Synergistic Effect of Squalene and Hydroxytyrosol on Highly Invasive MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells

Several studies relate Mediterranean diet and virgin olive oil (VOO) intake with lower risk of several chronic diseases, including breast cancer. Many of them described antitumor properties of isolated minor compounds present in VOO, but beneficial properties of VOO arise from the effects of all its compounds acting together. The aim of the present study was to test the antitumor effects of two minor compounds from VOO (hydroxytyrosol (HT) and squalene (SQ)) on highly metastatic human breast tumor cells (MDA-MB-231) when acting in combination. Both isolated compounds were previously analyzed without showing any antitumoral effect on highly invasive MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, but the present results show that HT at 100 µM, combined with different concentrations of SQ, could exert antitumor effects. When they are combined, HT and SQ are able to inhibit cell proliferation, promoting apoptosis and DNA damage in metastatic breast cancer cells. Therefore, our results suggest that the health-promoting properties of VOO may be due, at least in part, to the combined action of these two minor compounds.

Impact of circ-0000221 in the Pathogenesis of Hepatocellular via Modulation of miR-661–PTPN11 mRNA Axis

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death in Egypt. A deep understanding of the molecular events occurring in HCC can facilitate the development of novel diagnostic and/or therapeutic approaches. In the present study, we describe a novel axis of hsa-circ-0000221–miR-661–PTPN11 mRNA proposed by in silico and in vitro analysis and its role in HCC pathogenesis. We observe a reduction in the expression levels of hsa-circ-0000221 and PTPN11 mRNA in HCC patients’ sera tested compared with control subjects. The reduction occurs with a concomitant increase in the expression of miR-661. Furthermore, the introduction of exogenous hsa-circ-0000221 into Hep-G2 or SNU449 cell lines results in detectable decrease in cellular viability and an increase in apoptotic manifestations that is associated with G1 accumulation and CCDN1 overexpression. Altogether, these findings indicate the tumor-suppressive role of hsa-circ-0000221 in HCC, which acts through miR-661 inhibition, along with a subsequent PTPN11 mRNA increase, where PTPN11 is known to inhibit cell proliferation in many forms of cancer. Our study encourages further investigation of the role of circRNAs in cancer and their potential use as molecular biomarkers.

Encapsulation of Flavonoids in Nanocarriers

The term “flavonoid” is a broad term given to the collection of natural polyphenolic compounds which occur in plants (fruits, vegetables, roots, flowers, stems, bark, leaves) as their secondary metabolites. Subsequent research reveals that flavonoids possess anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic, anti-oxidative, anti-ageing, and anti-carcinogenic effects along with their capacity to modulate enzymatic activities, inhibit cell proliferation, and inhibit bacterial growth, among others. The main shortcomings of oral administration of flavonoids as therapeutic that various studies have revealed are related to their stability, bioefficacy, and bioavailability. Novel nanotechnological strategies involving nanocarrier systems are proving promising to overcome the delivery challenge of flavonoids as therapeutics. Nanocapsules, nanospheres, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, micelles are examples of novel nanocarrier systems that are currently being explored for targeted and efficient bio functioning of flavonoids after their oral administration.

RNA-guided cell targeting with CRISPR/RfxCas13d collateral activity in human cells

While single-cell sequencing has allowed rapid identification of novel cell types or states and associated RNA markers, functional studies remain challenging due to the lack of tools that are able to target specific cells based on these markers. Here we show that targeting a single marker RNA with CRISPR/RfxCas13d led to collateral transcriptome destruction in human cells, which can be harnessed to inhibit cell proliferation or to suppress cell state transition.

Alkannin Inhibits the Development of Ovarian Cancer by Affecting miR-4461

Background. Previous studies have shown that alkannin has anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects. However, the effect of alkannin in the development of ovarian cancer (OC) remains unknown. Therefore, this study aims to elucidate the function of alkannin in OC progression. Methods. RT-qPCR and western blot analysis were used to measure mRNA and protein expression. Cell viability and metastasis were detected by the CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry analysis, and transwell assay. Results. Alkannin had no cytotoxicity toward normal ovarian cells, but alkannin can inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in OC cells. In addition, alkannin inhibited cell migration and invasion and blocked EMT in OC. Besides, upregulation of miR-4461 was found in OC tissues and cells, which was regulated by alkannin. More importantly, miR-4461 can inverse the effects of alkannin on cell viability and metastasis in OC cells. Conclusion. Alkannin restrains cell viability, metastasis, and EMT in OC by downregulating miR-4461 expression.

Mechanism of Coixen Ester Inducing Apoptosis of Human Cervical Cancer Hela Cells

Cervical cancer is a serious threat to women’s health. In recent years, the incidence rate has increased year by year, and the incidence of cervical cancer tends to be younger. Because of its characteristics of easy recurrence and easy metastasis, the drug therapy of cervical cancer has attracted increasing attention. Coixen ester has anti-cancer and immunomodulatory effects. After years of clinical research, it has been shown to be effective against a variety of cancers and has a growth inhibitory effect on tumor cells. This article aims to study the mechanism of Coixen ester-induced apoptosis of human cervical cancer HeLa cells. This article puts forward what are the causes of cervical cancer, and analyzes the positive effects of traditional Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer. During the experiment, the MTT method was used to study the effect of the complex on the proliferation of HeLa cells. The experimental results in this article show that a certain concentration of Coixen ester solution can inhibit cell proliferation and can also reduce cell viability to about 0.35.

Placental mammals acquired the functional region and domain in NRK for regulating the CK2-PTEN-AKT pathway and placental cell proliferation

The molecular evolution processes underlying the acquisition of the placenta in eutherian ancestors are not fully understood. Mouse NCK-interacting kinase (NIK)-related kinase (NRK) is expressed highly in the placenta and plays a role in preventing placental hyperplasia. Here, we show the molecular evolution of NRK, which confers its function for inhibiting placental cell proliferation. Comparative genome analysis identified NRK orthologues across vertebrates, which share the kinase and citron homology (CNH) domains. Evolutionary analysis revealed that NRK underwent extensive amino acid substitutions in the ancestor of placental mammals and has been since conserved. Biochemical analysis of mouse NRK revealed that the CNH domain binds to phospholipids, and a region in NRK binds to and inhibits casein kinase-2 (CK2), which we named the CK2-inhibitory region (CIR). Cell culture experiments suggest the following: (1) mouse NRK is localised at the plasma membrane via the CNH domain, where the CIR inhibits CK2. (2) This mitigates CK2-dependent phosphorylation and inhibition of PTEN, and (3) leads to the inhibition of AKT signalling and cell proliferation. Nrk deficiency increased phosphorylation levels of PTEN and AKT in mouse placenta, supporting our hypothesis. Unlike mouse NRK, chicken NRK did not bind to phospholipids and CK2, decrease phosphorylation of AKT, or inhibit cell proliferation. Both the CNH domain and CIR have evolved under purifying selection in placental mammals. Taken together, our study suggests that placental mammals acquired the phospholipid-binding CNH domain and CIR in NRK for regulating the CK2-PTEN-AKT pathway and placental cell proliferation.

Polyamide Amine Dendrimer Nanoparticles Conjugated with Cis-Diamminedichloroplatinum (CDDP) and miRNA-200c Inhibitor Suppresses Lung Cancer Cell Proliferation

Our study elucidates the effect of folate polyamide amine dendrimer nanoparticles targeting delivery of miRNA-200c inhibitor and CDDP on lung cancer cells proliferation. We established polyamide amine dendrimer nanoparticles binding with CDDP and miRNA-200c inhibitor (Den-PEI-CDDP-siRNA-FA), TEM was employed to detect the morphology of nanoparticles. Agarose gel assay was selected for stabilization test. Cell proliferation were detected by trypanosoma blue exclusion method. The expression of miRNA-200c targeted APKPA12 and apoptosis-related proteins were detected by Western blot and PCR. Finally, apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. Den-PEI-CDDP-siRNA-FA nanoparticles showed excellent stability and drug encapsulation ability. Nanoparticles targeting for FRA to co-deliver siRNA and CDDP could significantly promote cell apoptosis, increase apoptosis-related protein expression, and inhibit cell proliferation. Besides, nanoparticles exerted less venomous effect than untargeted nanoparticles in MRC9 lung fibroblast. Den nanoparticle targeting FRA might be used as the carrier for joint applications with siRNA and CDDP for treating lung cancer.

Protective, Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Activity of Grapefruit IntegroPectin on SH-SY5Y Cells

Tested in vitro on SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, grapefruit IntegroPectin is a powerful protective, antioxidant and antiproliferative agent. The strong antioxidant properties of this new citrus pectin, and its ability to preserve mitochondrial membrane potential and morphology, severely impaired in neurodegenerative disorders, make it an attractive therapeutic and preventive agent for the treatment of oxidative stress-associated brain disorders. Similarly, the ability of this pectic polymer rich in RG-I regions, as well as in naringin, linalool, linalool oxide and limonene adsorbed at the outer surface, to inhibit cell proliferation or even kill, at high doses, neoplastic cells may have opened up new therapeutic strategies in cancer research. In order to take full advantage of its vast therapeutic and preventive potential, detailed studies of the molecular mechanism involved in the antiproliferative and neuroprotective of this IntegroPectin are urgently needed.