Isoalantolactone inhibits pancreatic cancer proliferation by regulation of PI3K and Wnt signal pathway

Background/aims Isoalantolactone (IATL) is one of multiple isomeric sesquiterpene lactones and is isolated from inula helenium. IATL has multiple functions such as antibacterial, antihelminthic and antiproliferative activities. IATL also inhibits pancreatic cancer proliferation and induces apoptosis by increasing ROS production. However, the detailed mechanism of IATL-mediated pancreatic cancer apoptosis remains largely unknown. Methods In current study, pancreatic carcinoma cell lines (PANC-1, AsPC-1, BxPC-3) and a mouse xenograft model were used to determine the mechanism of IATL-mediated toxic effects. Results IATL (20μM) inhibited pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines proliferation in a time-dependent way; while scratch assay showed that IATL significantly inhibited PANC-1 scratch closure (P<0.05); Invasion assays indicated that IATL significantly attenuated pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines invasion on matrigel. Signal analysis showed that IATL inhibited pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell proliferation by blocking EGF-PI3K-Skp2-Akt signal axis. Moreover, IATL induced pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell apoptosis by increasing cytosolic Caspase3 and Box expression. This apoptosis was mediated by inhibition of canonical wnt signal pathway. Finally, xenograft studies showed that IATL also significantly inhibited pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell proliferation and induced pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell apoptosis in vivo. Conclusions IATL inhibits pancreatic cancer proliferation and induces apoptosis on cellular and in vivo models. Signal pathway studies reveal that EGF-PI3K-Skp2-Akt signal axis and canonical wnt pathway are involved in IATL-mediated cellular proliferation inhibition and apoptosis. These studies indicate that IATL may provide a future potential therapy for pancreatic cancer.

BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING OF SCLEROSTIN ACTION IN THE BONE REMODELING

Mathematical modeling of biological processes has bridged the fields of experimental as well as theoretical research and has carried forward remarkable innovation. Sclerostin is a fundamental communication element for bone remodeling and its activity regulates the reabsorption and deposition of new bone tissue. During this research, we have presented several studies, which illustrate the function of sclerostin in communication with the Wnt signaling pathways. This article features the sclerostin-based pathological patterns related to diseases such as bone cancer. To have a good remodeling process, the osteocytes must recruit the pre-osteoblast cells from the mesenchymal stem cells with the help of the signal mechanism given by the Wnt pathway. The Wnt signal pathway is a complex transduction of a pool of well-conserved genes whose expression regulates various activities like gene translation, cell adhesion, cell differentiation, mitogenic stimulation and polarity cell. The complexity of the interaction of the Wnt pathway is due to the ligands of Wnt itself, to the proteins R-spondin and norrin. The receptors on the surface of the cell, then, activate a process of transduction of the intracellular signal that initiates gene transduction. The hypothesis of a sort of “steady state” has therefore proved indispensable to establish a sort of common base on which the two phases. This paper seeks to give a qualitative view of the action of sclerostin through a simple mathematical model. We use a logic related to stimulation and inhibition signals of new tissue production and illustrate the role of sclerostin in the mechanical and biochemical interaction during the bone remodeling process.

Biomechanical Interfaces of Corticotomies on Periodontal Tissue Remodeling during Orthodontic Tooth Movement

Corticotomy is an effective approach in accelerating orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) in clinical treatment. Corticotomy causes regional acceleratory phenomenon (RAP) in the alveolar bone of surgical sites. However, the molecular mechanism of RAP after corticotomy remains unclear. Herein, we established a mouse model to study the biomechanical interfaces of corticotomy-assisted OTM and to investigate the histological responses and underlying cellular mechanism. A total of 144 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned into four groups: corticotomy alone (Corti), sham operation (Sham), corticotomy with tooth movement (Corti + TM), and sham operation with tooth movement (Sham + TM). Nickel–titanium orthodontic springs were applied to trigger tooth movement. Mice were sacrificed on Post-Surgery Day (PSD) 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 for radiographic, histological, immunohistochemical, and molecular biological analyses. The results reveal that corticotomy significantly promoted alveolar bone turnover and periodontal tissue remodeling. During orthodontic tooth movement, corticotomy significantly promoted osteogenic and proliferative activity, accelerated tooth movement, and eliminated root resorption by upregulating Wnt signal pathway.

Simultaneous targeting tumor cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts with a Paclitaxel-Hyaluronan bioconjugate: in vitro evaluation in non-melanoma skin cancer

Background: Cancers are complex organs which encompass not only the tumor cells but also cells within the surrounding stroma. Such cells, mainly cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and immune infiltrating cells, facilitate many aspects of cancer development providing a structural and supportive framework rich of bioactive compounds. So far, there are emerging studies proposing the combination of conventional anti-cancer therapy, directed against neoplastic cells, to molecules targeting tumor microenviroment.Methods: The study was designed to evaluated the pharmacological properties of the anti-tumor agent paclitaxel conjugated to hyaluronic acid (HA) on non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and on the surronding dermal fibroblasts. This molecule, named Oncofid-P20 (Onco-P20), targets preferentially cells expressing high level of CD44, the natural ligand of HA.Results: Consistent with paclitaxel’s mechanism of action involving interferences with the normal breackdown of microtubules during cell division, highly sensible carcinoma cells underwent rapidly to apoptotic cell death. Interestingly, less sensible cells such as dermal fibroblasts resisted to the Onco-P20 treatment and experirenced a prologed growth arrest characterized by morphological change and significant modification of the gene espression profile that partially overlaps with that of senescent cells. Onco-P20-treated fibroblasts lowered growth factors production, down-modulate Wnt signal pathway and acquired a marked pro-inflammatory profile. Independently to the direct exposure to taxol, in presence of Onco-P20-treated fibroblasts or their conditioned medium, carcinoma cells reduced the proliferation rate. Similar to NHF, fibroblasts isolated from skin cancer tumor lesion or from tissue adjacent to the tumor acquired an anti-neoplastic activity under Oncofid-P20 treatment.Conclusion: Collectively, our data demonstrated that Onco-P20, exerting both a direct and a NHF-mediated indirect paracrine effect on carcinoma cells, is a good candidate for an innovative therapy alternative to surgery for treatment of NMSC.

Simultaneous Targeting Tumor Cells and Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts with a Paclitaxel-Hyaluronan Bioconjugate: in vitro Evaluation in Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer

Background: Cancers are complex organs which encompass not only the tumor cells but also cells within the surrounding stroma. Such cells, mainly cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and immune infiltrating cells, facilitate many aspects of cancer development providing a structural and supportive framework rich of bioactive compounds. So far, there are emerging studies proposing the combination of conventional anti-cancer therapy, directed against neoplastic cells, to molecules targeting tumor microenviroment. Methods: The study was designed to evaluated the pharmacological properties of the anti-tumor agent paclitaxel conjugated to hyaluronic acid (HA) on non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and on the surronding dermal fibroblasts. This molecule, named Oncofid-P20 (Onco-P20), targets preferentially cells expressing high level of CD44, the natural ligand of HA.Results: Consistent with paclitaxel’s mechanism of action involving interferences with the normal breackdown of microtubules during cell division, highly sensible carcinoma cells underwent rapidly to apoptotic cell death. Interestingly, less sensible cells such as dermal fibroblasts resisted to the Onco-P20 treatment and experirenced a senescent-like status characterized by morphological change, decreaded proliferation, and significant modification of the gene espression profile. Onco-P20-treated fibroblasts lowered growth factors production, down-modulate Wnt signal pathway and acquired a pro-inflammatory profile. Independently to the direct exposure to taxol, in presence of Onco-P20-treated fibroblasts or their conditioned medium, carcinoma cells reduced the proliferation rate. Similar to NHF, fibroblasts isolated from skin cancer tumor lesion or from tissue adjacent to the tumor acquired an anti-neoplastic activity under Oncofid-P20 treatment.Conclusion: Collectively, our data demonstrated that Onco-P20, exerting both a direct and a NHF-mediated indirect paracrine effect on carcinoma cells, is a good candidate for an innovative therapy alternative to surgery for treatment of NMSC.