells. Therefore, MeHJ has the potential to be used as a natural chemotherapeutic drug against human oral cancer.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.73-81
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• 2023

Sirtuins (SIRTs) belong to the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)-dependent class III histone deacetylase family. They are key regulators of cellular and physiological processes, such as cell survival, senescence, differentiation, DNA damage and stress response, cellular metabolism, and aging. SIRTs also influence carcinogenesis, making them potential targets for anticancer therapeutic strategies. In this study, we investigated the anticancer properties and underlying molecular mechanisms of a novel SIRT1 inhibitor, MHY2251, in human colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. MHY2251 reduced the viability of various human CRC cell lines, especially those with wild-type TP53. MHY2251 inhibited SIRT1 activity and SIRT1/2 protein expression, while promoting p53 acetylation, which is a target of SIRT1 in HCT116 cells. MHY2251 treatment triggered apoptosis in HCT116 cells. It increased the percentage of late apoptotic cells and the sub-G1 fraction (as detected by flow cytometric analysis) and induced DNA fragmentation. In addition, MHY2251 upregulated the expression of FasL and Fas, altered the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, downregulated the levels of pro-caspase-8, -9, and -3 proteins, and induced subsequent poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage. The induction of apoptosis by MHY2251 was related to the activation of the caspase cascade, which was significantly attenuated by pre-treatment with Z-VAD-FMK, a pan-caspase inhibitor. Furthermore, MHY2251 stimulated the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and MHY2251-triggered apoptosis was blocked by pre-treatment with SP600125, a JNK inhibitor. This finding indicated the specific involvement of JNK in MHY2251-induced apoptosis. MHY2251 shows considerable potential as a therapeutic agent for targeting human CRC via the inhibition of SIRT1 and activation of JNK/p53 pathway.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.199-205
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• 2012

An extract of Alnus japonica (Betulaceae) cortex has been traditionally used for purifying blood, and curing feces containing blood, enteritis, diarrhea, alcoholism and cut wounds. In the present study, we demonstrated that the ethanol extract of Alnus japonica (EAJ) exhibited significantly cytotoxicity in human colon adenocarcinoma HT-29 cells. The results showed that the induction of apoptosis in HT-29 cells by EAJ was characterized by chromatin condensation and activation of caspase-3. EAJ-induced activation of caspase-9 and -3 caused the cleavage of poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) and the release of cytochrome c. The expressions of Bcl-2 and Bid were reduced by EAJ in HT-29 cells, whereas pro-apoptotic protein Bak was increased in the cells. EAJ-induced, dose-dependent induction of apoptosis was accompanied by sustained phosphorylation of MAP kinases (JNK and p38 MAPK), ASK1, and p53. NAC administration, a scavenger of ROS, reversed EAJ-induced cell death. In conclusion, these results indicated that EAJ can cause apoptosis through a ROS-mitochondria-caspases-dependent pathway in human HT-29 cells.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.30-36
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• 2010

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of blueberry extract on cell death, ROS and gene expression patterns associated with the anti-cancer activity in human breast cancer MCF7 cells. To accomplish this, 20 mg/mL concentration of blueberry extract was added to the cell culture for 0, 6, 12, 24 or 48 h, after which the effects were evaluated by various analyses. MTT assay showed that the cellular activities decreased rapidly during the first 12 h of treatment. During this period, dual staining with Hoechst33322 and propidium iodide also produced a similar trend in which the dead or dying cells increased sharply. Furthermore, evaluation of BrdU incorporation as an index for cell proliferation revealed a marked decrease during the first 12 h of treatment, suggesting that anticancer activity involves the inhibition of cell proliferation and induces cell death. ROS also increased according to the duration of the treatment, indicating intracellular accumulation is associated with the cell death. RT-PCR analysis revealed significant decreases in anti-apoptotic (Bax) and increases in pro-apoptotic gene expressions (Bci-2, caspase- 3, and 9) (p<0.05). Taken these together, blueberry extract induces ROS accumulation in MCF7 cells, causing inhibition of cell proliferation and eventually leading to cell death. This cell death was associated with apoptotic gene expression in blueberry-treated cells for up to 24 h.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.143-154
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was to find efficacy of integrin alpha2 (${\alpha}_2$) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) as tumor marker of oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and clarify the selective cell death effect of anti-integrin ${\alpha}_2$ and anti-EGFR on SCC cells, additionally testify conjugated gold nanoparticles (GNP) with air plasma for selective cell death of oral SCC. Methods: Expression of integrin ${\alpha}_2$, EGFR on human SCC cells (SCC25) were examined by western blot. SCC25 cells were treated with anti-integrin ${\alpha}_2$, anti-EGFR and analysed by Hemacolor staining, immunoflorescence staining, FACS flow cytometry. Conjugated GNP with integrin ${\alpha}_2$, EGFR antibody were treated by air plasma on SCC cells. Results: Integrin ${\alpha}_2$ and EGFR were over-expressed on SCC25 cells than normal lung WI-38 cells. The cell viability rate of SCC25 cells treated with anti-integrin ${\alpha}_2$, anti-EGFR was lower than WI-38 cells. The concentration changes of nucleus, releasing cytochrome c and apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) from mitochondria to cytosol were observed. The changes of proteins related with apoptosis were observed. Increase of bax, bcl-xL, activation of caspase-3, -7, -9, and fragmentation of PARP, DFF45 and decrease of lamin A/C in SCC25 cells were observed. In FACS, increase of sub-$G_1$ and S phase was observed. Cell cycle related proteins, Such as cyclin D1, cyclin dependent kinase (CDK) 4, cyclin A, cyclin E, CDK 2, p27 were decreased. After SCC25 cells treated with conjugatged GNP-Integrin ${\alpha}_2$, GNP-EGFR, additionally air plasma, the cell death rate was significantly increased. Conclusion: Integrin ${\alpha}_2$, EGFR were over-expressed in oral SCC cells. Anti-integrin ${\alpha}_2$, anti-EGFR in SCC25 cells induced apoptosis selectively. When GNP-anti integrin ${\alpha}_2$, GNP-anti EGFR were treated with air plasma on SCC25 cells, cancer cells were died more selectively. GNP-anti integrin ${\alpha}_2$, GNP-anti EGFR with air plasma could be treatment choice of oral SCC.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.7
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• pp.826-834
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• 2016

The present investigation was undertaken to examine the effectiveness of the combination treatment of an Hsp90 inhibitor and a SIRT1 inhibitor on suppressing the growth of chemo-resistant human cancer cells. We showed that inhibition of SIRT1 effectively potentiated the cytotoxicity of 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG) and reversed Hsp90 inhibitor resistance in multidrug-resistant (MDR) human ovarian HeyA8-MDR cells. Amurensin G, a potent natural SIRT1 inhibitor, enhanced Hsp90 inhibitor-mediated abrogation of the Hsp90 chaperone function and accelerated degradation of mutated p53 (mut p53), an Hsp90 client protein, by up-regulation of ubiquitin ligase CHIP. Knock-down of CHIP significantly attenuated amurensin G-induced mut p53 degradation. Down-regulation of mut p53 reduced the expression of heat shock factor1 (HSF1)/heat shock proteins (Hsps), a major cause of Hsp90 inhibitor resistance, which led to sensitization of the MDR cells to the Hsp90 inhibitor by the SIRT1 inhibitor. Amurensin G potentiated cytotoxicity of the Hsp90 inhibitor in HeyA8-MDR cells through suppression of 17-AAG-induced Hsp70 and Hsp27 induction via down-regulation of mut p53/HSF1, and it caused activation of PARP and inhibition of Bcl-2. Our data suggests that SIRT1 inhibitors could be used to sensitize MDR cells to Hsp90 inhibitors, possibly through suppression of the mut p53/HSF1-dependent pathway, and a novel mut p53-directed action of SIRT1 inhibition could effectively prevent mut p53 accumulation in MDR cells.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.91-98
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• 2010

Purpose: Troglitazone (TRO), a PPAR-$\gamma$ agonist, can reduce heat shock protein (HSP) 70 and increase the antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, which might affect thermal sensitivity. Here, we investigated whether TRO modifies thermal sensitivity in uterine cervical cancer cells, which is most commonly treated by hyperthermia (HT). Materials and Methods: HeLa cells were treated with $5{\mu}M$ TRO for 24 hours before HT at $42^{\circ}C$ for 1 hour. Cell survival was analyzed by clonogenic assay. The expression of HSPs was analyzed by Western blot. SOD and catalase activity was measured and reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate and dihydroethidium. Results: The decreased cell survival by HT was increased by preincubation with TRO before HT. Expression of HSP 70 was increased by HT however, it was not decreased by preincubation with TRO before HT. The decreased Bcl-2 expression by HT was increased by preincubation with TRO. SOD and catalase activity was increased by 1.2 and 1.3 times,respectively with TRO. Increased ROS by HT was decreased by preincubation with TRO. Conclusion: TRO decreases thermal sensitivity through increased SOD and catalase activity, as well as scavenging ROS in HeLa cells.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.941-945
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• 2015

Semaphoring is a transmembrane receptor which participates in many cytokine-mediated signal pathways that are closely related to the angiogenesis, occurrence and development of carcinoma. The present study was designed to access the effect of mono-antibody (mAb) guided radioimmunotherapy (RIT) on skin carcinoma and investigate the potential mechanisms. Semaphoring mAb was acquired from mice (Balb/c), purified with rProtein A column; purity, concentration and activity were tested with SDS-PAGE and indirect ELISA; specificity and expression on the cutanuem carcinoma line and tissue were tested by Western blotting; morphology change was assessed by microscopy. MTT assay and colony inhibition tests were carried out to test the influence on the proliferation of tumor cells; Western blotting was also carried out for expression of apoptosis-associated (caspase-3, Bax, Bcl-2) and proliferation-related (PI3K, p-Akt, Akt, p-ERK1/2, ERK1/2) proteins and analyse the change in signal pathways (PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK). The purity of purified semaphorin mAb was 96.5% and the titer is about $1{\times}10^6$. Western blotting showed semaphoring mAb to have specifically binding stripes with semaphoring b1b2 protein, B16F10, and A431 cells at 39KDa, 100KDa and 130KDa, respectively. Positive expression was detected both in cutanuem carcinoma line and tissue and it mostly located in cell membranes. MMT assay revealed dose-relate and time-relate inhibitory effect of semaphorin mAb on A431 and B16F10. Colony inhibition tests also showed dose-relate inhibitory effects. Western blotting demonstrated the expression of apoptosis and proliferation-related protein and changes in signal pathway. In conclusion, we demonstrated that semaphorin is highly expressed on the tumor cell-surfaces and RIT with semaphorin mAb has effect in i nhibiting proliferation and accelerating apoptosis of tumor cells.