OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of osthole on epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase (EGFR-TPK), matrix-metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), aminopeptidase N (APN) in bladder cancer cell and the underlying mechanism.
 METHODS: The T24 cell lines were cultured. The inhibitory effects of osthole on EGFR-TPK, APN and MMP-2 were evaluated by spectrophotometric and MTT assay. The caspase-3 activity and the expression COX-2 and VEGF in T24 were examined. The activity of NF-κB was determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay.
 RESULTS: The half inhibition concentrations (IC50) of osthole on EGFR-TPK, APN and MMP-2 were (45.33±3.98), (28.21±3.23) and (8.11±0.54) µmol/L, respectively. The growth inhibitory rates for T24 cells were increased in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). The caspase-3 activities were significantly increased in T24 cells in the osthole group compared with control group, while the expression of angiogenesis related-protein COX-2, VEGF, and NF-κB in T24 cells were decreased.
 CONCLUSION Through the inhibitory effect on EGFR-TPK, APN and MMP-2, osthole can decrease COX-2, VEGF and NF-κB expression while increase the activity of caspase-3, eventually blocking the growth and invasion of bladder cancer cell.
CD13 Antigens ; metabolism ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; drug effects ; Coumarins ; pharmacology ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; metabolism ; ErbB Receptors ; metabolism ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

Diabetes is related with a number of cystopathic complications. However, there have been no studies about the influence of alcohol consumption in the bladder of type 2 diabetes. Thus, we investigated the effect of moderate alcohol intake in the bladder of the Otsuka Long Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) diabetic rat. The non-diabetic Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO, n=14) and the OLETF control group (n=14) were fed an isocaloric diet; the LETO (n=14) and the OLETF ethanol group (n=14) were fed 36% ethanol 7 g/kg/day. After ten weeks, muscarinic receptors, RhoGEFs, myogenic change, and the level of oxidative stress were evaluated. Moderate alcohol intake significantly decreased excessive muscarinic receptor and Rho kinase expressions in the OLETF rats compared with the LETO rats. In addition, iNOS and collagen expression were not changed in the OLETF rats in spite of alcohol consumption. Superoxide dismutase levels, which is involved in antioxidant defense, in the LETO rats were significantly decreased after alcohol consumption, however those in the OLETF rats were similar. Moderate alcohol consumption reduces the oxidative stress, and may prevent molecular and pathologic changes of the bladder of rats with type 2 diabetes.
Alcohol Drinking/adverse effects ; Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/*complications/*metabolism/pathology ; Ethanol/*toxicity ; Humans ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred OLETF ; Reactive Oxygen Species/*metabolism ; Urinary Bladder/*drug effects/*metabolism/pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the growth-inhibitory effect of sunitinib malate on human bladder transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) in vitro.

METHODSHuman bladder TCC cell line T24 was cultured and exposed to graded concentrations of sunitinib malate for 72 hours in vitro to determine the sensitivities to drug. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Cell apoptotic morphology was observed by fluorescence microscope following DAPI staining. Band expressions of Fas, Fas ligand, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and β-actin were analyzed by Western blot. Wound healing process of T24 cells exposed to sunitinib malate was assayed.

RESULTSSunitinib malate exerted a concentration-dependent and time-dependent inhibitory effect on the T24 cell lines. Fluorescence microscopy showed that small vacuoles appeared in the nuclei of T24 cells and the vacuoles were bigger with higher drug concentrations. The expressions of Fas ligand and PARP in T24 cells treated with sunitinib malate exhibited a concentration-dependent increase. Moreover sunitinib malate suppressed the wound healing process in a concentration-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONSunitinib malate exerted marked inhibitory activity against bladder cancer cell line T24.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Fas Ligand Protein ; metabolism ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Indoles ; pharmacology ; Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases ; metabolism ; Pyrroles ; pharmacology ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Wound Healing ; drug effects ; fas Receptor ; metabolism

We investigated how the dual inhibition of the molecular mechanism of the mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) downstreams, P70S6 kinase (P70S6K) and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E), can lead to a suppression of the proliferation and progression of urothelial carcinoma (UC) in an orthotopic mouse non-muscle invasive bladder tumor (NMIBT) model. A KU-7-luc cell intravesically instilled orthotopic mouse NMIBC model was monitored using bioluminescence imaging (BLI) in vivo by interfering with different molecular components using rapamycin and siRNA technology. We then analyzed the effects on molecular activation status, cell growth, proliferation, and progression. A high concentration of rapamycin (10 microM) blocked both P70S6K and elF4E phosphorylation and inhibited cell proliferation in the KU-7-luc cells. It also reduced cell viability and proliferation more than the transfection of siRNA against p70S6K or elF4E. The groups with dual p70S6K and elF4E siRNA, and rapamycin reduced tumor volume and lamina propria invasion more than the groups with p70S6K or elF4E siRNA instillation, although all groups reduced photon density compared to the control. These findings suggest that both the mTOR pathway downstream of eIF4E and p70S6K can be successfully inhibited by high dose rapamycin only, and p70S6K and Elf4E dual inhibition is essential to control bladder tumor growth and progression.
Animals ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects/genetics ; Cell Survival/drug effects ; Disease Progression ; Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4E/*antagonists & inhibitors/genetics ; Female ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Mucous Membrane/pathology ; Phosphorylation/drug effects ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases, 70-kDa/*antagonists & inhibitors/genetics ; Signal Transduction/drug effects ; Sirolimus/*pharmacology ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/*antagonists & inhibitors/metabolism ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/genetics/*pathology ; Urothelium/pathology

We investigated how the dual inhibition of the molecular mechanism of the mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) downstreams, P70S6 kinase (P70S6K) and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E), can lead to a suppression of the proliferation and progression of urothelial carcinoma (UC) in an orthotopic mouse non-muscle invasive bladder tumor (NMIBT) model. A KU-7-luc cell intravesically instilled orthotopic mouse NMIBC model was monitored using bioluminescence imaging (BLI) in vivo by interfering with different molecular components using rapamycin and siRNA technology. We then analyzed the effects on molecular activation status, cell growth, proliferation, and progression. A high concentration of rapamycin (10 microM) blocked both P70S6K and elF4E phosphorylation and inhibited cell proliferation in the KU-7-luc cells. It also reduced cell viability and proliferation more than the transfection of siRNA against p70S6K or elF4E. The groups with dual p70S6K and elF4E siRNA, and rapamycin reduced tumor volume and lamina propria invasion more than the groups with p70S6K or elF4E siRNA instillation, although all groups reduced photon density compared to the control. These findings suggest that both the mTOR pathway downstream of eIF4E and p70S6K can be successfully inhibited by high dose rapamycin only, and p70S6K and Elf4E dual inhibition is essential to control bladder tumor growth and progression.
Animals ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects/genetics ; Cell Survival/drug effects ; Disease Progression ; Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4E/*antagonists & inhibitors/genetics ; Female ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Mucous Membrane/pathology ; Phosphorylation/drug effects ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases, 70-kDa/*antagonists & inhibitors/genetics ; Signal Transduction/drug effects ; Sirolimus/*pharmacology ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/*antagonists & inhibitors/metabolism ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/genetics/*pathology ; Urothelium/pathology

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of estrogen on the expression of the alpha1 receptor and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in rat urethra and bladder after oophorectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five mature female Sprague-Dawley rats (aged 10-11 weeks, 235-250 g) were randomly assigned to one of three groups: control group, oophorectomy group (Opx), or oophorectomy and estradiol replacement group (Opx+ Est). The degree of expression of alpha1 receptor (alpha1A and D) and NOS (neuronal NOS [nNOS] and endothelial NOS [eNOS]) in bladder and urethral tissues was investigated by using immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting. RESULTS: In the bladder, the expression rates of alpha1 receptor (alpha1A and alpha1D) increased in the Opx group but decreased in the Opx+Est group. These changes were not statistically significant. The alpha1A and alpha1D receptor of the urethra decreased in the Opx group but increased in the Opx+Est group. These changes were not statistically significant. In the bladder and urethra, the expression rates of nNOS and eNOS significantly increased in the Opx group but decreased in the Opx+Est group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that estrogen depletion increases NOS and alpha1 receptor expression in the rat bladder. However, these changes could be restored by estrogen replacement therapy.
Animals ; Collagen/metabolism ; Estradiol/analogs & derivatives/blood/pharmacology ; Estrogen Replacement Therapy/*methods ; Female ; Muscle, Smooth/pathology ; Nitric Oxide Synthase/*metabolism ; Ovariectomy ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1/*metabolism ; Urethra/drug effects/*metabolism/pathology ; Urinary Bladder/drug effects/*metabolism/pathology

PURPOSE: Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) inhibits the growth of bladder cancer cells and this effect is prominent and constant in 253J bladder cancer cells. We performed a microarray analysis to search for genes that were altered after TGF-beta1 treatment to understand the growth inhibitory action of TGF-beta1. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 253J bladder cancer cells were exposed to TGF-beta1 and total RNA was extracted at 6, 24, and 48 hours after exposure. The RNA was hybridized onto a human 22K oligonucleotide microarray and the data were analyzed by using GeneSpring 7.1. RESULTS: In the microarray analysis, a total of 1,974 genes showing changes of more than 2.0 fold were selected. The selected genes were further subdivided into five highly cohesive clusters with high probability according to the time-dependent expression pattern. A total of 310 genes showing changes of more than 2.0 fold in repeated arrays were identified by use of simple t-tests. Of these genes, those having a known function were listed according to clusters. Microarray analysis showed increased expression of molecules known to be related to Smad-dependent signal transduction, such as SARA and Smad4, and also those known to be related to the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, such as MAPKK1 and MAPKK4. CONCLUSIONS: A list of genes showing significantly altered expression profiles after TGF-beta1 treatment was made according to five highly cohesive clusters. The data suggest that the growth inhibitory effect of TGF-beta1 in bladder cancer may occur through the Smad-dependent pathway, possibly via activation of the extracellular signal-related kinase 1 and Jun amino-terminal kinases Mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway.
Antineoplastic Agents/*pharmacology ; Cluster Analysis ; Gene Expression Profiling/methods ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/*drug effects ; Genes, Neoplasm ; Humans ; MAP Kinase Signaling System/drug effects/genetics ; Neoplasm Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis/methods ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods ; Signal Transduction/drug effects/genetics ; Smad Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/*pharmacology ; Tumor Cells, Cultured/drug effects ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/*genetics/metabolism/pathology

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of autophagy in quercetin (Que)-induced apoptosis in human bladder carcinoma BIU-87 cells in vitro.

METHODSTo determine the proliferative inhibition by MTT colorimetric assay after treating BIU-87 cells with quercetin at various concentrations. To identify autophagy and apoptosis in the BIU-87 cells after Que treatment by monodansylcadaverin (MDC) and Hoechst 33258 fluorescent staining, respectively. To examine the cytotoxic effect of Que and influence of autophagy on apoptosis by studying LDH leakage rate and flow cytometry, after blocking the autophagy with 3-methlyadenine (3-MA), a specific autophagy inhibitor.

RESULTSThere was an obvious inhibitory effect of Que on the proliferation of BIU-87 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The inhibition rate of BIU-87 cells after 200 µmol/L Que treatment for 72 hours was 89.2%. Autophagy and apoptosis were induced and detected in Que-treated BIU-87 cells and autophagy occurred earlier than apoptosis. The apoptosis peak became much higher after the autophagy was blocked. Whenever the autophagy was blocked before or after Que treatment, the Que-induced cytotoxicity in BIU-87 cells was enhanced.

CONCLUSIONSQuercetin significantly inhibits the proliferation of BIU-87 cells, and the autophagy is induced earlier than apoptosis. In the process of Que-induced apoptosis of BIU-87 cells, autophagy may play a protective role at the initiation phase, delay apoptosis and reduce the Que-induced death of BIU-87 cells.

Adenine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Antioxidants ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Autophagy ; drug effects ; physiology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Humans ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Quercetin ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo detect the effects of Polyporus polysaccharide (PPS), Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), and their combination on the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway associated-gene expression and investigate the molecular mechanisms of the toxic-reducing effect of PPS in coordination with BCG against bladder cancer.

METHODSAfter T739 cells were treated with PPS, BCG and their combination, the changes in mRNA and protein expression of inhibitor of kappa B kinase beta (IKKβ), NF-κB subunit p65 (NF-κB p65), intracellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1) and chemokine (C-c motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) in bladder cancer cell line T739 were determined by relative quantitative real-time PCR, Western blot, and flow cytometry (FCM). NF-κB p65 DNA-binding activity in T739 cell was detected by biotinylated probe-ELISA, and NF-κB p65 nuclear expression in T739 cell was observed by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSCompared with the T739 control group, the mRNA expression of IKBKB (IKKβ), Rel A (NF-κB p65), ICAM1 and CCL2 in T739 cells treated with BCG were increased obviously (Ratio>2.0), as well as the expression of IKKβ, CCL2 and ICAM1 proteins. Meanwhile, NF-κB p65 DNA-binding activity and NF-κB p65 nuclear expression in T739 cells treated with BCG were up-regulated significantly (P<0.05). Compared with the control, the increased expression in T739 cells were simultaneously down-regulated after PPS treatment, except for ICAM1 protein expression. With cells treated with a combination of BCG and PPS, the expression of genes associated with the NF-κB signaling pathway, such as IKBKB, ICAM1 and CCL2, were all down-regulated compared to the BCG group, as well as Rel A mRNA expression, NF-κB p65 DNA-binding activity and NF-κB p65 nuclear expression.

CONCLUSIONSPPS could inhibit the over-activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway induced by BCG in bladder cancer cells and accordingly attenuate the adverse reactions to BCG therapy.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Nucleus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; Humans ; Mycobacterium bovis ; drug effects ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Polyporus ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; genetics ; microbiology ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the antitumor effect of recombinant IFN-alpha-2b-BCG on mouse bladder cancer MB49 cells in vitro, and to explore its antitumor mechanisms.

METHODSMB49 cells were co-cultured with recombinant BCG or wild BCG, and than were examined by light and transmission electron microscopy. The cell growth was assessed by MTT assay, and apoptosis rate and MHC-I of the MB49 cells was detected by flow cytometry using AO and Hoechst33258 fluorescence immunostaining.

RESULTSThe hIFN-alpha-2b-BCG-treated tumor cells showed slow growth, detachment of some cells, and various degree of degeneration. Light microscopy revealed organelle disorganization, chromatin aggregation, nuclear pyknosis, and cytolysis in some cells. Cellular membrane bulged and some bubbles were seen under fluorescence microscope using AO staining. Hoechst33258 assay also depicted frequent apoptosis in the tumor cells. The MTT assay showed that rBCG more actively than the wild BCG inhibited the proliferation of MB49 cells. The apoptosis rate of the recombinant BCG group was 19.7% and 46.6% at the time point of 24 h and 48 h, respectively, significantly higher than 10.8% and 20.9%, respectively, in the wild BCG group. The results of flow cytometry indicated that both types of BCG enhanced the expression of MHC-I in the MB49 cells, but more effective in the recombinant BCG group.

CONCLUSIONThe recombinant hIFN-alpha-2b-BCG has more strong immuno-modulatory properties, anti-tumor effect on MB49 cells and induces apparent cytotoxicity in the bladder cancer cells in vitro.

Adjuvants, Immunologic ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; BCG Vaccine ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I ; metabolism ; Interferon-alpha ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Recombinant Proteins ; pharmacology ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology