GABARAPL1 Inhibits EMT Signaling through SMAD-Tageted Negative Feedback

The pathway of selective autophagy, leading to a targeted elimination of specific intracellular components, is mediated by the ATG8 proteins, and has been previously suggested to be involved in the regulation of the Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) during cancer’s etiology. However, the molecular factors and steps of selective autophagy occurring during EMT remain unclear. We therefore analyzed a cohort of lung adenocarcinoma tumors using transcriptome analysis and immunohistochemistry, and found that the expression of ATG8 genes is correlated with that of EMT-related genes, and that GABARAPL1 protein levels are increased in EMT+ tumors compared to EMT- ones. Similarly, the induction of EMT in the A549 lung adenocarcinoma cell line using TGF-β/TNF-α led to a high increase in GABARAPL1 expression mediated by the EMT-related transcription factors of the SMAD family, whereas the other ATG8 genes were less modified. To determine the role of GABARAPL1 during EMT, we used the CRISPR/Cas9 technology in A549 and ACHN kidney adenocarcinoma cell lines to deplete GABARAPL1. We then observed that GABARAPL1 knockout induced EMT linked to a defect of GABARAPL1-mediated degradation of the SMAD proteins. These findings suggest that, during EMT, GABARAPL1 might intervene in an EMT-regulatory loop. Indeed, induction of EMT led to an increase in GABARAPL1 levels through the activation of the SMAD signaling pathway, and then GABARAPL1 induced the autophagy-selective degradation of SMAD proteins, leading to EMT inhibition.

Chemopreventive potential of linalool in targeting lung cancer biomarkers: An in silico & in vitro investigation

Background: Phytochemicals are used to treat lung cancer in contemporary and traditional medicine. The limitations of known chemotherapeutic drugs such as non-specificity, resistance, and toxicity restrict their use for lung cancer treatment. Therefore, the search for target-specific novel entities is required continuously. Objective: Linalool, a monoterpene alcohol that possesses antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties, is present in sweet basil, laurel, jasmine, rosewood and lavender. Previous reports revealed its anticancer potential against colon, breast and liver cancer. In this study, linalool's efficacy in targeting biomarkers associated with different lung cancer stages has been investigated Methods: The insilico molecular docking analysis was used to explore drug receptor interaction, and further, linalools cytotoxicity potential was evaluated on lung adenocarcinoma cell line (A549). The toxicity profiling of linalool was done by ADMET analysis. Results: In results Linalool revealed an excellent binding affinity with the selected targets. It showed the highest interaction with BRAF with binding energy -5.6 kcal/mol. Furthermore, it successfully interacts within the binding pocket of BRAF, similar to its inhibitor (Sorafenib). In MTT analysis, linalool significantly reduces the percent viability (IC30 474.94 ± 43.12, 379.33 ± 49.5, and 183.77 ± 66.7 µM in A549 cell lines for 24, 48, and 72 h respectively. Conclusion: These results concluded that linalool possesses chemopreventive potential against lung cancer by interacting or modulating selected biomarkers associated with a lung cancer diagnosis, progression, and proliferation.

The Attenuation of TNF-α-mediated Inflammatory Responses in Human Lung Adenocarcinoma Cell Line by Perilla Seed and Seed Meal Extract

Thai perilla (Perilla frutescens) extracts, which contain a substantial quantity of bioactive substances including phenolics and flavonoids, have shown marked anti-inflammatory activities in several investigated models. In the present study, the effect of perilla seed extract (PSE) and seed meal extract (PSME) on TNF-α-induced inflammatory response in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells was investigated. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents in PSME was lower than PSE. Markedly, rosmarinic acid was identified as the main constituent in both extracts. However, the DPPH and ABTS assays indicated that the antioxidant capacity of PSME was equal to PSE. Moreover, the iron-binding activity of PSE and PSME were exhibited by complex formation with Fe3+-NTA, indicating that the extracts may inhibit hydroxyl radical production via Fenton reaction. In vitro cytotoxicity analysis showed that both PSE or PSME co-treated with TNF-α, at 24 h exposure, were not toxic to the A549 cells. Interestingly, PSE and PSME dramatically exhibited an anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α, but did not influence iNOS and COX-2 mRNA expressions. Moreover, both extracts significantly reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in TNF-α-induced A549 cells. The findings presented in this paper suggest that PSE and PSME could mitigate TNF-α-mediated inflammatory responses via limiting pro-inflammatory cytokine expressions and decreasing ROS production. Thus, perilla seed and seed meal, the by-product of a perilla seed oil cold-pressed extraction process, could be developed as food supplements or functional foods for the prevention of inflammation-induced lung carcinogenesis development. Keywords: Human lung adenocarcinoma cell line, Inflammation, Perilla seed, Perilla seed meal, Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)

Dexmedetomidine upregulates the expression of miR-493-5p, inhibiting growth and inducing the apoptosis of lung adenocarcinoma cells by targeting RASL11B

Numerous studies have indicated that microRNAs (miRNAs) play critical roles in the development and progression of cancer. However, how changes to the expression levels of miRNAs in response to dexmedetomidine affects the progression of lung cancer remains poorly understood. In this study, we treated the lung adenocarcinoma cell line-A549 with dexmedetomidine and then examined the changes to the expression levels of miRNAs. We found that one of the most significantly upregulated miRNAs was miR-493-5p, which has an important role in the growth and apoptosis of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) cells. In addition, bioinformatics searches and luciferase reporter assays revealed that miR-493-5p targets RASL11B, which has a high degree of similarity to RAS. Finally, database searches revealed that RASL11B is associated with survival of LUAD cells. In conclusion, dexmedetomidine causes changes to the expression levels of miRNAs in LUAD, including significant upregulation of miR-493-5p. MiR-493-5p targets RASL11B, thereby inhibiting cell growth and inducing apoptosis in LUAD.

Interim results of viagenpumatucel-L (HS-110) plus nivolumab in previously treated patients (pts) with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in two treatment settings.

9100 Background: Viagenpumatucel-L (HS-110) is an allogeneic cell therapy derived from a human lung adenocarcinoma cell line incorporating multiple cancer testis antigens and transfected with a gp96-Ig fusion protein. Methods: We report interim results of cohort A (previously treated pts who had not received a checkpoint inhibitor [CPI]) and cohort B (pts who progressed after CPI treatment) in an ongoing phase 2 trial evaluating HS-110 plus nivolumab (NIVO) in advanced NSCLC pts (NCT02439450). Pts received HS-110 (1×107 cells) intradermally QW for 18 wk and NIVO Q2W until tumor progression. Stratified analyses were performed by injection site reaction (ISR), yes (+) or no (–); baseline blood tumor mutational burden (bTMB), bTMB-L (<10 mutations/ megabase [mut/Mb]) or bTMB-H (≥10 mut/Mb) by FoundationACT test; and baseline PD-L1 expression, – (<1%) or + (≥1%). Results: As shown in the Table, median progression-free survival (PFS) in cohort A (n=47) was 1.8 mo (95% CI 1.8-7.8) and median overall survival (OS) was 24.6 mo (95% CI 11.7-36.0) after a median follow-up (MFU) of 19.5 mo. We observed significantly longer PFS and OS in ISR+ pts (hazard ratio [HR] 0.43, p=0.01; HR 0.23, p<0.001) and longer OS in PD-L1+ pts (HR 0.25, p=0.02). In cohort B (n=68), median PFS was 2.8 mo (1.8-3.9) and median OS was 11.9 mo (9.7-16.3) after a MFU of 11.9 mo. We observed significantly longer OS in ISR+ pts (HR 0.48, p=0.03) and a trend toward extended OS in bTMB-L pts (HR 0.58, p=0.20). HS-110 TEAEs were reported in 21 (44.7%) pts in cohort A and 18 (26.5%) pts in cohort B. TEAEs in >5% of pts included fatigue, maculopapular rash, nausea, diarrhea, and pruritus. Few HS-110–related TEAEs led to discontinuation of treatment [cohort A, 5 (10.6%); cohort B, 3 (4.4%)], and no serious AEs were considered related to HS-110. Conclusions: HS-110 was well tolerated when administered in combination with NIVO. In previously treated pts with advanced NSCLC, we observed (1) significantly longer PFS and OS in ISR+ pts in both CPI naïve and CPI progressor cohorts; (2) significantly longer OS in PD-L1+ patients in the CPI naïve cohort; and (3) a trend of improved OS in bTMB-L pts in the CPI progressor cohort. Further clinical evaluation of HS-110 is warranted in both CPI naïve and CPI progressor NSCLC patients. Clinical trial information: NCT02439450. [Table: see text]

A novel osimertinib-resistant human lung adenocarcinoma cell line harbouring mutant EGFR and activated IGF1R

Objective A third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), osimertinib, is the standard treatment for patients with non-small cell lung cancer harbouring mutant EGFR. Unfortunately, these patients inevitably acquire resistance to EGFR-TKI therapies, including osimertinib. However, the mechanism associated with this resistance remains unclear. Methods A 63-year-old Japanese female with lung adenocarcinoma underwent right upper lobectomy (pT1bN2M0 pStage IIIA, EGFR Ex21 L858R). She manifested post-operative tumour recurrence with multiple lung metastases 8 months later and began gefitinib treatment. The lung lesions re-grew 15 months later, and EGFR T790M mutation was detected in the lung metastasis re-biopsy. She was administered osimertinib; however, it relapsed with pleural effusion 16 months later. We isolated cells from the osimertinib-resistant pleural effusion to establish a novel cell line, ABC-31. Results Although the EGFR L858R mutation was detected in ABC-31 cells, the T790M mutation was lost. ABC-31 cells were resistant to EGFR-TKIs, including osimertinib. Phospho-receptor tyrosine kinase array revealed activation of the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R), whereas overexpression of the IGF1R ligand, IGF2, induced IGF1R activation in ABC-31 cells. Combination therapy using EGFR-TKIs and IGF1R inhibitor acted synergistically in vitro. She was re-administered osimertinib since EGFR-TKIs and IGF1R inhibitor combination therapy was impossible in clinical practice. This had a slight and short-lived effect. Conclusions Taken together, we have successfully established a new osimertinib-resistant lung adenocarcinoma cell line with activated IGF1R. These ABC-31 cells will help develop novel therapeutic strategies for patients with lung adenocarcinoma resistant to specific treatment via IGF1R activation.

Efficacy, biocompatibility and degradability of carbon nanoparticles for photothermal therapy of lung cancer

Aim: To investigate near infrared-induced phototoxicity toward lung cancer cells, and the biodegradability and effect on immune cells of glucose-derived carbon nanoparticles (CNPs). Methods: The human A549 lung adenocarcinoma cell line was used as a model to study the phototoxicity of CNPs. The biodegradability and the effect on immune cells was demonstrated in primary human neutrophils and macrophages. Results: Near infrared-activated CNPs elicited rapid cell death, characterized by the elevation of heat shock proteins and the induction of DNA damage. CNPs were found to be noncytotoxic toward primary human macrophages and were susceptible to biodegradation when cocultured with human neutrophils. Conclusions: Our results identify CNPs as promising platforms for photothermal therapy of lung cancer.