Celastrol inhibits the proliferation and induces apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells via downregulating NF-κB/COX-2 signaling pathways

Author(s):  
Hua Zhang ◽  
Xiaojin Zhao ◽  
Fajun Shang ◽  
Huan Sun ◽  
Xu Zheng ◽  
...  

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third-ranked malignant tumor in the world that contributes to the death of a major population of the world. Celastrol, a bioactive natural product isolated from the medicinal plant Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F, has been proved to be an effective anti-tumor inhibitor for multiple tumors. Objective: To reveal the therapeutic effect and underlying mechanisms of celastrol on CRC cells. Methods: CCK-8 and clonogenic assay were used to analyze the cell proliferation in CRC cells. Flow cytometry analysis was conducted to assess the cell cycle and cell apoptosis. Wound-healing and cell invasion assay were used to evaluate the migrating and invasion capability of CRC cells. The potential antitumor mechanism of celastrol was investigated by qPCR, western blot, and confocal immunofluorescence analyses. Results: Celastrol effectively inhibited CRC cell proliferation by activating caspase-dependent cell apoptosis and facilitating G1 cell cycle arrest in a dose-dependent manner, as well as cell migration and invasion by downregulating the MMP2 and MMP9. Mechanistic protein expression revealed that celastrol suppressed the expression of COX-2 by inhibiting the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 and subsequently leading to cytoplasmic retention of p65 protein, thereby inhibiting its nuclear translocation and transcription activities. Conclusion: These findings indicate that celastrol is an effective inhibitor for CRC, regulating the NF-κB/COX-2 pathway, leading to the inhibition of cell proliferation characterized by cell cycle arrest and caspase-dependent apoptosis, providing a potential alternative therapeutic agent for CRC patients.

2020 ◽  
Vol 245 (12) ◽  
pp. 1009-1015
Author(s):  
Jinhai Ren ◽  
Ying Wang ◽  
Lihua Wang ◽  
Xiaoling Guo ◽  
Xiaonan Guo

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) are a series of heterogeneous diseases affecting hematopoietic stem cells that result in hematopoiesis disturbance and leukemic transformation. As an essential cell cycle regulator, ribophorin II (RPN2) has been extensively identified as a prospective predictor of prognosis in diverse malignant tumors. However, its effects on MDS are unclear. We observed increased mRNA expression RPN2 in samples from MDS patients, compared with samples from normal healthy controls. RPN2 overexpression promoted the proliferation of Ontario Cancer Institute OCI-acute myeloid leukemia 3 (OCI-AML3) cells, whereas RPN2 silencing clearly suppressed the proliferation of OCI-AML3 cells. Furthermore, RPN2 silencing caused G1/S cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis. In addition, RPN2 overexpression led to a higher proportion of cells in the G2/M phase and reduced cell apoptosis. RPN2 overexpression downregulated enhancer of zeste homolog-2 (EZH2) expression, whereas RPN2 downregulation increased EZH2 expression in a dose-dependent manner. Co-immunoprecipitation showed an interaction between RPN2 and EZH2. Additionally, the administration of 3-deazaneplanocin A, an EZH2 inhibitor, reversed the function of RPN2 silencing in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction in OCI-AML3 cells. Hence, RPN2 is an essential regulator of cell proliferation. This study described the etiology of OCI-AML3 cell proliferation regulated by RPN2 and EZH2. Impact statement This study explored the role of ribophorin II (RPN2) in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) cell proliferation and growth and revealed that RPN2 knockdown suppressed OCI-AML3 cell growth and proliferation and triggered cell cycle arrest and elicited apoptosis in OCI-AML3 cells. In addition, it shed light on the etiology of RPN2’s role in MDS cell proliferation that RPN2 can negatively impact enhancer of zeste homolog-2 (EZH2) expression, which in turn is able to modulate the cell cycle location and death in OCI-AML3 cells. Hence, RPN2 expression could be a latent predictor of prognosis in patients with MDS.


2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhirong Liu ◽  
Yuehong Zhang ◽  
Jun Xie ◽  
Caiping Li ◽  
Xiaoxia Wang ◽  
...  

Background The human regenerating gene 1B ( REG1B) is found to be frequently up-regulated in many types of human tumors. It is unclear whether REG1B expression may have therapeutic value in colorectal carcinoma. Additionally, how REG1B is associated with the clinical features of colorectal carcinoma is not known. To investigate the relationship between REG1B and colorectal cancer, we analyzed REG1B expression in clinical specimens and cell lines and the effect of down-regulation of REG1B by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) in HCT116 cells. Methods Paraffin-embedded specimens from 30 pairs of colorectal cancer tissues and adjacent colon tissues were used to investigate the expression of REG1B by immunohistochemistry. We also examined whether REG1B itself may be related to cell proliferation, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, migration and invasion in colon cancer HCT116 cells. Results Our results showed that REG1B was highly expressed in colorectal carcinoma and was significantly associated with cell differentiation status. The results also illustrated that REG1B silencing with shRNA inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion but did not induce apoptosis. Furthermore, down-regulation of REG1B induces G1-phase cell cycle arrest in colon cancer cells. Conclusions Knockdown of REG1B can inhibit cell proliferation, migration and invasion. It may act by a mechanism regulating cell cycle progression. Thus, REG1B may be a novel candidate therapeutic target for colorectal cancer.


2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 873-877
Author(s):  
Dongqian Xie ◽  
Zhicheng Gao ◽  
Mei Liu ◽  
Defeng Wang

Metformin is shown to have hypoglycemic effects. However, the relationship between metformin’s intervention in FFA-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated insulin resistance (IR) and insulin β-cell apoptosis under high-glucose condition remains unclear. Our study intends to assess their relationship. Human pancreatic β-cells were treated with metformin and cell proliferation and IR were detected by MTT assay along with detection of Wnt/β-catenin signaling by RT-PCR, cell cycle and apoptosis by flow cytometry. Metformin inhibited β cell proliferation which was mediated by FFA-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress in a time-dependent and dose-dependent manner as well as induced cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase. In addition, metformin inhibited β-catenin signaling activation and decreased the expression of c-myc, Dvl-2, survivin, Dvl-3, GSK-3β (p-ser9) and promoted GSK-3 (p-tyr216) and Axin-2 expression. In conclusion, metformin inhibits Wnt/β-catenin signaling and promotes FFA to induce endoplasmic reticulum stress, thereby mediating pancreatic β-cells behaviors.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Song-yang Xi ◽  
Yu-hao Teng ◽  
Yan Chen ◽  
Jie-ping Li ◽  
Ying-ying Zhang ◽  
...  

Jianpi Huayu Decoction (JHD), a Chinese medicine formula, is a typical prescription against multiple tumors in the clinical treatment, which can raise quality of life and decrease complications. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of JHD against human colorectal carcinoma cells (SW480) and explore its mechanism. MTT assay showed that JHD decreased the cellular viability of SW480 cells in dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that JHD induced G0/G1-phase cell cycle arrest in SW480 cells and had a strong apoptosis-inducing effect on SW480 cells. Meanwhile it enhanced the expression of p27, cleaved PARP, cleaved caspase-3, and Bax and decreased the levels of PARP, caspase-3, Bcl-2, CDK2, CDK4, CDK6, cyclin D1, cyclin D2, cyclin D3, and cyclin E1, which was evidenced by RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis. In conclusion, these results indicated that JHD inhibited proliferation in SW480 cells by inducing G0/G1-phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, providing a practicaltherapeutic strategy against colorectal cancer.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
CHI LI ◽  
Hong Zhou

Abstract Background: In our study, has_circ_102209 was the most upregulated gene in colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues according to circRNA array data. The levels of hsa_circ_102209 in CRC specimens and cells, as well as its effects on CRC cells were investigated. Methods: The expression of hsa_circ_102209 in CRC and paired non-cancerous samples, human CRC and normal colonic epithelial cells were examined using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Cells with hsa_circ_102209 knockdown were established using lentiviral vectors . Cell proliferative ability was evaluated using CCK-8 assay; cell migration and invasion were assessed by wound healing and Transwell assay. Cell cycle arrest and apoptosis were determined; apoptosis and EMT markers were examined using RT-qPCR and western blotting. Tumour development and levels of associated proteins were determined in hsa_circ_102209 knockdown mice. Results: Our results revealed that expression of hsa_circ_102209 was remarkably increased in CRC tissues, where the levels of miR-761 were notably reduced (p<0.05). Additionally, the levels of hsa_circ_102209 was associated with tumor stage and occurrence of liver metastasis in CRC patients, and the expression of hsa_circ_102209 and miR-761 were negatively correlated (p<0.05). Moreover, hsa_circ_102209 was upregulated in CRC cell s compared with normal colonic epithelial cells. Knockdown of hsa_circ_102209 notably inhibited the proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT of CRC cell s (p<0.05), whereas enhanced cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase and apoptosis (p<0.05). Furthermore, miR-761/ Ras and Rab interactor 1 ( RIN1) axis was the putative target of hsa_circ_102209 in CRC and involved in hsa_circ_102209 -modulated growth and metastasis in CRC cell s (p<0.05). Knockdown of hsa_circ_102209 also remarkably suppressed tumor growth in vivo (p<0.05). Conclusions: our data revealed that the expression of hsa_circ_102209 was elevated in CRC samples and cells. Furthermore, hsa_circ_102209 could promote the progression of CRC through miR-761/RIN1 axis. More importantly, hsa_circ_102209 /miR-761/RIN1 signaling may be a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of CRC patients .


Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 1295
Author(s):  
Guoli Li ◽  
Sining Fang ◽  
Xiao Shao ◽  
Yejia Li ◽  
Qingchao Tong ◽  
...  

Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) plays multiple roles in improving the aggressiveness of colorectal cancer (CRC) and enhancing resistance to 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), making it an attractive therapeutic target. Curcumin (Cur) is a promising natural compound, exhibiting multiple antitumor effects and potentiating the effect of 5-FU. The aim of the present study is to explore the effect of Cur on attenuating NNMT-induced resistance to 5-FU in CRC. A panel of CRC cell lines with different NNMT expressions are used to characterize the effect of Cur. Herein, it is observed that Cur can depress the expression of NNMT and p-STAT3 in CRC cells. Furthermore, Cur can induce inhibition of cell proliferation, G2/M phase cell cycle arrest, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, especially in high-NNMT-expression CRC cell lines. Cur can also re-sensitize high-NNMT-expression CRC cells to 5-FU both in vitro and in vivo. In summary, it is proposed that Cur can reverse NNMT-induced cell proliferation and 5-FU resistance through ROS generation and cell cycle arrest. Given that Cur has long been used, we suppose that Cur is a promising anticancer drug candidate with minimal side effects for human CRC therapy and can attenuate NNMT-induced resistance to 5-FU.


2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ningning Chen ◽  
Yifang Jiang ◽  
Yi Yang ◽  
Ziyi Zhao ◽  
Chong Xiao ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: Combinatorial natural products have high application potential for treatment of complex diseases owing to their synergistic effects and multi-targeting effect. However, studies have not explored the therapeutic effect and the synergetic mechanisms of action combinations of natural products. The present study aimed sought to evaluate the synergistic antitumor effects of a combination of Berberine and Evodiamine, and explore the drug effect on proliferation, migration, invasion of HCT116 and RKO human colorectal cancer cells. Results: The effect of berberine and evodiamine at a specific paired dose (BER30μM, EVO 0.8μM) was explored. A combination of berberine and evodiamine had no effect on activity and proliferation of HCT116 and RKO cells. The combination regulates the cell cycle of HCT116 and RKO cells at different cell phases. Berberine mainly blocked the cell cycle at G0/G1 phase, whereas evodiamine induced cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase. The results showed that the combined effect of berberine and evodiamine does not offset each other, but plays a synergistic role in regulation of colon cancer cell cycle. Western blot analysis showed that the combination of berberine and evodiamine regulated cell cycle by downregulating expression of cdc25c and upregulating expression of p21. The combination significantly inhibited cell migration and invasion by regulating EMT related proteins, upregulating expression of E-cadherin and downregulating expression of N-cadherin. The combination of berberine and evodiamine significantly inhibited phosphorylation of P38 MAPK in HCT116 and RKO cells, and further inhibited phosphorylation of the downstream MAPKAPK2 and HSP27, thus playing a synergistic anti-colon cancer role.Conclusion: Berberine and Evodiamine exhibit synergistic antitumor effects by suppressing cell proliferation, inducing cell cycle arrest and inhibiting EMT by modulating P38MAPK /MAPKAPK2/HSP27 pathway.Significance of the study: To illustrate the potential mechanism of formula-based combination of natural products, and explore the potential applications of the combination and possible antitumor therapeutic targets.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
CHI LI ◽  
Hong Zhou

Abstract Background: The levels of hsa_circ_102209 in colorectal cancer (CRC) specimens and cells, as well as its effects on CRC cells were investigated. Methods: The expression of hsa_circ_102209 in CRC and paired non-cancerous samples, human CRC and normal colonic epithelial cells were examined using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Cells with hsa_circ_102209 knockdown were established using lentiviral vectors. Cell proliferative ability was evaluated using CCK-8 assay; cell migration and invasion were assessed by wound healing and Transwell assay. Cell cycle arrest and apoptosis were determined; apoptosis and EMT markers were examined using RT-qPCR and western blotting. Tumour development and levels of associated proteins were determined in hsa_circ_102209 knockdown mice. Results: Our results revealed that expression of hsa_circ_102209 was remarkably increased in CRC tissues, where the levels of miR-761 were notably reduced (p<0.05). Additionally, the levels of hsa_circ_102209 was associated with histology grade and occurrence of liver metastasis in CRC patients, and the expression of hsa_circ_102209 and miR-761 were negatively correlated (p<0.05). Moreover, hsa_circ_102209 was upregulated in CRC cells compared with normal colonic epithelial cells. Knockdown of hsa_circ_102209 notably inhibited the proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT of CRC cells (p<0.05), whereas enhanced cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase and apoptosis (p<0.05). Furthermore, miR-761/Ras and Rab interactor 1 (RIN1) axis was the putative target of hsa_circ_102209 in CRC and involved in hsa_circ_102209-modulated growth and metastasis in CRC cells (p<0.05). Knockdown of hsa_circ_102209 also remarkably suppressed tumor growth in vivo (p<0.05). Conclusions: our data revealed that the expression of hsa_circ_102209 was elevated in CRC samples and cells. Furthermore, hsa_circ_102209 could promote the progression of CRC through miR-761/RIN1 axis. More importantly, hsa_circ_102209/miR-761/RIN1 signaling may be a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of CRC patients.


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