OBJECTIVETo investigate the molecular mechanism of action of BET bromodomain inhibitor JQ1 in treating airway remodeling in asthmatic mice.

METHODSA total of 24 mice were randomly divided into control group, ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma group (OVA group), and JQ1 intervention group (JQ1+OVA group), with 8 mice in each group. OVA sensitization/challenge was performed to establish a mouse model of asthma. At 1 hour before challenge, the mice in the JQ1+OVA group were given intraperitoneal injection of JQ1 solution (50 μg/g). Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue samples were collected at 24 hours after the last challenge, and the total number of cells and percentage of eosinophils in BALF were calculated. Pathological staining was performed to observe histopathological changes in lung tissue. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to measure the mRNA and protein expression of E-cadherin and vimentin during epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the OVA group had marked infiltration of inflammatory cells in the airway, thickening of the airway wall, increased secretion of mucus, and increases in the total number of cells and percentage of eosinophils in BALF (P<0.01). Compared with the OVA group, the JQ1+OVA group had significantly alleviated airway inflammatory response and significant reductions in the total number of cells and percentage of eosinophils in BALF (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the OVA group had significant reductions in the mRNA and protein expression of E-cadherin and significant increases in the mRNA and protein expression of vimentin (P<0.01); compared with the OVA group, the JQ1+OVA group had significant increases in the mRNA and protein expression of E-cadherin and significant reductions in the mRNA and protein expression of vimentin (P<0.01); there were no significant differences in these indices between the JQ1+OVA group and the control group (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMice with OVA-induced asthma have airway remodeling during EMT. BET bromodomain inhibitor JQ1 can reduce airway inflammation, inhibit EMT, and alleviate airway remodeling, which provides a new direction for the treatment of asthma.

Airway Remodeling ; drug effects ; Animals ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; Azepines ; pharmacology ; Cadherins ; analysis ; genetics ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Female ; Mice ; Nuclear Proteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Ovalbumin ; immunology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Transcription Factors ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Triazoles ; pharmacology ; Vimentin ; analysis ; genetics

OBJECTIVE: : To investigate the effect of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) inhibitor FK866 on the migration of human non-small cell cancer A549 cells and related mechanism. METHODS: : The inhibition effect of FK866 on A549 cells was tested by MTT assay. A549 cells were treated with 1.0 and 10.0 nmol/L FK866, and the cell migration was evaluated by modified wound scratch assay. The mRNA expression of E-cadherin and vimentin was detected by real-time RT-PCR, and the expression of ERK1/2 and pERK1/2 was determined by Western blotting. RESULTS: : FK866 inhibited the proliferation of A549 cells in a time-and concentration-dependent manner; after treatment for 72 h, the IC of FK866 was 9.55 nmol/L. When 1.0 nmol/L or 10.0 nmol/L FK866 was continuously applied 48 h before and 48 h after a scratch was made in wound scratch assay, the migration of A549 cells was significantly inhibited. However, when the FK866 was applied only 48 h after the scratch, the migration of A549 cells was inhibited by 10.0 nmol/L but not by 1.0 nmol/L FK866. The mRNA expression of E-cadherin and vimentin, and the activated ERK1/2 were significantly increased after 1.0 nmol/L FK866 treatment for 72 h. The pretreatment with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) precursor nicotinamide mononucleotide(1.0 mmol/L) or ERK1/2 inhibitor U0126 (10.0 μmol/L) reversed the up-regulation of E-cadherin and vimentin expression induced by FK866. CONCLUSIONS s: Low concentration of FK866 decreases the migration of A549 cells through the inhibition of NAD level, activation of ERK1/2 and up-regulation of E-cadherin expression. However, it also up-regulates the expression of vimentin, indicating that it may have dual effects on the migration of tumor cells.
A549 Cells ; Cadherins ; genetics ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Morpholines ; pharmacology ; Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Piperazines ; pharmacology ; Vimentin ; genetics

Inflammation is closely related to the progression of cancer as well as tumorigenesis. Here, we investigated the effect of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) on E-cadherin expression in SNU719 gastric cancer cells. E-cadherin expression decreased as the dose or exposure time of PGE2 and IL-1beta increased, whereas Snail expression increased with dose or time of PGE2 and IL-1beta. E-cadherin expression reduced by PGE2 treatment increased after the transfection of Snail siRNA. Neutralization of IL-1beta using anti-IL-1beta antibody blocked the expression pattern of E-cadherin and Snail occurred by IL-1beta treatment. However, there was no synergic effect of IL-1beta and PGE2 on the expression pattern of E-cadherin and Snail. In conclusion, inflammatory mediators reduced E-cadherin expression by enhancing Snail expression in gastric cancer cells. Inflammation-induced transcriptional regulation of E-cadherin in gastric cancer has implications for targeted chemoprevention and therapy.
Antibodies/immunology ; Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology ; Cadherins/*metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Dinoprostone/*pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation/*drug effects ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta/immunology/*pharmacology ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering/metabolism ; Stomach Neoplasms/metabolism/pathology ; Transcription Factors/antagonists & inhibitors/genetics/*metabolism

BACKGROUNDGene therapy and epigenetic therapy have gained more attention in cancer treatment. However, the effect of a combined treatment of gene therapy and epigenetic therapy on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma have not been studied yet. To study the mechanism and clinical application, human laryngeal carcinoma cell (Hep-2) tumor-bearing mice were used.

METHODSA xenograft tumor model was established by the subcutaneous inoculation of Hep-2 cells in the right armpit of BALB/c nu/nu mice. The mice with well-formed tumor were randomly divided into six groups. Multisite injections of rAd-p53 and/or 5-aza-dC were used to treat tumor. Tumor growth was monitored by measuring tumor volume and growth rate. p53 and E-cadherin protein levels in tumor tissues were detected by immunohistochemical staining. The mRNA levels were monitored with FQ-PCR.

RESULTSGene therapy was much more effective than single epigenetic therapy and combined therapy. The gene therapy group has the lowest tumor growth rate and the highest expression levels of p53 and E-cadherin.

CONCLUSIONSThe combined treatment of gene and epigenetic therapy is not suggested for treating head and neck carcinoma, because gene therapy shows an antagonistic effect to epigenetic therapy. However, the mechanisms of action are still unclear.

Animals ; Azacitidine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Cadherins ; analysis ; DNA Modification Methylases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Genes, p53 ; Genetic Therapy ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; therapy ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; analysis ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been implicated in tumor invasion and metastasis and provides novel strategies for cancer therapy. Hypaconitine (HpA), a diester-diterpenoid alkaloid isolated from the root of the Aconitum species, exhibits anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and especially, cardiotoxic activities. Here, we reported the anti-metastatic potentials of HpA in transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced EMT in lung cancer A549 cells. The cytotoxic effect of HpA was determined by MTT assay. A549 cells were treated with TGF-β1 with or without HpA co-treatment, and the morphological alterations were observed with a microscopy. The expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and NF-κB was determined by both Western blotting and immunofluorescence analyses. The adhesion, migration, and invasion were detected with Matrigel, wound-healing, and transwell assays, respectively. The expression of Snail was determined by Western blotting. The expression of NF-κB p65, IκBα, and p-IκBα in nuclear and cytosolic extracts was assessed by Western blotting. The results showed that low concentration of HpA (<16 μmol·L) had no obvious cytotoxicity to A549 cells. Morphologically, TGF-β1 treatment induced spindle-shaped alteration in the cells. The upregulation of N-cadherin, NF-κB, and Snail and the downregulation of E-cadherin were detected after TGF-β1 treatment. The adhesion, migration and invasion abilities were also increased by TGF-β1. Besides, TGF-β1 induced expression of Snail in a time-dependent manner. Furthermore, TGF-β1 induced nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65. All these alterations were dramatically inhibited by HpA co-treatment. In addition, the NF-κB inhibitor PDTC showed similar inhibitory effect. In conclusion, these results showed that HpA inhibited TGF-β1-induced EMT in A549 cells, which was possibly mediated by the inactivation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, providing an evidence for anti-cancer effect of HpA.
A549 Cells ; Aconitine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Active Transport, Cell Nucleus ; drug effects ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Cadherins ; analysis ; Cell Adhesion ; drug effects ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; drug effects ; Humans ; NF-kappa B ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; physiology

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are resistant to chemo- and radio-therapy, and can survive to regenerate new tumors. This is an important reason why various anti-cancer therapies often fail to completely control tumors, although they kill and eliminate the bulk of cancer cells. In this study, we determined whether or not adenine nucleotide translocator-2 (ANT2) suppression could also be effective in inducing cell death of breast cancer stem-like cells. A sub-population (SP; CD44+/CD24-) of breast cancer cells has been reported to have stem/progenitor cell properties. We utilized the adeno-ANT2 shRNA virus to inhibit ANT2 expression and then observed the treatment effect in a SP of breast cancer cell line. In this study, MCF7, MDA-MB-231 cells, and breast epithelial cells (MCF10A) mesenchymally-transdifferentiated through E-cadherin knockdown were used. ANT2 expression was high in both stem-like cells and non-stem-like cells of MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 cells, and was induced and up-regulated by mesenchymal transdifferentiation in MCF10A cells (MCF10AEMT). Knockdown of ANT2 by adeno-shRNA virus efficiently induced apoptotic cell death in the stem-like cells of MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 cells, and MCF10AEMT. Stem-like cells of MCF7 and MDA-MB-231, and MCF10AEMT cells exhibited increased drug (doxorubicin) resistance, and expressed a multi-drug resistant related molecule, ABCG2, at a high level. Adeno-ANT2 shRNA virus markedly sensitized the stem-like cells of MCF7 and MDA-MB-231, and the MCF10AEMT cells to doxorubicin, which was accompanied by down-regulation of ABCG2. Our results suggest that ANT2 suppression by adeno-shRNA virus is an effective strategy to induce cell death and increase the chemosensitivity of stem-like cells in breast cancer.
ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters/*genetics/metabolism ; Adenine Nucleotide Translocator 2/antagonists & inhibitors/genetics ; Adenoviridae/*genetics ; Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology ; Apoptosis/drug effects/genetics ; Breast Neoplasms ; Cadherins/antagonists & inhibitors/genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival/drug effects/genetics ; Cell Transdifferentiation/drug effects ; Doxorubicin/pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects/*genetics ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/drug effects ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects ; Gene Knockdown Techniques ; Humans ; Neoplasm Proteins/*genetics/metabolism ; Neoplastic Stem Cells/drug effects/*metabolism/pathology ; RNA, Small Interfering/*genetics ; Signal Transduction/drug effects

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of S100A4 in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and its possible molecular mechanism.

METHODSThree chemically synthesized S100A4 siRNA sequences were transiently transfected into esophageal carcinoma EC9706 cells. EC9706 cells transfected with negative siRNA, lipofectamine 2000, and vacant EC9706 cells were used as control. Fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the inhibition rate of S100A4 siRNA. S100A4 siRNA2 with the best inhibition rate was chosen to transiently transfect into EC9706 cells under the same conditions. The EC9706 cells transfected with negative siRNA, lipofectamine 2000 and vacant EC9706 cells were also used as control. Fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of E-cadherin, vimentin and snail. The morphology of EC9706 cells was observed under an inverted microscope. Boyden chamber and scratch test were used to detect the invasion and migration ability of EC9706 cells, and CCK8 assay was used to detect the proliferation ability of EC9706 cells. EC9706 cells transfected with S100A4 siRNA2 were further transfected with snail eukaryotic expression vector. The EC9706 cells transfected with S100A4 siRNA, EC9706 cells transfected with snail eukaryotic expression vector and vacant EC9706 cells were used as control. The above indexes of all the groups were observed, too.

RESULTSThe S100A4 mRNA and protein expression levels of the S100A4 siRNA2 group were 0.417 ± 0.041 and 0.337 ± 0.039, the transmembrane cell number was 61.608 ± 8.937, the scratch healing distance was (0.216 ± 0.064) mm, the A value was 0.623 ± 0.084, the E-cadherin mRNA and protein levels were 0.619 ± 0.032 and 0.495 ± 0.034, the vimentin mRNA and protein levels were 0.514 ± 0.032 and 0.427 ± 0.028, the snail mRNA and protein levels were 0.573 ± 0.029 and 0.429 ± 0.041. These data were significantly different with the liposome group, the negative control group and the blank group (P < 0.05 for all). After the S100A4 siRNA2 treatment for 24 h, the appearance of EC9706 cells changed to epithelial cell morphology. The transmembrane cell number and the scratch healing distance of the S100A4 siRNA2+snail eukaryotic expression vector group were (69.382 ± 9.666) cells and (0.274 ± 0.029) mm, the A value was 0.823 ± 0.101, the snail mRNA and protein levels were 0.704 ± 0.037 and 0.625 ± 0.031, the vimentin mRNA and protein levels were 0.712 ± 0.046 and 0.609 ± 0.038, and these data were significantly higher than those of the Sl00A4 siRNA2 group (P < 0.05 for all). The E-cadherin mRNA and protein levels of the S100A4 siRNA2+eukaryotic expression vector group were 0.437 ± 0.038 and 0.381 ± 0.031, significantly lower than those of the S100A4 siRNA2 group (P < 0.05 for all). However, snail had no effect on the morphology of EC9706 cells.

CONCLUSIONSS100A4 may be involved in the EMT process of esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma by regulating the expression of snail and then plays a role in the invasion and metastasis of esophageal carcinoma.

Cadherins ; analysis ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Epithelial Cells ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Indicators and Reagents ; Lipids ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; RNA, Small Interfering ; analysis ; physiology ; S100 Calcium-Binding Protein A4 ; S100 Proteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; physiology ; Snail Family Transcription Factors ; Transcription Factors ; analysis ; genetics ; Transfection ; Vimentin ; analysis ; genetics

The aim of the present study was to investigate the regulatory effects of histone methylation modifications on the expression of miR-200c, as well as invasion and migration of gastric carcinoma cells. Gastric carcinoma cell line, MGC-803, were treated by 2.5 μmol/L histone methyltransferase inhibitor, DZNep. The expression of miR-200c was detected by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) indicators (ZEB1/2 and E/N-cadherin), EZH2, EED, SUZ12 and H3K27me3 expressions were detected by Western blot. Cell migration and invasion abilities were detected by Transwell and scratch tests. The result showed that, compared with DMSO (control) group, DZNep significantly increased the expression of miR-200c to about 2.1 times, inhibited ZEB1, ZEB2, and N-cadherin expressions, and activated E-cadherin expression; Also, DZNep decreased the protein expressions of EZH2, EED, SUZ12 and H3K27me3; Moreover, DZNep could inhibit MGC-803 cell invasive and migrative abilities, as well as MMP9 expression. These results suggest DZNep raises miR-200c expression to delay the invasion and migration of gastric carcinoma cells, and the underlying mechanisms involve the regulations of EMT-related proteins and polycomb repressive complex 2.
Adenosine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Cadherins ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; drug effects ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Homeodomain Proteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; metabolism ; Protein Methyltransferases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Repressor Proteins ; metabolism ; Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Zinc Finger E-box Binding Homeobox 2 ; Zinc Finger E-box-Binding Homeobox 1

OBJECTIVETo investigate the change in the expression of E-Cadherin of human hepatocarcinoma cell line SMMC-7721 after transfection by antisense human DNA MTase gene.

METHODSDNA MTase gene eukaryotic expression vectors, including sense and antisense fragments, were constructed with recombinant technology and transfected into the hepatocarcinoma cell line SMMC-7721 with liposome DOTAP. The expression of DNA MTase gene mRNA and E-Cadherin gene mRNA was examined with RT-PCR and the expression of E-Cadherin with immunohistochemical and flow cytometry. The status of methylation in E-Cadherin gene promoter area was examined with methylation specific PCR (MSP).

RESULTSThe sense and antisense eukaryotic expression vectors were successfully constructed and then the constructed recombinant plasmids were successfully transfected into SMMC-7721 cell with liposome DOTAP. The expression of endogenous DNA MTase mRNA was obviously decreased with E-Cadherin gene mRNA and its activity increased in the SMMC-7721 cell, which was tranfected with antisense DNA MTase gene fragment. Moreover, demethylation in the promoter area of E-Cadherin gene was observed with MSP.

CONCLUSIONDemethylation in the promoter area and increasing mRNA level of E-Cadherin gene can be induced by expression inhibition of DNA MTase gene of SMMC-7721 cell line.

Cadherins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; CpG Islands ; DNA ; drug effects ; metabolism ; DNA Methylation ; DNA Modification Methylases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; DNA, Antisense ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; drug effects ; RNA, Messenger ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of p38 MAPK in the renal tubular epithelial-mesenchymal transition (TEMT) induced by high glucose. In in vivo study, the rats were randomly divided into control (C), diabetes mellitus (DM) and insulin-treated DM groups. Immunohistochemical staining and Western blot were employed to determine the expression of p38 MAPK and p-p38 MAPK protein in renal cortex of rats. In in vitro study, primary renal tubular epithelial cells (PTECs) were cultured with normal glucose (5.5 mmol/L), high glucose (20 mmol/L D-glucose), high osmolality (20 mmol/L D-mannitol) and SB202190 (a p38 MAPK inhibitor) plus high glucose respectively for 72 h. The expressions of p38 MAPK, p-p38 MAPK, Snail1, transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and E-cadherin protein and mRNA were detected by immunocytochemical staining, Western blot and RT-PCR. The p38 MAPK and p-p38 MAPK were specifically upregulated by high glucose in both in vivo and in vitro studies. The p38 MAPK activation was abolished by insulin controlling hyperglycemia to normal level in DM rats and inhibited dramatically by SB202190 in high glucose-cultured PTECs. The protein and mRNA of alpha-SMA were markedly increased in PTECs cultured with high glucose and were 12-fold and 8-fold respectively over that in the normal glucose, which were significantly suppressed by SB202190. SB202190 down-regulated the high glucose-induced Snail1 protein expression in PETCs, and restored partly the depression of E-cadherin protein and mRNA. These results suggest that p38 MAPK mediates high glucose-induced TEMT via transcription factor Snail1.
Actins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cadherins ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; metabolism ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Glucose ; pharmacology ; Imidazoles ; pharmacology ; Insulin ; pharmacology ; Kidney Tubules ; cytology ; Pyridines ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Snail Family Transcription Factors ; Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism