In vitro and in vivo effects of selected metabolic inhibitors and chemotherapeutic agents on adults and egg development of Schistosoma mansoni

AbstractMyriad difficulties exist in analyzing the pharmacology of the serotonin 1A (5-HT1A) receptor. The receptor may demonstrate a different activity depending on the tissue or species used for analysis, the agent used, laboratory conditions, and differences between in vitro and in vivo effects of compounds. Affinity for 5-HT receptors also varies widely, presenting difficulties in drawing definitive conclusions on affinity values for various compounds. At least two possibilities exist to explain the diversity of pharmacology of 5-HT receptors. First, it is possible that different 5-HT1A receptor subtypes exist. Second, the 5-HT1A receptors may play a far more complex role than previously believed.

Download Full-text

In vitro evaluation of estrogenic, antiestrogenic and antitumor effects of amentoflavone

Human & Experimental Toxicology ◽

10.1177/0960327121999454 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 096032712199945

Author(s):

AT Aliyev ◽

S Ozcan-Sezer ◽

A Akdemir ◽

H Gurer-Orhan

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Breast Cancer Cells ◽

Antitumor Effects ◽

Antiestrogenic Activity ◽

Er Positive ◽

In Vivo Effects ◽

Mcf 7

Apigenin, a flavonoid, is reported to act as an estrogen receptor (ER) agonist and inhibit aromatase enzyme. However, amentoflavone, a biflavonoid bearing two apigenin molecules, has not been evaluated for its endocrine modulatory effects. Besides, it is highly consumed by young people to build muscles, enhance mood and lose weight. In the present study, apigenin was used as a reference molecule and ER mediated as well as ER-independent estrogenic/antiestrogenic activity of amentoflavone was investigated. Antitumor activity of amentoflavone was also investigated in both ER positive (MCF-7 BUS) and triple-negative (MDA-MB-231) breast cancer cells and its cytotoxicity was evaluated in human breast epithelial cells (MCF-10A). Our data confirmed ER agonist, aromatase inhibitory and cytotoxic effects of apigenin in breast cancer cells, where no ER mediated estrogenic effect and physiologically irrelevant, slight, aromatase inhibition was found for amentoflavone. Although selective cytotoxicity of amentoflavone was found in MCF-7 BUS cells, it does not seem to be an alternative to the present cytotoxic drugs. Therefore, neither an adverse effect, mediated by an estrogenic/antiestrogenic effect of amentoflavone nor a therapeutical benefit would be expected from amentoflavone. Further studies could be performed to investigate its in vivo effects.

Download Full-text

Effects of Bacterial CLPB Protein Fragments on Food Intake and PYY Secretion

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13072223 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. 2223

Author(s):

Manon Dominique ◽

Nicolas Lucas ◽

Romain Legrand ◽

Illona-Marie Bouleté ◽

Christine Bôle-Feysot ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Intake ◽

Peptide Yy ◽

Molecular Mimicry ◽

Potential Effect ◽

In Vivo Studies ◽

Sprague Dawley ◽

E Coli ◽

In Vivo Effects

CLPB (Caseinolytic peptidase B) protein is a conformational mimetic of α-MSH, an anorectic hormone. Previous in vivo studies have already shown the potential effect of CLPB protein on food intake and on the production of peptide YY (PYY) by injection of E. coli wild type (WT) or E. coli ΔClpB. However, until now, no study has shown its direct effect on food intake. Furthermore, this protein can fragment naturally. Therefore, the aim of this study was (i) to evaluate the in vitro effects of CLPB fragments on PYY production; and (ii) to test the in vivo effects of a CLPB fragment sharing molecular mimicry with α-MSH (CLPB25) compared to natural fragments of the CLPB protein (CLPB96). To do that, a primary culture of intestinal mucosal cells from male Sprague–Dawley rats was incubated with proteins extracted from E. coli WT and ΔCLPB after fragmentation with trypsin or after a heat treatment of the CLPB protein. PYY secretion was measured by ELISA. CLPB fragments were analyzed by Western Blot using anti-α-MSH antibodies. In vivo effects of the CLPB protein on food intake were evaluated by intraperitoneal injections in male C57Bl/6 and ob/ob mice using the BioDAQ® system. The natural CLPB96 fragmentation increased PYY production in vitro and significantly decreased cumulative food intake from 2 h in C57Bl/6 and ob/ob mice on the contrary to CLPB25. Therefore, the anorexigenic effect of CLPB is likely the consequence of enhanced PYY secretion.

Download Full-text

Therapeutic Application of Brain-Specific Angiogenesis Inhibitor 1 for Cancer Therapy

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers13143562 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (14) ◽

pp. 3562

Author(s):

Mitra Nair ◽

Chelsea Bolyard ◽

Tae Jin Lee ◽

Balveen Kaur ◽

Ji Young Yoo

Keyword(s):

Angiogenesis Inhibitor ◽

Suppressor Gene ◽

Chemotherapeutic Agents ◽

Tumor Models ◽

In Vivo Models ◽

Herpes Simplex Viruses ◽

Multiple Tumor ◽

And Function

Brain-specific angiogenesis inhibitor 1 (BAI1/ADGRB1) is an adhesion G protein-coupled receptor that has been found to play key roles in phagocytosis, inflammation, synaptogenesis, the inhibition of angiogenesis, and myoblast fusion. As the name suggests, it is primarily expressed in the brain, with a high expression in the normal adult and developing brain. Additionally, its expression is reduced in brain cancers, such as glioblastoma (GBM) and peripheral cancers, suggesting that BAI1 is a tumor suppressor gene. Several investigators have demonstrated that the restoration of BAI1 expression in cancer cells results in reduced tumor growth and angiogenesis. Its expression has also been shown to be inversely correlated with tumor progression, neovascularization, and peri-tumoral brain edema. One method of restoring BAI1 expression is by using oncolytic virus (OV) therapy, a strategy which has been tested in various tumor models. Oncolytic herpes simplex viruses engineered to express the secreted fragment of BAI1, called Vasculostatin (Vstat120), have shown potent anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic effects in multiple tumor models. Combining Vstat120-expressing oHSVs with other chemotherapeutic agents has also shown to increase the overall anti-tumor efficacy in both in vitro and in vivo models. In the current review, we describe the structure and function of BAI1 and summarize its application in the context of cancer treatment.

Download Full-text

Histone methyltransferase WHSC1 inhibits colorectal cancer cell apoptosis via targeting anti-apoptotic BCL2

Cell Death Discovery ◽

10.1038/s41420-021-00402-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yu Wang ◽

Liming Zhu ◽

Mei Guo ◽

Gang Sun ◽

Kun Zhou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Colorectal Cancer ◽

Cancer Cell ◽

Cell Apoptosis ◽

B Cell Lymphoma ◽

Histone Methyltransferase ◽

Chemotherapeutic Agents ◽

Cancer Cell Apoptosis ◽

Active Transcription

AbstractWHSC1 is a histone methyltransferase that facilitates histone H3 lysine 36 dimethylation (H3K36me2), which is a permissive mark associated with active transcription. In this study, we revealed how WHSC1 regulates tumorigenesis and chemosensitivity of colorectal cancer (CRC). Our data showed that WHSC1 as well as H3K36me2 were highly expressed in clinical CRC samples, and high WHSC1 expression is associated with poorer prognosis in CRC patients. WHSC1 reduction promoted colon cancer cell apoptosis both in vivo and in vitro. We found that B cell lymphoma-2 (BCL2) expression, an anti-apoptotic protein, is markedly decreased in after WHSC1 depletion. Mechanistic characterization indicated that WHSC1 directly binds to the promoter region of BCL2 gene and regulate its H3K36 dimethylation level. What’s more, our study indicated that WHSC1 depletion promotes chemosensitivity in CRC cells. Together, our results suggested that WHSC1 and H3K36me2 modification might be optimal therapeutic targets to disrupt CRC progression and WHSC1-targeted therapy might potentially overcome the resistance of chemotherapeutic agents.

Download Full-text

Dual Role of Interleukin-10 in Murine NZB/W F1 Lupus

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22031347 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (3) ◽

pp. 1347

Author(s):

Anaïs Amend ◽

Natalie Wickli ◽

Anna-Lena Schäfer ◽

Dalina T. L. Sprenger ◽

Rudolf A. Manz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

B Cell ◽

Disease Model ◽

Interleukin 10 ◽

Immune Functions ◽

Murine Lupus ◽

Anti Inflammatory ◽

In Vivo Effects

As a key anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10 is crucial in preventing inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. However, in human and murine lupus, its role remains controversial. Our aim was to understand regulation and immunologic effects of IL-10 on different immune functions in the setting of lupus. This was explored in lupus-prone NZB/W F1 mice in vitro and vivo to understand IL-10 effects on individual immune cells as well as in the complex in vivo setting. We found pleiotropic IL-10 expression that largely increased with progressing lupus, while IL-10 receptor (IL-10R) levels remained relatively stable. In vitro experiments revealed pro- and anti-inflammatory IL-10 effects. Particularly, IL-10 decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines and slowed B cell proliferation, thereby triggering plasma cell differentiation. The frequent co-expression of ICOS, IL-21 and cMAF suggests that IL-10-producing CD4 T cells are important B cell helpers in this context. In vitro and in vivo effects of IL-10 were not fully concordant. In vivo IL-10R blockade slightly accelerated clinical lupus manifestations and immune dysregulation. Altogether, our side-by-side in vitro and in vivo comparison of the influence of IL-10 on different aspects of immunity shows that IL-10 has dual effects. Our results further reveal that the overall outcome may depend on the interplay of different factors such as target cell, inflammatory and stimulatory microenvironment, disease model and state. A comprehensive understanding of such influences is important to exploit IL-10 as a therapeutic target.

Download Full-text

Role of Apolipoprotein A-I in Protecting against Endotoxin Toxicity

Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica ◽

10.1093/abbs/36.6.419 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 36 (6) ◽

pp. 419-424 ◽

Cited By ~ 68

Author(s):

Juan Ma ◽

Xue-Ling Liao ◽

Bin Lou ◽

Man-Ping Wu

Keyword(s):

Survival Time ◽

Binding Capacity ◽

Density Lipoprotein ◽

Mtt Method ◽

Apolipoprotein A ◽

Plasma Fraction ◽

Significant Difference ◽

In Vivo Effects

Abstract High density lipoprotein (HDL) binds lipopolysaccharide (LPS or endotoxin) and neutralizes its toxicity. We investigated the function of Apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I), a major apolipoprotein in HDL, in this process. Mouse macrophages were incubated with LPS, LPS+ApoA-I, LPS+ApoA-I+LFF (lipoprotein-free plasma fraction d>1.210 g/ml), LPS+HDL, LPS+HDL+LFF, respectively. MTT method was used to detect the mortality of L-929 cells which were attacked by the release-out cytokines in LPS-activated macrophages. It was found that ApoA-I significantly decreased L-929 cells mortality caused by LPS treatment (LPS vs. LPS+ApoA-I, P<0.05) and this effect became even more significant when LFF was utilized (LPS vs. LPS+ApoA-I+LFF, P<0.01; LPS vs. LPS+HDL+LFF, P<0.01). There was no significant difference between LPS+ApoA-I+LFF and LPS+HDL+LFF treatment, indicating that ApoA-I was the main factor. We also investigated in vivo effects of ApoA-I on mouse mortality rate and survival time after LPS administration. We found that the mortality in LPS+ApoA-I group (20%) and in LPS+ApoA-I+LFF group (10%) was significantly lower than that in LPS group (80%) (P<0.05, P<0.01, respectively); the survival time was (43.20 ± 10.13) h in LPS+ApoA-I group and (46.80 ± 3.79) h in LPS+ApoA-I+LFF group, which were significantly longer than that in LPS group (16.25 ± 17.28) h (P<0.01). We also carried out in vitro binding study to investigate the binding capacity of ApoA-I and ApoA-I+LFF to fluorescence labeled LPS (FITC-LPS). It was shown that both ApoA-I and ApoA-I+LFF could bind with FITC-LPS, however, the binding capacity of ApoA-I+LFF to FITC-LPS (64.47 ± 8.06) was significantly higher than that of ApoA-I alone (24.35 ± 3.70) (P<0.01). The results suggest that: (1) ApoA-I has the ability to bind with and protect against LPS; (2) LFF enhances the effect of ApoA-I; (3) ApoA-I is the major contributor for HDL anti-endotoxin function.

Download Full-text