scholarly journals 4-Methylumbelliferone Inhibits Cancer Stem Cell Activation and Overcomes Chemoresistance in Ovarian Cancer

Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noor A. Lokman ◽  
Zoe K. Price ◽  
Emily K. Hawkins ◽  
Anne M. Macpherson ◽  
Martin K. Oehler ◽  
...  

We have recently shown that the extracellular matrix molecule hyaluronan (HA) plays a role in the development of ovarian cancer chemoresistance. This present study determined if HA production is increased in chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancers and if the HA inhibitor 4-methylubelliferone (4-MU) can overcome chemoresistance to the chemotherapeutic drug carboplatin (CBP) and inhibit spheroid formation and the expression of cancer stem cell (CSC) markers. We additionally assessed whether 4-MU could inhibit in vivo invasion of chemoresistant primary ovarian cancer cells in the chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. The expression of the HA synthases HAS2 and HAS3 was significantly increased in chemoresistant compared to chemosensitive primary ovarian cancer cells isolated from patient ascites. 4-MU significantly inhibited HA production, cell survival, and spheroid formation of chemoresistant serous ovarian cancer cells. In combination with CBP, 4-MU treatment significantly decreased ovarian cancer cell survival and increased apoptosis of chemoresistant primary cells compared to CBP alone. 4-MU significantly reduced spheroid formation, expression of CSC markers ALDH1A1 and ABCG2 in primary cell spheroid cultures, and ALDH1 immunostaining in patient-derived tissue explant assays following treatment with CBP. Furthermore, 4-MU was very effective at inhibiting in vivo invasion of chemoresistant primary cells in CAM assays. Inhibition of HA is therefore a promising new strategy to overcome chemoresistance and to improve ovarian cancer survival.

2011 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moorthy P Ponnusamy ◽  
Parthasarathy Seshacharyulu ◽  
ArokiaPriyanka Vaz ◽  
Parama Dey ◽  
Surinder K Batra

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (21) ◽  
pp. 11502
Author(s):  
Maria T. Löblein ◽  
Isabel Falke ◽  
Hans Theodor Eich ◽  
Burkhard Greve ◽  
Martin Götte ◽  
...  

In ovarian cancer, therapy resistance mechanisms complicate cancer cell eradication. Targeting Musashi RNA-binding proteins (MSI) may increase therapeutic efficacy. Database analyses were performed to identify gene expression associations between MSI proteins and key therapy resistance and cancer stem cell (CSC) genes. Then, ovarian cancer cells were subjected to siRNA-based dual knockdown of MSI-1 and MSI-2. CSC and cell cycle gene expression was investigated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), western blots, and flow cytometry. Metabolic activity and chemoresistance were assessed by MTT assay. Clonogenic assays were used to quantify cell survival post-irradiation. Database analyses demonstrated positive associations between MSI proteins and putative CSC markers NOTCH, MYC, and ALDH4A1 and negative associations with NOTCH inhibitor NUMB. MSI-2 expression was negatively associated with the apoptosis regulator p21. MSI-1 and MSI-2 were positively correlated, informing subsequent dual knockdown experiments. After MSI silencing, CSC genes were downregulated, while cell cycle progression was reduced. Metabolic activity was decreased in some cancer cells. Both chemo- and radioresistance were reduced after dual knockdown, suggesting therapeutic potential. Dual knockdown of MSI proteins is a promising venue to impede tumor growth and sensitize ovarian cancer cells to irradiation and chemotherapy.


2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 2518-2518
Author(s):  
J. K. Chan ◽  
C. A. Hamilton ◽  
M. K. Cheung ◽  
S. Schulz ◽  
S. H. Thorne ◽  
...  

2518 Background: Cytokine induced killer cells (CIKs) are ex-vivo activated and expanded CD8+ natural killer T cells that have been shown to have cytotoxic activity against cancers in randomized clinical trials. This preclinical study demonstrates the enhanced effect of CIK killing in primary ovarian carcinoma using bispecific antibodies (BSAbs) and the potential of translating our findings to a clinical trial. Methods: Primary ovarian cancer cells and autologous CIKs were collected and cultured under IRB approval. Cytotoxicity enhancing BSAbs against CA125 (BSAbxCA125) and Her2/neu (BSAbxHer2) were designed using chemical conjugation methods. Tumor cell lysis of ovarian primary ovarian cancer cells was quantified using 51Cr release assays. Anti-NKG2D monoclonal antibodies were used in antibody blocking assays. Using a SCID mouse model of minimal residual disease, tumor progression was monitored using the bioluminescence imaging (BLI) system. Three-color immunofluorescence analysis was performed on pathologic specimens to localize CIK migration to tumor cells. Results: The mean percent lysis with an Effector:Target (E:T) ratio at 100:1 was 22.2% (±2.0) in primary cells in 4-hour killing assays. Redirection with BSAbxCA125 significantly enhanced cytolysis to 65.7% (±0.6). Adding BSAbxHer2 significantly enhanced cytolysis of cell lines to 89.4% (±1.3). Anti-NKG2D antibodies significantly attenuated the CIK activity by 54%. In vivo BLI studies in SCID mice showed that CIK treatment at a 10:1 E:T ratio was well-tolerated and effective in reducing tumor burden by 80% after 21 days post-treatment compared to untreated mice (p<0.0001). Immunofluorescence staining clearly depicted the in vivo infiltration of CIK (CD8+NKG2D+) cells into Her2-expressing tumor targets. Conclusions: Bispecific antibodies effectively enhanced the cytotoxicity of autologous CIK cells against fresh ovarian tumors. Our in vivo studies suggest that CIK cells may ultimately prove to be efficacious immunotheraputic modality in the treatment of resistant ovarian cancer. No significant financial relationships to disclose.


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Han-Wei Lin ◽  
Ying-Cheng Chiang ◽  
Nai-Yun Sun ◽  
Yu-Li Chen ◽  
Chi-Fang Chang ◽  
...  

The role of chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1) in ovarian cancer and the possible mechanisms were elucidated. CHI3L1 is a secreted glycoprotein and associated with inflammation, fibrosis, asthma, extracellular tissue remodeling and solid tumors. Our previous study showed CHI3L1 could be a potential prognostic biomarker for epithelial ovarian cancer and could protect cancer cells from apoptosis. Therefore, clinical data and quantitation of CHI3L1 of ovarian cancer patients, tumor spheroid formation, side-population assays, Aldefluor and apoptotic assays, ELISA, RT-PCR, immunoblotting and animal experiments were performed in two ovarian cancer cells lines, OVCAR3 and CA5171, and their CHI3L1-overexpressing and -knockdown transfectants. High expression of CHI3L1 was associated with poor outcome and chemoresistance in ovarian cancer patients. The mRNA expression of CHI3L1 in CA5171 ovarian cancer stem-like cells was 3-fold higher than in CA5171 parental cells. CHI3L1 promoted the properties of ovarian cancer stem-like cells including generating more and larger tumor spheroids and a higher percentage of ALDH+ in tumor cells and promoting resistance to cytotoxic drug-induced apoptosis. CHI3L1 could induce both the Akt (essential) and Erk signaling pathways, and then enhance expression of β-catenin followed by SOX2, and finally promote tumor spheroid formation and other properties of ovarian cancer stem-like cells. OVCAR3 CHI3L1-overexpressing transfectants were more tumorigenic in vivo, whereas CA5171 CHI3L1-knockdown transfectants were not tumorigenic in vivo. CHI3L1 critically enhances the properties of ovarian cancer stem-like cells. CHI3L1 or CHI3L1-regulated signaling pathways and molecules could be potential therapeutic targets in ovarian cancer.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document