Effects of cigarette smoke extracts on proliferation, migration, and hCG-[beta] protein expression of JEG-3 human placental cancer cells

Space travel has always been the man’s ultimate destination. With the ability of spaceflight though, came the realization that exposure to microgravity has lasting effects on the human body. To counteract these, many studies were and are undertaken, on multiple levels. Changes in cell growth, gene, and protein expression have been described in different models on Earth and in space. Extracellular vesicles, and in particular exosomes, are important cell-cell communicators, being secreted from almost all the cells and therefore, are a perfect target to further investigate the underlying reasons of the organism’s adaptations to microgravity. Here, we studied supernatants harvested from the CellBox-1 experiment, which featured human thyroid cancer cells flown to the International Space Station during the SpaceX CRS-3 cargo mission. The initial results show differences in the number of secreted exosomes, as well as in the distribution of subpopulations in regards to their surface protein expression. Notably, alteration of their population regarding the tetraspanin surface expression was observed. This is a promising step into a new area of microgravity research and will potentially lead to the discovery of new biomarkers and pathways of cellular cross-talk.

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Targeted inhibition of GRP78 by HA15 promotes apoptosis of lung cancer cells accompanied by ER stress and autophagy

Biology Open ◽

10.1242/bio.053298 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. bio053298

Author(s):

Jingjing Wu ◽

Youqile Wu ◽

Xuemei Lian

Keyword(s):

Lung Cancer ◽

Protein Expression ◽

Cell Viability ◽

Er Stress ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Lung Tumor ◽

Lung Cancer Cells ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Mice Model ◽

Targeted Inhibition

ABSTRACTThis study investigated the pathophysiological role of GRP78 in the survival of lung cancer cells. Lung cancer patient data from public databases were used to analyze the expression of GRP78 and its influence on prognoses. In vivo, GRP78 protein expression was analyzed in an established urethane-induced lung tumor mouse model. In vitro, the effects of targeted inhibition of GRP78 by HA15 in lung cancer cells were assessed, with cell viability analyzed using a CCK-8 assay, cell proliferation using an EdU assay, apoptosis and cell cycle using flow cytometry, subcellular structure using electron microscopy, and relative mRNA and protein expression using RT-PCR, western blotting or immunofluorescence assays. The results showed that GRP78 was highly expressed in the lung tissue of lung cancer mice model or patients, and was associated with a poor prognosis. After inhibition of GRP78 in lung cancer cells by HA15, cell viability was decreased in a dose- and time-dependent manner, proliferation was suppressed and apoptosis promoted. Unfolded protein response signaling pathway proteins were activated, and the autophagy-related proteins and mRNAs were upregulated. Therefore, targeted inhibition of GRP78 by HA15 promotes apoptosis of lung cancer cells accompanied by ER stress and autophagy.

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Dasatinib (BMS-35482) Interacts Synergistically With Docetaxel, Gemcitabine, Topotecan, and Doxorubicin in Ovarian Cancer Cells With High SRC Pathway Activation and Protein Expression

International Journal of Gynecological Cancer ◽

10.1097/igc.0000000000000056 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 24 (2) ◽

pp. 218-225 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Angeles Alvarez Secord ◽

Deanna Teoh ◽

Jingquan Jia ◽

Andrew B. Nixon ◽

Lisa Grace ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ovarian Cancer ◽

Protein Expression ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Combination Index ◽

Chemotherapeutic Agents ◽

Cytotoxic Agents ◽

Ovarian Cancer Cells ◽

Response Curves ◽

Pathway Activation ◽

Skov3 Cells

PurposeThis study aimed to explore the activity of dasatinib in combination with docetaxel, gemcitabine, topotecan, and doxorubicin in ovarian cancer cells.MethodsCells with previously determined SRC pathway and protein expression (SRC pathway/SRC protein IGROV1, both high; SKOV3, both low) were treated with dasatinib in combination with the cytotoxic agents. SRC and paxillin protein expression were determined pretreatment and posttreatment. Dose-response curves were constructed, and the combination index (CI) for drug interaction was calculated.ResultsIn the IGROV1 cells, dasatinib alone reduced phospho-SRC/total SRC 71% and p-paxillin/t-paxillin ratios 77%. Phospho-SRC (3%–33%; P = 0.002 to 0.04) and p-paxicillin (6%–19%; P = 0.01 to 0.05) levels were significantly reduced with dasatinib in combination with each cytotoxic agent. The combination of dasatinib and docetaxel, gemcitabine, or topotecan had a synergistic antiproliferative effect (CI, 0.49–0.68), whereas dasatinib combined with doxorubicin had an additive effect (CI, 1.08).In SKOV3 cells, dasatinib resulted in less pronounced reductions of phospho-SRC/total SRC (49%) and p-paxillin/t-paxillin (62%). Phospho-SRC (18%; P < 0.001) and p-paxillin levels (18%; P = 0.001; 9%; P = 0.007) were significantly decreased when dasatinib was combined with docetaxel and topotecan (p-paxillin only). Furthermore, dasatinib combined with the cytotoxics in the SKOV3 cells produced an antagonistic interaction on the proliferation of these cells (CI, 1.49–2.27).ConclusionsDasatinib in combination with relapse chemotherapeutic agents seems to interact in a synergistic or additive manner in cells with high SRC pathway activation and protein expression. Further evaluation of dasatinib in combination with chemotherapy in ovarian cancer animal models and exploration of the use of biomarkers to direct therapy are warranted.

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