Inhibition of focal adhesion kinase enhances antitumor response of radiation therapy in pancreatic cancer through CD8+ T cells

Objective:Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC)is a deadly malignancy,due in large part to its resistance to conventional therapies,including radiotherapy(RT).Despite RT exerting a modest antitumor response,it has also been shown to promote an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.Previous studies demonstrated that focal adhesion kinase inhibitors(FAKi)in clinical development inhibit the infiltration of suppressive myeloid cells and T regulatory(T regs)cells,and subsequently enhance effector T cell infiltration.FAK inhibitors in clinical development have not been investigated in combination with RT in preclinical murine models or clinical studies.Thus,we investigated the impact of FAK inhibition on RT,its potential as an RT sensitizer and immunomodulator in a murine model of PDAC.Methods:We used a syngeneic orthotopic murine model to study the effect of FAKi on hypofractionated RT.Results:In this study we showed that IN10018,a small molecular FAKi,enhanced antitumor response to RT.Antitumor activity of the combination of FAKi and RT is T cell dependent.FAKi in combination with RT enhanced CD8+T cell infiltration significantly in comparison to the radiation or FAKi treatment alone(P<0.05).FAKi in combination with radiation inhibited the infiltration of granulocytes but enhanced the infiltration of macrophages and T regs in comparison with the radiation or FAKi treatment alone(P<0.01).Conclusions:These results support the clinical development of FAKi as a radiosensitizer for PDAC and combining FAKi with RT to prime the tumor microenvironment of PDAC for immunotherapy.

Activated focal adhesion kinase involved in adhesion and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells stimulated by fibronectin

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) phosphorylation on smooth muscle cells (SMCs) adhesion and migration stimulated by fibronectin. METHODS: Adhesion and migration of cultured SMCs were stimulated by different concentrations of fibronectin (FN), FAK and its phosphorylation were detected by immunoprecipitation and Western blot. FAK antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) were transfected into SMCs by cationic lipid to investigate its modulatory effects on tyrosine phosphorylation. SMCs adhesion and migration were also measured by morphological enumeration and modified Boyden Chambers, respectively. RESULTS: FAK were expressed when SMCs adhesion and migration were successfully simulated by different concentrations of FN. FAK phosphorylation were detected only at 20 microg/ml FN or more. FAK antisense ODNs were transfected efficiently by cationic lipid and FAK phosphorylation was inhibited substantially. The SMCs migration rate in the 5 - 60 microg/ml FN groups was reduced by 17.89% - 27.67%. Cell migration stimulated by FN at 10, 20, 40 and 60 microg/ml were reduced by 23.26%, 21.63%, 19.31% and 17.88%, respectively (P

Jianpijiedu Fang improves survival of hepatocarcinoma mice by affecting phosphatase and tensin homolog, phosphoinositide 3-kinase, and focal adhesion kinase

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Jianpijiedu Fang (JPJDF) on phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), and focal adhesion kinase (FAK), and on the survival of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) nude mice. METHODS: Forty male nude mice were randomly divided into 4 groups. Human HCC tissue was implanted in the livers of three groups. After 24 h, the three groups were treated respectively with JPJDF (37.5 g/kg), saline (20 mL/kg) and Tegafur (FT-207, 160 mg/kg) once a day for 10 weeks. The control group without implanting the tissue was concurrently treated with saline (20 mL/kg). The survival data and body weight of all mice were recorded, and expression levels of PTEN, PI3K and FAK in normal tissue and cancer tissue of the livers were eval-uated with immunohistochemical method. RESULTS: The cumulative survival rate of the mice in the JPJDF group was higher than those of the other groups. The rate of weight loss was the lowest in JPJDF group. The survivability and weight loss rate in FT-207 group were the poorest in all groups. The expression intensity of PTEN was higher in normal tissues than in cancer tissues, and lower in the normal tissues of HCC models than in that of mice without HCC. The PTEN expression intensity in normal tissue and cancer tissue from mice treated with FT-207 were lower than that from the mice treated with JPJDF or saline.The expression intensity of PI3K was higher in cancer tissue than in normal tissue. The PI3K expression intensity was the lowest in normal tissue and cancer tissue from mice treated with JPJDF, and the intensity from mice treated with FT-207 was the highest. In mice treated with JPJDF, the expression intensity of FAK was higher in the normal tissue and lower in the cancer tissue than those of the other treatment groups. CONCLUSION: The mechanism accounting for the prolonged survival of HCC-bearing mice treated with JPJDF might be related to the reduction in weight loss and the benign regulation of PTEN, PI3K, and FAK.

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its role in oncogenesis of human gastric carcinoma

AIM: To establish the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the oncogenesis of human gastric carcinoma more directly. METHODS: The expression of VEGF and its receptor kinase-domain insert containing receptor (KDR) in human gastric cancer tissue were observed by immunohistochemical staining. VEGF levels were manipulated in human gastric cancer cell using eukaryotic expression constructs designed to express the complete VEGF(165) complimentary DNA in either the sense or antisense orientation. The biological changes of the cells were observed in which VEGF was up-regulated or down-regulated. RESULTS: VEGF-positive rate was 50%, and VEGF was mainly localized in the cytoplasm and membrane of the tumor cells, while KDR was mainly located in the membrane of vascular endothelial cells in gastric cancer tissues and peri-cancerous tissue. In 2 cases of 50 specimens, the gastric cancer cells expressed KDR, localized in both the cytoplasm and membrane. Introduction of VEGF(165) antisense into human gastric cancer cells (SGC-7901, immunofluorescence intensity, 31.6%)) resulted in a significant reduction in VEGF-specific messenger RNA and total and cell surface VEGF protein (immunofluorescence intensity, 8.9%) (P【0.05). Conversely, stable integration of VEGF(165) in the sense orientation resulted in an increase in cellular and cell surface VEGF (immunofluorescence intensity, 75.4%) (P【0.05). Lowered VEGF levels were associated with a marked decrease in the growth of nude mouse xenografted tumor (at 33 days postimplantation, tumor volume: 345.40 +/- 136.31 mm3)(P【0.05 vs control SGC-7901 group: 1534.40 +/- 362.88 mm3), whereas up-regulation of VEGF resulted in increased xenografted tumor size (at 33 days postimplantation, tumor volume: 2350.50 +/- 637.70 mm3) (P【0.05 vs control SGC-7901 group). CONCLUSION: This study provides direct evidence that VEGF plays an important role in the oncogenesis of human gastric cancer.

Protein kinase-based neural signaling pathways for ginsenosides:a retrospective review

Ginsenosides are the main active components of ginseng,which have been reported to target brain tissues and produce multiple neuroprotective effects.Ginsenosides have been shown to improve learning ability and memory in normal aged animals,and in an animal model of memory impairment.However,its underlying pharmacological mechanisms are very complicated,especially with regard to its effects on the activation of protein kinases in neurons.Previous reports have shown that some protein kinases may be affected by ginsenosides,including protein kinase C,calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase Ⅱ,c-Jun-N terminal kinase,and protein tyrosine kinase.In this paper,protein kinases that may underlie the mechanisms of ginsenosides will be discussed.

<i>In vivo</i>effects of genistein, herbimycin a and geldanamycin on rat hepatic cytochrome P4501A

Cytochrome P4501A (the CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 enzymes) are regulated through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-dependent signal transduction pathway and are generally known as enzymes which metabolize anthropogenic xenobiotics such as dioxin to carcinogenic and mutagenic compounds. However, recently the facts of CYP1A activation under physiological conditions or under action of non-dioxin-like compounds appear. In the present study we show that genistein, herbimycin A and geldanamycin (the protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitors) affect in vivo to CYP1A1 activity, the CYP1A1 mRNA level and the CYP1A1 protein level. These data provide insight into the role of protein kinases in CYP1A regulation may facilitate the understanding of CYP1A regulation.

Effect of electroacupuncture at Neiguan(PC6)at different time points on myocardial ischemia reperfusion arrhythmia in rats

OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of electroacupuncture at Neiguan(PC6)at different time points on reperfusion arrhythmia(RA)after myocardial ischemia and reperfusion in rats,and to investigate the correlation of this protective effect with nerve growth factor(NGF),tyrosine kinase A(Trk A),tyrosine hydroxylase(TH),and norepinephrine(NE).METHODS:A total of 72 Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into six groups(n=12 rats/group):normal group(Norm),sham operation group(Sham),ischemia reperfusion group(I/R),pre-ischemic electroacupuncture group(EAI),pre-reperfusion electroacupuncture group(EAII),post-reperfusion electroacupuncture group(EAIII).The myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury(MIRI)model was induced by occlusion of left anterior descending coronary artery for 20 min followed by reperfusion for 40 min in rats.With no intervention in the Norm group and only threading without ligation in the Sham group.Electroacupuncture pretreatment at 20 min/d for 7 d before ligation in the EAⅠgroup,20 min of electroacupuncture before reperfusion in the EAII group and 20 min of electroacupuncture after reperfusion in the EAIII group.The electrocardiogram(ECG)of each group was recorded throughout the whole process,and the success of the MIRI model was determined based on the changs of J-point and T-wave in the ECG.The arrhythmia score was used to record premature ventricular contractions,ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation during the reperfusion period to assess the reperfusion induced arrhythmias.The expression levels of NGF,Trk A,TH protein were measured by Western blot.Moreover,the expression levels of plasma and myocardial NE levels were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.RESULTS:The differences between Norm group and Sham group were not statistically significant in all indexes.Arrhythmia score,myocardial NGF,Trk A,TH,and NE expression were significantly higher in the I/R group compared with the Sham group.Arrhythmia score,myocardial NGF,Trk A,TH,and NE expression were significantly lower in each EA group compared with the I/R group.CONCLUSION:Electroacupuncture at Neiguan(PC6)at different time points can reduce the incidence and severity of reperfusion arrhythmias in rats.This protective effect is related to electroacupuncture regulating NGF,Trk A,TH,NE expression and reducing sympathetic hyperactivation.

Integration of network and experimental pharmacology to decipher the antidiabetic action of Duranta repens L.

Objective:Duranta repens is reported to contain a wide array of secondary metabolites,including aamylase and a-glucosidase inhibitors,and-has potent antioxidant activity.The present study evaluated the network pharmacology of D.repens(whole plant)with targets related to diabetes mellitus and assessed its outcome by evaluating the effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of D.repens in streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced diabetes mellitus in rats.Methods:Phytoconstituents of D.repens were retrieved from an open-source database and published literature,and their targets were predicted for diabetes mellitus using Binding DB and the therapeutic target database.Protein-protein interaction was predicted using STRING,and pathways involved in diabetes mellitus were identified using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway browser.Druglikeness,ADMET profile(absorption,distribution,metabolism,excretion and toxicity)and cytotoxicity of compounds modulating proteins involved in diabetes were predicted using Mol Soft,admet SAR2.0 and CLC-Pred,respectively.The interaction network among phytoconstituents,proteins and pathways was constructed using Cytoscape,and the docking study was performed using Auto Dock4.0.The hydroalcoholic extract of D.repens was evaluated using streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced diabetes mellitus animal model for 28 d,followed by an oral glucose tolerance test.At the end of the study,biochemical parameters like glycogen content,hepatic enzymes,antioxidant biomarkers and lipid profiles were quantified.Further,the liver and pancreas were collected for a histopathology study.Results:Thirty-six different secondary metabolites from D.repens were identified to regulate thirty-one targets involved in diabetes mellitus,in which protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1 B(PTP1 B)was primarily targeted.Enrichment analysis of modulated proteins identified 12 different pathways in diabetic pathogenesis in which the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-protein kinase B(PI3 K-Akt)signaling pathway was chiefly regulated.The docking study found that durantanin I possessed the highest binding affinity(à8.9 kcal/mol)with PTP1 B.Similarly,ADMET profiling showed that the majority of bioactive constituents from D.repens had higher human intestinal absorptivity and minimal cytotoxicity to normal cell lines,than tumor cell lines.Further,an in vivo animal study reflected the efficacy of the hydroalcoholic extract of D.repens to lower the elevated blood glucose level by stimulating insulin secretion,maintaining pancreatic b cell mass,regulating glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and enhancing the glucose uptake in skeletal muscles.Conclusion:The present study reflected the probable network interaction of bioactive constituents from D.repens,their targets and modulated pathways,which identified the prime regulation of the PI3 K-Akt signaling pathway and PTP1 B protein.Modulation of PTP1 B protein and PI3 K-Akt signaling pathway could contribute to enhancing glucose uptake,insulin production and glycolysis and decreasing gluconeogenesis in diabetes,which was evaluated via the experimental study.