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ABSTRACT: Bleomycin causes acute lung injury through production of reactive species and initiation of inflammation. Previous work has shown alteration to the production of reactive oxygen species results in attenuation of injury. Vitamin E, in particular, γ-tocopherol, isoform, has the potential to scavenge reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. This study examines the utility of dietary supplementation with tocopherols in reducing bleomycin-mediated acute lung injury. Male C57BL6/J mice were intratracheally instilled with PBS or 2 units/kg bleomycin. Animals were analyzed 3 and 8 days post instillation at the cellular, tissue, and organ levels. Results showed successful delivery of tocopherols to the lung via dietary supplementation. Also, increases in reactive oxygen and nitrogen species due to bleomycin are normalized in those mice fed tocopherol diet. Injury was not prevented but inflammation progression was altered, in particular macrophage activation and function. Inflammatory scores based on histology demonstrate limited progression of inflammation in those mice treated with bleomycin and fed tocopherol diet compared to control diet. Upregulation of enzymes and cytokines involved in pro-inflammation were limited by tocopherol supplementation. Day 3 functional changes in elastance in response to bleomycin are prevented, however, 8 days post injury the effect of the tocopherol diet is lost. The effect of tocopherol supplementation upon the inflammatory process is demonstrated by a shift in the phenotype of macrophage activation. The effect of these changes on resolution and the progression of pulmonary fibrosis has yet to be elucidated.
Nitric Oxide 05/2013; · 3.55 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) accumulate in the spleen and tumors and contribute to tumor growth, angiogenesis, and progression. In this study, we examined the effects of curcumin on the activation and differentiation of MDSCs, their interaction with human cancer cells, and related tumor growth. Treatment with curcumin in the diet or by intraperitoneal injection significantly inhibited tumorigenicity and tumor growth, decreased the percentages of MDSCs in the spleen, blood, and tumor tissues, reduced interleukin (IL)-6 levels in the serum and tumor tissues in a human gastric cancer xenograft model and a mouse colon cancer allograft model. Curcumin treatment significantly inhibited cell proliferation and colony formation of cancer cells and decreased the secretion of murine IL-6 by MDSCs in a coculture system. Curcumin treatment inhibited the expansion of MDSCs, the activation of Stat3 and NF-κB in MDSCs, and the secretion of IL-6 by MDSCs, when MDSCs were cultured in the presence of IL-1β, or with cancer cell- or myofibroblast-conditioned medium. Furthermore, curcumin treatment polarized MDSCs toward a M1-like phenotype with an increased expression of CCR7 and decreased expression of dectin 1 in vivo and in vitro. Our results show that curcumin inhibits the accumulation of MDSCs and their interaction with cancer cells and induces the differentiation of MDSCs. The induction of MDSC differentiation and inhibition of the interaction of MDSCs with cancer cells are potential strategies for cancer prevention and therapy.
Cancer Prevention Research 02/2012; 5(2):205-15. · 4.91 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Autophagy is designated as type II programmed cell death and may confer a tumor-suppressive function. Our previous studies have shown that XIAP-associated factor 1 (XAF1) induced apoptosis and inhibited tumor growth in gastric cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the effect of XAF1 on the induction of autophagy in gastric cancer cells. We found that adenovirus vector-mediated XAF1 (adeno-XAF1) expression markedly induced autophagy, upregulated the level of Beclin-1 and inhibited phospho-Akt and phospho-p70S6K in gastric cancer cells. The downregulation of Beclin 1 or 3-methyladenine treatment suppressed adeno-XAF1-induced autophagy, but significantly enhanced adeno-XAF1-induced apoptosis. A pan-caspase inhibitor prevented adeno-XAF1-induced apoptosis, but significantly increased adeno-XAF1-induced autophagy. Furthermore, adeno-XAF1 induced autophagy in xenograft tumor and inhibited tumor growth. Our results document that adeno-XAF1 induces autophagy through upregulation of Beclin 1 expression and inhibition of Akt/p70S6K pathway, and reveal a new mechanism of XAF1 tumor suppression.
Cancer letters 11/2011; 310(2):170-80. · 4.86 Impact Factor
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Shui Ping Tu,
Michael Quante,
Govind Bhagat,
Shigeo Takaishi,
Guanglin Cui,
Xiang Dong Yang,
Sureshkumar Muthuplani,
Wataru Shibata,
James G Fox,
D Mark Pritchard,
Timothy C Wang
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ABSTRACT: IFN-γ mediates responses to bacterial infection and autoimmune disease, but it is also an important tumor suppressor. It is upregulated in the gastric mucosa by chronic Helicobacter infection; however, whether it plays a positive or negative role in inflammation-associated gastric carcinogenesis is unexplored. To study this question, we generated an H(+)/K(+)-ATPase-IFN-γ transgenic mouse that overexpresses murine IFN-γ in the stomach mucosa. In contrast to the expected proinflammatory role during infection, we found that IFN-γ overexpression failed to induce gastritis and instead inhibited gastric carcinogenesis induced by interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and/or Helicobacter infection. Helper T cell (Th) 1 and Th17 immune responses were inhibited by IFN-γ through Fas induction and apoptosis in CD4 T cells. IFN-γ also induced autophagy in gastric epithelial cells through increased expression of Beclin-1. Finally, in the gastric epithelium, IFN-γ also inhibited IL-1β- and Helicobacter-induced epithelial apoptosis, proliferation, and Dckl1(+) cell expansion. Taken together, our results suggest that IFN-γ coordinately inhibits bacterial infection and carcinogenesis in the gastric mucosa by suppressing putative gastric progenitor cell expansion and reducing epithelial cell apoptosis via induction of an autophagic program.
Cancer Research 06/2011; 71(12):4247-59. · 7.86 Impact Factor
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Michael Quante, Shui Ping Tu,
Hiroyuki Tomita,
Tamas Gonda,
Sophie S W Wang,
Shigeo Takashi,
Gwang Ho Baik,
Wataru Shibata,
Bethany Diprete,
Kelly S Betz,
Richard Friedman,
Andrea Varro,
Benjamin Tycko,
Timothy C Wang
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ABSTRACT: Carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) that express α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) contribute to cancer progression, but their precise origin and role are unclear. Using mouse models of inflammation-induced gastric cancer, we show that at least 20% of CAFs originate from bone marrow (BM) and derive from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). αSMA+ myofibroblasts (MFs) are niche cells normally present in BM and increase markedly during cancer progression. MSC-derived CAFs that are recruited to the dysplastic stomach express IL-6, Wnt5α and BMP4, show DNA hypomethylation, and promote tumor growth. Moreover, CAFs are generated from MSCs and are recruited to the tumor in a TGF-β- and SDF-1α-dependent manner. Therefore, carcinogenesis involves expansion and relocation of BM-niche cells to the tumor to create a niche to sustain cancer progression.
Cancer cell 02/2011; 19(2):257-72. · 25.29 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers. Survivin is overexpressed in human colon cancer and correlate with chemoresistance, angiogenesis and poor prognosis. Oxaliplatin, a platinum derivative cancer drug, has been used for treating human colorectal cancers. In the present study, we investigated the effect of the adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated survivin mutant Thr34Ala [rAAV-Sur-Mut(T34A)] on colon cancer growth. Infection with rAAV-Sur-Mut(T34A) inhibited cell proliferation, induced apoptosis and mitotic catastrophe, and sensitized colon cancer cells to chemotherapeutic drugs in vitro. Treatment with rAAV-Sur-Mut(T34A) significantly induced apoptosis, reduced angiogenesis and inhibited colon cancer growth in vivo. More importantly, rAAV-Sur-Mut(T34A) treatment strongly enhanced the anti-tumor activity of oxaliplatin and prolonged animal survival. Thus, the use of rAAV-Sur-Mut(T34A) in combination with chemotherapy may be a promising strategy for colon cancer therapy.
Oncology Reports 01/2011; 25(4):1039-46. · 1.84 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The risk of pancreatic cancer is increased in both Snus (the Swedish variant of oral smokeless tobacco) users and, to a greater extent, in cigarette smokers. Concurrent chronic pancreatitis further increases the risk in cigarette smokers. Little is known about the mechanism by which cigarette smoke or Snus increase the risk of pancreatic cancer in individuals with chronic pancreatitis. This study examined the carcinogenic effects of an aqueous extract of cigarette smoke (tobacco smoke, TS) or Snus in an Elastase-IL-1beta transgenic mouse model of chronic pancreatitis. Both transgenic and wild-type (WT) mice were fed diluted TS water or Snus-containing diet for up to 15 months, and monitored for phenotypic and molecular changes in the pancreas. Both TS- and Snus-treated Elastase-IL-1beta mice, but not WT mice, developed significant pancreatic ductal epithelial flattening and severe glandular atrophy compared with untreated transgenic mice. Ductal epithelial cells displayed a high proliferative index, minimal apoptosis, and induction of COX-2 in the setting of chronic inflammation. Up-regulation of TNF-alpha correlated with the onset of severe glandular atrophy. In comparison with Snus-treated mice, TS-Elastase-IL-1beta mice had an earlier onset and a greater extent of phenotypic changes, which were associated with up-regulation of TNF-alpha and increased expression of IL-6, TGF-beta, and SDF-1. Collectively, these findings provide new insights into the mechanism by which tobacco products are likely to promote carcinogenesis in the setting of chronic pancreatitis.
Laboratory Investigation 03/2010; 90(3):426-35. · 3.64 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: XIAP-associated factor 1 (XAF1) antagonizes the anticaspase activity of XIAP (X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis) and functions as a tumor suppressor in colon cancer. The tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is known as a potential anticancer agent. In this study, the synergistic effect of XAF1 and TRAIL on colon cancer growth was investigated.
Adeno-XAF1 virus was generated and purified. Cell apoptosis was detected by flow-cytometry and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling assay. Protein expression of the different genes was determined by Western blot analysis. Tumorigenesis and tumor growth were assessed in subcutaneous nude mouse xenograft experiments.
Stable overexpression of XAF1-sensitized colon cancer cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis significantly increased the activity of caspase 3, 7, 8, and 9; released cytochrome c; and down-regulated XIAP, survivin, and c-IAP-2. The restoration of XAF1 expression mediated by adenovirus (adeno-XAF1) directly induced apoptosis, and synergized TRAIL-induced apoptosis in colon cancer cells. Ex vivo transduction of adeno-XAF1 suppressed colon cancer formation in vivo. Furthermore, adeno-XAF1 treatment of mice significantly inhibited tumor growth, strongly enhanced TRAIL-induced apoptosis and antitumor activity in colon cancer xenograft models in vivo, and markedly prolonged the survival. Notably, the combined treatment with adeno-XAF1 and TRAIL completely eradicated the established tumors without detectable toxicity in normal tissue.
The combined restoration of XAF1 expression and TRAIL treatment may be a potent strategy for colon cancer therapy.
Cancer 03/2010; 116(5):1252-63. · 4.77 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Recent studies with Helicobacter-infected mice have shown that bone marrow-derived cells can repopulate the gastric epithelium and progress to cancer. However, it has not been established which cellular subset can potentially contribute to the epithelium. The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that express cytokeratin 19 (K19) to contribute to the gastric epithelium. MSCs cultures were established from whole bone marrow and expression of K19 was detected in a minority (1 of 13) of clones by real-time PCR and immunostaining. Transfection of a K19-green fluorescent protein (GFP) vector and isolation of GFP-expressing colonies generated high K19-expressing MSC clones (K19GFPMSC). Incubation of MSCs with gastric tissue extract markedly induced mRNA expression of gastric phenotypic markers and was observed to a greater extent in K19GFPMSCs compared with parental MSCs and mock transfectants. Both K19GFPMSCs and GFP-labeled control MSCs gave rise to gastric epithelial cells after injection into the murine stomach. In addition, after blastocyst injections, K19GFPMSCs gave rise to GFP-positive gastric epithelial cells in all 13 pups, whereas only 3 of 10 offspring showed GFP-positive gastric epithelial cells after injection of GFP-labeled control MSCs. Although K19 expression could not be detected in murine whole bone marrow, H. felis infection increased K19-expressing MSCs in the circulation. Taken together, our results show that bone marrow-derived MSCs can contribute to the gastric epithelium. The K19-positive MSC fraction that is induced by chronic H. felis infection appears to be the important subset in this process.
Laboratory Investigation 10/2009; 89(12):1410-22. · 3.64 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: XAF1 (X chromosome-linked inhibitor of apoptosis [XIAP]-associated factor 1) is a novel XIAP modulator that negatively regulates the anti-apoptotic effects of XIAP and sensitizes cells to other cell death triggers. It has been reported to be downregulated in a variety of human cancer cell lines. However, the role of XAF1 in pancreatic carcinogenesis remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the prognostic values of XAF1 expression and its regulation in cancer cell growth and apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo. From the immunohistochemistry staining of tissue microarray, 40 of 89 (44.9%) pancreatic specimens showed low levels of XAF1 expression. Statistical analysis suggested the downregulation of XAF1 was significantly correlated with tumor staging (P = 0.047) and those patients with low XAF1 levels had shorter survival times (P = 0.0162). Multivariate analysis indicated that XAF1 expression was an independent prognostic indicator of the survival of patients with pancreatic cancer (P = 0.007). Furthermore, we found that restoration of XAF1 expression mediated by Ad5/F35 virus suppressed cell proliferation and induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, accompanied by the activation of caspases 3, 8, and 9 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase as well as increased level of cytochrome c and Bid cleavage. Notably, XAF1 restoration robustly decreased survivin expression rather than XIAP. In addition, in vivo s.c. xenografts from Ad5/F35-XAF1 treatment, which showed less cellular proliferation and enhanced apoptosis, were significantly smaller than those from control groups. Our findings document that XAF1 is a valuable prognostic marker in pancreatic cancer and could be a potential candidate for cancer gene therapy.
Cancer Science 10/2009; 101(2):559-67. · 3.33 Impact Factor
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Shui Ping Tu,
Peter Liston,
Jian Tao Cui,
Marie C.M. Lin,
Xiao Hua Jiang,
Yi Yang,
Qing Gu,
Shi Hu Jiang,
Ching Tung Lum,
Hsiang Fu Kung,
Robert G Korneluk,
Benjamin Chun-Yu Wong
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ABSTRACT: XAF1 (XIAP-associated factor 1) is a novel XIAP binding protein that can antagonize XIAP and sensitize cells to other cell death triggers. Our previous results have shown that aberrant hypermethylation of the CpG sites in XAF1 promoter is strongly associated with lower expression of XAF1 in gastric cancers. In our study, we investigated the effect of restoration of XAF1 expression on growth of gastric cancers. We found that the restoration of XAF1 expression suppressed anchorage-dependent and -independent growth and increased sensitivity to TRAIL and drug-induced apoptosis. Stable cell clones expressing XAF1 exhibited delayed tumor initiation in nude mice. Restoration of XAF1 expression mediated by adenovirus vector greatly increased apoptosis in gastric cancer cell lines in a time- and dose-dependent manner and sensitized cancer cells to TRAIL and drugs-induced apoptosis. Adeno-XAF1 transduction induced cell cycle G2/M arrest and upregulated the expression of p21 and downregulated the expression of cyclin B1 and cdc2. Notably, adeno-XAF1 treatment significantly inhibited tumor growth, strongly enhanced the antitumor activity of TRAIL in a gastric cancer xenograft model in vivo, and significantly prolonged the survival time of animals bearing tumor xenografts. Complete eradication of established tumors was achieved on combined treatment with adeno-XAF1 and TRAIL. Our results document that the restoration of XAF1 inhibits gastric tumorigenesis and tumor growth and that XAF1 is a promising candidate for cancer gene therapy. © 2009 UICC
International Journal of Cancer 07/2009; 125(3):688 - 697. · 5.44 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Overexpression of trefoil factor 2 (TFF2) is associated with increased cell migration, resistance to apoptosis, and possibly increased gastric cancer invasion. Dysregulation of p53 is frequently observed in preneoplastic conditions of the stomach. Here, we investigated the effect of p53 on the expression and function of TFF2 in gastric cancer cell lines. Gene expression was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and promoter activity was assessed by dual luciferase reporter assays. Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry, and cell migration was evaluated by the Boyden chamber assay. Exogenous expression of p53 dose dependently inhibited endogenous TFF2 mRNA, protein, and promoter activity and resulted in induction of cell apoptosis and inhibition of cell migration. Downregulation of TFF2 by small interfering RNA sensitized gastric cancer cells to drug-induced p53-dependent apoptosis. Addition of human TFF2 peptide reversed p53-dependent apoptosis and inhibition of cell migration. The p53-responsive element was mapped to an AP-1-like cis-element at -182 bp upstream of the TFF2 transcription start site. Mutation of this AP-1-like element abrogated p53-mediated inhibition of TFF2 promoter activity. Gel shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that c-Jun and c-Fos bind to this AP-1-like element. Ectopic expression of c-Jun/c-Fos or p300 or treatment of cells with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) stimulated endogenous TFF2 mRNA expression and promoter activity, and p53 inhibited the effects of AP-1 and PMA on TFF2. p53 induces cell apoptosis and inhibits cell migration in part by downregulating TFF2 expression through an AP-1-like site, suggesting that TFF2 may be an important downstream target of p53.
AJP Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology 07/2009; 297(2):G385-96. · 3.43 Impact Factor
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Frederic Marrache, Shui Ping Tu,
Govind Bhagat,
Swaroop Pendyala,
Christoph H Osterreicher,
Shanisha Gordon,
Vigneshwaran Ramanathan,
Melitta Penz-Osterreicher,
Kelly S Betz,
Zhigang Song,
Timothy C Wang
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ABSTRACT: Chronic pancreatitis is a significant cause of morbidity and a known risk factor for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Interleukin-1beta is a proinflammatory cytokine involved in pancreatic inflammation. We sought to determine whether targeted overexpression of interleukin-1beta in the pancreas could elicit localized inflammatory responses and chronic pancreatitis.
We created a transgenic mouse model (elastase sshIL-1beta) in which the rat elastase promoter drives the expression of human interleukin-1beta. Mice were followed up for up to 2 years. Pancreata of elastase sshIL-1beta mice were analyzed for chronic pancreatitis-associated histologic and molecular changes. To study the potential effect of p53 mutation in chronic pancreatitis, elastase sshIL-1beta mice were crossed with p53(R172H) mice.
Three transgenic lines were generated, and in each line the pancreas was atrophic and occasionally showed dilation of pancreatic and biliary ducts secondary to proximal fibrotic stenosis. Pancreatic histology showed typical features of chronic pancreatitis. There was evidence for increased acinar proliferation and apoptosis, along with prominent expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha; chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1; stromal cell-derived factor 1; transforming growth factor-beta1; matrix metallopeptidase 2, 7, and 9; inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1; and cyclooxygenase 2. The severity of the lesions correlated well with the level of human interleukin-1beta expression. Older mice displayed acinar-ductal metaplasia but did not develop mouse pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia or tumors. Elastase sshIL-1beta*p53(R172H/+) mice had increased frequency of tubular complexes, some of which were acinar-ductal metaplasia.
Overexpression of interleukin-1beta in the murine pancreas induces chronic pancreatitis. Elastase sshIL-1beta mice consistently develop severe chronic pancreatitis and constitute a promising model for studying chronic pancreatitis and its relationship with pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
Gastroenterology 08/2008; 135(4):1277-87. · 11.68 Impact Factor
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Bing Zou,
Chor Sang Chim,
Hui Zeng,
Suet Yi Leung,
Yi Yang, Shui Ping Tu,
Marie C M Lin,
Jide Wang,
Hua He,
Shi Hu Jiang,
Yun Wei Sun,
Li Fen Yu,
Siu Tsan Yuen,
Hsiang Fu Kung,
Benjamin C Y Wong
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ABSTRACT: X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP)-associated factor 1 (XAF1) antagonizes the anti-caspase activity of XIAP. XAF1 messenger RNA is present in normal tissues but undetectable in various cancers and thus poses a potential tumor suppressor gene. The aim of this study was to examine the novel pattern of methylation of XAF1 in gastric and colon cancers and locate the important CpG sites for transcriptional regulation and tumor progression.
XAF1 expression was detected by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot analysis. Four different fragments around the transcription start site of XAF1 were cloned and examined putative promoter activities by luciferase reporter assay. Each CpG site in fragment F291 was mutated by site-directed mutagenesis technique, and the change of promoter activity of this fragment was detected by luciferase reporter assay. Methylation status of XAF1 was determined by methylation-specific PCR (MSP) and bisulfite DNA sequencing PCR analysis.
Down-regulation of XAF1 in association with hypermethylation was detected in 3 of 4 human gastric cancer cell lines and 6 of 8 colon cancer cell lines. Of the 4 promoter fragments, F291 showed the highest promoter activity, which could be down-regulated obviously by the mutation of particular CpG sites. Moreover, aberrant hypermethylation of these important CpG sites was strongly associated with the development of gastric and colon cancers.
A cluster of methylated CpG sites instead of CpG islands located in the promoter area resulted in gene silencing of XAF1, and CpGs at -2nd, -1st, and +3rd positions are functionally more important in its transcriptional regulation.
Gastroenterology 01/2007; 131(6):1835-43. · 11.68 Impact Factor
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Qing Gu,
Ji De Wang,
Harry H X Xia,
Marie C M Lin,
Hua He,
Bing Zou, Shui Ping Tu,
Yi Yang,
Xin Guang Liu,
Shiu Kum Lam,
Wai Man Wong,
Annie O O Chan,
Man Fung Yuen,
Hsiang Fu Kung,
Benjamin Chun-Yu Wong
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ABSTRACT: Aspirin-induced apoptosis is one of the important mechanisms for its antitumour effect against gastric cancer. We aimed at investigating the involvement of bcl-2 family members in the apoptotic pathway in gastric cancer. Gastric cancer cell line AGS and MKN-45 were observed as to cell growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis in response to treatment with aspirin. Cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay. Apoptosis was determined by 4'-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining. Protein expression was determined by western blotting. We showed that aspirin activated caspase-8, caspase-9 and capase-3, cleaved and translocated Bid, induced a conformational change in and translocation of Bax and cytochrome c release. In addition, suppression of caspase-8 with the specific inhibitor z-IETD-fmk, as well as the pan-caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk, prevented Bid cleavage and subsequent apoptosis. The caspase inhibitors failed to abolish the effects on Bax activation. In conclusion, our results identify a role of caspase-8/Bid and activation of Bax as a novel mechanism for aspirin-induced apoptosis in gastric cancer.
Carcinogenesis 04/2005; 26(3):541-6. · 5.70 Impact Factor
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Shui Ping Tu,
Jian Tao Cui,
Peter Liston,
Xiao Huajiang,
Ruian Xu,
Marie C M Lin,
Yan Bo Zhu,
Bing Zou,
Samuel S M Ng,
Shi Hu Jiang,
Harry H X Xia,
Wai Man Wong,
Annie O O Chan,
Man Fung Yuen,
Shiu Kum Lam,
Hsiang Fu Kung,
Benjamin C Y Wong
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ABSTRACT: Reactivation of survivin expression is involved in carcinogenesis and angiogenesis in colon cancer. Previous in vitro studies showed that mutation of the cysteine residue at position 84 (Cys84Ala) of survivin generates a dominant-negative mutant that triggers mitotic catastrophe and apoptosis. We investigated the therapeutic effect of the adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated survivin mutant (Cys84Ala) on colon cancer.
Survivin mutant (Cys84Ala) (Sur-Mut(Cys84Ala)) was cloned into the AAV expression vector pAM/CAG-WPRE.poly(A) to generate recombinant AAV-Sur-Mut(Cys84Ala) virus. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, mitotic catastrophe, and tumor growth were measured in vitro and in vivo.
Transduction of colon cancer cells with rAAV-Sur-Mut(Cys84Ala) inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis and mitotic catastrophe in vitro. rAAV-Sur-Mut(Cys84Ala) sensitized colon cancer cells to chemotherapeutic drugs. Furthermore, expression of survivin mutant mediated by AAV inhibited tumorigenesis in colon cancer cells. Intratumoral injection of rAAV-Sur-Mut(Cys84Ala) significantly induced apoptosis and mitotic catastrophe and inhibited angiogenesis and tumor growth in a colon cancer xenograft model in vivo. No obvious cytotoxicity to other tissues was observed. More importantly, rAAV-Sur-Mut(Cys84Ala) expression strongly enhanced the antitumor activity of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), resulting in regression of established tumors.
Our results showed that rAAV-Sur-Mut(Cys84Ala) induced apoptosis and mitotic catastrophe and inhibited tumor angiogenesis and tumor growth. Thus, use of AAV-mediated survivin mutant (Cys84Ala) is a promising strategy in colon cancer gene therapy.
Gastroenterology 03/2005; 128(2):361-75. · 11.68 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To investigate the activation of signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (Stat3) in different types of gastric cancer cell lines and tissues and evaluate the relationship with their clinicopathological parameters.
Western blotting and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) were used to detected the expression of Stat3 protein and Stat3 DNA-binding activity in normal human gastric epithelial cell line 3T3 and five gastric cancer cell lines with different differentiation: MKN28, SGC7901, MKN45, AGS and NCI-SNU-1, respectively. The localization of phospho-Stat3 was determined by immunocytochemistry. The expressive intensity of phospho-Stat3 protein in 50 cases of gastric cancer tissues and adjacent normal mucosa were measured by immunohistochemistry.
Compared with normal gastric epithelial cell line 3T3, elevated activities of Stat3 were found in five different human gastric cancer cell lines. The Stat3 DNA-binding activity in moderately and poorly differentiated stomach adenocarcinoma cell lines (SGC7901, MKN45 and AGS) was higher than that of other cell lines (MKN28 and NCI-SNU-1). Phospho-Stat3 was detected primarily in the nuclei of AGS cells. The expressive intensity of phospho-Stat3 protein was significantly increased in gastric cancer tissues as compared with the adjacent normal gastric mucosa, especially in moderately and poorly differentiated cancers (both P < 0.05). The expressive intensity of phospho-Stat3 protein in stage II and stage III tumors was higher than that in stage I tumors (P < 0.05). No statistic difference of phospho-Stat3 expression was found between stage IV and stage I tumors (P > 0.05). The expression of phospho-Stat3 was closely correlated with the differentiation of gastric cancer.
Elevated activity of Stat3 can be found in different types of human gastric cancer cell lines and gastric cancer. JAK/STAT signal transduction pathway may play an important role in the development of human gastric cancer.
Zhonghua yi xue za zhi 01/2005; 84(24):2064-9.
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Xiao-Hua Jiang, Shui-Ping Tu,
Jian-Tao Cui,
Marie C M Lin,
Harry H X Xia,
Wai Man Wong,
Annie On-On Chan,
Man Fung Yuen,
Shi-Hu Jiang,
Shiu-Kum Lam,
Hsiang-Fu Kung,
Jae Won Soh,
I Bernard Weinstein,
Benjamin Chun-Yu Wong
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ABSTRACT: Protein kinase C (PKC) family, which functions through serine/threonine kinase activity, is involved in signal transduction pathways necessary for cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Its critical role in neoplastic transformation and tumor invasion renders PKC a potential target for anticancer therapy. In this study, we investigated the effect of targeting individual PKCs on gastric carcinogenesis. We established gastric cancer cell lines stably expressing antisense PKCalpha, PKCbeta1, and PKCbeta2 cDNA. These stable transfectants were characterized by cell morphology, cell growth, apoptosis, and tumorigenicity in vitro and in vivo. PKCalpha-AS and PKCbeta1-AS transfectants showed a different morphology with flattened, long processes and decreased nuclear:cytoplasmic ratio compared with the control cells. Cell growth was markedly inhibited in PKCalpha-AS and PKCbeta1-AS transfectants. PKCalpha-AS and PKCbeta1-AS cells were more responsive to mitomycin C- or 5-fluorouracil-induced apoptosis. However, antisense targeting of PKCbeta2 did not have any significant effect on cell morphology, cell growth, or apoptosis. Furthermore, antisense inhibition of PKCalpha and PKCbeta1 markedly suppressed colony-forming efficiency in soft agar and in nude mice xenografts. Inhibition of PKCalpha or PKCbeta1 significantly suppressed transcriptional and DNA binding activity of activator protein in gastric cancer cells, suggesting that PKCalpha or PKCbeta1 exerts their effects on cell growth through regulation of activator protein activity. These data provide evidence that targeting PKCalpha and PKCbeta1 by antisense method is a promising therapy for gastric cancer.
Cancer Research 09/2004; 64(16):5787-94. · 7.86 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Aspirin exerts antitumor effect partly through blocking tumor promoter-induced activator protein-1 (AP-1) activation. The aim of this study is to determine how specific COX-2 inhibitor SC-236 mediates antitumor effect by modulation of AP-1-signaling pathway.
AP-1 transcriptional activity and DNA-binding activity were detected by luciferase reporter assay and gel shift assay, separately. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation was determined by Western blot and in vitro kinase assay. Antisense oligonucleotide against c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) was used to suppress JNK expression.
We showed that SC-236 inhibited 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (PMA)-induced cell transformation in a dose-dependent manner in JB6 cells. At a dose range (12.5-50 micromol/L) that inhibited cell transformation, SC-236 also inhibited anchorage-independent cell growth and AP-1-activation in 3 gastric cancer cells, independent of COX-prostaglandin synthesis. SC-236 down-regulated c-Jun-NH2-terminal kinase phosphorylation and activity. Suppression of JNK activity reversed the inhibitory effect on AP-1 activity by SC-236 and suppressed gastric cancer cell growth, indicating that the inhibitory effect of SC-236 on AP-1 activation and cell growth was through interaction with JNK.
The inhibitory effect on JNK-c-Jun/AP-1 activation contributes to the antitumor effect of COX-2-specific inhibitor, and inhibition of JNK activation may have a therapeutic benefit against gastric cancer.
Gastroenterology 02/2004; 126(1):136-47. · 11.68 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Products of the arachidonic acid metabolizing enzyme, 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), stimulate the growth of several cancer types. Inhibitors of 5-LOX and 5-LOX-activating protein (FLAP) induce apoptosis in some cancer cells. Here, the authors investigated the effect of a FLAP inhibitor, MK-886, on the inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis in gastric cancer.
Cell proliferation in gastric cancer cells was measured using an 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2 thiazoyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assay. Apoptosis was measured using acridine orange staining and flow cytometry. Protein expression of apoptosis-related genes p53, p21waf1, p27kip1, bcl-2 families, cytochrome c, and the caspases were examined using Western blotting. Caspase-3 activity was measured using colorimetric assay of substrate cleavage.
MK-886 inhibited cell growth in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Apoptosis was induced in gastric cancer cells and was characterized by upregulation of p27kip1 and bax, with release of cytochrome c from mitochondria into cytosol, which initiated caspase-3 activation. Specific caspase-3 inhibitors partially blocked MK-886-induced apoptosis.
The present results suggest that MK-886 induces apoptosis in gastric cancer cells through upregulation of p27kip1 and bax, and that MK-886 is a potentially useful drug in gastric cancer prevention and therapy.
Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology 02/2004; 19(1):31-7. · 2.87 Impact Factor