scholarly journals Berberine Improves Irinotecan-Induced Intestinal Mucositis Without Impairing the Anti-colorectal Cancer Efficacy of Irinotecan by Inhibiting Bacterial β-glucuronidase

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bei Yue ◽  
Ruiyang Gao ◽  
Cheng Lv ◽  
Zhilun Yu ◽  
Hao Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Xenograft Model ◽  
Neutrophil Infiltration ◽  
Competitive Inhibitor ◽  
Tumor Xenograft ◽  
Mucosal Barrier ◽  
Potential Efficacy ◽  
Mucosal Barrier Function ◽  
Intestinal Mucositis ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

Irinotecan (CPT11), a broad-spectrum cytotoxic anticancer agent, induces a series of toxic side-effects. The most conspicuous side-effect is gastrointestinal mucositis, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. A growing body of evidence indicates that bacteria β-glucuronidase (GUS), an enzyme expressed by intestinal microbiota, converts the inactive CPT11 metabolite SN38G to the active metabolite SN38 to ultimately induce intestinal mucositis. We sought to explore the potential efficacy and underlying mechanisms of berberine on CPT11-induced mucositis. Our study showed that berberine (50 mg/kg; i. g.) mitigated the CPT11-induced loss of mucosal architecture, ulceration, and neutrophil infiltration. Meanwhile, berberine improved mucosal barrier function by increasing the number of globlet cells, protecting trans-endothelial electrical resistance (TEER), reducing permeability and increasing tight junction proteins expression. LC-MS analysis showed that berberine decreased the content of SN38 in feces, which correlated with decreases in both GUS activity and GUS-producing bacteria. Further molecular docking and Lineweaver-Burk plots analyses suggested that berberine functions as a potential non-competitive inhibitor against GUS enzyme. Of note, berberine maintained the anti-tumor efficacy of CPT11 in a tumor xenograft model while abrogating the intestinal toxicity of CPT11. Overall, we identified for the first time the remission effects of berberine on intestinal mucositis induced by CPT11 without impairing the anti-colorectal cancer efficacy of CPT11 partially via inhibiting bacterial GUS enzyme.

scholarly journals Lycorine hydrochloride inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis through promoting FBXW7-MCL1 axis in gastric cancer

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chongyang Li ◽  
Chaowei Deng ◽  
Guangzhao Pan ◽  
Xue Wang ◽  
Kui Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gastric Cancer ◽  
Xenograft Model ◽  
Resistant Cell ◽  
Tumor Xenograft ◽  
Gastric Cancer Cells ◽  
Bcl2 Family ◽  
Ubiquitin E3 Ligase ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

Abstract Background Lycorine hydrochloride (LH), an alkaloid extracted from the bulb of the Lycoris radiata, is considered to have anti-viral, anti-malarial, and anti-tumorous effects. At present, the underlying mechanisms of LH in gastric cancer remain unclear. MCL1, an anti-apoptotic protein of BCL2 family, is closely related to drug resistance of tumor. Therefore, MCL1 is considered as a potential target for cancer treatment. Methods The effect of LH on gastric cancer was assessed in vitro (by MTT, BrdU, western blotting…) and in vivo (by immunohistochemistry). Results In this study, we showed that LH has an anti-tumorous effect by down-regulating MCL1 in gastric cancer. Besides, we unveiled that LH reduced the protein stability of MCL1 by up-regulating ubiquitin E3 ligase FBXW7, arrested cell cycle at S phase and triggered apoptosis of gastric cancer cells. Meanwhile, we also demonstrated that LH could induce apoptosis of the BCL2-drug-resistant-cell-lines. Moreover, PDX (Patient-Derived tumor xenograft) model experiment proved that LH combined with HA14–1 (inhibitor of BCL2), had a more significant therapeutic effect on gastric cancer. Conclusions The efficacy showed in our data suggests that lycorine hydrochloride is a promising anti-tumor compound for gastric cancer.

scholarly journals SKP1 promotes YAP-mediated colorectal cancer stemness via suppressing RASSF1

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cong Tian ◽  
Tingyuan Lang ◽  
Jiangfeng Qiu ◽  
Kun Han ◽  
Lei Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Protein Level ◽  
Drug Target ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Xenograft Model ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Hippo Signaling ◽  
Self Renewal ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

Abstract Background: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been recognized as an important drug target, however, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully understood. SKP1 is a traditional drug target for cancer therapy, while, whether SKP1 promotes colorectal cancer (CRC) stem cells (CRC-SCs) and the underlying mechanisms have remained elusive. Methods: Human CRC cell lines and primary human CRC cells were used in this study. Gene manipulation was performed by lentivirus system. The mRNA and protein levels of target genes were examined by qRT-PCR and western blot. The sphere-forming and in vitro migration capacities were determined by sphere formation and transwell assay. The self-renewal was determined by limiting dilution assay. The tumorigenicity and metastasis of cancer cells were examined by xenograft model. The promoter activity was examined by luciferase reporter assay. Nuclear run-on and Chromatin immunoprecipitation-PCR (ChIP-PCR) assay were employed to examine the transcription and protein-DNA interaction. Co-immunoprecipitation assay was used to test protein-protein interaction. The relationship between gene expression and survival was analyzed by Kaplan-meier analysis. The correlation between two genes was analyzed by Spearman analysis. Data are represented as mean ± s.d. and the significance was determined by Student’s t-test.Results: SKP1 was upregulated in CRC-SCs and predicted poor prognosis of colon cancer patients. Overexpression of SKP1 promoted the stemness of CRC cells reflected by increased sphere-forming, migration and self-renewal capacities as well as the expression of CSCs markers. In contrast, SKP1 depletion produced the opposite effects. SKP1 strengthened YAP activity and knockdown of YAP abolished the effect of SKP1 on the stemness of CRC cells. SKP1 suppressed RASSF1 at both mRNA and protein level. Overexpression of RASSF1 abolished the effect of SKP1 on YAP activity and CRC stemness. Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that SKP1 suppresses RASSF1 at both mRNA and protein level, attenuates Hippo signaling, activates YAP, and thereby promoting the stemness of CRC cells.

scholarly journals Lycorine hydrochloride inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis through promoting FBXW7-MCL1 axis in gastric cancer

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chongyang Li ◽  
Chaowei Deng ◽  
Guangzhao Pan ◽  
Xue Wang ◽  
Kui Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gastric Cancer ◽  
Xenograft Model ◽  
Resistant Cell ◽  
Tumor Xenograft ◽  
Gastric Cancer Cells ◽  
Bcl2 Family ◽  
Ubiquitin E3 Ligase ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

Abstract Background: Lycorine hydrochloride (LH), an alkaloid extracted from the bulb of the Lycoris radiata, is considered to have anti-viral, anti-malarial, and anti-tumorous effects. At present, the underlying mechanisms of LH in gastric cancer remain unclear. MCL1, an anti-apoptotic protein of BCL2 family, is closely related to drug resistance of tumor. Therefore, MCL1 is considered as a potential target for cancer treatment. Methods: The effect of LH on gastric cancer was assessed in vitro (by MTT, BrdU, western blotting…) and in vivo (by immunohistochemistry).Results: In this study, we showed that LH has an anti-tumorous effect by down-regulating MCL1 in gastric cancer. Besides, we unveiled that LH reduced the protein stability of MCL1 by up-regulating ubiquitin E3 ligase FBXW7, arrested cell cycle at S phase and triggered apoptosis of gastric cancer cells. Meanwhile, we also demonstrated that LH could induce apoptosis of the BCL2-drug-resistant-cell-lines. Moreover, PDX (Patient-Derived tumor xenograft) model experiment proved that LH combined with HA14-1 (inhibitor of BCL2), had a more significant therapeutic effect on gastric cancer. Conclusions: Together, the efficacy showed in our data suggests that lycorine hydrochloride is a promising anti-tumorous compound for gastric cancer.

scholarly journals SKP1 promotes YAP-mediated colorectal cancer stemness via suppressing RASSF1

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cong Tian ◽  
Tingyuan Lang ◽  
Jiangfeng Qiu ◽  
Kun Han ◽  
Lei Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Protein Level ◽  
Drug Target ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Xenograft Model ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Hippo Signaling ◽  
Self Renewal ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

Abstract Background Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been recognized as an important drug target, however, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully understood. SKP1 is a traditional drug target for cancer therapy, while, whether SKP1 promotes colorectal cancer (CRC) stem cells (CRC-SCs) and the underlying mechanisms have remained elusive. Methods Human CRC cell lines and primary human CRC cells were used in this study. Gene manipulation was performed by lentivirus system. The mRNA and protein levels of target genes were examined by qRT-PCR and western blot. The sphere-forming and in vitro migration capacities were determined by sphere formation and transwell assay. The self-renewal was determined by limiting dilution assay. The tumorigenicity and metastasis of cancer cells were examined by xenograft model. The promoter activity was examined by luciferase reporter assay. Nuclear run-on and Chromatin immunoprecipitation-PCR (ChIP-PCR) assay were employed to examine the transcription and protein-DNA interaction. Co-immunoprecipitation assay was used to test protein–protein interaction. The relationship between gene expression and survival was analyzed by Kaplan–meier analysis. The correlation between two genes was analyzed by Spearman analysis. Data are represented as mean ± SD and the significance was determined by Student’s t test. Results SKP1 was upregulated in CRC-SCs and predicted poor prognosis of colon cancer patients. Overexpression of SKP1 promoted the stemness of CRC cells reflected by increased sphere-forming, migration and self-renewal capacities as well as the expression of CSCs markers. In contrast, SKP1 depletion produced the opposite effects. SKP1 strengthened YAP activity and knockdown of YAP abolished the effect of SKP1 on the stemness of CRC cells. SKP1 suppressed RASSF1 at both mRNA and protein level. Overexpression of RASSF1 abolished the effect of SKP1 on YAP activity and CRC stemness. Conclusion Our results demonstrated that SKP1 suppresses RASSF1 at both mRNA and protein level, attenuates Hippo signaling, activates YAP, and thereby promoting the stemness of CRC cells.

scholarly journals The Role of Gut Barrier Dysfunction and Microbiome Dysbiosis in Colorectal Cancer Development

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flavia Genua ◽  
Vedhika Raghunathan ◽  
Mazda Jenab ◽  
William M. Gallagher ◽  
David J. Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Colorectal Carcinogenesis ◽  
Mucosal Barrier ◽  
Colonic Epithelium ◽  
Barrier Dysfunction ◽  
Gut Barrier ◽  
Mucosal Barrier Function ◽  
And Oxidative Stress

Accumulating evidence indicates that breakdown of the+ protective mucosal barrier of the gut plays a role in colorectal cancer (CRC) development. Inflammation and oxidative stress in the colonic epithelium are thought to be involved in colorectal carcinogenesis and the breakdown of the integrity of the colonic barrier may increase the exposure of colonocytes to toxins from the colonic milieu, enhancing inflammatory processes and release of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). The aetiological importance of the gut microbiome and its composition – influenced by consumption of processed meats, red meats and alcoholic drinks, smoking, physical inactivity, obesity - in CRC development is also increasingly being recognized. The gut microbiome has diverse roles, such as in nutrient metabolism and immune modulation. However, microbial encroachment towards the colonic epithelium may promote inflammation and oxidative stress and even translocation of species across the colonic lumen. Recent research suggests that factors that modify the above mechanisms, e.g., obesity and Western diet, also alter gut microbiota, degrade the integrity of the gut protective barrier, and expose colonocytes to toxins. However, it remains unclear how obesity, lifestyle and metabolic factors contribute to gut-barrier integrity, leading to metabolic disturbance, colonocyte damage, and potentially to CRC development. This review will discuss the interactive roles of gut-barrier dysfunction, microbiome dysbiosis, and exposure to endogenous toxins as another mechanism in CRC development, and how biomarkers of colonic mucosal barrier function may provide avenues for disease, prevention and detection.

scholarly journals MiR-3622a-3p acts as a tumor suppressor in colorectal cancer by reducing stemness features and EMT through targeting spalt-like transcription factor 4

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuchen Chang ◽  
Guangli Sun ◽  
Dan Zhang ◽  
Qing Li ◽  
Haihua Qian
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Xenograft Model ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Tumor Xenograft ◽  
Luciferase Assay ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Metastasis Model ◽  
Transcription Factor 4

Abstract MicroRNAs are a class of small non-coding RNAs which act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors through targeting specific mRNAs. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. MiR-3622a-3p is found to be decreased in colorectal cancer (CRC) by analyzing data from TCGA database and there are few reports about the role of miR-3622a-3p in cancers. Our research aimed to explore the effects of miR-3622a-3p on CRC. MiR-3622a-3p was found to be down-regulated in CRC tissues and cells by qRT-PCR. The effect of miR-3622a-3p on proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, migration and invasion of CRC cells were investigated by a serious of biological function assays and the results revealed that miR-3622a-3p could inhibit the malignant biological properties of CRC. We performed dual luciferase assay, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay and pull-down assay to confirm the interaction between miR-3622a-3p and spalt-like transcription factor 4 (SALL4). Western blot was carried out to determine the effects of miR-3622a-3p and SALL4 on stemness features and EMT. We found that miR-3622a-3p suppressed stemness features and EMT of CRC cells by SALL4 mRNA degradation. MiR-3622a-3p could inhibit CRC cell proliferation and metastasis in vivo with tumor xenograft model and in vivo metastasis model. The CRC organoid model was constructed with fresh CRC tissues and the growth of organoids was suppressed by miR-3622a-3p. Taken together, the results of our study indicate miR-3622a-3p exerts antioncogenic role in CRC by downregulation of SALL4. The research on miR-3622a-3p might provide a new insight into treatment of CRC.

scholarly journals Romo1 Inhibition Induces TRAIL-Mediated Apoptosis in Colorectal Cancer

Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Jee Jo ◽  
Bu Gyeom Kim ◽  
Seong Hye Park ◽  
Hong Jun Kim ◽  
Soyeon Jeong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Reactive Oxygen Species ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Xenograft Model ◽  
Reactive Oxygen ◽  
Tumor Xenograft ◽  
Ros Generation ◽  
Oxygen Species ◽  
Colon Cells ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is known to behave as an attractive anti-cancer agent in various cancers. Despite its promise TRAIL has limitations such as short half-life and rapid development of resistance. In this regard, approaches to sensitizers of TRAIL that can overcome the limitations of TRAIL are necessary. However, the molecular targets and mechanisms underlying sensitization to TRAIL-induced apoptosis are not fully understood. Here, we propose that reactive oxygen species modulator-1 (Romo1) as an attractive sensitizer of TRAIL. Romo1 is a mitochondrial inner membrane channel protein that controls reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and its expression is highly upregulated in various cancers, including colorectal cancer. In the present study, we demonstrated that Romo1 inhibition significantly increased TRAIL-induced apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells, but not of normal colon cells. The combined effect of TRAIL and Romo1 inhibition was correlated with the activation of mitochondrial apoptosis pathways. Romo1 silencing elevated the protein levels of BCL-2-associated X protein (Bax) by downregulating the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS). Romo1 inhibition downregulated the interaction between Bax and Parkin. Furthermore, Romo1 knockdown triggered the mitochondrial dysfunction and ROS generation. We validated the effect of combination in tumor xenograft model in vivo. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that Romo1 inhibition induces TRAIL-mediated apoptosis by identifying the novel mechanism associated with the Bax/Parkin interaction. We suggest that targeting of Romo1 is essential for the treatment of colorectal cancer and may be a new therapeutic approach in the future and contribute to the drug discovery.

scholarly journals Downregulation of long non-coding RNA MAFG-AS1 represses tumorigenesis of colorectal cancer cells through the microRNA-149-3p-dependent inhibition of HOXB8

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiyan Ruan ◽  
Hongling Deng ◽  
Minhua Liang ◽  
Zhe Xu ◽  
Manxiang Lai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Tumor Xenograft ◽  
Bzip Transcription Factor ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Luciferase Reporter Gene ◽  
Gene Assay ◽  
Lovo Cells ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

Abstract Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is considered as the second common death-induced cancer. More recently, association of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) with CRC has been extensively investigated. Therefore, the present study was performed to determine whether lncRNA MAF BZIP Transcription Factor G Antisense RNA 1 (MAFG-AS1) could regulate biological activities of CRC cells and unravel the underlying mechanisms. Methods CRC and corresponding adjacent tissues were collected to determine the expression of lncRNA MAFG-AS1, microRNA-149-3p (miR-149-3p) and homeobox B8 (HOXB8) by RT-qPCR. Dual luciferase reporter gene assay was used to explore the targeting relationship between miR-149-3p and lncRNA MAFG-AS1 and between miR-149-3p and HOXB8, followed by RNA immunoprecipitation for verification. Migration, proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis of HCT116 and LoVo cells were examined when lncRNA MAFG-AS1 was silenced or miR-149-3p was overexpressed. Furthermore, tumorigenicity of HCT116 and LoVo cells was measured in vivo by tumor xenograft in nude mice. Results LncRNA MAFG-AS1 and HOXB8 were found to be highly expressed in CRC tissues and cells, while miR-149-3p was under-expressed. LncRNA MAFG-AS1 negatively regulated miR-149-3p while miR-149-3p downregulated HOXB8. In addition, lncRNA MAFG-AS1 silencing by shRNA or miR-149-3p upregulation by mimic suppressed the migration, proliferation, invasion and tumorigenesis but promoted the apoptosis of HCT116 and LoVo cells. Conclusion Taken together, lncRNA MAFG-AS1 downregulation inhibits the malignant behaviors of CRC cells by upregulating miR-149-3p and downregulating HOXB8, providing a potential therapeutic target for CRC treatment.

scholarly journals Circ-MFN2 Positively Regulates the Proliferation, Metastasis, and Radioresistance of Colorectal Cancer by Regulating the miR-574-3p/IGF1R Signaling Axis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Defeng Liu ◽  
Shihao Peng ◽  
Yangyang Li ◽  
Tao Guo
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Xenograft Model ◽  
Circular Rna ◽  
Tumor Xenograft ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Suppression Effect ◽  
Igf1r Signaling

Numerous studies have shown that the expression of circular RNA (circRNA) is closely related to the malignant progression of cancer. However, the role of circ-MFN2 in colorectal cancer (CRC) is unclear. Our study aims to explore the role and mechanism of circ-MFN2 in CRC progression. The relative expression levels of circ-MFN2, microRNA (miR)-574-3p and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Cell viability was determined using 3-(4, 5-dimethyl-2 thiazolyl)-2, 5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The colony number and radioresistance of cells were assessed using colony formation assay. Moreover, the migration and invasion of cells were measured using transwell assay. Tumor xenograft model was constructed to evaluate the effect of circ-MFN2 knockdown on CRC tumor growth. Furthermore, dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to verify the interaction between miR-574-3p and circ-MFN2 or IGF1R. In addition, the protein level of IGF1R was evaluated by western blot (WB) analysis. Circ-MFN2 expression was elevated in CRC tissues and cells. Knockdown of circ-MFN2 restrained the proliferation, migration, invasion, and radioresistance of CRC cells in vitro. Furthermore, silenced circ-MFN2 also reduced the tumor volume and weight of CRC in vivo. MiR-574-3p could be sponged by circ-MFN2, and its inhibitor reversed the suppression effect of circ-MFN2 silencing on CRC progression. Moreover, IGF1R was a target of miR-574-3p, and its overexpression reversed the inhibition effect of miR-574-3p mimic on CRC progression. In addition, circ-MFN2 could positively regulate IGF1R expression by sponging miR-574-3p. Our results revealed that circ-MFN2 promoted the proliferation, metastasis and radioresistance of CRC through regulating the miR-574-3p/IGF1R axis, suggesting that circ-MFN2 might be a novel therapeutic biomarker for CRC.

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