Amlodipine inhibits the proliferation and migration of esophageal carcinoma cells through the induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress

BACKGROUND L-type calcium channels are the only protein channels sensitive to calcium channel blockers,and are expressed in various cancer types.The Cancer Genome Atlas database shows that the mRNA levels of multiple L-type calcium channel subunits in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tumor tissue are significantly higher than those in normal esophageal epithelial tissue.Therefore,we hypothesized that amlodipine,a long-acting dihydropyridine L-type calcium channel blocker,may inhibit the occurrence and development of esophageal cancer(EC).AIM To investigate the inhibitory effects of amlodipine on EC through endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress.METHODS Cav1.3 protein expression levels in 50 pairs of EC tissues and corresponding paracancerous tissues were examined.Subsequently,the inhibitory effects of amlodipine on proliferation and migration of EC cells in vitro were detected using 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide and Transwell assays.In vivo experiments were performed using murine xenograft model.To elucidate the underlying mechanisms,in vitro cell studies were performed to confirm that ER stress plays a role in inhibition proliferation and migration of EC cells treated with amlodipine.RESULTS The expression level of Cav1.3 in esophageal carcinoma was 1.6 times higher than that in paracancerous tissues.Amlodipine treatment decreased the viability of esophageal carcinoma cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner.In vivo animal experiments also clearly indicated that amlodipine inhibited the growth of EC tumors in mice.Additionally,amlodipine reduces the migration of tumor cells by inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT).Mechanistic studies have demonstrated that amlodipine induces ER stress-mediated apoptosis and suppresses EMT.Moreover,amlodipine-induced autophagy was characterized by an increase in autophagy lysosomes and the accumulation of light chain 3B protein.The combination of amlodipine with the ER stress inhibitor 4-phenylbutyric acid further confirmed the role of the ER stress response in amlodipine-induced apoptosis,EMT,and autophagy.Furthermore,blocking autophagy increases the ratio of apoptosis and migration.CONCLUSION Collectively,we demonstrate for the first time that amlodipine promotes apoptosis,induces autophagy,and inhibits migration through ER stress,thereby exerting anti-tumor effects in EC.

Berberine displays antitumor activity in esophageal cancer cells in vitro

AIM To investigate the effects of berberine on esophageal cancer(EC) cells and its molecular mechanisms.METHODS Human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell line KYSE-70 and esophageal adenocarcinoma cell line SKGT4 were used. The effects of berberine on cell proliferation were evaluated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT) assay. For cell cycle progression, KYSE-70 cells were stained with propidium iodide(PI) staining buffer(10 mg/m L PI and 100 mg/m L RNase A) for 30 min and cell cycle was analyzed using a BD FACSCalibur flow cytometer. For apoptosis assay, cells were stained with an Annexin V-FITC/PI apoptosis detection kit. The rate of apoptotic cells was analyzed using a dual laser flow cytometer and estimated using BD Mod Fit software. Levels of proteins related to cell cycle and apoptosis were examined by western blotting.RESULTS Berberine treatment resulted in growth inhibition of KYSE-70 and SKGT4 cells in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. KYSE-70 cells were more susceptible to the inhibitory activities of berberine than SKGT4 cells were. In KYSE-70 cells treated with 50 μmol/L berberine for 48 h, the number of cells in G2/M phase(25.94% ± 5.01%) was significantly higher than that in the control group(9.77% ± 1.28%, P < 0.01), and berberine treatment resulted in p21 upregulation in KYSE-70 cells. Flow cytometric analyses showed that berberine significantly augmented the KYSE-70 apoptotic population at 12 and 24 h posttreatment, when compared with control cells(0.83% vs 43.78% at 12 h, P < 0.05; 0.15% vs 81.86% at 24 h, P < 0.01), and berberine-induced apoptotic effect was stronger at 24 h compared with 12 h. Western blotting showed that berberine inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt, mammalian target of rapamycin and p70S6 K, and enhanced AMP-activated protein kinase phosphorylation in a sustained manner.CONCLUSION Berberine is an inhibitor of human EC cell growth and could be considered as a potential drug for the treatment of EC patients.