scholarly journals The EGF Domains of MUC4 Oncomucin Mediate HER2 Binding Affinity and Promote Pancreatic Cancer Cell Tumorigenesis

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (22) ◽  
pp. 5746
Author(s):  
Nicolas Stoup ◽  
Maxime Liberelle ◽  
Céline Schulz ◽  
Sumeyye Cavdarli ◽  
Romain Vasseur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Binding Affinity ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Xenograft Model ◽  
Integrative Approach ◽  
Her2 Overexpression ◽  
Her2 Receptor ◽  
Extracellular Region

The HER2 receptor and its MUC4 mucin partner form an oncogenic complex via an extracellular region of MUC4 encompassing three EGF domains that promotes tumor progression of pancreatic cancer (PC) cells. However, the molecular mechanism of interaction remains poorly understood. Herein, we decipher at the molecular level the role and impact of the MUC4EGF domains in the mediation of the binding affinities with HER2 and the PC cell tumorigenicity. We used an integrative approach combining in vitro bioinformatic, biophysical, biochemical, and biological approaches, as well as an in vivo study on a xenograft model of PC. In this study, we specified the binding mode of MUC4EGF domains with HER2 and demonstrate their “growth factor-like” biological activities in PC cells leading to stimulation of several signaling proteins (mTOR pathway, Akt, and β-catenin) contributing to PC progression. Molecular dynamics simulations of the MUC4EGF/HER2 complexes led to 3D homology models and identification of binding hotspots mediating binding affinity with HER2 and PC cell proliferation. These results will pave the way to the design of potential MUC4/HER2 inhibitors targeting the EGF domains of MUC4. This strategy will represent a new efficient alternative to treat cancers associated with MUC4/HER2 overexpression and HER2-targeted therapy failure as a new adapted treatment to patients.

scholarly journals Investigation of biological activities of Colocasia gigantea Hook.f. leaves and PASS prediction, in silico molecular docking with ADME/T analysis of its isolated bioactive compounds

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Safaet Alam ◽  
Nazim Uddin Emon ◽  
Mohammad A. Rashid ◽  
Mohammad Arman ◽  
Mohammad Rashedul Haque
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Docking ◽  
Binding Affinity ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Castor Oil ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Kappa Opioid Receptor ◽  
Soluble Extract ◽  
Docking Score

AbstractBackgroundColocasia gigantea is locally named as kochu and also better known due to its various healing power. This research is to investigate the antidiarrheal, antimicrobial, and antioxidant possibilities of the methanol soluble extract of Colocasia gigantea.MethodsAntidiarrheal investigation was performed by using in vivo castor oil induced diarrheal method where as in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant investigation have been implemented by disc diffusion and DPPH scavenging method respectively. Moreover, in silico studies were followed by molecular docking analysis of several secondary metabolites were appraised with Schrödinger-Maestro v 11.1.ResultsThe induction of plant extract (200 and 400 mg/kg, b.w, p.o), the castor oil mediated diarrhea has been minimized 19.05 % (p < 0.05) and 42.86 % (p < 0.001) respectively. The methanolic extract of C. gigantea showed mild sensitivity against almost all the tested strains but it shows high consistency of phenolic content and furthermore yielded 67.68 μg/mL of IC50 value in the DPPH test. The higher and lower binding affinity was shown in beta-amyrin and monoglyceryl stearic acid against the kappa-opioid receptor (PDB ID: 4DJH) with a docking score of -3.28 kcal/mol and -6.64 kcal/mol respectively. In the antimicrobial investigation, Penduletin and Beta-Amyrin showed the highest and lowest binding affinity against the selected receptors with the docking score of -8.27 kcal/mol and -1.66 kcal/mol respectively.ConclusionThe results of our scientific research reflect that the methanol soluble extract of C. gigantea is safe which may provide possibilities of alleviation of diarrhea and as a potential wellspring of antioxidants which can be considered as an alternate source for exploration of new medicinal products.

scholarly journals Cardamonin Promotes the Apoptosis and Chemotherapy Sensitivity to Gemcitabine of Pancreatic Cancer Through Modulating the FOXO3a-FOXM1 Axis

Dose-Response ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 155932582110421
Author(s):  
Huapeng Sun ◽  
Na Zhang ◽  
Yiqiang Jin ◽  
Haisheng Xu
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Cell Counting ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Chemotherapy Sensitivity ◽  
In Vivo Experiments ◽  
Pathway Expression ◽  
Foxm1 Expression

Cardamonin (CAR), a flavone existing in the Alpinia plant, has been found to modulate multiple biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor effects. Nevertheless, the influence of CAR on pancreatic cancer (PC) is less understood. Here, we conducted in vitro and in vivo experiments to explore the functions of CAR on PC cells’ proliferation, apoptosis and chemosensitivity to gemcitabine (GEM). The growth of PC cells (including PANC-1 and SW1990) was evaluated by the cell counting kit-8 assay, colony formation assay and xenograft tumor experiment. Besides, the apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry and western blot (WB). Moreover, the FOXO3a-FOXM1 pathway expression was tested by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and WB. Our data suggested that CAR restrained cell proliferation, growth and expedited apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, CAR sensitized PC cells to GEM. Mechanistically, CAR heightened FOXO3a while repressed FOXM1. Further loss-of-function assays revealed that down-regulating FOXO3a markedly dampened the anti-tumor effect induced by CAR and accelerated the FOXM1 expression. Our data confirmed that CAR exerted an anti-tumor function in PC dependently by modulating the FOXO3a-FOXM1 axis.

scholarly journals An optimal anti-tumor response by a novel CEA/CD3 bispecific antibody for colorectal cancers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ninghai Wang ◽  
Harshal Patel ◽  
Irene Schneider ◽  
Xin Kai ◽  
Avanish K Varshney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
Binding Affinity ◽  
Tumor Antigen ◽  
Xenograft Model ◽  
Variable Region ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Cytokine Release ◽  
Complex Development

Abstract Background CD3-based bispecific T cell engagers (bsTCEs) are one of the most promising bispecific antibodies for effective cancer treatments. To elicit target-specific T cell-mediated cytotoxicity, these bsTCEs contain at least one binding unit directed against a tumor antigen and another binding unit targeting CD3 in T cell antigen receptor complex. Development of CD3-based bsTCEs, however, has been severely hampered by dose limiting toxicities due to cytokine release syndrome. To address this limitation, we developed a novel functionally trivalent TCE (t-TCE) antibody containing affinity reduced CD3 binding unit, positioned to ensure monovalent CD3 engagement, in combination with bivalent tumor antigen binding of Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA). Methods We modeled the variable region of anti-CD3 in the CDRs of the heavy chain and obtained CD3 binders with reduced binding affinity. Two optimized versions CEA/CD3-v1 and CEA/CD3-v2 were identified and generated in tetravalent format, characterized and compared in vitro and in vivo. Results Our lead candidate, CEA/CD3-v2, demonstrated sub-nanomolar binding and picomolar potency against a panel of CEA-expressing cancer cell lines. In addition, we detected reduced T cell cytokine release with potent cytotoxic activity. Our t-TCE CEA/CD3-v2 molecule demonstrated strong anti-tumor effect in a dose dependent manner in human PBMC xenograft model. Furthermore, combination of CEA/CD3-v2 with atezolizumab provided synergistic antitumor effect. Conclusions Because of effective tumor cell killing with various level of CEA expression and reduced cytokine release, CEA/CD3 BsTCE may greatly benefit in CEA positive cancer immunotherapy. Statement of Significance. Through optimization of CD3 binding affinity and tetravalent format with functional monovalent binding to CD3, t-TCE CEA/CD3–2 molecule not only retains high potency in vitro and in vivo, but also significantly reduces cytokine release.

scholarly journals Nicotine Induces IL-8 Secretion from Pancreatic Cancer Stroma and Worsens Cancer-Induced Cachexia

Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 329
Author(s):  
Patrick W. Underwood ◽  
Dong Yu Zhang ◽  
Miles E. Cameron ◽  
Michael H. Gerber ◽  
Daniel Delitto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Cancer Patient ◽  
Xenograft Model ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Patient ◽  
Nicotine Treatment ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Cells ◽  
Cancer Tumor

Smoking is highly associated with pancreatic cancer. Nicotine, the addictive component of tobacco, is involved in pancreatic cancer tumorigenesis, metastasis, and chemoresistance. This work aimed to describe the role of nicotine within the pancreatic cancer tumor microenvironment. Nicotine treatment was used in vitro to assess its effect on tumor-associated stromal cells and pancreatic cancer cells. Nicotine treatment was then used in a pancreatic cancer patient-derived xenograft model to study the effects in vivo. Nicotine induced secretion of interleukin 8 (IL-8) by tumor-associated stroma cells in an extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-dependent fashion. The secreted IL-8 and nicotine acted on the pancreatic cancer cell, resulting in upregulation of IL-8 receptor. Nicotine treatment of mice bearing pancreatic cancer patient-derived xenografts had significantly increased tumor mass, increased tumor-free weight loss, and decreased muscle mass. These represent important pathways through which nicotine acts within the tumor microenvironment and worsens pancreatic cancer-induced cachexia, potentially representing future therapeutic targets.

scholarly journals A Novel Strategy Conjugating PD-L1 Polypeptide With Doxorubicin Alleviates Chemotherapeutic Resistance and Enhances Immune Response in Colon Cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maolin Wang ◽  
Xing-sheng Shu ◽  
Meiqi Li ◽  
Yilin Zhang ◽  
Youli Yao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Delivery ◽  
Colon Cancer ◽  
Binding Affinity ◽  
Therapeutic Option ◽  
Xenograft Model ◽  
Combination Regimen ◽  
Tumor Tissues ◽  
Mouse Xenograft Model

BackgroundModifying the structure of anti-tumor chemotherapy drug is of significance to enhance the specificity and efficacy of drug-delivery. A novel proteolysis resistant PD-L1-targeted peptide (PPA1) has been reported to bind to PD-L1 and disrupt the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction, thus appearing as an outstanding tumor-targeting modification of synergistic drug conjugate for effective anti-tumor treatment. However, the combination regimen of coupling PD-L1 polypeptide with chemotherapeutic drug in tumoricidal treatment has not been reported thus far.MethodsWe developed a novel synergistic strategy by conjugating PPA1 to doxorubicin (DOX) with a pH sensitive linker that can trigger the release of DOX near acidic tumor tissues. The binding affinity of PPA1-DOX with PD-L1 and the acid-sensitive cleavage of PPA1-DOX were investigated. A mouse xenograft model of colon cancer was used to evaluate the biodistribution, cytotoxicity and anti-tumor activity of PPA1-DOX.ResultsPPA1-DOX construct showed high binding affinity with PD-L1 in vitro and specifically enriched within tumor when administered in vivo. PPA1-DOX exhibited a significantly lower toxicity and a remarkably higher antitumor activity in vivo, as compared with free PPA1, random polypeptide-DOX conjugate, DOX, or 5-FU, respectively. Moreover, increased infiltration of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was found in tumors from PPA1-DOX treated mice.ConclusionsWe describe here for the first time that the dual-functional conjugate PPA1-DOX, which consist of the PD-L1-targeted polypeptide that renders both the tumor-specific drug delivery and inhibitory PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibition, and a cytotoxic agent that is released and kills tumor cells once reaching tumor tissues, thus representing a promising therapeutic option for colon cancer with improved efficacy and reduced toxicity.

scholarly journals Dehydrozingerone, a Curcumin Analog, as a Potential Anti-Prostate Cancer Inhibitor In Vitro and In Vivo

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (12) ◽  
pp. 2737
Author(s):  
Sariya Mapoung ◽  
Shugo Suzuki ◽  
Satoshi Fuji ◽  
Aya Naiki-Ito ◽  
Hiroyuki Kato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Xenograft Model ◽  
Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer ◽  
Curcumin Analog ◽  
Cycle Arrest

Curcumin (Cur) exhibits biological activities that support its candidacy for cancer treatment. However, there are limitations to its pharmacological effects, such as poor solubility and bioavailability. Notably, the use of Cur analogs has potential for addressing these limitations. Dehydrozingerone (DZG) is a representative of the half-chemical structure of Cur, and many reports have indicated that it is anticancer in vitro. We, therefore, have hypothesized that DZG could inhibit prostate cancer progression both in vitro and in vivo. Results revealed that DZG decreased cell proliferation of rat castration-resistant prostate cancer, PLS10 cells, via induction of the cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase in vitro. In the PLS10 xenograft model, DZG significantly decreased the growth of subcutaneous tumors when compared to the control via the inhibition of cell proliferation and angiogenesis. To prove that DZG could improve the limitations of Cur, an in vivo pharmacokinetic was determined. DZG was detected in the serum at higher concentrations and remained up to 3 h after intraperitoneal injections, which was longer than Cur. DZG also showed superior in vivo tissue distribution than Cur. The results suggest that DZG could be a candidate of the Cur analog that can potentially exert anticancer capabilities in vivo and thereby improve its bioavailability.

scholarly journals ISG20L2 as a Novel Prognostic Biomarker Facilitates the Progression of Pancreatic Cancer via Glycolysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianming Wei ◽  
Xibo Gao ◽  
Bingbing Ren ◽  
Daqing Sun ◽  
Tong Liu
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Xenograft Model ◽  
Gene Set Enrichment Analysis ◽  
Pathway Gene ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Vesicle Cycle

Abstract Background: Longstanding type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an increased risk of pancreatic cancer (PC) in western populations, and PC is also a cause of T2DM. However, the association of glucose metabolism between T2DM and PC remains unclear. Methods: Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by bioinformatic analysis from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets GSE20966 and GSE16515, respectively. Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), the Kaplan-Meier (KM) Plotter and Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) database were applied. Pancreatic cancer cell lines and primary PDAC samples were used. Cell culture, immunohistochemistry (IHC), siRNA transfection, Western blot, RT-PCR, and migration assay, animal xenograft model studies and statistical analysis were performed in this study. Results: We identified 64 DEGs in GSE20966 of T2DM, and 296 DEGs were identified in GSE16515 of pancreatic cancer, respectively. T2DM-DEGs were mainly enriched in synaptic vesicle cycle, protein export. KEGG pathways in pancreatic cancer included spliceosome, RNA transport. Here, ISG20L2 was identified as only a co-expressed gene between T2DM and PDAC. We found that the expression of ISG20L2 was associated with tumor immune cell infiltration. ISG20L2 was significantly upregulated in PDAC and associated with prognosis of PDAC patients. Moreover, ISG20L2 expression was regulated by GLUT1, HK2, LDHA, PKM1 and PKM2 related with glycolysis in PDAC. ISG20L2 promoted PDAC cell proliferation and migration both in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion: This study showed that ISG20L2 promoted the progression and ISG20L2 may be a potential therapeutic strategy in PDAC.

scholarly journals ISG20L2 as a Novel Prognostic Biomarker Facilitates the Progression of Pancreatic Cancer Via Glycolysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianming Wei ◽  
Xibo Gao ◽  
Bingbing Ren ◽  
Daqing Sun ◽  
Tong Liu
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Xenograft Model ◽  
Gene Set Enrichment Analysis ◽  
Pathway Gene ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Vesicle Cycle

Abstract Background: Longstanding type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an increased risk of pancreatic cancer (PC) in western populations, and PC is also a cause of T2DM. However, the association of glucose metabolism between T2DM and PC remains unclear. Methods: Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by bioinformatic analysis from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets GSE20966 and GSE16515, respectively. Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), the Kaplan-Meier (KM) Plotter and Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) database were applied. Pancreatic cancer cell lines and primary PDAC samples were used. Cell culture, immunohistochemistry (IHC), siRNA transfection, Western blot, RT-PCR, and migration assay, animal xenograft model studies and statistical analysis were performed in this study. Results: We identified 64 DEGs in GSE20966 of T2DM, and 296 DEGs were identified in GSE16515 of pancreatic cancer, respectively. T2DM-DEGs were mainly enriched in synaptic vesicle cycle, protein export. KEGG pathways in pancreatic cancer included spliceosome, RNA transport. Here, ISG20L2 was identified as only a co-expressed gene between T2DM and PDAC. We found that the expression of ISG20L2 was associated with tumor immune cell infiltration. ISG20L2 was significantly upregulated in PDAC and associated with prognosis of PDAC patients. Moreover, ISG20L2 expression was regulated by GLUT1 , HK2 , LDHA , PKM1 and PKM2 related with glycolysis in PDAC. ISG20L2 promoted PDAC cell proliferation and migration both in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion: This study showed that ISG20L2 promoted the progression and ISG20L2 may be a potential therapeutic strategy in PDAC.

Evaluation of the In Vivo Acute Toxicity and In Vitro Hemolytic and Immunomodulatory Activities of the Moringa oleifera Flower Trypsin Inhibitor (MoFTI)

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leydianne Leite de Siqueira Patriota ◽  
Dayane Kelly Dias do Nascimento Santos ◽  
Bárbara Rafaela da Silva Barros ◽  
Lethícia Maria de Souza Aguiar ◽  
Yasmym Araújo Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Toxicity ◽  
Trypsin Inhibitor ◽  
Hemolytic Activity ◽  
Moringa Oleifera ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Hematological Parameters ◽  
Behavioral Alterations ◽  
Female Mice

Background: Protease inhibitors have been isolated from plants and present several biological activities, including immunomod-ulatory action. Objective: This work aimed to evaluate a Moringa oleifera flower trypsin inhibitor (MoFTI) for acute toxicity in mice, hemolytic activity on mice erythrocytes and immunomodulatory effects on mice splenocytes. Methods: The acute toxicity was evaluated using Swiss female mice that received a single dose of the vehicle control or MoFTI (300 mg/kg, i.p.). Behavioral alterations were observed 15–240 min after administration, and survival, weight gain, and water and food consumption were analyzed daily. Organ weights and hematological parameters were analyzed after 14 days. Hemolytic activity of MoFTI was tested using Swiss female mice erythrocytes. Splenocytes obtained from BALB/c mice were cultured in the absence or presence of MoFTI for the evaluation of cell viability and proliferation. Mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were also determined. Furthermore, the culture supernatants were analyzed for the presence of cytokines and nitric oxide (NO). Results: MoFTI did not cause death or any adverse effects on the mice except for abdominal contortions at 15–30 min after administration. MoFTI did not exhibit a significant hemolytic effect. In addition, MoFTI did not induce apoptosis or necrosis in splenocytes and had no effect on cell proliferation. Increases in cytosolic and mitochondrial ROS release, as well as ΔΨm reduction, were observed in MoFTI-treated cells. MoFTI was observed to induce TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-10, and NO release. Conclusion: These results contribute to the ongoing evaluation of the antitumor potential of MoFTI and its effects on other immunological targets.

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