Metastatic human HCC model is needed for the studies on mechanism and intervention of metastatic recurrence. By using orthotopic implantation of histologically intact tissues of 30 surgical specimens, a patient-like m...Metastatic human HCC model is needed for the studies on mechanism and intervention of metastatic recurrence. By using orthotopic implantation of histologically intact tissues of 30 surgical specimens, a patient-like metastatic model of human HCC in nude mice (LCI-D20) and a low metastatic model of human HCC in nude mice (LCI-D35) have been established. All mice with transplanted LCI-D20 tumors exhibited extremely high metastatic ability including spontaneous metastasis to liver, lungs, lymph nodes and peritoneal seeding. Remarkable difference was also found in expression of some of the invasiveness related genes and growth factors between the LCI-D20 and LCI-D35 tumors. PAI-1 increased gradually following tumor progression in LCI-D20 model, and correlated with tumor size and AFP level. Phasic expression of tissue intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in this model was also observed. Using corneal micropocket model, it was demonstrated that the vascular response induced by LCI-D20 tumor was stronger than that induced by LCI-D35 tumor. Similar report on metastatic human HCC model in nude mice and human HCC cell line with metastatic potential was rarely found in the literature. This LCI-D20 model has been widely used for the studies on intervention of metastasis, including anti-angiogenesis,antisense approach, metalloproteinase inhibitor, differentiation inducer, etc. It is concluded that the establishment of metastatic human HCC model in nude mice and human HCC cell line with metastatic potential will provide important models for the in vitro and in vitro study of HCC invasiveness, angiogenesis as well as intervention of HCC recurrence.展开更多
Cell growth kinetics and changes in AFP in nude mice with human hepatoma xenografts were evaluated using the flow cytometry method. After receiving 10 Gy of radiation, the mice showed a marked delay in tumor growth; a...Cell growth kinetics and changes in AFP in nude mice with human hepatoma xenografts were evaluated using the flow cytometry method. After receiving 10 Gy of radiation, the mice showed a marked delay in tumor growth; approximately 1 Gy of radiation caused a tumor growth delay of one day. Irradiation altered various phases of the cell cycle. An acute and temporary block of G2 cells was characteristic; FCM measurements demonstrated that about 58% of cells were blocked in the G2 phase and this blocking effect lasted 90 hours after an irradiation of 10 Gy. This indicated that human hepatoma xenografts in nude mice were quite sensitive to irradiation. It was also noted that the AFP decreased for 96 hours after irradiation. Changes in G2 cells after irradiation may be closely related to changes in AFP.展开更多
A human lung squamous carcinoma was transplanted and passaged in Swiss-DF nude mice, called LSX-83, for more than five years in our laboratory. The morphological characteristics of the original tumor were maintained i...A human lung squamous carcinoma was transplanted and passaged in Swiss-DF nude mice, called LSX-83, for more than five years in our laboratory. The morphological characteristics of the original tumor were maintained in passages from 4 to 33. But from the 35th generation, an increasing amount of tonofilaments and nuclear segregation with typical features was found with electron microscopy. The C-type virus particles were first detected in extra cellular space after 40 passages. The viruses were observed in different stages of growth, but their distribution and number did not show apparent change up to 54 passages. Such findings suggest that LSX-83 cells probably possess certain barrier of resistance against C-type viruses. The relation between C-type viruses and the morphological changes of LSX-83 cells was discussed.展开更多
Objective To establish a SOI model of human renal carcinoma and a high metastatic cell subline. Methods A human renal cell line RCC-9863 has been established by inoculating a human renal tumor tissue into nude mice s....Objective To establish a SOI model of human renal carcinoma and a high metastatic cell subline. Methods A human renal cell line RCC-9863 has been established by inoculating a human renal tumor tissue into nude mice s. c.. When RCC-9863 passaged for 20 times, the tissue from the same xemotransplant tumor were used to construct SOI model. Cultured the metastatic tissue in vitro, the tumor cell suspension was then injected orthotopically, The metastatic tissue obtained underwent the same procedure again. At last, the metastatic tumor was cultured in vitro and cloned. Results 15 days later, a tumor mass sized 1. 7 cm × 0. 6 cm in the nude mouse’s renal parenchyma was grown which lobulated, rude, and with multiply blood vessels and 55 days later later the mouse became moribund and metastases in the lungs were formed. The transplanted renal tumor in the SOI model grew fast and invasively and metastasized to lungs, lymphatic node and liver. A subline, MRCC, with metastatic ability to the lung was selected.展开更多
The distribution of  ̄(3)H-mitoxantrone polybutyl cyanoacrylate nanospheres( ̄(3)H-DHAQ-PBCA-NS)in the viscera,muscle and tumors of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)model in nude mice was studied with liquid scinti...The distribution of  ̄(3)H-mitoxantrone polybutyl cyanoacrylate nanospheres( ̄(3)H-DHAQ-PBCA-NS)in the viscera,muscle and tumors of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)model in nude mice was studied with liquid scintillation counting techniique. The results showed that the  ̄(3)H-DHAQ-PBCA-NS had remarkable liver targeting effect. The content of  ̄(3)H-DHAQ-PBCA-NSin liver and heterotopic liver tumor was found to be 71.31±10. 49% of total amount of drug in animal body. It was also found that the content of  ̄(3)H-DHAQ-PBCA-NS in liver was higher than that in liver tissue, and the content of  ̄(3)H-DHAQ-PBCA-NS in annpit tumor was higher than that in armpit muscle tissue,but had no significant difference;It provides an ideal preparation for the DHAQ admini-stration.展开更多
AIM: To investigate genistein-induced apoptosis of implanted tumors of SG7901 cells in nude mice, and the relationship between this apoptosis and expression of Bcl-2 and Bax. METHODS: Establishing a transplanted tum...AIM: To investigate genistein-induced apoptosis of implanted tumors of SG7901 cells in nude mice, and the relationship between this apoptosis and expression of Bcl-2 and Bax. METHODS: Establishing a transplanted tumor model by injecting human SG7901 cells into subcutaneous tissue of nude mice. Genistein (0.5, 1 and 1.5 mg/kg) was directly injected adjacent to the tumor, six times at 2-d intervals. Then, changes in tumor volume were measured continuously and tumor inhibition rate of each group was calculated. We observed the morphological alterations by transmission electron microscopy (TEN), measured the apoptotic rate by the TUNEL staining method, and detected the expression of apoptosisregulated gene Bcl-2 and bax by immunohistochemical staining and RT-PCR. RESULTS: Genistein 0.5, 1 and 1.5 mg/kg significantly inhibited carcinoma growth when it was injected near the tumor by 10.8%, 29.9% and 39.6%, respectively. Genistein induced implanted tumor cells to undergo apoptosis, with apoptotic characteristics seen by TEM. The apoptosis index was increased progressively with increasing genistein dose (28.9% ± 1.2%, 33.8% ±1.6% and 37.7% ±1.2%). The positive rate of Bcl-2 protein was decreased progressively (11.9%± 0.9%, 5.9%± 0.7% and 4.2% ±0.6%), and the positive rate of bax protein was increased progressively (0.9% ±1.7%, 24.9% ±0.8% and 29.6% ± 1.7%) by immunohistochemical staining, with increasing dose of genistein. The density of Bcl-2 mRNA decreased progressively and the density of bax mRNA increased progressively with elongation of time by RT-PCR. CONCLUSION: Genistein was able to induce apoptosisof transplanted tumor cells. This apoptosis may be mediated by down-regulation of the apoptosis-regulated gene Bcl-2 and up-regulation of apoptosis-regulated gene bax.展开更多
AIM: To characterize the anticancer function of cytokine-induced killer cells (CIK) and develop an adoptive immunotherapy for the patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we evaluated the proliferation ra...AIM: To characterize the anticancer function of cytokine-induced killer cells (CIK) and develop an adoptive immunotherapy for the patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we evaluated the proliferation rate, phenotype and the antitumor activity of human CIK cells from healthy donors and HCC patients in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy donors and patients with primary HCC were incubated in vitro and induced into CIK cells in the presence of various cytokines such as interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-2 and monoclonal antibody (mAb) against CD3. The phenotype and characterization of CIK cells were identified by flow cytometric analysis. The cytotoxicity of CIK cells was determined by (51)Cr release assay. RESULTS: The CIK cells were shown to be a heterogeneous population with different cellular phenotypes. The percentage of CD3+/CD56+ positive cells, the dominant effector cells, in total CIK cells from healthy donors and HCC patients, significantly increased from 0.1-0.13% at day 0 to 19.0-20.5% at day 21 incubation, which suggested that the CD3+ CD56+ positive cells proliferated faster than other cell populations of CIK cells in the protocol used in this study. After 28 day in vitro incubation, the CIK cells from patients with HCC and healthy donors increased by more than 300-fold and 500-fold in proliferation cell number, respectively. CIK cells originated from HCC patients possessed a higher in vitro antitumor cytotoxic activity on autologous HCC cells than the autologous lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells and PBMC cells. In in vivo animal experiment, CIK cells had stronger effects on the inhibition of tumor growth in Balb/c nude mice bearing BEL-7402-producing tumor than LAK cells (mean inhibitory rate, 84.7% vs 52.8%, P【0.05) or PBMC (mean inhibitory rate, 84.7% vs 37.1%, P【0.01). CONCLUSION: Autologous CIK cells are of highly efficient cytotoxic effector cells against primary hepatocellular carcinoma cells and might serve as an alternative adoptive therapeutic strategy for HCC patients.展开更多
To evaluate the effect of anti-HER-2 × anti-CD3 bi-specific antibody(BsAb) on the growth of HER-2/neu-expressing human gastric carcinoma in vitro and in vivo, an MTT assay was carried out to test the inhibitive...To evaluate the effect of anti-HER-2 × anti-CD3 bi-specific antibody(BsAb) on the growth of HER-2/neu-expressing human gastric carcinoma in vitro and in vivo, an MTT assay was carried out to test the inhibitive rates of herceptin, anti-CD3 and BsAb antibodies on SGC-7901 gastric carcinoma cells. Immunocytochemistry methods were used to test the HER-2 level of SGC-7901. Nude mice models were employed to test the effect of HER-2 CD3 BsAh combined with effector ceils( peripheral blood lymphatic cells of healthy human beings) on the growth of tumors in animals. Compared with that of the untreated control group, the tumor cell growth rates in vitro and in vivo will both be significantly inhibited when treated with effector cells combined with anti-CD3 McAb, herceptin or HER2 CD3 BsAb (p 〈0. 05), and the growth inhibition is the most remarkable in the group treated with HER2 CD3 BsAb combined with effector cells. The growth of tumor xenografts will also be significantly inhibited in the group treated with HER2 CD3 BsAb combined with effector cells when compared with that in the group treated with anti-CD3 McAb or the group treated with herceptin combined with effector cells(p 〈0. 05). We can conclude that HER-2/neu is possibly a useful target for immunotherapy of gastric carcinoma, and anti-HER2 × anti-CD3 BsAb has evident anti-tumor efficacy both, in vitro and in vivo.展开更多
Objective: Human induced pluripotent stem(i PS) cells exhibit great potential for generating functional human cells for medical therapies. In this paper, we report for use of human i PS cells labeled with fluorescent ...Objective: Human induced pluripotent stem(i PS) cells exhibit great potential for generating functional human cells for medical therapies. In this paper, we report for use of human i PS cells labeled with fluorescent magnetic nanoparticles(FMNPs) for targeted imaging and synergistic therapy of gastric cancer cells in vivo. Methods: Human i PS cells were prepared and cultured for 72 h. The culture medium was collected, and then was coincubated with MGC803 cells. Cell viability was analyzed by the MTT method. FMNP-labeled human i PS cells were prepared and injected into gastric cancer-bearing nude mice. The mouse model was observed using a small-animal imaging system. The nude mice were irradiated under an external alternating magnetic field and evaluated using an infrared thermal mapping instrument. Tumor sizes were measured weekly. Results: iP S cells and the collected culture medium inhibited the growth of MGC803 cells. FMNP-labeled human iP S cells targeted and imaged gastric cancer cells in vivo, as well as inhibited cancer growth in vivo through the external magnetic field. Conclusion: FMNP-labeled human i PS cells exhibit considerable potential in applications such as targeted dual-mode imaging and synergistic therapy for early gastric cancer.展开更多
AIM:To investigate the role of osteopontin(OPN) and its splice variants in the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS:The expression of OPN variants in HCC cell lines as well as HCC tissue samples and ...AIM:To investigate the role of osteopontin(OPN) and its splice variants in the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS:The expression of OPN variants in HCC cell lines as well as HCC tissue samples and nontumour tissue was studied using polymerase chain reaction.OPN variant cDNAs were cloned into a mammalian expression vector allowing both transient expression and the production of stable OPN expressing cell lines.OPN expression was studied in these cells using Western blotting,immunofluoresnce and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.A CD44 blocking antibody and siRNA targeting of CD44 were used to examine the role of this receptor in the OPN stimulated cell growth observed in culture.Huh-7 cells stably expressing either OPN-A,-B or-C were injected subcutaneously into the flanks of nude mice to observe in vivo tumour growth.Expression of OPN mRNA and protein in these tumours was examined using reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry.RESULTS:OPN is expressed in HCC in 3 forms,the full length OPN-A and 2 splice variants OPN-B and-C.OPN variant expression was noted in HCC tissue as well as cognate surrounding cirrhotic liver tissue.Expression of these OPN variants in the HCC derived cell line Huh-7 resulted in secretion of OPN into the culture medium.Transfer of OPN conditioned media to na ve Huh-7 and HepG2 cells resulted in significant cell growth suggesting that all OPN variants can modulate cell proliferation in a paracrine manner.Furthermore the OPN mediated increase in cellular proliferation was dependent on CD44 as only CD44 positive cell lines responded to OPN conditioned media while siRNA knockdown of CD44 blocked the proliferative effect.OPN expression also increased the proliferation of Huh-7 cells in a subcutaneous nude mouse tumour model,with Huh-7 cells expressing OPN-A showing the greatest proliferative effect.CONCLUSION:This study demonstrates that OPN plays a significant role in the proliferation of HCC through interaction with the cell surface receptor CD44.Modulation of this interaction could represent a novel strategy for the control of HCC.展开更多
AIM: To establish clone cells with different metastatic potential for the study of metastasis-related mechanisms. METHODS: Cloning procedure was performed on parental hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line MHCC97, a...AIM: To establish clone cells with different metastatic potential for the study of metastasis-related mechanisms. METHODS: Cloning procedure was performed on parental hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line MHCC97, and biological characteristics of the target clones selected by in vivo screening were studied. RESULTS: Two clones with high (MHCC97-H) and low (MHCC97-L) metastatic potential were isolated from the parent cell line. Compared with MHCC97-L, MHCC97-H had smaller cell size (average cell diameter 43 microm vs 50 microm) and faster in vitro and in vivo growth rate (tumor cell doubling time was 34.2h vs 60.0h). The main ranges of chromosomes were 55-58 in MHCC97-H and 57-62 in MHCC97-L. Boyden chamber in vitro invasion assay demonstrated that the number of penetrating cells through the artificial basement membrane was (37.5 +/- 11.0) cells/field for MHCC97-H vs (17.7 +/- 6.3)/field for MHCC97-L. The proportions of cells in G0-G1 phase, S phase, and G2-M phase for MHCC97-H/MHCC97-L were 0.56/0.65, 0.28/0.25 and 0.16/0.10, respectively, as measured by flow cytometry. The serum AFP levels in nude mice 5wk after orthotopic implantation of tumor tissue were (246 +/- 66) microg.L(-1) for MHCC97-H and (91 +/- 66) microg.L(-1) for MHCC97-L. The pulmonary metastatic rate was 100% (10/10) vs 40% (4/10). CONCLUSION: Two clones of the same genetic background but with different biological behaviors were established, which could be valuable models for investigation on HCC metastasis.展开更多
AIM: To evaluate antihepatoma effect of antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxyribonucleotides (S-ODNs) targeted to alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) genes in vitro and in nude mice. METHODS: AFP gene expression was examined by i...AIM: To evaluate antihepatoma effect of antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxyribonucleotides (S-ODNs) targeted to alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) genes in vitro and in nude mice. METHODS: AFP gene expression was examined by immunocytochemical method or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Effect of S-ODNs on SMMC-7721 human hepatoma cell growth in vitro was determined using microculture tetrazolium assay. In vitro antitumor activities of S-ODNs were monitored by measuring tumor weight differences in treated and control mice bearing SMMC-7721 xenografts. Induction of cell apoptosis was evaluated by fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis. RESULTS: Antisense S-ODN treatment led to reduced AFP gene expression. Specific antisense S-ODNs, but not control S-ODNs, inhibited the growth of hepatoma cells in vitro. In vitro, only antisense S-ODNs exhibited obvious antitumor activities. FACS analysis revealed that the growth inhibition by antisense S-ODNs was associated with their cell apoptosis induction. CONCLUSION: Antisense S-ODNs targeted to AFP genes inhibit the growth of human hepatoma cells and solid hepatoma, which is related to their cell apoptosis induction.展开更多
AIM To investigate the anticancer effect of a recombinant adenovirus-mediated p53(r Ad-p53) combined with 5-fluorouracil(5-FU) in human colon cancer resistant to 5-FU in vivo and the mechanism of r Ad-p53 in reversal ...AIM To investigate the anticancer effect of a recombinant adenovirus-mediated p53(r Ad-p53) combined with 5-fluorouracil(5-FU) in human colon cancer resistant to 5-FU in vivo and the mechanism of r Ad-p53 in reversal of 5-FU resistance.METHODS nude mice bearing human colon cancer SW480/5-FU(5-FU resistant) were randomly assigned to four groups(n = 25 each): control group, 5-FU group, r Ad-p53 group, and r Ad-p53 + 5-FU group. At 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 120 h and 168 h after treatment, 5 mice were randomly selected from each group and sacrificed using an overdose of anesthetics. The tumors were removed and the protein expressions of p53, protein kinase C(PKC), permeability-glycoprotein(P-gp) and multidrug resistance-associated protein 1(MRP1)(Western blot) and apoptosis(TUNEL) were determined.RESULTS The area ratios of tumor cell apoptosis were larger in the r Ad/p53 + 5-FU group than that in the control, 5-FU and r Ad/p53 groups(P < 0.05), and were larger in the r Ad/p53 group than that of the control group(P < 0.05) and the 5-FU group at more than 48 h(P < 0.05). The p53 expression was higher in the r Ad/p53 and the r Ad/p53 + 5-FU groups than that of the control and 5-FU groups(P < 0.05), and were higher in the r Ad/p53 + 5-FU group than that of the r Ad/p53 group(P < 0.05). Overexpression of PKC, P-gp and MRP1 was observed in the 5-FU and control groups. In the r Ad/p53 + 5-FU group, the expression of P-gp and MRP1 was lower that of the control and 5-FU groups(P < 0.05), and the expression of PKC was lower than that of the control, 5-FU and r Ad/p53 groups at more than 48 h(P < 0.05). In the r Ad/p53 group, the expression of P-gp and MRP1 was lower that of the control and 5-FU groups at more than 48 h(P < 0.05), and the expression of PKC was lower than that of the control and 5-FU groups at more than 120 h(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION5-FU combined with r Ad-p53 has a synergistic anticancer effect in SW480/5-FU(5-FU resistance), which contributes to reversal of 5-FU resistance.展开更多
AIM: The transcription factor EGR-1 (early growth response gene-1) plays an important role in cell growth, differentiation and development. It has identified that EGR-1 has significant transformation suppression activ...AIM: The transcription factor EGR-1 (early growth response gene-1) plays an important role in cell growth, differentiation and development. It has identified that EGR-1 has significant transformation suppression activity in some neoplasms, such as fibrosarcoma, breast carcinoma. This experiment was designed to investigate the role of egr-1 in the cancerous process of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and esophageal carcinoma (EC), and then to appraise the effects of EGR-1 on the growth of these tumor cells. METHODS: Firstly, the transcription and expression of egr-1 in HCC and EC, paracancerous tissues and their normal counterpart parts were detected by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, with normal human breast and mouse brain tissues as positive controls. Egr-1 gene was then transfected into HCC (HHCC, SMMC7721) and EC (ECa109) cell lines in which no egr-1 transcription and expression were present. The cell growth speed, FCM cell cycle, plate clone formation and tumorigenicity in nude mice were observed and the controls were the cell lines transfected with vector only. RESULTS: Little or no egr-1 transcription and expression were detected in HCC, EC and normal liver tissues. The expression of egr-1 were found higher in hepatocellular paracancerous tissue (transcription level P=0.000; expression level P=0.143, probably because fewer in number of cases) and dysplastic tissue of esophageal cancer (transcription level P=0.000; expression level P=0.001). The growth rate of egr-1-transfected HHCC (HCC cell line) cells and ECa109 (EC cell line) cells was much slower than that of the controls. The proportion of S phase cell, clone formation and tumorigenicity were significantly lower than these of the controls' (decreased 45.5% in HHCC cells and 34.1% in ECa109 cells; 46.6% and 41.8%; 80.4% and 72.6% respectively). There were no obvious differences between SMMC7721 (HCC) egr-1-transfected cells and the controls with regard to the above items. CONCLUSION: The decreased expression of egr-1 might play a role in the dysregulation of normal growth in the cancerous process of HCC and EC. Egr-1 gene of transfected HHCC and ECa109 cells showed obvious suppression of the cell growth and malignant phenotypes, but no suppression in SMMC7721 (HCC cell line) cells.展开更多
AIM: To investigate whether the regulation of aquaporin 3 (AQP3) and AQP9 induced by Auphen and dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP) inhibits hepatic tumorigenesis.METHODS: Expression of AQP3 and AQP9 was detected by Western blot,...AIM: To investigate whether the regulation of aquaporin 3 (AQP3) and AQP9 induced by Auphen and dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP) inhibits hepatic tumorigenesis.METHODS: Expression of AQP3 and AQP9 was detected by Western blot, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and RT-PCR in HCC samples and paired non-cancerous liver tissue samples from 30 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. A xenograft tumor model was used in vivo. Nine nude mice were divided into control, Auphen-treated, and dbcAMP-treated groups (n = 3 for each group). AQP3 and AQP9 protein expression after induction of xenograft tumors was detected by IHC and mRNA by RT-PCR analysis. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay and histological evaluation were used to detect apoptosis of tumor cells, and the concentration of serum α-fetoprotein (AFP) was measured using RT-PCR and an ELISA kit.RESULTS: The volumes and weights of tumors decreased significantly in the Auphen- and dbcAMP-treated mice compared with the control mice (P < 0.01). The levels of AQP3 were significantly lower in the Auphen treatment group, and levels of AQP9 were significantly higher in thedbcAMP treatment mice than in the control mice (P < 0.01). The reduction of AQP3 by Auphen and increase of AQP9 by dbcAMP in nude mice suppressed tumor growth of HCC, which resulted in reduced AFP levels in serum and tissues, and apoptosis of tumor cells in the Auphen- and dbcAMP-treated mice, when compared with control mice (P < 0.01). Compared with para-carcinoma tissues, AQP3 expression increased in tumor tissues whereas the expression of AQP9 decreased. By correlating clinicopathological and expression levels, we demonstrated that the expression of AQP3 and AQP9 was correlated with clinical progression of HCC and disease outcomes.CONCLUSION: AQP3 increases in HCC while AQP9 decreases. Regulation of AQP3 and AQP9 expression by Auphen and dbcAMP inhibits the development and growth of HCC.展开更多
The therapeutic effect of herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase/ganciclovir (HSV-tk/GCV) system on hepatocellular carcinoma was studied in this experiment. The tk-containing retroviral recombinants were used to infect...The therapeutic effect of herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase/ganciclovir (HSV-tk/GCV) system on hepatocellular carcinoma was studied in this experiment. The tk-containing retroviral recombinants were used to infect hepatoma cells (BEL-7402) and the cells were treated with ganciclovir (0-1000 microg/ml). The results showed that HSV-tk gene could be efficiently transferred in vitro into hepatoma cells and stably expressed. The growth potential of the tk-containing cells was significantly inhibited by GCV (P展开更多
Aim Aralia elata (Miq.) Seem is a medicinal plant with a variety of biological activities. Several trier- pene saponins extracted from the leaves of Aralia elata (Miq.) Seem possess potent cytotoxic activity, but ...Aim Aralia elata (Miq.) Seem is a medicinal plant with a variety of biological activities. Several trier- pene saponins extracted from the leaves of Aralia elata (Miq.) Seem possess potent cytotoxic activity, but the mechanisms remain unclear. Methods In the present study, we examined the anti-tumor activity of total saponins of Aralia elata (Miq.) Seem leaves (TSAESL) using both in vitro and in vivo experiments, and investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms. Results Briefly, TSAESL significantly inhibited the proliferation of five human cancer cell lines and induced apoptosis of MCF-7 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. TSAESL also in- creased the expression level of active caspase-3 and cleaved PARP. In addition, TSAESL dramatically activated the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38 and JNK in a concentration-dependent manner. Treatment with the ERK1/2 in- hibitor U0126, p38 inhibitor SB203580, or JNK inhibitor SP600125 prior to TSAESL exposure markedly attenuated TSAESL-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38. In mice bearing MCF-7 xenografl, TSAESL markedly inhib- ited tumor growth without significantly affecting spleen coefficient and hematological parameters. Conclusion These results strongly suggest that TSAESL has anti-tumor effect via activating the MAPK-mediated signaling path- ways.展开更多
基金Partly supporled by the State Key Basic Research Program Grant of China(G1998051211)Leading Speciality Grant of Shanghai Health Bureau.
文摘Metastatic human HCC model is needed for the studies on mechanism and intervention of metastatic recurrence. By using orthotopic implantation of histologically intact tissues of 30 surgical specimens, a patient-like metastatic model of human HCC in nude mice (LCI-D20) and a low metastatic model of human HCC in nude mice (LCI-D35) have been established. All mice with transplanted LCI-D20 tumors exhibited extremely high metastatic ability including spontaneous metastasis to liver, lungs, lymph nodes and peritoneal seeding. Remarkable difference was also found in expression of some of the invasiveness related genes and growth factors between the LCI-D20 and LCI-D35 tumors. PAI-1 increased gradually following tumor progression in LCI-D20 model, and correlated with tumor size and AFP level. Phasic expression of tissue intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in this model was also observed. Using corneal micropocket model, it was demonstrated that the vascular response induced by LCI-D20 tumor was stronger than that induced by LCI-D35 tumor. Similar report on metastatic human HCC model in nude mice and human HCC cell line with metastatic potential was rarely found in the literature. This LCI-D20 model has been widely used for the studies on intervention of metastasis, including anti-angiogenesis,antisense approach, metalloproteinase inhibitor, differentiation inducer, etc. It is concluded that the establishment of metastatic human HCC model in nude mice and human HCC cell line with metastatic potential will provide important models for the in vitro and in vitro study of HCC invasiveness, angiogenesis as well as intervention of HCC recurrence.
文摘Cell growth kinetics and changes in AFP in nude mice with human hepatoma xenografts were evaluated using the flow cytometry method. After receiving 10 Gy of radiation, the mice showed a marked delay in tumor growth; approximately 1 Gy of radiation caused a tumor growth delay of one day. Irradiation altered various phases of the cell cycle. An acute and temporary block of G2 cells was characteristic; FCM measurements demonstrated that about 58% of cells were blocked in the G2 phase and this blocking effect lasted 90 hours after an irradiation of 10 Gy. This indicated that human hepatoma xenografts in nude mice were quite sensitive to irradiation. It was also noted that the AFP decreased for 96 hours after irradiation. Changes in G2 cells after irradiation may be closely related to changes in AFP.
文摘A human lung squamous carcinoma was transplanted and passaged in Swiss-DF nude mice, called LSX-83, for more than five years in our laboratory. The morphological characteristics of the original tumor were maintained in passages from 4 to 33. But from the 35th generation, an increasing amount of tonofilaments and nuclear segregation with typical features was found with electron microscopy. The C-type virus particles were first detected in extra cellular space after 40 passages. The viruses were observed in different stages of growth, but their distribution and number did not show apparent change up to 54 passages. Such findings suggest that LSX-83 cells probably possess certain barrier of resistance against C-type viruses. The relation between C-type viruses and the morphological changes of LSX-83 cells was discussed.
文摘Objective To establish a SOI model of human renal carcinoma and a high metastatic cell subline. Methods A human renal cell line RCC-9863 has been established by inoculating a human renal tumor tissue into nude mice s. c.. When RCC-9863 passaged for 20 times, the tissue from the same xemotransplant tumor were used to construct SOI model. Cultured the metastatic tissue in vitro, the tumor cell suspension was then injected orthotopically, The metastatic tissue obtained underwent the same procedure again. At last, the metastatic tumor was cultured in vitro and cloned. Results 15 days later, a tumor mass sized 1. 7 cm × 0. 6 cm in the nude mouse’s renal parenchyma was grown which lobulated, rude, and with multiply blood vessels and 55 days later later the mouse became moribund and metastases in the lungs were formed. The transplanted renal tumor in the SOI model grew fast and invasively and metastasized to lungs, lymphatic node and liver. A subline, MRCC, with metastatic ability to the lung was selected.
文摘The distribution of  ̄(3)H-mitoxantrone polybutyl cyanoacrylate nanospheres( ̄(3)H-DHAQ-PBCA-NS)in the viscera,muscle and tumors of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)model in nude mice was studied with liquid scintillation counting techniique. The results showed that the  ̄(3)H-DHAQ-PBCA-NS had remarkable liver targeting effect. The content of  ̄(3)H-DHAQ-PBCA-NSin liver and heterotopic liver tumor was found to be 71.31±10. 49% of total amount of drug in animal body. It was also found that the content of  ̄(3)H-DHAQ-PBCA-NS in liver was higher than that in liver tissue, and the content of  ̄(3)H-DHAQ-PBCA-NS in annpit tumor was higher than that in armpit muscle tissue,but had no significant difference;It provides an ideal preparation for the DHAQ admini-stration.
文摘AIM: To investigate genistein-induced apoptosis of implanted tumors of SG7901 cells in nude mice, and the relationship between this apoptosis and expression of Bcl-2 and Bax. METHODS: Establishing a transplanted tumor model by injecting human SG7901 cells into subcutaneous tissue of nude mice. Genistein (0.5, 1 and 1.5 mg/kg) was directly injected adjacent to the tumor, six times at 2-d intervals. Then, changes in tumor volume were measured continuously and tumor inhibition rate of each group was calculated. We observed the morphological alterations by transmission electron microscopy (TEN), measured the apoptotic rate by the TUNEL staining method, and detected the expression of apoptosisregulated gene Bcl-2 and bax by immunohistochemical staining and RT-PCR. RESULTS: Genistein 0.5, 1 and 1.5 mg/kg significantly inhibited carcinoma growth when it was injected near the tumor by 10.8%, 29.9% and 39.6%, respectively. Genistein induced implanted tumor cells to undergo apoptosis, with apoptotic characteristics seen by TEM. The apoptosis index was increased progressively with increasing genistein dose (28.9% ± 1.2%, 33.8% ±1.6% and 37.7% ±1.2%). The positive rate of Bcl-2 protein was decreased progressively (11.9%± 0.9%, 5.9%± 0.7% and 4.2% ±0.6%), and the positive rate of bax protein was increased progressively (0.9% ±1.7%, 24.9% ±0.8% and 29.6% ± 1.7%) by immunohistochemical staining, with increasing dose of genistein. The density of Bcl-2 mRNA decreased progressively and the density of bax mRNA increased progressively with elongation of time by RT-PCR. CONCLUSION: Genistein was able to induce apoptosisof transplanted tumor cells. This apoptosis may be mediated by down-regulation of the apoptosis-regulated gene Bcl-2 and up-regulation of apoptosis-regulated gene bax.
基金Science and Technology Development Foundation of Beijing Institute of Infectious Diseases,No.01 Z094
文摘AIM: To characterize the anticancer function of cytokine-induced killer cells (CIK) and develop an adoptive immunotherapy for the patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we evaluated the proliferation rate, phenotype and the antitumor activity of human CIK cells from healthy donors and HCC patients in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy donors and patients with primary HCC were incubated in vitro and induced into CIK cells in the presence of various cytokines such as interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-2 and monoclonal antibody (mAb) against CD3. The phenotype and characterization of CIK cells were identified by flow cytometric analysis. The cytotoxicity of CIK cells was determined by (51)Cr release assay. RESULTS: The CIK cells were shown to be a heterogeneous population with different cellular phenotypes. The percentage of CD3+/CD56+ positive cells, the dominant effector cells, in total CIK cells from healthy donors and HCC patients, significantly increased from 0.1-0.13% at day 0 to 19.0-20.5% at day 21 incubation, which suggested that the CD3+ CD56+ positive cells proliferated faster than other cell populations of CIK cells in the protocol used in this study. After 28 day in vitro incubation, the CIK cells from patients with HCC and healthy donors increased by more than 300-fold and 500-fold in proliferation cell number, respectively. CIK cells originated from HCC patients possessed a higher in vitro antitumor cytotoxic activity on autologous HCC cells than the autologous lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells and PBMC cells. In in vivo animal experiment, CIK cells had stronger effects on the inhibition of tumor growth in Balb/c nude mice bearing BEL-7402-producing tumor than LAK cells (mean inhibitory rate, 84.7% vs 52.8%, P【0.05) or PBMC (mean inhibitory rate, 84.7% vs 37.1%, P【0.01). CONCLUSION: Autologous CIK cells are of highly efficient cytotoxic effector cells against primary hepatocellular carcinoma cells and might serve as an alternative adoptive therapeutic strategy for HCC patients.
文摘To evaluate the effect of anti-HER-2 × anti-CD3 bi-specific antibody(BsAb) on the growth of HER-2/neu-expressing human gastric carcinoma in vitro and in vivo, an MTT assay was carried out to test the inhibitive rates of herceptin, anti-CD3 and BsAb antibodies on SGC-7901 gastric carcinoma cells. Immunocytochemistry methods were used to test the HER-2 level of SGC-7901. Nude mice models were employed to test the effect of HER-2 CD3 BsAh combined with effector ceils( peripheral blood lymphatic cells of healthy human beings) on the growth of tumors in animals. Compared with that of the untreated control group, the tumor cell growth rates in vitro and in vivo will both be significantly inhibited when treated with effector cells combined with anti-CD3 McAb, herceptin or HER2 CD3 BsAb (p 〈0. 05), and the growth inhibition is the most remarkable in the group treated with HER2 CD3 BsAb combined with effector cells. The growth of tumor xenografts will also be significantly inhibited in the group treated with HER2 CD3 BsAb combined with effector cells when compared with that in the group treated with anti-CD3 McAb or the group treated with herceptin combined with effector cells(p 〈0. 05). We can conclude that HER-2/neu is possibly a useful target for immunotherapy of gastric carcinoma, and anti-HER2 × anti-CD3 BsAb has evident anti-tumor efficacy both, in vitro and in vivo.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 81225010, 20803040, 81028009, and 31170961)National Key Basic Research Program of China (973 Program) (Grant No. 2010CB933902 and 2015CB931802)+1 种基金National Key Technology Research and Development Program (863 Program) (Grant No. 2012AA022703 and 2014AA020700)Shanghai Science and Technology Fund (Grant No.13NM1401500)
文摘Objective: Human induced pluripotent stem(i PS) cells exhibit great potential for generating functional human cells for medical therapies. In this paper, we report for use of human i PS cells labeled with fluorescent magnetic nanoparticles(FMNPs) for targeted imaging and synergistic therapy of gastric cancer cells in vivo. Methods: Human i PS cells were prepared and cultured for 72 h. The culture medium was collected, and then was coincubated with MGC803 cells. Cell viability was analyzed by the MTT method. FMNP-labeled human i PS cells were prepared and injected into gastric cancer-bearing nude mice. The mouse model was observed using a small-animal imaging system. The nude mice were irradiated under an external alternating magnetic field and evaluated using an infrared thermal mapping instrument. Tumor sizes were measured weekly. Results: iP S cells and the collected culture medium inhibited the growth of MGC803 cells. FMNP-labeled human iP S cells targeted and imaged gastric cancer cells in vivo, as well as inhibited cancer growth in vivo through the external magnetic field. Conclusion: FMNP-labeled human i PS cells exhibit considerable potential in applications such as targeted dual-mode imaging and synergistic therapy for early gastric cancer.
文摘AIM:To investigate the role of osteopontin(OPN) and its splice variants in the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS:The expression of OPN variants in HCC cell lines as well as HCC tissue samples and nontumour tissue was studied using polymerase chain reaction.OPN variant cDNAs were cloned into a mammalian expression vector allowing both transient expression and the production of stable OPN expressing cell lines.OPN expression was studied in these cells using Western blotting,immunofluoresnce and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.A CD44 blocking antibody and siRNA targeting of CD44 were used to examine the role of this receptor in the OPN stimulated cell growth observed in culture.Huh-7 cells stably expressing either OPN-A,-B or-C were injected subcutaneously into the flanks of nude mice to observe in vivo tumour growth.Expression of OPN mRNA and protein in these tumours was examined using reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry.RESULTS:OPN is expressed in HCC in 3 forms,the full length OPN-A and 2 splice variants OPN-B and-C.OPN variant expression was noted in HCC tissue as well as cognate surrounding cirrhotic liver tissue.Expression of these OPN variants in the HCC derived cell line Huh-7 resulted in secretion of OPN into the culture medium.Transfer of OPN conditioned media to na ve Huh-7 and HepG2 cells resulted in significant cell growth suggesting that all OPN variants can modulate cell proliferation in a paracrine manner.Furthermore the OPN mediated increase in cellular proliferation was dependent on CD44 as only CD44 positive cell lines responded to OPN conditioned media while siRNA knockdown of CD44 blocked the proliferative effect.OPN expression also increased the proliferation of Huh-7 cells in a subcutaneous nude mouse tumour model,with Huh-7 cells expressing OPN-A showing the greatest proliferative effect.CONCLUSION:This study demonstrates that OPN plays a significant role in the proliferation of HCC through interaction with the cell surface receptor CD44.Modulation of this interaction could represent a novel strategy for the control of HCC.
基金Supportod ty the State Key Basic Research Program Grant G1998051211 the Fund for Leading Specialty of Shanghai Metropolitan Bureau of Public Health.
文摘AIM: To establish clone cells with different metastatic potential for the study of metastasis-related mechanisms. METHODS: Cloning procedure was performed on parental hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line MHCC97, and biological characteristics of the target clones selected by in vivo screening were studied. RESULTS: Two clones with high (MHCC97-H) and low (MHCC97-L) metastatic potential were isolated from the parent cell line. Compared with MHCC97-L, MHCC97-H had smaller cell size (average cell diameter 43 microm vs 50 microm) and faster in vitro and in vivo growth rate (tumor cell doubling time was 34.2h vs 60.0h). The main ranges of chromosomes were 55-58 in MHCC97-H and 57-62 in MHCC97-L. Boyden chamber in vitro invasion assay demonstrated that the number of penetrating cells through the artificial basement membrane was (37.5 +/- 11.0) cells/field for MHCC97-H vs (17.7 +/- 6.3)/field for MHCC97-L. The proportions of cells in G0-G1 phase, S phase, and G2-M phase for MHCC97-H/MHCC97-L were 0.56/0.65, 0.28/0.25 and 0.16/0.10, respectively, as measured by flow cytometry. The serum AFP levels in nude mice 5wk after orthotopic implantation of tumor tissue were (246 +/- 66) microg.L(-1) for MHCC97-H and (91 +/- 66) microg.L(-1) for MHCC97-L. The pulmonary metastatic rate was 100% (10/10) vs 40% (4/10). CONCLUSION: Two clones of the same genetic background but with different biological behaviors were established, which could be valuable models for investigation on HCC metastasis.
基金Supported by the National Postdoctoral Science Foundation of China,No.199711.
文摘AIM: To evaluate antihepatoma effect of antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxyribonucleotides (S-ODNs) targeted to alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) genes in vitro and in nude mice. METHODS: AFP gene expression was examined by immunocytochemical method or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Effect of S-ODNs on SMMC-7721 human hepatoma cell growth in vitro was determined using microculture tetrazolium assay. In vitro antitumor activities of S-ODNs were monitored by measuring tumor weight differences in treated and control mice bearing SMMC-7721 xenografts. Induction of cell apoptosis was evaluated by fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis. RESULTS: Antisense S-ODN treatment led to reduced AFP gene expression. Specific antisense S-ODNs, but not control S-ODNs, inhibited the growth of hepatoma cells in vitro. In vitro, only antisense S-ODNs exhibited obvious antitumor activities. FACS analysis revealed that the growth inhibition by antisense S-ODNs was associated with their cell apoptosis induction. CONCLUSION: Antisense S-ODNs targeted to AFP genes inhibit the growth of human hepatoma cells and solid hepatoma, which is related to their cell apoptosis induction.
基金Supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong,No.2015A030313732
文摘AIM To investigate the anticancer effect of a recombinant adenovirus-mediated p53(r Ad-p53) combined with 5-fluorouracil(5-FU) in human colon cancer resistant to 5-FU in vivo and the mechanism of r Ad-p53 in reversal of 5-FU resistance.METHODS nude mice bearing human colon cancer SW480/5-FU(5-FU resistant) were randomly assigned to four groups(n = 25 each): control group, 5-FU group, r Ad-p53 group, and r Ad-p53 + 5-FU group. At 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 120 h and 168 h after treatment, 5 mice were randomly selected from each group and sacrificed using an overdose of anesthetics. The tumors were removed and the protein expressions of p53, protein kinase C(PKC), permeability-glycoprotein(P-gp) and multidrug resistance-associated protein 1(MRP1)(Western blot) and apoptosis(TUNEL) were determined.RESULTS The area ratios of tumor cell apoptosis were larger in the r Ad/p53 + 5-FU group than that in the control, 5-FU and r Ad/p53 groups(P < 0.05), and were larger in the r Ad/p53 group than that of the control group(P < 0.05) and the 5-FU group at more than 48 h(P < 0.05). The p53 expression was higher in the r Ad/p53 and the r Ad/p53 + 5-FU groups than that of the control and 5-FU groups(P < 0.05), and were higher in the r Ad/p53 + 5-FU group than that of the r Ad/p53 group(P < 0.05). Overexpression of PKC, P-gp and MRP1 was observed in the 5-FU and control groups. In the r Ad/p53 + 5-FU group, the expression of P-gp and MRP1 was lower that of the control and 5-FU groups(P < 0.05), and the expression of PKC was lower than that of the control, 5-FU and r Ad/p53 groups at more than 48 h(P < 0.05). In the r Ad/p53 group, the expression of P-gp and MRP1 was lower that of the control and 5-FU groups at more than 48 h(P < 0.05), and the expression of PKC was lower than that of the control and 5-FU groups at more than 120 h(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION5-FU combined with r Ad-p53 has a synergistic anticancer effect in SW480/5-FU(5-FU resistance), which contributes to reversal of 5-FU resistance.
基金the National Natural Scientific Foundation of China,No.39670298
文摘AIM: The transcription factor EGR-1 (early growth response gene-1) plays an important role in cell growth, differentiation and development. It has identified that EGR-1 has significant transformation suppression activity in some neoplasms, such as fibrosarcoma, breast carcinoma. This experiment was designed to investigate the role of egr-1 in the cancerous process of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and esophageal carcinoma (EC), and then to appraise the effects of EGR-1 on the growth of these tumor cells. METHODS: Firstly, the transcription and expression of egr-1 in HCC and EC, paracancerous tissues and their normal counterpart parts were detected by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, with normal human breast and mouse brain tissues as positive controls. Egr-1 gene was then transfected into HCC (HHCC, SMMC7721) and EC (ECa109) cell lines in which no egr-1 transcription and expression were present. The cell growth speed, FCM cell cycle, plate clone formation and tumorigenicity in nude mice were observed and the controls were the cell lines transfected with vector only. RESULTS: Little or no egr-1 transcription and expression were detected in HCC, EC and normal liver tissues. The expression of egr-1 were found higher in hepatocellular paracancerous tissue (transcription level P=0.000; expression level P=0.143, probably because fewer in number of cases) and dysplastic tissue of esophageal cancer (transcription level P=0.000; expression level P=0.001). The growth rate of egr-1-transfected HHCC (HCC cell line) cells and ECa109 (EC cell line) cells was much slower than that of the controls. The proportion of S phase cell, clone formation and tumorigenicity were significantly lower than these of the controls' (decreased 45.5% in HHCC cells and 34.1% in ECa109 cells; 46.6% and 41.8%; 80.4% and 72.6% respectively). There were no obvious differences between SMMC7721 (HCC) egr-1-transfected cells and the controls with regard to the above items. CONCLUSION: The decreased expression of egr-1 might play a role in the dysregulation of normal growth in the cancerous process of HCC and EC. Egr-1 gene of transfected HHCC and ECa109 cells showed obvious suppression of the cell growth and malignant phenotypes, but no suppression in SMMC7721 (HCC cell line) cells.
基金Supported by Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai,No.13ZR1406700 and No.13DZ1930908
文摘AIM: To investigate whether the regulation of aquaporin 3 (AQP3) and AQP9 induced by Auphen and dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP) inhibits hepatic tumorigenesis.METHODS: Expression of AQP3 and AQP9 was detected by Western blot, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and RT-PCR in HCC samples and paired non-cancerous liver tissue samples from 30 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. A xenograft tumor model was used in vivo. Nine nude mice were divided into control, Auphen-treated, and dbcAMP-treated groups (n = 3 for each group). AQP3 and AQP9 protein expression after induction of xenograft tumors was detected by IHC and mRNA by RT-PCR analysis. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay and histological evaluation were used to detect apoptosis of tumor cells, and the concentration of serum α-fetoprotein (AFP) was measured using RT-PCR and an ELISA kit.RESULTS: The volumes and weights of tumors decreased significantly in the Auphen- and dbcAMP-treated mice compared with the control mice (P < 0.01). The levels of AQP3 were significantly lower in the Auphen treatment group, and levels of AQP9 were significantly higher in thedbcAMP treatment mice than in the control mice (P < 0.01). The reduction of AQP3 by Auphen and increase of AQP9 by dbcAMP in nude mice suppressed tumor growth of HCC, which resulted in reduced AFP levels in serum and tissues, and apoptosis of tumor cells in the Auphen- and dbcAMP-treated mice, when compared with control mice (P < 0.01). Compared with para-carcinoma tissues, AQP3 expression increased in tumor tissues whereas the expression of AQP9 decreased. By correlating clinicopathological and expression levels, we demonstrated that the expression of AQP3 and AQP9 was correlated with clinical progression of HCC and disease outcomes.CONCLUSION: AQP3 increases in HCC while AQP9 decreases. Regulation of AQP3 and AQP9 expression by Auphen and dbcAMP inhibits the development and growth of HCC.
文摘The therapeutic effect of herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase/ganciclovir (HSV-tk/GCV) system on hepatocellular carcinoma was studied in this experiment. The tk-containing retroviral recombinants were used to infect hepatoma cells (BEL-7402) and the cells were treated with ganciclovir (0-1000 microg/ml). The results showed that HSV-tk gene could be efficiently transferred in vitro into hepatoma cells and stably expressed. The growth potential of the tk-containing cells was significantly inhibited by GCV (P
文摘Aim Aralia elata (Miq.) Seem is a medicinal plant with a variety of biological activities. Several trier- pene saponins extracted from the leaves of Aralia elata (Miq.) Seem possess potent cytotoxic activity, but the mechanisms remain unclear. Methods In the present study, we examined the anti-tumor activity of total saponins of Aralia elata (Miq.) Seem leaves (TSAESL) using both in vitro and in vivo experiments, and investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms. Results Briefly, TSAESL significantly inhibited the proliferation of five human cancer cell lines and induced apoptosis of MCF-7 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. TSAESL also in- creased the expression level of active caspase-3 and cleaved PARP. In addition, TSAESL dramatically activated the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38 and JNK in a concentration-dependent manner. Treatment with the ERK1/2 in- hibitor U0126, p38 inhibitor SB203580, or JNK inhibitor SP600125 prior to TSAESL exposure markedly attenuated TSAESL-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38. In mice bearing MCF-7 xenografl, TSAESL markedly inhib- ited tumor growth without significantly affecting spleen coefficient and hematological parameters. Conclusion These results strongly suggest that TSAESL has anti-tumor effect via activating the MAPK-mediated signaling path- ways.