1.Role and Mechanism of Hyaluronic Acid-modified Milk Exosomes in Reversing Pemetrexed Resistance in Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells.
Chinese Journal of Lung Cancer 2025;28(9):658-666
BACKGROUND:
Lung cancer currently ranks first globally in both incidence and mortality. Pemetrexed (PMX) serves as a first-line treatment for lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), but the patients often develop drug resistance during therapy. Milk exosome (mEXO) have the advantages of low immunogenicity, high tissue affinity, and low cost, and mEXO itself has anti-tumor effects. Hyaluronan (HA) naturally bind to CD44, a receptor which is highly expressed in LUAD tissues. This study aims to construct hyaluronan-modified milk exosome (HA-mEXO) and preliminarily investigate their molecular mechanisms for reversing PMX resistance through cellular experiments.
METHODS:
Exosomes were extracted from milk using high-speed centrifugation, and HA-mEXO was constructed. PMX-resistant A549 and PC-9 cell lines were treated with mEXO and HA-mEXO, respectively. CCK-8 assays, colony formation assays, Transwell assays, and flow cytometry were performed to evaluate proliferation, colony formation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis phenotypes in the treated resistant cell lines. Finally, transcriptomic sequencing, analysis, and cellular functional recovery experiments were conducted to investigate the mechanism by which HA-mEXO reverses PMX resistance in LUAD cells.
RESULTS:
The expression of CD44 in A549 and PC-9 LUAD drug-resistant cell lines was significantly higher than that in parental cells, and the uptake rate of HA-mEXO by drug-resistant cell lines was significantly higher than that of mEXO. Compared to the mEXO group, HA-mEXO-treated A549 and PC-9 resistant cells exhibited significantly reduced half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values for PMX, markedly diminished clonogenic, migratory, and invasive capabilities, and a significantly increased proportion of apoptotic cells. Western blot analysis revealed that, compared to parental cells, A549 and PC-9 drug-resistant cells exhibited downregulated ZNF516 expression and upregulated ABCC5 expression. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that HA-mEXO treatment downregulated ABCC5 expression in A549 and PC-9 drug-resistant cells compared to the PBS group, whereas co-treatment with HA-mEXO and ZNF516 knockdown showed no significant change in ABCC5 expression.
CONCLUSIONS
HA-mEXO carrying ZNF516 suppress ABCC5 expression, thereby enhancing the sensitivity of A549 and PC-9 LAUD drug-resistant cells to PMX.
Humans
;
Hyaluronic Acid/chemistry*
;
Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects*
;
Exosomes/chemistry*
;
Adenocarcinoma of Lung/genetics*
;
Pemetrexed/pharmacology*
;
Animals
;
Lung Neoplasms/pathology*
;
Milk/chemistry*
;
Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
;
Apoptosis/drug effects*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Hyaluronan Receptors/metabolism*
2.PM2.5-induced M2 Polarization and IL-1α Secretion by Tumor-associated Macrophages Promotes Lung Adenocarcinoma Progression.
Bomiao QING ; Xiaolan LI ; Qin RAN ; Guoping LI
Chinese Journal of Lung Cancer 2025;28(9):667-679
BACKGROUND:
Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains one of the leading causes of cancer morbidity and mortality worldwide, and its initiation and progression are closely associated with the tumor immune microenvironment. Increasing evidence suggests that environmental exposure is a critical factor influencing lung cancer development. Among these factors, fine particulate matter (PM2.5), a major component of air pollution, has been strongly linked to elevated lung cancer risk and unfavorable prognosis. However, the underlying immunoregulatory mechanisms by which PM2.5 drives LUAD progression remain poorly understood. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), especially those polarized toward the M2 phenotype, are key components of the tumor microenvironment and play crucial roles in tumor growth, angiogenesis, and immune evasion. This study aims to investigate the effects of PM2.5 exposure on TAMs and to identify the key pro-tumorigenic factors mediating this process.
METHODS:
A mouse orthotopic lung cancer model under PM2.5 exposure was established to assess lung tumor growth and macrophage phenotypic alterations using in vivo imaging and flow cytometry. A subcutaneous tumor model involving co-inoculated macrophages and tumor cells was used to further verify the effects of PM2.5 on the function of TAMs and tumor malignancy. Combining in vitro experiments, flow cytometry, Western blot, reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, colony formation assay, and wound healing assay were employed to evaluate the regulatory effects of PM2.5 on the polarization of bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) as well as tumor cell proliferation, migration, and colony-forming ability. Transcriptome sequencing integrated with TISIDB (Tumor-immune System Interactions Database) and GEPIA (Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis) databases was performed to identify key cytokines for further functional validation.
RESULTS:
In the mouse orthotopic lung cancer model, PM2.5 exposure significantly promoted tumor growth and increased the proportion of M2-type TAMs (P<0.05). Subcutaneous co-inoculation with PM2.5-treated BMDMs markedly enhanced tumor proliferation and elevated the intratumoral M2-type TAMs. PM2.5-pretreated BMDMs exhibited an immunosuppressive programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1)+/arginase 1 (Arg1)+ phenotype, and their conditioned media significantly promoted proliferation, migration, and colony formation of Lewis lung carcinoma cells (LLC) and B16 melanoma cells (B16) (P<0.05). Transcriptome analysis revealed that PM2.5 substantially altered macrophage gene expression, with IL-1α identified as a key upregulated secreted cytokine enriched in immunosuppressive related signaling pathways. Clinical database analyses further indicated that IL-1α expression was positively correlated with macrophage and regulatory T cells (Treg) infiltration in the LUAD immune microenvironment, and that high IL-1α expression was associated with worse overall survival in LUAD patients (HR=1.5, P=0.0053). Western blot, RT-qPCR, and immunofluorescence confirmed that PM2.5 exposure significantly upregulated IL-1α expression and secretion in TAMs.
CONCLUSIONS
PM2.5 exposure facilitates LUAD progression by inducing an immunosuppressive phenotype in macrophages and enhancing the malignant behaviors of tumor cells. Mechanistically, IL-1α may serve as a key pro-tumorigenic cytokine secreted by macrophages under PM2.5 exposure. This study provides new insights into the pathogenesis of PM2.5-associated LUAD and suggests that IL-1α could serve as a potential therapeutic target.
Animals
;
Mice
;
Tumor-Associated Macrophages/immunology*
;
Particulate Matter/toxicity*
;
Adenocarcinoma of Lung/metabolism*
;
Lung Neoplasms/genetics*
;
Humans
;
Disease Progression
;
Tumor Microenvironment/drug effects*
;
Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
3.Lead exposure promotes NF2-wildtype meningioma cell proliferation through the Merlin-Hippo signaling pathway.
Nenghua ZHANG ; Xiaohua SHEN ; Yunnong YU ; Long XU ; Zheng WANG ; Jia ZHU
Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;30():8-8
BACKGROUND:
Lead is a persistent inorganic environmental pollutant with global implication for human health. Among the diseases associated with lead exposure, the damage to the central nervous system has received considerable attention. It has been reported that long-term lead exposure increases the risk of meningioma; however, the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. Clinical studies have indicated that loss-of-function and mutations in the neurofibromin-2 (NF2) gene play a crucial role in promoting meningioma formation.
METHODS:
The effect of Pb on meningioma were tested in-vitro and in-vivo. Two human meningioma cell lines were used in this study, including NF2-wildtype IOMM-Lee cell and NF2-null CH157-MN cell. Cell viability, cell cycle and cell size were examined after Pb exposure. The expression of Merlin, mammalian sterile 20-like kinases 1 and 2 (MST1/2) and Yes-associated protein (YAP) from these two meningioma cells were analyzed by Western blot. A xenograft mouse model was constructed by subcutaneous injection of IOMM-Lee meningioma cells.
RESULTS:
This study demonstrated that treatment with lead induce dose-dependent proliferation in IOMM-Lee cell (with an EC50 value of 19.6 µM). Moreover, IOMM-Lee cell exhibited augmented cell size in conjunction with elevated levels of phosphorylated histone H3, indicative of altered cell cycle progression resulting from lead exposure. However, no significant change was observed in the CH157-MN cell. Additionally, the Merlin-Hippo signaling pathway was inactivated with decreased Merlin and phosphorylation levels of MST1/2 and YAP, leading to increased YAP nuclear translocation in IOMM-Lee cells. However, there was no change in the Merlin-Hippo signaling pathway in CH157-MN cells after lead treatment. The administration of Pb resulted in an acceleration of the subcutaneous IOMM-Lee meningioma xenograft growth in mice.
CONCLUSIONS
Overall, the current study elucidates the potential mechanism by which lead exposure promotes the proliferation of meningioma with NF2 expression for the first time.
Meningioma/genetics*
;
Neurofibromin 2/genetics*
;
Humans
;
Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
;
Animals
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Mice
;
Hippo Signaling Pathway
;
Lead/adverse effects*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics*
;
Meningeal Neoplasms
;
Environmental Pollutants/adverse effects*
;
Female
4.Investigation on the Role of Medical Recombinant Human-Derived Collagen Functional Dressings in Wound Healing.
Xiaoxiao GAI ; Xiaoxia SUN ; Wenqian MA ; Zhenhua LIN ; Xinyuan LI ; Chenghu LIU
Chinese Journal of Medical Instrumentation 2025;49(4):415-422
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the biological effect of medical recombinant human-derived collagen functional dressings in wound healing.
METHODS:
MTT assay and RTCA assay were used to detect cell toxicity and proliferation. Scratch assay and Transwell cell migration assay were used to detect cell motility and migration ability. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the contents of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule (CD31) in the supernatant of four types of cells. After animal surgery, the surgical wound was taken at 1 week, 4 weeks and 13 weeks, respectively, for hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemistry to observe the inflammatory response and CD31 expression of the wound.
RESULTS:
Medical recombinant human-derived collagen functional dressing promotes cell proliferation and migration, enhances wound angiogenesis by upregulating the expression of VEGF, FGF, and CD31 in human dermal vascular endothelial cells (HDVEC) and human vascular endothelial cells (HVEC), thereby improving local blood supply to the wound, regulating the inflammatory response of the wound, and accelerating wound healing.
CONCLUSION
Recombinant type Ⅲ humanized collagen plays an important role in wound healing.
Humans
;
Wound Healing/drug effects*
;
Recombinant Proteins/pharmacology*
;
Animals
;
Cell Proliferation
;
Cell Movement
;
Collagen/pharmacology*
;
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism*
;
Bandages
;
Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1/metabolism*
;
Endothelial Cells
;
Fibroblast Growth Factors/metabolism*
5.Cinobufacini Inhibits Survival and Metastasis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma via c-Met Signaling Pathway.
Ya-Nan MA ; Xue-Mei JIANG ; Xi-Qi HU ; Ling WANG ; Jian-Jun GAO ; Hui LIU ; Fang-Hua QI ; Pei-Pei SONG ; Wei TANG
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(4):311-325
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the anti-tumor effects of cinobufacini (CINO) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) induced by des-gamma-carboxy-prothrombin (DCP) and to uncover the underlying mechanisms.
METHODS:
The inhibitory effect of CINO on HCC cell proliferation was evaluated using the cell counting kit-8 method, and the apoptosis rate was quantified using flow cytometry. Immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses were used to investigate the differential expression of proteins associated with cell growth, apoptosis, migration, and invasion pathways after CINO treatment. The therapeutic potential of CINO for HCC was confirmed, and the possibility of combining cinobufacini with c-Met inhibitor for the treatment of primary HCC was further validated by in vivo experiments.
RESULTS:
Under the induction of DCP, CINO inhibited the activity of HCC cells, induced apoptosis, and inhibited migration and invasion. Upon the induction of DCP, CINO regulated c-Met activation and the activation of the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK/ERK) pathways. In a mouse model of HCC, CINO exhibited significant antitumor effects by inhibiting the phosphorylation of c-Met and the downstream PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK pathways in tumor tissues.
CONCLUSIONS
CINO inhibited HCC cell growth, promoted apoptosis, and suppressed HCC cell invasion and migration by targeting c-Met and PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK signaling pathways under DCP induction.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy*
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met/metabolism*
;
Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Animals
;
Humans
;
Cell Movement/drug effects*
;
Apoptosis/drug effects*
;
Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
;
Amphibian Venoms/therapeutic use*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Neoplasm Metastasis
;
Cell Survival/drug effects*
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism*
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism*
;
Neoplasm Invasiveness
;
Mice, Inbred BALB C
;
Mice, Nude
;
Mice
;
Male
;
Bufanolides/therapeutic use*
;
Protein Precursors
;
Prothrombin
;
Biomarkers
6.Chrysophanol Induces Cell Death and Inhibits Invasiveness through Alteration of Calcium Levels in HepG2 Human Liver Cancer Cells.
Shu-Chao CHEN ; Qiao-Wen CHEN ; Chih-Yuan KO
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(5):434-440
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the effect of chrysophanol, a phytochemical derived from Radix et Rhizoma Rhei on HepG2 liver cancer cells.
METHODS:
HepG2 cell line was treated with different concentrations chrysophanol (0-100 μmol/L) for 24 h. The cell counting kit 8 assay was employed to assess cell viability. Intracellular calcium levels were examined using Fluo-4 AM and Mag-fluo-4 AM staining, followed by flow cytometry analysis. Mitochondrial membrane potential was measured with JC-1 assay kit. Additionally, the expressions of key proteins such as p-JNK, Bax, cytochrome c (Cyt C), cleaved caspase-3 (cCaspase-3), and caspase-8 were analyzed by Western blot. The inhibitory effects of chrysophanol on the invasion of cells were determined using a Transwell assay. Analysis of invasiveness was conducted by wound healing assay.
RESULTS:
Chrysophanol significantly reduced the proliferation of HepG2 liver cancer cells by affecting intracellular calcium distribution, diminishing mitochondrial membrane potential, and enhancing the expressions of p-JNK, Bax, Cyt C, cCaspase-3, and caspase-8 in the groups treated with 75 or 100 μmol/L chrysophanol compared to the control group (P<0.05). Additionally, 75 and 100 μmol/L chrysophanol exhibited inhibitory effects on cell migration and wound healing.
CONCLUSION
Chrysophanol demonstrates potential against HepG2 liver cancer cells, suggesting its potential use as a therapeutic agent for liver cancer treatment.
Humans
;
Calcium/metabolism*
;
Hep G2 Cells
;
Liver Neoplasms/metabolism*
;
Neoplasm Invasiveness
;
Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial/drug effects*
;
Anthraquinones/pharmacology*
;
Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
;
Cell Death/drug effects*
;
Apoptosis/drug effects*
;
Cell Movement/drug effects*
;
Cell Survival/drug effects*
7.Morchella conica, Morchella esculenta and Morchella delicosa Induce Apoptosis in Breast and Colon Cancer Cell Lines via Pro-apoptotic and Anti-apoptotic Regulation.
Faiz UL HAQ ; Muhammad IMRAN ; Sami ULLAH ; Usman AFTAB ; Tasleem AKHTAR ; Asif Haleem KHAN ; Roh ULLAH ; Hasan EJAZ ; Fatema GAFFAR ; Imad KHAN
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(10):918-927
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the potential apoptotic mechanisms of 3 Morchella extracts (Morchella conica, Morchella esculenta and Morchella delicosa) on breast and colon cancer cell lines using apoptotic biomarkers.
METHODS:
Human breast cell line (MCF-7) and colon cancer cell line (SW-480) were treated with methanol and ethanol extracts of 3 Morchella species with concentration ranging from 0.0625 to 2 mg/mL. After that their effects on gene expression of apoptosis related markers (pro-apoptotic markers including Bax, caspase-3, caspase-7, and caspase-9, and the antiapoptotic marker including Bcl-2) were determined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.
RESULTS:
All Morchella extracts reduced breast and colon cancer cells proliferation at half inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 0.02 ±0.01 to 0.68 ±0.30 mg/mL. As expected, all Morchella extracts significantly increased gene expressions of Bax, caspase-3, caspase-7, and caspase-9 and downregulated the gene expression of Bcl-2 in MCF-7 and SW-480 cell lines (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Morchella extracts demonstrated significant anti-proliferative activity against breast and colon cancer cell lines via an apoptosis induction mechanism. Anticancer activity of Morchella extracts and activation of apoptosis in breast and colon cancer cells suggest that it may be used to develop chemotherapeutic agents against cancer in future.
Humans
;
Apoptosis/genetics*
;
Colonic Neoplasms/drug therapy*
;
Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
;
Plant Extracts/pharmacology*
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects*
;
MCF-7 Cells
;
Ascomycota/chemistry*
8.Dahuang Zhechong Pill Improves Pulmonary Fibrosis through miR-29b-2-5p/HK2 Mediated Glycolysis Pathway.
Xiao-Yan HE ; Jing-Tao LIANG ; Jing-Yi XIAO ; Xin LI ; Xiao-Bo ZHANG ; Da-Yi CHEN ; Li-Juan WU
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(7):600-612
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the preventive and therapeutic effects of Dahuang Zhechong Pill (DZP) on pulmonary fibrosis and the underlying mechanisms.
METHODS:
The first key rate-limiting enzyme hexokinase 2 (HK2) of glycolysis was silenced and over-expressed through small interfering RNA and lentivirus using lung fibroblast MRC-5 cell line, respectively. The cell viability, migration, invasion and proliferation were detected by cell counting kit-8, wound healing assay, transwell assay, and flow cytometry. The mRNA and protein expression levels of HK2 were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The contents of glucose, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and lactate in MRC-5 cells were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbnent assay (ELISA). Then, the relationship between miR-29b-2-5p and HK2 was explored by luciferase reporter gene assay. Pulmonary fibrosis cell model was induced by transforming growth factor-β 1 (TGF-β 1) in MRC-5 cells, and the medicated serum of DZP (DMS) was prepared in rats. MRC-5 cells were divided into control, TGF-β 1, TGF-β 1+10% DMS, TGF-β 1+10% DMS+miR-29b-2-5p inhibitor, TGF-β 1+10% DMS+inhibitor negative control, TGF-β 1+10% DMS+miR-29b-2-5p mimic and TGF-β 1+10% DMS+mimic negative control groups. After miR-29b-2-5p mimics and inhibitors were transfected into MRC-5 cells, all groups except control and model group were treated with DMS. The effect of DMS on MRC-5 cells were detected using aforementioned methods and immunofluorescence. Similarly, the contents of glucose, ATP and lactate in each group were measured by ELISA.
RESULTS:
The mRNA and protein expressions of HK2 in MRC-5 cells were successfully silenced and overexpressed through si-HK2-3 and lentiviral transfection, respectively. After silencing HK2, the mRNA and protein expressions of HK2 were significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the concentrations of glucose, ATP and lactate were also significantly decreased (P<0.05). The proliferation, migration and invasion of MRC-5 cells were significantly declined (P<0.05 or P<0.01), while the apoptosis of MRC-5 cells was significantly increased (P<0.01). After overexpressing HK2, the mRNA and protein expressions of HK2 were significantly increased (P<0.05), and the concentrations of glucose, ATP and lactate were also significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The proliferation, migration and invasion of MRC-5 cells were significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01), while the apoptosis of MRC-5 cells was significantly decreased (P<0.05). The relative luciferase activity of 3'UTR-WT+hsa-miR-29b-2-5p transfected with HK2 was significantly decreased (P<0.01). After miR-29b-2-5p mimic and inhibitor were transfected into the MRC-5 cells, DMS intervention could significantly reduce the concentration of glucose, ATP and lactate, and the mRNA and proteins expressions of HK2, phosphofructokinase and pyruvate kinase isoform M2 (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The proliferation, migration and invasion of MRC-5 cells were alleviated (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the deposition of fibronectin, α-smooth muscle actin, and collagen I were significantly decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
Glycolysis is closely related to pulmonary fibrosis. DZP reduced glycolysis and inhibited fibroblasts' excessive differentiation and abnormal collagen deposition through the miR-29b-2-5p/HK2 pathway, which played a role in delaying the process of pulmonary fibrosis.
MicroRNAs/genetics*
;
Glycolysis/genetics*
;
Animals
;
Pulmonary Fibrosis/metabolism*
;
Humans
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Hexokinase/genetics*
;
Cell Line
;
Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Rats
;
Cell Movement/drug effects*
;
Male
;
Cell Survival/drug effects*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
9.Network Pharmacology and in vitro Experimental Verification on Intervention of Oridonin on Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.
Ke CHANG ; Li-Fei ZHU ; Ting-Ting WU ; Si-Qi ZHANG ; Zi-Cheng YU
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(4):347-356
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the key target molecules and potential mechanisms of oridonin against non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
METHODS:
The target molecules of oridonin were retrieved from SEA, STITCH, SuperPred and TargetPred databases; target genes associated with the treatment of NSCLC were retrieved from GeneCards, DisGeNET and TTD databases. Then, the overlapping target molecules between the drug and the disease were identified. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) was constructed using the STRING database according to overlapping targets, and Cytoscape was used to screen for key targets. Molecular docking verification were performed using AutoDockTools and PyMOL software. Using the DAVID database, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis were conducted. The impact of oridonin on the proliferation and apoptosis of NSCLC cells was assessed using cell counting kit-8, cell proliferation EdU image kit, and Annexin V-FITC/PI apoptosis kit respectively. Moreover, real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot were used to verify the potential mechanisms.
RESULTS:
Fifty-six target molecules and 12 key target molecules of oridonin involved in NSCLC treatment were identified, including tumor protein 53 (TP53), Caspase-3, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 8 (MAPK8), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Molecular docking showed that oridonin and its key target molecules bind spontaneously. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed cancer, apoptosis, phosphoinositide-3 kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), and other signaling pathways. In vitro experiments showed that oridonin inhibited the proliferation, induced apoptosis, downregulated the expression of Bcl-2 and Akt, and upregulated the expression of Caspase-3.
CONCLUSION
Oridonin can act on multiple targets and pathways to exert its inhibitory effects on NSCLC, and its mechanism may be related to upregulating the expression of Caspase-3 and downregulating the expressions of Akt and Bcl-2.
Diterpenes, Kaurane/chemistry*
;
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/pathology*
;
Humans
;
Network Pharmacology
;
Lung Neoplasms/pathology*
;
Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
;
Apoptosis/drug effects*
;
Molecular Docking Simulation
;
Protein Interaction Maps/drug effects*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects*
;
Reproducibility of Results
;
Gene Ontology
10.Tanshinone II A Facilitates Chemosensitivity of Osteosarcoma Cells to Cisplatin via Activation of p38 MAPK Pathway.
Da-Ming XIE ; Zhi-Yun LI ; Bing-Kai REN ; Rui GONG ; Dong YANG ; Sheng HUANG
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(4):326-335
OBJECTIVE:
To examine the mechanism of action of tanshinone II A (Tan II A) in promoting chemosensitization of osteosarcoma cells to cisplatin (DDP).
METHODS:
The effects of different concentrations of Tan II A (0-80 µ mol/L) and DDP (0-2 µ mol/L) on the proliferation of osteosarcoma cell lines (U2R, U2OS, 143B, and HOS) at different times were examined using the cell counting kit-8 and colony formation assays. Migration and invasion of U2R and U2OS cells were detected after 24 h treatment with 30 µ mol/L Tan II A, 0.5 µ mol/L DDP alone, and a combination of 10 µ mol/L Tan II A and 0.25 µ mol/L DDP using the transwell assay. After 48 h of treatment of U2R and U2OS cells with predetermined concentrations of each group of drugs, the cell cycle was analyzed using a cell cycle detection kit and flow cytometry. After 48 h treatment, apoptosis of U2R and U2OS cells was detected using annexin V-FITC apoptosis detection kit and flow cytometry. U2R cells were inoculated into the unilateral axilla of nude mice and then the mice were randomly divided into 4 groups of 6 nude mice each. The 4 groups were treated with equal volume of Tan II A (15 mg/kg), DDP (3 mg/kg), Tan II A (7.5 mg/kg) + DDP (1.5 mg/kg), and normal saline, respectively. The body weight of the nude mice was weighed, and the tumor volume and weight were measured. Cell-related gene and signaling pathway expression were detected by RNA sequencing and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis. p38 MAPK signaling pathway proteins and apoptotic protein expressions were detected by Western blot.
RESULTS:
In vitro studies have shown that Tan II A, DDP and the combination of Tan II A and DDP inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of osteosarcoma cells. The inhibitory effect was more pronounced in the Tan II A and DDP combined treatment group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Osteosarcoma cells underwent significantly cell-cycle arrest and cell apoptosis by Tan II A-DDP combination treatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In vivo studies demonstrated that the Tan II A-DD combination treatment group significantly inhibited tumor growth compared to the Tan II A and DDP single drug group (P<0.01). Additionally, we found that the combination of Tan II A and DDP treatment enhanced the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. Western blot assays showed higher p-p38, cleaved caspase-3, and Bax and lower caspase-3, and Bcl-2 expressions with the combination of Tan II A and DDP treatment compared to the single drug treatment (P<0.01).
CONCLUSION
Tan II A synergizes with DDP by activating the p38/MAPK pathway to upregulate cleaved caspase-3 and Bax pro-apoptotic gene expressions, and downregulate caspase-3 and Bcl-2 inhibitory apoptotic gene expressions, thereby enhancing the chemosensitivity of osteosarcoma cells to DDP.
Abietanes/therapeutic use*
;
Osteosarcoma/enzymology*
;
Cisplatin/therapeutic use*
;
Humans
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Animals
;
Apoptosis/drug effects*
;
Mice, Nude
;
Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
;
Cell Movement/drug effects*
;
p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism*
;
MAP Kinase Signaling System/drug effects*
;
Bone Neoplasms/enzymology*
;
Cell Cycle/drug effects*
;
Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
;
Mice
;
Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects*
;
Neoplasm Invasiveness
;
Mice, Inbred BALB C

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