Hypoxia increases KIAA1199/CEMIP expression and enhances cell migration in pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterised by dense desmoplasia and hypoxic microenvironment. Our previous reports demonstrated that hyaluronan (HA), especially low-molecular-weight HA, provides a favourable microenvironment for PDAC progression. However, the effect of hypoxia on HA metabolism remains unknown. Using quantitative real-time RT-PCR and western blot analysis, we analysed the changes in the expression of HA-synthesizing enzymes (HAS2 and HAS3) and HA-degrading enzymes (HYAL1, KIAA1199/CEMIP) in PDAC cell lines under hypoxic conditions. Hypoxia increased the mRNA and protein expression of KIAA1199, whereas it decreased HYAL1 expression. The expression of HAS3 was increased and HAS2 remained unchanged in response to hypoxia. The effect of KIAA1199 on hypoxia-induced cell migration was determined using a transwell migration assay and small-interfering RNA (siRNA). Hypoxia enhanced the migratory ability of PDAC cells, which was inhibited by KIAA1199 knockdown. We also used immunohistochemistry to analyse the protein expression of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) 1α and KIAA1199 in PDAC tissues. There was a significant immunohistochemically positive correlation between KIAA1199 and HIF1α. These findings suggest that hypoxia-induced KIAA1199 expression may contribute to enhanced motility in PDAC.

miR-3614-3p suppresses cell aggressiveness of human breast cancer by targeting AKT3 and HDAC1 expression

Purpose: MicroRNAs (miRNA) have been reported in the regulation of various pathobiological progression in cancer. Our recent study has reported that miR-3614-3p significantly suppressed the proliferation of Breast Cancer (BC) cells through the downregulation its host gene TRIM25. However, the other functional role of miR3614-3p migration and invasion in BC and its mechanism have not been investigated thoroughly. Materials and methods: The MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 BC cell lines were purchased. The cell line expression levels of miR-3614- 3p and AKT3/HDAC1 were determined by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). The wound healing assay and transwell migration assay were determined. We next measured protein levels of AKT3/HDAC1 by Western blot. Finally, we investigated the role of AKT3/HDAC1 using siRNA; and confirmed the targeting of 3’UTR of AKT3 and HDAC1 through miR-3614-3p using a luciferase reporter assay. Results: In the present research, we studied that overexpression of miR-3614-3p markedly suppressed tumor cell invasion and migration independent TRIM25, whereas through regulated another targets AKT3 and HDAC1 expression. Notably, TRIM25 is also a target gene of miR-3614 which bind to pri-miR-3614 caused TRIM25 silence. Conclusion: miR-3614-3p is an anti-oncogene that can suppress breast cancer cell aggressiveness by targeting AKT3 and HDAC1, which reveals the potential values of miR-3614-3p for suppression of metastasis of BC. Keywords: Breast cancer; miR-3614; AKT3; HDAC1.

Hypoxia Increases KIAA1199/CEMIP Expression and Enhances Cell Migration in Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by dense desmoplasia and hypoxic microenvironment. We previously demonstrated that hyaluronan (HA), especially low-molecular weight HA, provides a favorable microenvironment for progression of PDAC. However, the effect of hypoxia on HA metabolism is unknown. Using quantitative real-time RT-PCR and Western blot analysis, we analyzed changes in expression of HA-synthesizing enzymes (HAS2, HAS3) and HA-degrading enzymes (HYAL1, KIAA1199/CEMIP) in PDAC cell lines under hypoxic condition. Hypoxia increased mRNA and protein expression of KIAA1199, whereas it decreased expression of HYAL1. Expression of HAS2 and HAS3 remained unchanged in response to hypoxia. The effect of KIAA1199 on hypoxia-induced cell migration was determined by transwell migration assay and small-interfering RNA (siRNA). Hypoxia enhanced migratory ability of PDAC cells, which was inhibited by knockdown of KIAA1199 expression. We also used immunohistochemistry to analyze Hypoxia Inducible Factor (HIF) 1α and KIAA1199 protein expression in PDAC tissues. There was a significant immunohistochemically positive correlation between KIAA1199 and HIF1α. These findings suggest that hypoxia-induced KIAA1199 expression may contribute to enhanced motility in PDAC.

A Fluoro Derivative of Embelin, as Potent B-RAF Inhibitor in Melanoma

Background: Melanoma is one of the common forms of skin cancer and B-RAF is a mutated protein found in most Melanomas. The important function of B-RAF is normal cell growth and survival. Most of known B-RAF mutations are V600E mutations. Vemurafenib is the currently used fluorine based drug used for V600E mutations but this drug has side effects, so in this scenario, more potent drugs with less side effects are required. Objective: This study aims to develop a more effective lead compound as B-RAF inhibitor from a hydroxyquinone, by structural modification of embelin, a naturally occurring hydroxybenzoquinone, which has got a potency of detoxifying blood, hence useful in wide range of skin diseases. Thus a fluorine substituted semisynthetic derivative of embelin, 5-(3-chloro-4-trifluoromethoxy phenyl amino)-2- hydroxy-3-undecyl- [1, 4] benzoquinone to fight against skin cancer was prepared. Method: Fluoro derivative of embelin was synthesized by the direct condensation of embelin with 3-chloro-4-trifluoromethoxy aniline. The structure of the product was characterized using various spectral data, obtained from IR, 1H NMR, 19F NMR, 13C NMR and Mass spectrum. Various in vitro studies like Antiproliferative study in A375 Cell Lines, (B-RAF Elisa), Western Blotting analysis, Gene Expression study by Reverse Transcriptase PCR, Caspase assay, Flow Cytometry analysis, Clonogenic assay and Transwell Migration assay were carried out to find its biological activity. Results: A semisynthetic derivative of embelin 5-(3-chloro-4-trifluoromethoxy phenyl amino)-2-hydroxy-3-undecyl- [1, 4] benzoquinone (EOCF) was prepared and the structure of the derivative was confirmed by spectral analysis. The MTT assay proves that the fluoro derivative of embelin exhibited better anticancer activity in Melanoma cell lines than the parent compound, embelin. Western blot analysis showed that B-RAF expression level was reduced by the addition of derivative than the parent compound embelin. The Caspase ELISA analysis indicated that the derivative was found to be a good apoptotic marker and from the flow cytometry analysis, it was observed that the cell arrest occurs at G0/G1 phase. Its antimetastatic activity determined using Clonogenic assay indicated that the derivative, EOCF inhibits the metastatic effects in melanoma cell lines. Migratory potential of Melanoma cells were significantly reduced in presence of EOCF when Transwell migration assay was conducted. Conclusion: This work established that the potency of the synthesized compound was more than the parent compound, embelin when it was structurally modified with 3-chloro-4-trifluoromethoxy aniline and that the derivative can be used as a lead molecule for further drug discovery.

7,8-Dihydroxyflavone Inhibits VEGF-Induced in Vitro Angiogenesis of RF/6A Cells via the Blocking of VEGFR2 Signaling Pathway

Background: This study aimed to investigate the anti-angiogenesis effect of 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF) and its potential molecular mechanism. Methods: The rhesus macaque choroid-retinal endothelial (RF/6A) cells were treated with different concentrations (from 0 to 100 μM) of 7,8-DHF and/or 40 ng/ml VEGF. The morphology, proliferation, migration, capillary-like tube formation，and apoptosis of RF/6A cells were evaluated by Giemsa staining, CCK-8 assay, transwell migration assay, matrigel tube formation assay, and flow cytometry/hoechst33342 staining, respectively. The protein content of VEFGR2 and p-VEGFR2 was assessed by western blotting. Results: 7,8-DHF significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and tube formation of RF/6A cells and promoted their apoptosis in vitro. The expression of VEGFR2 in RF/6A cells was constant whether or not to administer 7,8-DHF. However, the phosphorylation of VEGFR2 significantly decreased after the administration of 7,8-DHF. Conclusions: 7,8-DHF could inhibit RF/6A angiogenesis in vitro. The inhibitory mechanism of 7,8-DHF in angiogenesis was attributed to the suppression of VEGFR2 phosphorylation and thus blocking of VEGF/VEGFR2 signal pathway.

IL-1β Pretreatment Improves the Efficacy of Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Acute Liver Failure by Enhancing CXCR4 Expression

Background. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), with the powerful metabolic and functional supporting abilities for inflammatory diseases, may be an effective therapeutic strategy for acute liver failure (ALF). However, the efficacy of MSCs can still be promoted if pretreatment is applied to enhance their poor migration towards the damaged liver. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of IL-1β pretreatment on the efficacy and homing ability of MSCs in ALF. Methods. MSCs were isolated by the whole bone marrow adherence method and characterized. The efficacy and homing ability of IL-1β-pretreated MSCs (Pre-MSCs) were examined in a rat ALF model and compared with that of MSCs and normal saline. Then, Western blot was performed to detect the c-Met and CXCR4 expression of MSCs and Pre-MSCs and followed by flow cytometry to detect the meaningful indicators. Finally, the migration abilities of different cells and different conditions were tested by the Transwell migration assay. Results. MSCs of ideal purity were successfully isolated and cultured. Comparing with MSCs, Pre-MSCs had significantly better efficacy on improving the survival rate and liver function of ALF rats. Further analyses of damaged liver tissues showed that IL-1β pretreatment significantly enhanced the efficacy of MSCs on suppressing liver necrosis. Besides, Pre-MSCs exhibited better effects in inhibiting apoptosis and activating proliferation. The results of tracing experiments with CM-Dil-labeled cells confirmed that more cells migrated to the damaged liver in the Pre-MSC group. In terms of mechanism, the CXCR4 expression was significantly enhanced by IL-1β pretreatment, and an increased migration ability towards SDF-1 that could be reversed by AMD3100 was found in Pre-MSCs. Conclusion. IL-1β pretreatment could enhance the homing ability of MSCs at least partially by increasing the expression of CXCR4 and further improve the efficacy of MSCs on ALF.

Methylation regulation of MUC6 correlates with metastasis of gastric cancer

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of the downregulation of MUC6 and its influence on GC metastasis.Methods: The expression of MUC6 was examined in cancer tissues and their corresponding adjacent normal tissues in 40 gastric adenocarcinoma patients. The investigation of methylation level of MUC6 promoter region in gastric cell lines and gastric specimen tissues was performed through immunohistochemistry and/or quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)s. MUC6 was knocked down in GES-1 cell lines and overexpressed in SGC7901 cell lines; the effects of MUC6 knockdown and overexpression on cell migration and invasion were examined using Transwell migration assay. The effects of demethylation and methylation on MUC6 expression were examined using Western blot, qPCR, or double luciferase report experiment.Results: The expression of MUC6 in GC tissues was significantly lower than that in normal paracancerous tissues. While the cells migration and invasion abilities were decreased significantly after overexpression of MUC6, these abilities increased significantly after the knocking down of MUC6. The methylation levels of MUC6 in GC tissues and GC cell lines (MGC803, MKN45, AGS, SGC7901, and BGC823) were significantly higher than those in paracancerous tissues and gastric epithelial cells. The promoter methylation could significantly reduce the binding of MUC6 promoter region to the related transcription factors. The expression of MUC6 increased with the concentration of demethylated drugs and the time of action.Conclusion: The expression of MUC6 was regulated by methylation of its promoter, and this methylation of MUC6 promoter may lead to significant downregulation of MUC6 in GC and promote the metastasis of GC.

TSLC1 inhibits bladder cancer cells proliferation and promotes apoptosis by targeting miR-125b

Backgroud: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the expression of tumor suppressor in lung cancer-1 (TSLC1) and miRNA-125b in bladder cancer (BC) pathogenesis. Methods: The expression of miRNA-125b,TSLC1 and p53 in BC cell line was detected by real-time quantitative RT-PCR (RT-qPCR) or western blot. Transwell migration assay was used in the in vitro migration and invison anssay. TSLC1 and p53 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistric staining in bladder cancer tissues. Results: We showed that the expression of miRNA-125b was significantly decreased in BC cell line(T24) transfection of miR-125b inhibitor.Knockdown of miRNA-125b promoted the growth and metastasis of T24 cells,while overexpression of miRNA-125b had the opposite effects. Furthermore,TSLC1 was significantly positive correlated with miRNA-125b expression and negative correlated with p53 expression in T24 cells.TSLC1 transfection increased the expression of miRNA-125b,and inhibited BC cell migration and invasion in vitro,and promoted apoptosis. The expression of TSLC1 and p53 was opposite in bladder cancer tissues. Conclusions: Our data provided strong evidence that TSLC1 inhibited tumorigenesis and development of BC through up-regulating tumor-suppressive miRNA-125b.