In this study,mouse models of benign prostatic hyperplasia induced by subcutaneous injection of testosterone propionate was used to investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Urtica hyperborean( UW) extracts on prostate hyperplasia in mice. The effects of UW extracts on prostate index,serum epidermal growth factor( EGF) and dihydrotestosterone( DHT) in model mice were observed,and the EGF and anti-apoptotic factor( Bcl-2) mRNA expression levels were detected as well as pathological changes in prostate tissue. The results showed that the ethyl acetate extraction and alcohol soluble fraction of the UW could significantly reduce the prostate index,reduce the serum DHT and EGF levels( P<0. 01),and significantly decrease the EGF and Bcl-2 mRNA expression( P<0. 01),significantly improved the morphological structure of prostate tissue. The above results confirmed that ethyl acetate extract and alcohol-soluble parts of UW have a good preventive effect on mice prostatic hyperplasia model,and its mechanism may be to reduce androgen levels by regulating polypeptide growth factors and/or inhibiting cell hyperproliferation and promoting apoptosis. This study laid the foundation for the further research on UW.
Animals ; Dihydrotestosterone ; blood ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; blood ; Male ; Medicine, Tibetan Traditional ; Mice ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Testosterone Propionate ; Urticaceae ; chemistry

Angiogenesis is a crucial process in the development of inflammatory diseases, including cancer, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. Recently, several alkaloids from Picrasma quassioides had been screened for angiogenic activity in the zebrafish model, and the results indicated that 1-methoxycarbony-β-carboline (MCC) could effectively inhibit blood vessel formation. In this study, we further confirmed that MCC can inhibit, in a concentration-dependent manner, the viability, migration, invasion, and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro, as well as the regenerative vascular outgrowth of zebrafish caudal fin in vivo. In the zebrafish xenograft assay, MCC inhibited the growth of tumor masses and the metastatic transplanted DU145 tumor cells. The proteome profile array of the MCC-treated HUVECs showed that MCC could down-regulate several angiogenesis-related self-secreted proteins, including ANG, EGF, bFGF, GRO, IGF-1, PLG and MMP-1. In addition, the expression of two key membrane receptor proteins in angiogenesis, TIE-2 and uPAR, were also down-regulated after MCC treatment. Taken together, these results shed light on the potential therapeutic application of MCC as a potent natural angiogenesis inhibitor via multiple molecular targets.
Angiogenesis Inhibitors ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Carbolines ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Fibroblast Growth Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; genetics ; metabolism ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; drug effects ; Picrasma ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Receptor, TIE-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Zebrafish ; embryology

PURPOSE: Rearrangement of the proto-oncogene rearranged during transfection (RET) has been newly identified potential driver mutation in lung adenocarcinoma. Clinically available tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) target RET kinase activity, which suggests that patients with RET fusion genes may be treatable with a kinase inhibitor. Nevertheless, the mechanisms of resistance to these agents remain largely unknown. Thus, the present study aimed to determine whether epidermal growth factor (EGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) trigger RET inhibitor resistance in LC-2/ad cells with CCDC6-RET fusion genes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effects of EGF and HGF on the susceptibility of a CCDC6-RET lung cancer cell line to RET inhibitors (sunitinib, E7080, vandetanib, and sorafenib) were examined. RESULTS: CCDC6-RET lung cancer cells were highly sensitive to RET inhibitors. EGF activated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and triggered resistance to sunitinib, E7080, vandetanib, and sorafenib by transducing bypass survival signaling through ERK and AKT. Reversible EGFR-TKI (gefitinib) resensitized cancer cells to RET inhibitors, even in the presence of EGF. Endothelial cells, which are known to produce EGF, decreased the sensitivity of CCDC6-RET lung cancer cells to RET inhibitors, an effect that was inhibited by EGFR small interfering RNA (siRNA), anti-EGFR antibody (cetuximab), and EGFR-TKI (Iressa). HGF had relatively little effect on the sensitivity to RET inhibitors. CONCLUSION: EGF could trigger resistance to RET inhibition in CCDC6-RET lung cancer cells, and endothelial cells may confer resistance to RET inhibitors by EGF. E7080 and other RET inhibitors may provide therapeutic benefits in the treatment of RET-positive lung cancer patients.
Adenocarcinoma/drug therapy/*genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cetuximab/pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects/*genetics ; Epidermal Growth Factor/metabolism/*pharmacology ; *Gene Rearrangement ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor/*pharmacology ; Humans ; Indoles/pharmacology ; Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy/*genetics ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; *Mutation ; Niacinamide/analogs & derivatives/pharmacology ; Phenylurea Compounds/pharmacology ; Piperidines/pharmacology ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret/*antagonists & inhibitors/genetics ; Pyrroles/pharmacology ; Quinazolines/pharmacology ; RNA, Small Interfering/pharmacology ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor/genetics/metabolism ; Signal Transduction/drug effects ; fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3/metabolism

BACKGROUNDTwo recent whole-exome sequencing researches identifying somatic mutations in the ubiquitin-specific protease 8 (USP8) gene in pituitary corticotroph adenomas provide exciting advances in this field. These mutations drive increased epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling and promote adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) production. This study was to investigate whether the inhibition of USP8 activity could be a strategy for the treatment of Cushing's disease (CD).

METHODSThe anticancer effect of USP8 inhibitor was determined by testing cell viability, colony formation, apoptosis, and ACTH secretion. The immunoblotting and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were conducted to explore the signaling pathway by USP8 inhibition.

RESULTSInhibition of USP8-induced degradation of receptor tyrosine kinases including EGFR, EGFR-2 (ERBB2), and Met leading to a suppression of AtT20 cell growth and ACTH secretion. Moreover, treatment with USP8 inhibitor markedly induced AtT20 cells apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONSInhibition of USP8 activity could be an effective strategy for CD. It might provide a novel pharmacological approach for the treatment of CD.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; metabolism ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; physiology ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; physiology ; Endopeptidases ; metabolism ; Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Indenes ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Pyrazines ; pharmacology ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Ubiquitin Thiolesterase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Silibinin, the main component of silymarin, is used as a hepatoprotectant and exhibits anticancer effects against various cancer cells. This study evaluated the effects of a combination of silibinin with either gefitinib or sorafenib on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. METHODS: Several different human HCC cell lines were used to test the growth-inhibiting effects and cell toxicity of silibinin both alone and in combination with either gefitinib or sorafenib. The cell viability and growth inhibition were assessed using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, trypan blue staining, and a colony-forming assay. Furthermore, changes in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-related signals were evaluated by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Gefitinib, sorafenib, and silibinin individually exhibited dose-dependent antiproliferative effects on HCC cells. Combined treatment with silibinin enhanced the gefitinib-induced growth-inhibiting effects in some HCC cell lines. The combination effect of gefitinib and silibinin was synergistic in the SNU761 cell line, but was only additive in the Huh-BAT cell line. The combination effect may be attributable to inhibition of EGFR-dependent Akt signaling. Enhanced growth-inhibiting effects were also observed in HCC cells treated with a combination of sorafenib and silibinin. CONCLUSIONS: Combined treatment with silibinin enhanced the growth-inhibiting effects of both gefitinib and sorafenib. Therefore, the combination of silibinin with either sorafenib or gefitinib could be a useful treatment approach for HCC in the future.
Antineoplastic Agents/*pharmacology ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism/pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation/*drug effects ; Cell Survival/drug effects ; Down-Regulation/drug effects ; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor ; Drug Synergism ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/metabolism/pathology ; Niacinamide/*analogs & derivatives/pharmacology ; Phenylurea Compounds/*pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism ; Quinazolines/*pharmacology ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor/metabolism ; Signal Transduction/drug effects ; Silymarin/*pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of silicon dioxide (SiO₂) on the expression of E-cadherin, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and transforming growth factor β₁(TGF-β₁) in human pulmonary epithelial cells (A549) with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and to study the roles of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway in SiO₂-induced EMT in A549 cells in vitro.

METHODSAlveolar macrophages (AMs) were stimulated with 50 µg/ml SiO₂for 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, or 36 h, and the supernatants were collected to measure the expression of TGF-β₁protein by ELISA. The AM supernatant in which TGF-β₁reached the highest expression (T=18 h) was used as AM-conditioned supernatant. A549 cells were cultured in AM-conditioned supernatant and stimulated with indicated doses of SiO₂(0, 50, 100, and 200 µg/ml) for 48 h. The cell morphological changes were observed using an inverted microscope. The cells were collected at different times, and the mRNA and protein expression levels of E-cadherin, α-SMA, and EGFR were measured by RT-PCR and immunocytofluorescence, respectively.

RESULTSAfter stimulation by SiO₂, the expression level of TGF-β₁protein at each time point was significantly higher in the presence of AM supernatants than in the absence of AM supernatants (P<0.05). With the action time, the expression level of TGF-β₁protein increased at first and then decreased, and the highest level was reached at 18 h. After exposure to SiO₂, A549 cells exhibited mesenchymal characteristics, such as a spindle shape, pseudopodia change, and fibroblast-like morphology, as observed by inverted microscope, especially in the 200 µg/ml group. With increased concentration of SiO₂, the mRNA and protein expression of E-cadherin was down-regulated gradually, especially in the 200 µg/ml group, whereas the mRNA and protein expression of α-SMA and EGFR was up-regulated gradually, especially in the 200 µg/m1 group. There were significant differences between the SiO₂-treated groups (50, 100, and 200 µg/ml SiO₂) and the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONAfter being stimulated by SiO₂in vitro, AMs have significantly increased expression level of TGF-β₁protein. The AM supernatant together with SiO₂can induce the transition of pulmonary epithelial cells to mesenchymal cells, and its mechanism may be related to the EGFR signaling pathway.

Actins ; metabolism ; Cadherins ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; drug effects ; Humans ; Lung ; cytology ; Macrophages, Alveolar ; metabolism ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Silicon Dioxide ; pharmacology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of bufalin in reversing hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-induced resistance to afatinib in H1975 lung cancer cells, and explore its possible mechanism.

METHODSThe afatinib-resistant H1975 lung cancer cells (H1975AR) were induced by exogenous HGF and transfected with recombinant adenoviral vector Ad-HGF-GFP. The cytostatic effects of bufalin, afatinib and bufalin plus afatinib on H1975AR cells were evaluated by MTT assay. The impact of combined therapy with bufalin and afatinib on invasion of H1975AR cells was determined by transwell migration assay. The concentrations of HGF in the culture supernatants of H1975/Vec and H1975/HGF cells were determined by ELISA. The expression of EGFR, cMET and EMT signal pathway-related proteins in H1975AR cells treated with bufalin, afatinib and bufalin plus afatinib were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSThe results of MTT assay showed that afatinib did not inhibit the growth of H1975 cells, but after 72 h of the combined treatment with bufalin and afatinib and in the presence of HGF, the growth rate of H1975 cells was (38.67 ± 8.76)%, significantly lower than the growth rate of (63.45 ± 12.65)% in the H1975 cells treated with HGF alone (P < 0.05). The results of transwell migration assay showed that in the presence of HGF, afatinib plus bufalin combination therapy markedly decreased the number of invaded H1975 cells through the Matrigel chamber (48.98 ± 11.43), significantly lower than the 118.92 ± 37.29 of afatinib-treated or the 88.84 ± 19.53 of bufalin-treated cells (P < 0.05 for all). The result of ELISA showed that H1975/HGF cells secreted high levels of HGF, and afatinib and bufalin had no effect on the HGF secretion in H1975/HGF cells. The results of Western blot analysis showed that the expression of p-EGFR, p-cMet, p-AKT, p-ERK, vimentin and snail in H1975AR cells treated with bufalin puls afatinb was down-regulated markedly, and the expression of E-cadherin was up-regulated markedly.

CONCLUSIONSCombination of bufalin and afatinib strongly inhibits the growth of H1975AR lung cancer cells and decreases their invasion ability. The possible mechanism of combined treatment with bufalin and afatinib may be related to the blocking of cMet/PI3K/AKT and cMet/MAPK/ERK pathways and inhibiting of epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; pharmacology ; Bufanolides ; pharmacology ; Cadherins ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Coloring Agents ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; drug effects ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; drug effects ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Neoplasm Proteins ; metabolism ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; Quinazolines ; pharmacology ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; Signal Transduction ; Tetrazolium Salts ; Thiazoles

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of aqueous extract of Taxus chinensis var. mairei (AETC) combined Erlotnib on the growth of A549 xenograft in nude mice and its mechanism.

METHODSThe xenograft model in nude mice was established by inoculating A549 cells subcutaneously. BALB/c nude mice bearing A549 xenograft were randomly divided into six groups, i.e., the low dose Erlotinib group (A) , the standard dose Erlotnib group (B) , the low dose Erlotinib combined AETC group (C), the standard dose Erlotnib combined AETC group (D), the AETC group (E), the control group (F), 12 in each group. Different medication was performed for 7 successive weeks after 24 h. One mL blood was withdrawn and tumor tissues taken. The tumor inhibition rate was calculated. The combined effect was analyzed by Jin's Formula [Q = Ea + b/(Ea + Eb-Ea x Eb) ]. mRNA and protein expression levels of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) in xenografts were detected using real-time RT-PCR and ELISA.

RESULTSCompared with Group F, the xenograft weight was obviously lowered in Group B-E (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The q value was 0.92 in Group C and 0.96 in Group D, which was obtained by simple adding of the two drugs. Compared with Group F, EG- FR mRNA expression in Group D and E, COX-2 mRNA expression in Group A-E; Bcl-2 mRNA expression in Group B-D; COX-2 protein expression in Group B-E; Bcl-2 protein expression in Group C and D were obviously lowered with statistical difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSAETC combined low dose and standard dose Erlotinib had synergistic effect on tumor inhibition. Its mechanism might be associated with down-regulating mRNA and protein expression levels of COX-2 and Bcl-2.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Erlotinib Hydrochloride ; pharmacology ; Heterografts ; Lung Neoplasms ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Taxus ; Transplantation, Heterologous

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression level in cetuximab cytotoxicity and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) effect against A549 lung cancer cell line.

METHODSA549 cell line and NKTm cells were used as the target cell and the effector cell, respectively. pEGFR-EGFP plasmids were transfected into A549 cells by nucleofector method. EGFR expression levels were measured by immunohistochemistry. The ADCC activity induced by cetuximab was assessed by cell counting kit-8 assay.

RESULTSA549 cells transfected with pEGFR-EGFP plasmids expressed higher level of EGFR protein on membrane and were more sensitive to ADCC activity mediated by cetuximab (P<0.05). The inhibition rate of A549 cells showed no significant difference between transfection group and wild-type group when treated with cetuximab alone (P> 0.05).

CONCLUSIONEGFR expression level influences the sensitivity of A549 lung cancer cell line to ADCC activity mediated by cetuximab but not to cetuximab alone.

Adenocarcinoma ; pathology ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Cetuximab ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

BACKGROUND: Standard protocols are lacking for the preparation of platelet lysates (PL) as an alternative to using fetal bovine serum as a cell culture supplement. This study aimed to establish optimum conditions for preparing PL for use in cell cultures. METHODS: Cell density in three pooled platelet concentrates (PC) were adjusted to 1x10(12)/L and 2x10(12)/L. PL was prepared from PC by 1 to 3 freeze-thaw (FT) cycles. HaCaT cells were cultured in media supplemented with 5% or 10% PL. Cell numbers were estimated using a Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8; Dojindo Laboratories, Japan). Growth factors were quantified by using the Luminex 200 system (Luminex Corporation, USA). RESULTS: Cell proliferation rates in the presence of PLs were similar when prepared from PCs of both cell densities. The rates were higher in media containing 5% PL than 10% PL when prepared by two FT cycles. Concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet-derived growth factor-AB/BB (PDGF-AB/BB), PDGF-AA, and epidermal growth factor (EGF) were significantly higher in PL prepared from PC with a cell density of 2x10(12)/L than 1x10(12)/L PC. However, only VEGF and PDGF-AA concentrations in PLs were correlated with HaCaT cell counts. CONCLUSIONS: The 5% PL from PC with a cell density of 1x10(12)/L prepared by two FT cycles treatment was the most effective condition that supported steady HaCaT cell proliferation. Our finding may be useful for preparing PL-supplemented cell culture media.
Blood Platelets/chemistry/*metabolism ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects ; Culture Media/pharmacology ; Epidermal Growth Factor/chemistry/pharmacology ; Humans ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor/chemistry/pharmacology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/chemistry/pharmacology