Naringenin reduces lung metastasis in a breast cancer resection model

Metastasis is the main cause of death in cancer patients. To improve the outcomes of patients undergoing a surgery, new adjuvant therapies that can effectively inhibit metastases have to be developed. Studies have shown that flavonoid naringenin, a natural product that is mainly present in grapes and citrus, may contribute to cancer prevention. It has many advantages compared to traditional chemotherapeutic drugs, such as low toxicity. To determine whether naringenin can also inhibit metastases, a breast cancer resection model that mimics clinical situations was established. We found that orally administered naringenin significantly decreased the number of metastatic tumor cells in the lung and extended the life span of tumor resected mice. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that T cells displayed enhanced antitumor activity in naringenin treated mice, with an increased proportion of IFN-γ and IL-2 expressing T cells. In vitro studies further demonstrated that relief of immunosuppression caused by regulatory T cells might be the fundamental mechanism of metastasis inhibition by naringenin. These results indicate that orally administered naringenin can inhibit the outgrowth of metastases after surgery via regulating host immunity. Thus, naringenin can be an ideal surgical adjuvant therapy for breast cancer patients.

Vitamin C induces periodontal ligament progenitor cell differentiation via activation of ERK pathway mediated by PELP1

The differentiation of periodontal ligament(PDL)progenitor cells is important for maintaining the homeostasis of PDL tissue and alveolar bone.Vitamin C(VC),a water-soluble nutrient that cannot be biosynthesized by humans,is vital for mesenchymal stem cells differentiation and plays an important role in bone remodeling.Therefore,the objective of this study was to determine the function and mechanism of VC in PDL progenitor cells osteogenic differentiation at the molecular level.We demonstrated that VC could induce the osteogenic differentiation and maturation of PDL progenitor cell without other osteogenic agents.During the process,VC preferentially activated ERK1/2 but did not affect JNK or p38.Co-treatment with ERK inhibitor effectively decreased the Vitamin C-induced expression of Runx2.ERK inhibitor also abrogated Vitamin C-induced the minimized nodules formation.PELP1,a nuclear receptor co-regulator,was up-regulated under VC treatment.PELP1 knockdown inhibited ERK phosphorylation.The overexpression of PELP1 had a positive relationship with Runx2 expression.Taken together,we could make a conclude that VC induces the osteogenic differentiation of PDL progenitor cells via PELP1-ERK axis.Our fi nding implies that VC may have a potential in the regeneration medicine and application to periodontitis treatment.

Chrysin promotes osteogenic differentiation via ERK/MAPK activation

T he effect of the anti-infl ammatory fl avonoid chrysin on osteogenesis was determined in preosteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells.Results demonstrated that chrysin could induce osteogenic differentiation in the absence of other osteo-genic agents.Chrysin treatment promoted the expres-sion of transcription factors(Runx2 and Osx)and bone formation marker genes(Col1A1,OCN,and OPN)as well as enhanced the formation of mineralized nodules.During osteogenic differentiation,chrysin preferentially activated ERK1/2,but not JNK nor the p38 MAPKs.Further experi-ments with inhibitors revealed the co-treatment of U0126,PD98059,or ICI182780(a general ER antagonist)with chrysin effectively abrogated the chrysin-induced osteo-genesis and ERK1/2 activation.Thus,the effect of chrysin on osteogenesis is ERK1/2-dependent and involves ER.Therefore,chrysin has the signifi cant potential to enhance osteogenesis for osteoporosis prevention and treatment.

Gd_(2)O_(3) nanoparticles modified g-C_(3)N_(4) with enhanced photocatalysis activity for degradation of organic pollutants

Gd_(2) O_(3) nanoparticles modified g-C_(3) N_(4) photocatalytic composites were synthesized by a simple one-step hydrothermal method.The structure,morphology,optical properties of the prepared photocatalyst were characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD),field emission scanning electron microscopy(FESEM),field emission transmission electron microscopy(FETEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS).The result demonstrates that gadolinium is mainly dispersed on the surface of g-C_(3) N_(4) in the form of Gd_(2) O_(3),and does not destroy the lattice structure of g-C_(3) N_(4).Besides,the gadolinium can cause the red shift of the absorption edge of light,narrow the band gap,and increase the separation efficiency of the photogenerated electron and hole of g-C_(3) N_(4).Especially,the specific surface area of g-C_(3) N_(4) can be significantly increased.Furthermore,g-C_(3) N_(4)/Gd-0.05 displays the highest photodegradation performance when it is used for degradation of methyl orange(MO),methylene blue(MB) and Rhodamine B(RhB).The photodegradation rate of g-C_(3) N_(4)/Gd-0.05 composites is 72.4% for MO,95.5% for RhB,100% for MB after120 min under visible light(λ> 420 nm) irradiation.Narrow band gap promotes the separation of photogenerated electron and hole,which enhances the photocatalytic activity of g-C_(3) N_(4).It is noted that g-C_(3) N_(4)/Gd-0.05 exhibits excellent photocatalytic stability by the photocurrent and the cyclic photodegradation of MO.

Methodologies for the establishment of an orthotopic transplantation model of ovarian cancer in mice

This study used different methods to establish an animal model of orthotopic transplantation for ovarian cancer to provide an accurate simulation of the mechanism by which tumor occurs and develops in the human body. We implanted 4T1 breast cancer cells stably-transfected with luciferase into BALB/c mice by using three types of orthotopic transplantation methodologies： （1） cultured cells were directly injected into the mouse ovary; （2） cell suspension was initially implanted under the skin of the mouse neck; after tumor mass formed, the tumor was removed and ground into cell suspension, which was then injected into the mouse ovary; and （3） a subcutaneous tumor mass was first generated, removed, and cut into small pieces, which were directly implanted into the mouse ovary. After these models were established, in vivo luminescence imaging was performed. Results and data were compared among groups. Orthotopic transplantation model established with subcutaneous tumor piece implantation showed a better simulation of tumor development and invasion in mice. This model also displayed negligible response to artificial factors. This study successfully established an orthotopic transplantation model of ovarian cancer with high rates of tumor formation and metastasis by using subcutaneous tumor pieces. This study also provided a methodological basis for future establishment of an animal model of ovarian cancer in humans.