Screening for Anti-tumor Activity of Fractions from Buddleja officinalis Maxim

[Objectives]The anti-tumor activity of fractions from Buddleja officinalis Maxim.by petroleum ether,ethyl acetate,n-butanol and water solvent was studied.[Methods]The ethanol extract from B.officinalis Maxim.was extracted and then concentrated with petroleum ether,ethyl acetate,n-butanol and water,respectively,and the extracts were obtained.The inhibitory effects of the four different fractions on the growth of three tumor cell lines in vitro were detected by CCK-8 method,and the median inhibitory concentration(IC 50 value)was calculated.[Results]The four fractions inhibited the growth of the three tumor cell lines in vitro,among which the n-butanol fraction had the best anti-tumor activity.The IC 50 values of the n-butanol fraction on human gastric cancer(SGC-7901),human breast cancer(MCF-7)and human liver cancer(BEL-7404)cell lines were 0.08,1.58 and 0.12 mg/mL,respectively.[Conclusions]Petroleum ether,ethyl acetate,n-butanol and water fractions from the ethanol extract of B.officinalis Maxim.had certain anti-tumor effects,and the n-butanol fraction had the best anti-tumor activity.

18β-glycyrrhetinic acid promotes gastric cancer cell autophagy and inhibits proliferation by regulating miR-328-3p/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer(GC)is one of the most common cancer types worldwide,and its prevention and treatment methods have garnered much attention.As the active ingredient of licorice,18β-glycyrrhetinic acid(18β-GRA)has a variety of pharmacological effects.The aim of this study was to explore the effective target of 18β-GRA in the treatment of GC,in order to provide effective ideas for the clinical prevention and treatment of GC.AIM To investigate the mechanism of 18β-GRA in inhibiting cell proliferation and promoting autophagy flux in GC cells.METHODS Whole transcriptomic analyses were used to analyze and screen differentially expressed microRNAs(miRNAs)in GC cells after 18β-GRA intervention.Lentivirus-transfected GC cells and the Cell Counting Kit-8 were used to detect cell proliferation ability,cell colony formation ability was detected by the clone formation assay,and flow cytometry was used to detect the cell cycle and apoptosis.A nude mouse transplantation tumor model of GC cells was constructed to verify the effect of miR-328-3p overexpression on the tumorigenicity of GC cells.Tumor tissue morphology was observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining,and microtubule-associated protein light chain 3(LC3)expression was detected by immunohistochemistry.TransmiR,STRING,and miRWalk databases were used to predict the relationship between miR-328-3p and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)-related information.Expression of STAT3 mRNA and miR-328-3p was detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR)and the expression levels of STAT3,phosphorylated STAT3(p-STAT3),and LC3 were detected by western blot analysis.The targeted relationship between miR-328-3p and STAT3 was detected using the dual-luciferase reporter gene system.AGS cells were infected with monomeric red fluorescent protein-green fluorescent protein-LC3 adenovirus double label.LC3 was labeled and autophagy flow was observed under a confocal laser microscope.RESULTS The expression of miR-328-3p was significantly upregulated after 18β-GRA intervention in AGS cells(P=4.51E-06).Overexpression of miR-328-3p inhibited GC cell proliferation and colony formation ability,arrested the cell cycle in the G0/G1 phase,promoted cell apoptosis,and inhibited the growth of subcutaneous tumors in BALB/c nude mice(P<0.01).No obvious necrosis was observed in the tumor tissue in the negative control group(no drug intervention or lentivirus transfection)and vector group(the blank vector for lentivirus transfection),and more cells were loose and necrotic in the miR-328-3p group.Bioinformatics tools predicted that miR-328-3p has a targeting relationship with STAT3,and STAT3 was closely related to autophagy markers such as p62.After overexpressing miR-328-3p,the expression level of STAT3 mRNA was significantly decreased(P<0.01)and p-STAT3 was downregulated(P<0.05).The dual-luciferase reporter gene assay showed that the luciferase activity of miR-328-3p and STAT33’untranslated regions of the wild-type reporter vector group was significantly decreased(P<0.001).Overexpressed miR-328-3p combined with bafilomycin A1(Baf A1)was used to detect the expression of LC3 II.Compared with the vector group,the expression level of LC3 II in the overexpressed miR-328-3p group was downregulated(P<0.05),and compared with the Baf A1 group,the expression level of LC3 II in the overexpressed miR-328-3p+Baf A1 group was upregulated(P<0.01).The expression of LC3 II was detected after intervention of 18β-GRA in GC cells,and the results were consistent with the results of miR-328-3p overexpression(P<0.05).Additional studies showed that 18β-GRA promoted autophagy flow by promoting autophagosome synthesis(P<0.001).qPCR showed that the expression of STAT3 mRNA was downregulated after drug intervention(P<0.05).Western blot analysis showed that the expression levels of STAT3 and p-STAT3 were significantly downregulated after drug intervention(P<0.05).CONCLUSION 18β-GRA promotes the synthesis of autophagosomes and inhibits GC cell proliferation by regulating the miR-328-3p/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Clinical significance of telomerase activity in peritoneal lavage fluid from patients with gastric cancer and its relationship with cellular proliferation

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of telomerase activity assay and peritoneal lavage cytology (PLC) examination in peritoneal lavage fluid for the prediction of peritoneal metastasis in gastric cancer patients, and to explore the relationship between telomerase activity and proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression. METHODS: Telomeric repeated amplification protocol (TRAP)-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to measure the telomerase activity in 60 patients with gastric cancer and 50 with peptic ulcer. PLC analysis of the 60 patients with gastric cancer was used for comparison. The proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in gastric carcinoma was immunohistochemically examined. RESULTS: The telomerase activity and PLC positive rate in peritoneal lavage fluid from patients with gastric cancer was 41.7/ (25/60), and 25.0/ (15/60), respectively. The positive rate of telomerase activity was significantly higher than that of PLC in the group of pT4 (15/16 vs 9/16, P < 0.05), P1-3 (13/13 vs 9/13, P < 0.05) and diffuse type (22/42 vs 13/42, P < 0.05). The patients with positive telomerase activity, peritoneal metastasis, and serosal invasion had signifi cantly higher levels of average PCNA proliferation index (PI), (55.00 ± 6.59 vs 27.43 ± 7.72, 57.26 ± 10.18 vs 29.15 ± 8.31, and 49.82 ± 6.74 vs 24.65 ± 7.33, respectively, P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: The TRAP assay for telomerase activity is a useful adjunct for cytologic method in the diagnosis of peritoneal micrometastasis and well related to higher proliferating activity of gastric cancer. The results of this study also suggest a promising future therapeutic strategy for treating peritoneal dissemination based on telomerase inhibition.

Vaccinia-related kinase 2 variants differentially affect breast cancer growth by regulating kinase activity

Genetic information is transcribed from genomic DNA to mRNA,which is then translated into threedimensional proteins.mRNAs can undergo various post-transcriptional modifications,including RNA editing that alters mRNA sequences,ultimately affecting protein function.In this study,RNA editing was identified at the 499th base(c.499)of human vaccinia-related kinase 2(VRK2).This RNA editing changes the amino acid in the catalytic domain of VRK2 from isoleucine(with adenine base)to valine(with guanine base).Isoleucine-containing VRK2 has higher kinase activity than the valine-containing VRK2,which leads to an increase in tumor cell proliferation.Earlier we reported that VRK2 directly interacts with dystrobrevin-binding protein(dysbindin)and results in reducing its stability.Herein,we demonstrate that isoleucine-containing VRK2 decreases the level of dysbindin than valinecontaining VRK2.Dysbindin interacts with cyclin D and thereby regulates its expression and function.The reduction in the level of dysbindin by isoleucine-containing VRK2 further enhances the cyclin D expression,resulting in increased tumor growth and reduction in survival rates.It has also been observed that in patient samples,VRK2 level was elevated in breast cancer tissue compared to normal breast tissue.Additionally,the isoleucine form of VRK2 exhibited a greater increase in breast cancer tissue.Therefore,it is concluded that VRK2,especially dependent on the 167th variant amino acid,can be one of the indexes of tumor progression and proliferation.

Activity Screening Study on the Anti-tumor Effects of Extracts from Mahoniae caulis

[Objectives]To explore the anti-tumor activity of the extracts of petroleum ether,ethyl acetate,n-butanol and aqueous solution from Mahoniae caulis.[Methods]The extracts were extracted with petroleum ether,ethyl acetate,n-butanol and aqueous solution respectively,and then concentrated.The inhibitory effects of these extracts on the growth of three tumor cell lines in vitro were detected by CCK-8 method,and the IC 50 value was calculated.[Results]The four extracts inhibited the growth of the three tumor cell lines in vitro,among which the n-butanol extract had the best anti-tumor activity.The IC 50 values of the n-butanol extract on human gastric cancer(SGC-7901),human breast cancer(MCF-7)and human liver cancer(BEL-7404)cell lines were 0.23,0.25 and 0.58 mg/mL,respectively.[Conclusions]The ethanol extract of Mahoniae caulis under petroleum ether,ethyl acetate,n-butanol and aqueous solution had certain anti-tumor effect,and n-butanol extract had the best anti-tumor activity.

H pylori stimulates proliferation of gastric cancer cells through activating mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade

AIM: To explore the mechanism by which H pylori causes activation of gastric epithelial cells. METHODS: A VacA (+) and CagA (+) standard H pylori line NCTC 11637 and a human gastric adenocarcinoma derived gastric epithelial cell line BGC-823 were applied in the study. MTT assay and 3H-TdR incorporation test were used to detect the proliferation of BGC-823 cells and Western blotting was used to detect the activity and existence of related proteins. RESULTS: Incubation with H pylori extract increased the proliferation of gastric epithelial cells, reflected by both live cell number and DNA synthesis rate. The activity of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) signal transduction cascade increased within 20 min after in- cubation with H pylori extract and appeared to be a sus- tained event. MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK) inhibitor PD98059 abolished the action of H pylori extract on both ERK activity and cell proliferation. Incubation with H pylori extract increased c-Fos expression and SRE-dependent gene expression. H pylori extract caused phosphorylation of several proteins including a protein with molecular size of 97.4 kDa and tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein inhibited the activation of ERK and the proliferation of cells caused by H pylori extract. CONCLUSION: Biologically active elements in H pylori extract cause proliferation of gastric epithelial cells through activating tyrosine kinase and ERK signal trans- duction cascade.

Effects of calcium-activated chloride channels on proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells in rats under chronic hypoxic condition

Objective：To investigate the effects of calcium-activated chloride （ClCa） channels on proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells（PASMCs） in rats under chronic hypoxic condition. Methods：The cultured PASMCs were placed under normoxic and chronic hypoxic conditions：The cells were observed by light and electron microscope; The cell cycles were observed by flow-cytometry; Immunocytochemistry staining was used to detect the expressions of PCNA, c-fos and c-jun of PASMCs; Cytoplasmic free Ca^2＋ concentration （[Ca^2＋]i） in PASMCs was investigated by fluorescent quantitation using fluorospectrophotometer. Results：The PASMCs were contractile phenotype under normoxic conditions. Observation by transmission electron microscope： In kytoplasm of contractile phenotype cells, myofilament bundles were abundant and the content of cell organs such as Golgi＇s bodies were rare. The PASMCs were synthetic phenotype under chronic hypoxic condition. There were increased free ribosomes, dilated rough endoplasmic reticulums, highly developed Golgi complexes, decreased or disappeared thick filaments and dense body in kytoplasm of synthetic phenotype cells. After NFA and IAA-94, the situations were reversed The number of S ＋G2M PASMCs were significantly increased in chronic hypoxic condition; The NFA and IAA-94 were shown to significantly decrease them from （28.6±1.0）% to （16.0±1.6）% and the number of G0G1 PASMCs significantly increased from （71.4± 1.9）% to （83.9 ± 1.6）% （P〈 0.01）. In chronic hypoxic conditions, the expression of proliferating cell nucleus antigen was significantly increased; The NFA and IAA-94 were shown to significantly decrease it from （81 ± 6）% to （27 ± 7）%（P 〈 0.01）. The expression of c-fos and c-jun were significantly increased in＇chronic hypoxic conditions; The NFA and IAA-94 were shown to significantly decrease them from 0.15 ±0.02, 0.32 ± 0.05 to 0.05 ± 0.01, 0.12 ± 0.05, respectively （P〈 0.01）; Under chronic hypoxic conditions, [Ca^2＋]i was increased; The NFA and IAA-94 decreased it from （281.8±16,5）nmol/L to （117.7 ± 15.4）nmol/L（P 〈 0.01）. Conclusion：Hypoxia initiated the change of PASMCs from contractile to synthetic phenotype and increased proliferation of PASMCs. NFA and IAA-94 depressed cell proliferation by blocking ClCa channels in hypoxic condition. These may play an important role in proliferation of PASMCs under chronic hypoxic conditions.

Effect of nutritional support + intravenous chemotherapy on anti-tumor immunity and cancer cell proliferation in patients with colon cancer complicated by incomplete intestinal obstruction

Objective:To study the effect of nutritional support + intravenous chemotherapy on anti-tumor immunity and cancer cell proliferation in patients with colon cancer complicated by incomplete intestinal obstruction.Methods: Patients with colon cancer complicated by incomplete intestinal obstruction who were treated in Midi Branch, Pangang Group General Hospital between March 2015 and October 2017 were selected and randomly divided into the nutrition group who accepted nutritional support + FOLFOX4 intravenous chemotherapy and the control group who accepted FOLFOX4 intravenous chemotherapy alone, and they underwent surgery after two cycles of chemotherapy. The contents of immune cells in peripheral blood and the contents of immune cytokines in serum were determined before chemotherapy and two cycles after chemotherapy;the expression levels of proliferation genes in colon cancer lesions were determined after surgical resection.Results:Compared with those of same group before chemotherapy, peripheral blood Treg, Th9, Th17 and Th22 contents as well as serum IL-4, IL-9, IL-10, TGF-β1, IL-17 and IL-22 contents of nutrition group were decreased significantly after chemotherapywhereas peripheral blood Treg, Th9, Th17 and Th22 contents as well as serum IL-4, IL-9, IL-10, TGF-β1, IL-17 and IL-22 contents of control group did not change significantly after chemotherapy, and compared with those after chemotherapy between groups, peripheral blood Treg, Th9, Th17 and Th22 contents as well as serum IL-4, IL-9, IL-10, TGF-β1, IL-17 and IL-22 contents of nutrition group were significantly lower than those of control group, and CyclinD1, Bcl-2, USP22, VEGF and N-cadherin mRNA expression were not different from those of control group.Conclusion:Nutritional support + intravenous chemotherapy can improve the anti-tumor immune response without affecting the proliferation of cancer cells in the lesion of patients with colon cancer complicated by incomplete intestinal obstruction.

Changes of Ca^2+ activated potassium channels and cellular proliferation in autogenous vein grafts

Objective: To investigate changes of Ca2+ activated potassium channels (KCa) in autogenous vein grafts. Methods: Contraction of venous ring was measured by means of perfusion in vitro. The intimal rabbits proliferation of vascular and proliferation of cultured smooth muscle cells(vascular smooth muscle cells, VSMCs)were observed by the means of computerised image analysis and MTT method respectively. Furthermore, whole cell mode of patch clamp was used to record KCa of VSMCs isolated from autogenous vein grafts. Results: One week after transplantation there were no significant differences of contraction and intimal relative thickness between autogenous vein grafts and control. Contraction and intimal relative thickness of autogenous vein graft were significantly increased 2 weeks after transplantation (P<0.05, n=8 vs control), and they was more enhanced 4 weeks after vein transplantation (P<0.01, n=8 vs control).TEA(blocker of Ca2+ activated potassium channels)increased MTT A490 nm value of VSMCs from femoral vein in a dose dependent manner(P<0.05, n=8). KCa current density was significantly attenuated in VSMCs from autogenous vein grafts (1-4) week after transplantation(P<0.05, n=5).Conclusion: KCa is inhibited in autogenous vein graft, which account for vasospasm and intimal proliferation.

High-level expression of human calmodulin in E.coli and its effects on cell proliferation

INTRODUCTIONCalmodulin（CaM）,widely distributed in almost alleukaryotic cells,is a major intracellular calcium receptorresponsible for mediating the Ca2+ signal to a multitude ofdifferent enzyme systems and is thought to play a vital rolein the regulation of cell proliferative cycle.Recently,

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.

Nicotine as a mitogenic stimulus for pancreatic acinar cell proliferation

Cell proliferation is an important process in life for growth of normal and cancer cells. The signal transduction pathways activated during this process are strictly regulated. This editorial focuses on the role of nicotine, a mitogen, in the induction of signaling pathways resulting in proliferation of pancreatic tumor cells and compares these events with those in normal acinar cells isolated from the rat pancreas. The data shows striking similarities between these two cellular systems. In addition, the editorial reviews very recent literature of the contribution of MAPK signaling in cell lines associated with human diseases. A prospective cellular model of nicotine induced activation of MAPK cascade is presented.

Senegenin promotes in vitro proliferation of human neural progenitor cells

Senegenin, an effective component of Polygala tenuifolia root extract, promotes proliferation and differentiation of neural progenitor cells in the hippocampus. However, the effects of senegenin on mesencephalon-derived neural progenitor cells remain poorly understood. Cells from a ventral mesencephalon neural progenitor cell line （ReNcell VM） were utilized as models for pharmaceutical screening. The effects of various senegenin concentrations on cell proliferation were analyzed, demonstrating that high senegenin concentrations （5, 10, 50, and 100 μmol/L）, particularly 50 μmol/L, significantly promoted proliferation of ReNcell VM cells. In the mitogen-activated protein kinase signal transduction pathway, senegenin significantly increased phosphorylation levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinases. Moreover, cell proliferation was suppressed by extracellular signal-regulated kinase inhibitors. Results suggested that senegenin contributed to in vitro proliferation of human neural progenitor cells by upregulating phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase.

Effect of ligand of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ on the biological characters of hepatic stellate cells

AIM: To study the effect of rosiglitazone, which is a ligand of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), on the expression of PPARγ in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and on the biological characteristics of HSCs.METHODS: The activated HSCs were divided into three groups: control group, 3 μmol/L rosiglitazone group, and 10 μmol/L rosiglitazone group. The expression of PPARγ,α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and type Ⅰ and Ⅲ collagen was detected by RT-PCR, Western blot and immunocytochemical staining, respectively. Cell proliferation was determined with methylthiazolyltetrazolium (MTT) colorimetric assay. Cell apoptosis was demonstrated with flow cytometry.RESULTS: The expression of PPARγ at mRNA and protein level markedly increased in HSCs of 10 μmol/L rosiglitazone group (tvalue was 10.870 and 4.627 respectively, P<0.01in both). The proliferation of HSCs in 10 μmol/L rosiglitazone group decreased significantly (t = 5.542, P<0.01), α-SMA expression level and type Ⅰ collagen synthesis ability were also reduced vs controls (tvalue= 10.256 and 14.627respectively, P<0.01 in both). The apoptotic rate of HSCs significantly increased in 10 μmol/L rosiglitazone group vs control (x2= 16.682, P<0.01).CONCLUSION: By increasing expression of PPARγ in activated HSCs, rosiglitazone, an agonist of PPARγ,decreases α-SMA expression and type Ⅰ collagen synthesis,inhibits cell proliferation, and induces cell apoptosis.

THE INCREASE IN PLASMINOGEN ACTIVATOR INHIBITOR TYPE-1 EXPRESSION BY STIMULATION OF ACTIVATORS FOR PEROXISOME PROLIFERATOR-ACTIVATED RECEPTORS IN HUMAN ENDOTHELIAL CELLS

Objective.To investigate the effect of peroxis ome proliferator-activated recept ors(PPARs )activators on plasminogen activator inhibitor ty pe-1(PAI-1)expression in human umbilical vein e ndothelial cells and the possi-ble mechanism.Methods.Human umbilical vein endothelial ce lls(HUVECs )were obtained from normal fetus,and cul-tured conventionally.Then the HUVECs were exposed to test agents(linolenic acid,linoleic acid,oleic acid,stearic acid and prostaglandin J 2 respectively)in varying concentrations with fresh media.RT -PCR and ELISA were applied to determine the expression of PPARs and PAI-1in HUVECs.Results.PPARα,PPARδand PPARγmRNA were detected by using RT-PCR in HUVECs.Treatment of HUVECs with PPARαand PPARγactivators---linolenic acid,linoleic acid,oleic acid and prostaglandin J 2 respectively,but not with stearic a cid could augment PAI-I mRNA expression and protein secretion in a concentration-dependent manner.However,the mRNA expressions of 3subclasses of PPAR with their activators in HUVECs were not changed compared w ith controls.Conclusion.HUVECs express PPARs.PPARs activators may increase PAI-1expression in ECs,but the underlying mechanism remains uncle ar.Although PPARs expression was not enhanced after stimulated by their activators in ECs,the role of functionally active PPARs in regulating PA I-1expression in ECs needs to be further investigated by using transient gen e transfection assay.

Effects of ciglitazone and troglitazone on the proliferation of human stomach cancer cells

AIM:To determine the cytological and molecular effects of peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor(PPAR)-γ and PPAR-γ agonists on stomach cancer cells.METHODS:To determine the proliferation-suppressive effects of troglitazone and ciglitazone,SNU-216 and SNU-668 stomach cancer cells were plated in media containing 40 μmol/L troglitazone and ciglitazone at a density of 1 × 104 cells/well.After 3,5 and 7 d,the cells were counted with a hemocytometer.To assess the appearance of PPAR-γ,a reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis was performed.On day 7,Western blotting was used to determine the effects of troglitazone and ciglitazone on the expression of p21 and phosphorylated-ERK(pERK) genes.Flow cytometry analysis was used to determine which portion of the cell cycle was delayed when troglitazone was used to suppress cell proliferation.In order to clarify the mechanism underlying the activity of troglitazone,microarray analysis was conducted.RESULTS:PPAR-γ was manifested in both SNU-216 and SNU-668 cells.Ciglitazone and troglitazone suppressed cell growth,and troglitazone was a stronger suppressor of stomach cancer cells than ciglitazone,an inducer of cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase.SNU-668 cells were also determined to be more sensitive to ciglitazone and troglitazone than SNU-216 cells.When troglitazone and ciglitazone were administered to stomach cancer cells,levels of p21 expression were increased,but ERK phosphorylation levels were reduced.When GW9662,an antagonist of PPAR-γ,was applied in conjunction with ciglitazone and troglitazone,the cell growth suppression effect was unaffected.The gene transcription program revealed a variety of alterations as the consequence of troglitazone treatment,and multiple troglitazone-associated pathways were detected.The genes whose expression was increased by troglitazone treatment were associated with cell development,differentiation,signal transmission between cells,and cell adhesion,and were also associated with reductions in cell proliferation,the cell cycle,nuclear metabolism,and phosphorylation.CONCLUSION:Troglitazone and ciglitazone suppress the proliferation of stomach cancer cells via a PPAR-γ-independent pathway.

Effects of MIF on proliferation,migration,and STAT1 pathway of colon cancer cells

Objective This study aimed to investigate how macrophage migration inhibitory factor(MIF)regulates the interaction of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1(STAT1)with CD74,and affects colon cancer proliferation and invasion.Methods After transfecting MIF small interfering RNA into the SW480 cell line,the expression of STAT1 and CD74 mRNA was detected by qRT-PCR and western blotting.Transwell and MTT assays were performed to detect the colon cancer cell invasion and proliferation ability.Co-immunoprecipitation was used to detect the interaction between CD74 and STAT1 proteins in the treated and control groups.Results The cellular biological assays(MTT and Transwell)showed that the proliferation and invasion ability of colon cancer cells decreased after MIF knockdown;the results showed significant statistical difference(P<0.05).The results of the co-immunoprecipitation assay suggested that MIF knockdown in colon cancer cells could inhibit the binding of CD74 and STAT1 proteins;statistical difference was observed between the two groups(P<0.05).Conclusion MIF can increase the proliferation and invasion of colon cancer cells by promoting the combination of CD74 and STAT1.

Immunomodulatory Function of Pien Tze Huang in T Cell-Mediated Anti-tumor Activity against B16-F10,MC38 and Hep1-6 Tumor Models

Objective To investigate the anti-tumor effects of Pien Tze Huang(PZH)in mouse models of B16–F10 melanoma,MC38 colorectal cancer,Hep1-6 hepatocellular carcinoma and chemically induced hepatocellular carcinoma model.Methods Various tumor models,including B16–F10,MC38 and Hep1-6 tumor hypodermic inoculation models,B16–F10 and Hep1-6 pulmonary metastasis models,Hep1-6 orthotopic implantation model,and chemically induced hepatocellular carcinoma model,were utilized to evaluate the anti-tumor function of PZH.Tumor growth was assessed by measuring tumor size and weight of solid tumors isolated from C57BL/6 mice.For cell proliferation and death of tumor cells in vitro,as well as T cell activation markers,cytokine production and immune checkpoints analysis,single-cell suspensions were prepared from mouse spleen,lymph nodes,and tumors after PZH treatment.Results PZH demonstrated significant therapeutic efficacy in inhibiting tumor growth(P<0.01).Treatment with PZH resulted in a reduction in tumor size in subcutaneous MC38 colon adenocarcinoma and B16–F10 melanoma models,and decreased pulmonary metastasis of B16–F10 melanoma and Hep1-6 hepatoma(P<0.01).However,in vitro experiments showed that PZH only had slight impact on the cell proliferation and survival of tumor cells(P>0.05).Nevertheless,PZH exhibited a remarkable ability to enhance T cell activation and the production of interferon gamma,tumor necrosis factor alpha,and interleukin 2 in CD4^(+)T cells in vitro(P<0.01 or P<0.05).Importantly,PZH substantially inhibited T cell exhaustion and boosted cytokine production by tumor-infiltrating CD8^(+)T cells(P<0.01 or P<0.05).Conclusion This study has confirmed a novel immunomodulatory function of PZH in T cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity,indicating that PZH holds promise as a potential therapeutic agent for cancer treatment.

Effect of ligand troglitazone on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ expression and cellular growth in human colon cancer cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of troglitazone on pe- roxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) expression and cellular growth in human colon cancer HCT-116 and HCT-15 cells and to explore the related molecular mechanism. METHODS: Human colon cancer HCT-116 and HCT-15 cells cultured in vitro were treated with troglitazone. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot were employed to detect the effect of troglitazone on PPARγ expression. The proliferative activity was determined by MTT assay, cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by ? ow cytometry. Apoptosis- related genes, cell cycle regulatory genes and p53 were examined by RT-PCR and Western blot respectively. RESULTS: The expression of PPARγ in colon cancer HCT-116 and HCT-15 cells was up-regulated by troglitazone. Troglitazone inhibited proliferation, induced apoptosis and cell cycle G1 arrest in colon cancer cells. Troglitazone induced p53 expression in HCT-116 cells, but not in HCT-15 cells. The down-regulation of survivin and bcl-2 was found in both cell lines and up-regulation of bax was found only in HCT-116 cells, being consistent with growth inhibition in HCT-116 cells but not in HCT-15 cells. Troglitazone increased expression of p21WAF1/CIP1 (p21), p27KIP1 (p27) and reduced cyclin D1 in HCT-116 cells while only a minor decrease of cyclin D1 was found in HCT-15 cells. CONCLUSION: Troglitazone is an inductor of PPARγin colon cancer cells and inhibits PPARγ-dependently proliferation, which may attribute to cell cycle G1 arrest and apoptosis in colon cancer cells. Troglitazone may induce p53-independent apoptosis and p53- dependent expression of p21 and p27. Depending on cell background, different activation pathways may exist in colon cancer cells.