scholarly journals Phyto-Phospholipid Conjugated Scorpion Venom Nanovesicles as Promising Carrier That Improves Efficacy of Thymoquinone against Adenocarcinoma Human Alveolar Basal Epithelial Cells

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 2144
Author(s):  
Hani Z. Asfour ◽  
Usama A. Fahmy ◽  
Waleed S. Alharbi ◽  
Alshaimaa M. Almehmady ◽  
Abdulmohsin J. Alamoudi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
A549 Cells ◽  
Scorpion Venom ◽  
Lung Cancer Cell Line ◽  
Alveolar Epithelial Cells ◽  
Main Compound ◽  
Promising Therapeutic Approach

Lung cancer is a dangerous type of cancer in men and the third leading cause of cancer-related death in women, behind breast and colorectal cancers. Thymoquinone (THQ), a main compound in black seed essential oils, has a variety of beneficial effects, including antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. On the other hand, scorpion venom peptides (SV) induce apoptosis in the cancer cells, making it a promising anticancer agent. THQ, SV, and Phospholipon® 90H (PL) were incorporated in a nano-based delivery platform to assess THQ’s cellular uptake and antiproliferative efficacy against a lung cancer cell line derived from human alveolar epithelial cells (A549). Several nanovesicles were prepared and optimized using factorial experimental design. The optimized phytosome formulation contained 79.0 mg of PL and 170.0 mg of SV, with vesicle size and zeta potential of 209.9 nm and 21.1 mV, respectively. The IC50 values revealed that A549 cells were significantly more sensitive to the THQ formula than the plain formula and THQ. Cell cycle analysis revealed that THQ formula treatment resulted in significant cell cycle arrest at the S phase, increasing cell population in this phase by 22.1%. Furthermore, the THQ formula greatly increased cell apoptosis (25.17%) when compared to the untreated control (1.76%), plain formula (11.96%), or THQ alone (13.18%). The results also indicated that treatment with THQ formula significantly increased caspase-3, Bax, Bcl-2, and p53 mRNA expression compared to plain formula and THQ. In terms of the inflammatory markers, THQ formula significantly reduced the activity of TNF-α and NF-κB in comparison with the plain formula and THQ only. Overall, the findings from the study proved that a phytosome formulation of THQ could be a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma.

Discordant regulatory changes in monocrotaline-induced megalocytosis of lung arterial endothelial and alveolar epithelial cells

2006 ◽  
Vol 290 (6) ◽  
pp. L1216-L1226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Somshuvra Mukhopadhyay ◽  
Pravin B. Sehgal
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Dna Synthesis ◽  
A549 Cells ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Alveolar Epithelial Cells ◽  
Cell Type ◽  
Alveolar Epithelial ◽  
Unfolded Protein ◽  
Cell Cycle Regulatory Proteins

Monocrotaline (MCT) causes pulmonary hypertension in the rat by a mechanism characterized by megalocytosis (enlarged cells with enlarged endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi and a cell cycle arrest) of pulmonary arterial endothelial (PAEC), arterial smooth muscle, and type II alveolar epithelial cells. In cell culture, although megalocytosis is associated with a block in entry into mitosis in both lung endothelial and epithelial cells, DNA synthesis is stimulated in endothelial but inhibited in epithelial cells. The molecular mechanism(s) for this dichotomy are unclear. While MCTP-treated PAEC and lung epithelial (A549) cells both showed an increase in the “promitogenic” transcription factor STAT3 levels and in the IL-6-induced nuclear pool of PY-STAT3, this was transcriptionally inactive in A549 but not in PAEC cells. This lack of transcriptional activity of STAT3 in A549 cells correlated with the cytoplasmic sequestration of the STAT3 coactivators CBP/p300 and SRC1/NcoA in A549 cells but not in PAEC. Both cell types displayed a Golgi trafficking block, loss of caveolin-1 rafts, and increased nuclear Ire1α, but an incomplete unfolded protein response (UPR) with little change in levels of UPR-induced chaperones including GRP78/BiP. There were discordant alterations in cell cycle regulatory proteins in the two cell types such as increase in levels of both cyclin D1 and p21 simultaneously, but with a decrease in cdc2/cdk1, a kinase required for entry into mitosis. While both cell types showed increased cytoplasmic geminin, the DNA synthesis-initiating protein Cdt1 was predominantly nuclear in PAEC but remained cytoplasmic in A549 cells, consistent with the stimulation of DNA synthesis in the former but an inhibition in the latter cell type. Thus differences in cell type-specific alterations in subcellular trafficking of critical regulatory molecules (such as CBP/p300, SRC1/NcoA, Cdt1) likely account for the dichotomy of the effects of MCTP on DNA synthesis in endothelial and epithelial cells.

scholarly journals Digoxin enhances radiation response in radioresistant A549 cells by reducing protein phosphatase 2A

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ji Young Lee ◽  
Mi-Sook Kim ◽  
Mi So Lee ◽  
Jae Eun Ju ◽  
Namhyun Chung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Protein Phosphatase ◽  
Protein Phosphatase 2A ◽  
A549 Cells ◽  
Cyclin B1 ◽  
Differential Sensitivity ◽  
Promising Therapeutic Approach ◽  
Phosphatase 2A ◽  
Pp2a Inhibitor

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a ubiquitous multifunctional enzyme usually known as a tumor suppressor. Recent studies have reported that although inhibition of PP2A leads to acceleration of cell growth, it also induces damaged cells to pass through the cell cycle and renders them sensitive to radiotherapy. Here, we investigated the radiosensitizing effects of digoxin as a PP2A inhibitor in two non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell types (H460 and A549) with differential sensitivity to radiation. Digoxin inhibited the proliferation of H460 and A549 cells in a dose-dependent fashion and was especially effective on radioresistant A549 cells. Interestingly, the radiosensitizing effect of digoxin was only present in the radioresistant A549 cells and xenografts. The combination of digoxin and ionizing radiation (IR) significantly reduced clonogenic survival and xenograft tumor growth (P<0.001), compared with IR alone. Digoxin suppressed PP2A protein expression and prevented IR-induced PP2A expression in A549 cells. Digoxin treatment combined with IR allowed the damaged cell to progress through the cell cycle via suppression of cell cycle-related proteins (p53, cyclin D1, cyclin B1, CDK4, and p-cdc2). Moreover, digoxin enhanced IR-induced DNA damage through reduction in levels of repair proteins and elevation of p-ATM foci formation up to 24 h (P<0.001). In conclusion, digoxin has a novel function as a PP2A inhibitor, and combined with IR produces a synergistic effect on radiosensitizing cells, thereby indicating a potentially promising therapeutic approach to radioresistant lung cancer treatment.

Nano-Curcumin Regulates p53 Phosphorylation and PAI-1 Expression during Bleomycin Induced Injury in Alveolar Basal Epithelial Cells

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-89
Author(s):  
Mahesh M. Gouda ◽  
Ashwini Prabhu ◽  
Varsha Reddy S.V. ◽  
Rafa Jahan ◽  
Yashodhar P. Bhandary
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Lung Injury ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
A549 Cells ◽  
Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Alveolar Epithelial Cells ◽  
Cellular Damage

Background: Bleomycin (BLM) is known to cause DNA damage in the Alveolar Epithelial Cells (AECs). It is reported that BLM is involved in the up-regulation of inflammatory molecules such as neutrophils, macrophages, chemokines and cytokines. The complex underlying mechanism for inflammation mediated progression of lung injury is still unclear. This investigation was designed to understand the molecular mechanisms associated with p53 mediated modulation of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-I (PAI-I) expression and its regulation by nano-curcumin formulation. Methods: A549 cells were treated with BLM to cause the cellular damage in vitro and commercially available nano-curcumin formulation was used as an intervention. Cytotoxic effect of nano-curcumin was analyzed using Methyl Thiazolyl Tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Protein expressions were analyzed using western blot to evaluate the p53 mediated changes in PAI-I expression. Results: Nano-curcumin showed cytotoxicity up to 88.5 % at a concentration of 20 μg/ml after 48 h of treatment. BLM exposure to the cells activated the phosphorylation of p53, which in turn increased PAII expression. Nano-curcumin treatment showed a protective role against phosphorylation of p53 and PAI-I expression, which in turn regulated the fibro-proliferative phase of injury induced by bleomycin. Conclusion: Nano-curcumin could be used as an effective intervention to regulate the severity of lung injury, apoptosis of AECs and fibro-proliferation during pulmonary injury.

scholarly journals The pro-apoptosis effects of Echinacea purpurea and Cannabis sativa extracts in human lung cancer cells through caspase-dependent pathway

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Hosami ◽  
Azadeh Manayi ◽  
Vahid Salimi ◽  
Farshad Khodakhah ◽  
Mitra Nourbakhsh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Caspase 3 ◽  
Cannabis Sativa ◽  
A549 Cells ◽  
Echinacea Purpurea ◽  
G1 Phase ◽  
Cell Cycle Distribution ◽  
Cb2 Receptor ◽  
Anti Cancer

Abstract Background Considering the advantages of using medicinal herbs as supplementary treatments to sensitize conventional anti-cancer drugs, studying functional mechanisms and regulatory effects of Echinacea purpurea (as a non-cannabinoid plant) and Cannabis sativa (as a cannabinoid plant) are timely and required. The potential effects of such herbs on lung cancer cell growth, apoptosis, cell cycle distribution, cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, caspase activity and their cannabinomimetic properties on the CB2 receptor are addressed in the current study. Methods The cytotoxic effect of both herb extracts on the growth of lung cancer cells (A549) was assessed using the MTT assay. The annexin-V-FITC staining and propidium iodide (PI) staining methods were applied for the detection of apoptosis and cell cycle distribution using flow cytometry. The cellular level of ROS was measured using 7′-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA) as a fluorescent probe in flow cytometry. The caspase 3 activity was assessed using a colorimetric assay Kit. Results Echinacea purpurea (EP) root extract induced a considerable decrease in A549 viable cells, showing a time and dose-dependent response. The cell toxicity of EP was accompanied by induction of early apoptosis and cell accumulation at the sub G1 phase of the cell cycle. The elevation of cellular ROS level and caspase 3 activity indicate ROS-induced caspase-dependent apoptosis following the treatment of A549 cells by EP extract. The observed effects of EP extract on A549 growth and death were abrogated following blockage of CB2 using AM630, a specific antagonist of the CB2 receptor. Increasing concentrations of Cannabis sativa (CS) induced A549 cell death in a time-dependent manner, followed by induction of early apoptosis, cell cycle arrest at sub G1 phase, elevation of ROS level, and activation of caspase 3. The CB2 blockage caused attenuation of CS effects on A549 cell death which revealed consistency with the effects of EP extract on A549 cells. Conclusions The pro-apoptotic effects of EP and CS extracts on A549 cells and their possible regulatory role of CB2 activity might be attributed to metabolites of both herbs. These effects deserve receiving more attention as alternative anti-cancer agents. Graphical abstract

scholarly journals Effects of Aspergillus fumigatus Conidia on Apoptosis and Proliferation in an In Vitro Model of the Lung Microenvironment

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 1435
Author(s):  
Hisako Kushima ◽  
Toshiyuki Tsunoda ◽  
Taichi Matsumoto ◽  
Yoshiaki Kinoshita ◽  
Koichi Izumikawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽  
Aspergillus Fumigatus ◽  
Rna Sequencing ◽  
A549 Cells ◽  
Western Blots ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Nih 3T3

Background/Aim: Aspergillus is often detected in respiratory samples from patients with chronic respiratory diseases, including pulmonary fibrosis, suggesting that it can easily colonize the airways. To determine the role of Aspergillus colonization in pulmonary fibrosis, we cultured human lung epithelial A549 cells or murine embryo fibroblast NIH/3T3 cells with Aspergillus conidia in 3D floating culture representing the microenvironment. Materials and Methods: Cells were cultured in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional floating (3DF) culture with heat-inactivated Aspergillus fumigatus (AF) 293 conidia at an effector-to-target cell ratio of 1:10 (early-phase model) and 1:100 (colonization model), and RNA-sequencing and Western blots (WB) were performed. Results: AF293 conidia reduced A549 cell growth in 2D and 3DF cultures and induced apoptosis in A549 spheroids in 3DF culture. RNA-sequencing revealed the increased expression of genes associated with interferon-mediated antiviral responses including MX dymamin-like GTPase 1 (MX1). Interestingly, the decreased expression of genes associated with the cell cycle was observed with a high concentration of AF293 conidia. WB revealed that epithelial-mesenchymal transition was not involved. Notably, AF293 conidia increased NIH/3T3 growth only in 3DF culture without inducing an apoptotic reaction. RNA-sequencing revealed the increased expression of genes associated with interferon signalling, including MX2; however, the decreased expression of genes associated with the cell cycle was not observed. Conclusions: AF affects both apoptosis of epithelial cells and the growth of fibroblasts. A deeper understanding of the detailed mechanisms underlying Aspergillus-mediated signaling pathway in epithelial cells and fibroblasts will help us to understand the lung microenvironment.

scholarly journals Potential of Thai Herbal Extracts on Lung Cancer Treatment by Inducing Apoptosis and Synergizing Chemotherapy

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juthathip Poofery ◽  
Patompong Khaw-on ◽  
Subhawat Subhawa ◽  
Bungorn Sripanidkulchai ◽  
Apichat Tantraworasin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Ethyl Acetate ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Apoptotic Cell ◽  
Primary Lung Cancer ◽  
A549 Cells ◽  
Cancer Cell Line ◽  
Ethanolic Extract ◽  
Lung Cancer Cell Line ◽  
Lung Cancer Treatment

The incidence of lung cancer has increased while the mortality rate has continued to remain high. Effective treatment of this disease is the key to survival. Therefore, this study is a necessity in continuing research into new effective treatments. In this study we determined the effects of three different Thai herbs on lung cancer. Bridelia ovata, Croton oblongifolius, and Erythrophleum succirubrum were extracted by ethyl acetate and 50% ethanol. The cytotoxicity was tested with A549 lung cancer cell line. We found four effective extracts that exhibited toxic effects on A549 cells. These extracts included ethyl acetate extracts of B. ovata (BEA), C. oblongifolius (CEA), and E. succirubrum (EEA), and an ethanolic extract of E. succirubrum (EE). Moreover, these effective extracts were tested in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs. An effective synergism of these treatments was found specifically through a combination of BEA with methotrexate, EE with methotrexate, and EE with etoposide. Apoptotic cell death was induced in A549 cells by these effective extracts via the mitochondria-mediated pathway. Additionally, we established primary lung cancer and normal epithelial cells from lung tissue of lung cancer patients. The cytotoxicity results showed that EE had significant potential to be used for lung cancer treatment. In conclusion, the four effective extracts possessed anticancer effects on lung cancer. The most effective extract was found to be E. succirubrum (EE).

Investigation of antiproliferative effects of gossypin on lung cancer cell line

2021 ◽  
pp. 37-40
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Anticancer Agents ◽  
A549 Cells ◽  
Supportive Therapy ◽  
Cancer Cell Line ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Lung Cancer Cell Line ◽  
Cancer Treatments ◽  
Mtt Method

Purpose: The rapid growth, morbidity and mortality of lung cancer and the lack of effective treatment have attracted great interest from researchers to find new cancer treatments aimed at the effect of gossypine on cell proliferation and apoptosis of A549 cells. The most used of these products are flavonoids. Gossypin is a potential chemo preventive and therapeutic agent for lung cancer. Material and Method: We investigated the effect of Gossypin anticancer activity on A549 cell proliferation with MTT method, depending on dose and time. In addition, mRNA expression levels of the apoptotic markers caspase-3 (CAS-3) and caspase-9 (CAS-9) were investigated by real-time PCR. In our study, six groups were used as control, gossypin (10, 20, 40 μM), cisplatin 5 μg/mL and cisplatin 5 μg/mL+gossypin 40 μM combine concentrations. The proliferative and antiapoptotic effects of gossypin at 24, 48 and 72 hours were investigated. Results were analyzed and presented as cell viability (%). Results: In our results, it was determined that gossypin especially at a dose of 40 μM and at 72 hours showed almost as much effect on A549 cells, but the highest inhibitory effect was seen in the 40 combined group of cisplatin 5 μg / mL + gossypin. In addition, gossypin caused a significant increase in apoptosis genes (CASP-3, CASP-9) compared to control. Conclusion: Our study showed that gossypin significantly increases the chemosensitivity of cisplatin. Based on this, it is predicted that gossypin can be used as a supportive therapy that increases the effectiveness of anticancer agents. However, more detailed research should be done for this.

scholarly journals TRIM28 regulates SARS-CoV-2 cell entry by targeting ACE2

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yinfang Wang ◽  
Yingzhe Fan ◽  
Yitong Huang ◽  
Tao Du ◽  
Zongjun Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Nk Cells ◽  
Interleukin 2 ◽  
A549 Cells ◽  
Endogenous Retrovirus ◽  
Alveolar Epithelial Cells ◽  
Cell Entry ◽  
Lung Epithelial Cells ◽  
Lung Epithelial ◽  
Ifn Γ

AbstractSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), it binds to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) to enter into human cells. The expression level of ACE2 potentially determine the susceptibility and severity of COVID-19, it is thus of importance to understand the regulatory mechanism of ACE2 expression. Tripartite motif containing 28 (TRIM28) is known to be involved in multiple processes including antiviral restriction, endogenous retrovirus latency and immune response, it is recently reported to be co-expressed with SARS-CoV-2 receptor in type II pneumocytes; however, the roles of TRIM28 in ACE2 expression and SARS-CoV-2 cell entry remain unclear. This study showed that knockdown of TRIM28 induces ACE2 expression and increases pseudotyped SARS-CoV-2 cell entry of A549 cells and primary pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells (PAEpiCs). In a co-culture model of NK cells and lung epithelial cells, our results demonstrated that NK cells inhibit TRIM28 and promote ACE2 expression in lung epithelial cells, which was partially reversed by depletion of interleukin-2 and blocking of granzyme B in the co-culture medium. Furthermore, TRIM28 knockdown enhanced interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-induced ACE2 expression through a mechanism involving upregulating IFN-γ receptor 2 (IFNGR2) in both A549 and PAEpiCs. Importantly, the upregulated ACE2 induced by TRIM28 knockdown and co-culture of NK cells was partially reversed by dexamethasone in A549 cells but not PAEpiCs. Our study identified TRIM28 as a novel regulator of ACE2 expression and SARS-CoV-2 cell entry.

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