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At least 91 records · Page 5

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DOE OSTI2017

Mannose-conjugated platinum complexes reveals effective tumor targeting mediated by glucose transporter 1

Despite numerous studies that report the glucose derived glycoconjugates as antitumor candidates, using mannose as sugar motif for specific tumor targeting remains less studied. In this research, two novel mannose-conjugated platinum complexes 4a and 4b that target the Warburg effect were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their antitumor activities in vitro and in vivo. Compared with oxaliplatin, both complexes exhibited substantial enhancement in water solubility as well as excellent or comparative cytotoxicity in six human cancer cell lines. Cytotoxicity assessments on Glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) down-regulated or overexpressed cells and platinum accumulation study demonstrated that cellular uptake of compound 4a was regulated by GLUT1. In particular, 4a induced apoptosis in HT29 cells by suppressing expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL, which preliminary explained the mechanism origin of antitumor effect. As indicated by its maximum tolerated dose-finding assay and in vivo anticancer activity, compound 4a exhibits better safety and efficacy profile than oxaliplatin. The findings of this study indicate the possibility of subjecting mannose-conjugated platinum complexes as lead compounds for further preclinical evaluation. - Highlights: • Mannose-conjugated platinum complexes were designed and synthesized to target glucose transporter 1(GLUT1). • Mannose-conjugated platinum complex 4a transport across cancer cells through GLUT1. • Mannose-conjugated platinum complex 4a induce apoptosis in HT29 cells. • Mannose-conjugated platinum complex 4a antitumor activities were more potent than those of oxaliplatin.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2017

Identification of repaglinide as a therapeutic drug for glioblastoma multiforme

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly aggressive brain tumor with a median survival time of only 14 months after treatment. It is urgent to find new therapeutic drugs that increase survival time of GBM patients. To achieve this goal, we screened differentially expressed genes between long-term and short-term survived GBM patients from Gene Expression Omnibus database and found gene expression signature for the long-term survived GBM patients. The signaling networks of all those differentially expressed genes converged to protein binding, extracellular matrix and tissue development as revealed in BiNGO and Cytoscape. Drug repositioning in Connectivity Map by using the gene expression signature identified repaglinide, a first-line drug for diabetes mellitus, as the most promising novel drug for GBM. In vitro experiments demonstrated that repaglinide significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of human GBM cells. In vivo experiments demonstrated that repaglinide prominently prolonged the median survival time of mice bearing orthotopic glioma. Mechanistically, repaglinide significantly reduced Bcl-2, Beclin-1 and PD-L1 expression in glioma tissues, indicating that repaglinide may exert its anti-cancer effects via apoptotic, autophagic and immune checkpoint signaling. Taken together, repaglinide is likely to be an effective drug to prolong life span of GBM patients. - Highlights: • Gene expression signarue in long-term survived GBM patients are identified from Gene Expression Omnibus database. • Repaglinide is identified as a survival-related drug for GBM via drug repositioning in CMap. • Repaglinide effectively kills GBM cells, inhibits GBM cell migration and increases survival of mice bearing orthotopic glioma. • Repaglinide reduces Bcl-2, Beclin-1 and PD-L1 in GBM tissues.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2017

Anti-cancer effect of oncolytic adenovirus-armed shRNA targeting MYCN gene on doxorubicin-resistant neuroblastoma cells

Chemotherapy is one of the few effective choices for patients with neuroblastoma. However, the development of muti-drug resistance (MDR) to chemotherapy is a major obstacle to the effective treatment of advanced or recurrent neuroblastoma. The muti-drug resistance-associated protein (MRP), which encodes a transmembrane glycoprotein, is a key regulator of MDR. The expression of MRP is a close correlation with MYCN oncogene in neuroblastoma. We have recently shown ZD55-shMYCN (oncolytic virus armed with shRNA against MYCN) can down-regulate MYCN to inhibit tumor cells proliferation and induce apoptosis in neuroblastoma. Here we further report ZD55-shMYCN re-sensitized doxorubicin-resistant cells to doxorubicin (as shown by reduced proliferation, increased apoptosis, and inhibited cell migration), and reduced the in vivo growth rate of neuroblastoma xenografts by down-regulation of MRP expression. Sequential therapy with doxorubicin did not affect the replication of ZD55-shMYCN in doxorubicin-resistant neuroblastoma cells, but decreased the expression of Bcl-2, Bcl-X{sub L}, MMP-1. Thus, this synergistic effect of ZD55-shMYCN in combination with doxorubicin provides a novel therapy strategy for doxorubicin-resistant neuroblastoma, and is a promising approach for further clinical development. - Highlights: • MYCN and MRP are evidently upregulated in doxorubicin-resistant neuroblastoma cells. • ZD55-shMYCN re-sensitizes doxorubicin-resistant cells to doxorubicin. • ZD55-shMYCN combination with doxorubicin inhibit proliferation of doxorubicin-resistant cells in vitro and in vivo.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2018

Catalpol suppresses osteosarcoma cell proliferation through blocking epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and inducing apoptosis

Highlights: • Catalpol inhibits cell viability and EMT in osteosarcoma cell lines. • Catalpol induces apoptosis in osteosarcoma cell lines by Bcl-2/Caspase-8 signaling. • Catalpol induces ROS generation and suppresses STAT3 pathway activation. • Catalpol is able to suppresses osteosarcoma growth in vivo. Catalpol, an iridoid glucoside compound, is reported to possess diverse pharmacological actions. However, its effects on osteosarcoma are little to be known. In the present study, we showed that catalpol could strongly suppress osteosarcoma progression. Catalpol dose-dependently reduced the cancer cell viability. The migration of osteosarcoma cells was also consistently suppressed by catalpol treatment using the wound healing and transwell migration analysis. Catalpol reduced the expressions of Kras, receptor for activated C-kinase 1(RACK1) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 in a dose-dependent manner, revealing the blockage of migration. Moreover, both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis were triggered by catalpol, as evidenced by improved cleaved Caspase-8/-9/-3 and Poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Release of Cyto-c in cytoplasm and Bax up-regulation in total cells were observed in catalpol-treated cells, while mitochondrial Cyto-c and cellular Bcl-2 were down-regulated by catalpol. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was also involved in catalpol-induced cell death. Further, ROS scavenger, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), impeded catalpol-caused apoptosis. And suppression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3/Janus kinase 2 gene/Src (STAT3/JAK2/Src) was involved in catalpol-induced cell death. In vivo, catalpol showed effective ability to reduce the tumor growth. Our results illustrated that catalpol might be considered as a promising pharmacological agent to suppress osteosarcoma.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2018

Alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor activation protects against myocardial reperfusion injury through modulation of autophagy

Alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) activation alleviates myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we investigated the role of autophagy in α7nAChR-mediated cardioprotection and the molecular mechanisms involved. Activating α7nAChR with PNU-282987 at the initiation of reperfusion reduced myocardial infarct size in MI/R rats. PNU-282987 treatment also significantly inhibited MI/R-induced myocardial autophagy dysfunction as evidenced by the reduction of LC3-II/LC3-I ratio, Beclin-1 and p62 abundance. In addition, PNU-282987 treatment reduced hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced cardiomyocyte injury in vitro, accompanied with the inhibition of Beclin-1-associated autophagy and the restoration of autophagic flux. Interestingly, inhibiting autophagic flux attenuated α7nAChR-afforded improvement of mitochondrial function as well as inhibition of apoptosis in vitro. Mechanistically, co-administration of PNU-282987 with LY294002 (a PI3K inhibitor), AG490 (a JAK2 inhibitor) or Bcl-2 siRNA, but not compound C (an AMPK inhibitor), reduced Bcl-2 level and prevented the modulation of autophagy afforded by PNU-282987 in H/R cardiomyocytes. Collectively, these findings suggest that α7nAChR activation inhibits Beclin-1-associated autophagy dysfunction via the JAK2/Bcl-2 and PI3K/Bcl-2 cascades, leading to cardioprotection against MI/R injury.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2018

Nano-chemotherapeutic efficacy of (−) -epigallocatechin 3-gallate mediating apoptosis in A549 cells: Involvement of reactive oxygen species mediated Nrf2/Keap1signaling

Chemotherapeutic drugs exert systemic toxicity in lung cancer cells and therefore novel treatment strategies are warranted. Epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG), though possessing beneficial effects in alleviating cancer, its effect has been limited due to ineffective systemic delivery, toxicity and bioavailability. To attain the maximum therapeutic response of EGCG, we have synthesized bovine serum albumin (BSA) encapsulated magnetite nanoparticle (MNPs) loaded with EGCG (nano EGCG). The synthesized nano EGCG was characterized using HR-TEM, XRD and FT-IR. Cytotoxicity analysis of BSA-MNP and nano EGCG using flow cytometry was evaluated in lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells. The effect of native and nano EGCG modulating apoptosis and Nrf2/Keap1 signaling was analysed. Nano EGCG exhibited increased ROS/RNS levels and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, as evaluated by DCFH and JC1 staining, respectively. Expression of pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins (Bcl-2, Bax, Bak, Bim and Puma) was evaluated. This study demonstrates that native and nano EGCG induces apoptosis through the involvement of ROS leading to loss in mitochondrial membrane potential. EGCG exhibited an increased expression of Nrf2 and Keap1 that could regulate apoptosis in A549 cells. This study, for the first time reveals the potential of BSA-MNPs loaded EGCG as drug target and renders better efficacy against lung cancer cells.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2018

Anlotinib induces hepatocellular carcinoma apoptosis and inhibits proliferation via Erk and Akt pathway

Although anlotinib, a multi-targeted receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor has been reported have antitumor effects in many preclinical and clinical trials, little is known about its effect on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we have shown the antitumor effects of anlotinib on HCC. Data indicated that anlotinib application significantly inhibited HCC cell viability, proliferation, colony formation, and prompted apoptosis in vitro. Furthermore, animal experiments also illustrated that anlotinib alleviated HCC progression. Mechanically, we demonstrated that anlotinib treatment downregulated the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and Survivin, but upregulated pro-apoptotic molecule Bax, which accounts for its therapeutic effect on HCC. Pathway analysis has shown decreased phosphorylation levels of Erk and Akt. Together, this study suggests that anlotinib may have a direct antitumor progression effect on HCC by inhibiting Bcl-2 and Survivin expression, promoting Bax expression via inactivating Erk and Akt pathways and could be a promising agent treating HCC.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2018

MFAP5 suppression inhibits migration/invasion, regulates cell cycle and induces apoptosis via promoting ROS production in cervical cancer

Highlights: • Suppression of MFAP5 reduces migration/invasion, regulates cell cycle and induces apoptosis in cervical cancer cells. • Inhibition of MFAP5 promotes ROS generation to prevent cervical cancer progression in vitro. • MFAP5 down-regulation inhibits cervical cancer growth in vivo. Cervical cancer is one of the most lethal types of cancer among female. Microfibrillar-associated protein 5 (MFAP5) is an extracellular matrix (ECM) glycoprotein, and is confirmed to be involved in cell signaling during microfibril assembly, elastinogenesis and cell survival. However, the role of MFAP5 in cervical cancer development and progression remains poorly understood. In the study, MFAP5 was over-expressed in human cervical cancers, and in different cervical cancer cell lines. Patients suffering from cervical cancer with low MFAP5 expression exhibited better survival rate. Suppressing MFAP5 in cervical cancer cells markedly reduced the cell proliferation, migration and invasion by modulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related signaling pathway. In addition, MFAP5 knockdown induced large number of cells distributed in G2/M phase, along with reduced Cyclin B1, Cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) expressions, and enhanced p21 and p53 levels. Moreover, apoptosis was highly induced by MFAP5 silence through reducing Bcl-xl and Bcl-2 expressions, and promoting Bax, cleaved Caspase-3 and poly (ADP-Ribose) polymerase (PARP) expressions in cervical cancer cells. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production levels were also higher in MFAP5-knockdown cells, along with Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation. Importantly, we found that MFAP5 knockdown-inhibited cervical cancer cell growth was dependent on ROS production. Finally, the depletion of MFAP5 prevented cervical cancer progression in vivo. In summary, our study identified a critical role played by MFAP5 in the progression of cervical cancer and the potential mechanisms by which exerted its effects, indicating that targeting MFAP5-related pathways could be conducive to the therapies for cervical cancer.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2018

Cardioprotective effect of levosimendan against homocysteine-induced mitochondrial stress and apoptotic cell death in H9C2

Highlights: • Effect of levosimendan on homocysteine induced oxidative damage in H9C2 cells was investigated. • Levosimendan attenuated homocysteine-triggered oxidative damage and cell death in H9C2 cells. • It improves the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and reduces the activity of caspase-3 in H9C2 cells treated with homocysteine. Levosimendan is a cardiac inotropic and vasodilator agent that has been reported to have anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and smooth muscle vasodilatory properties. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of levosimendan on homocysteine-induced cardiomyocyte injury and to explore its underlying mechanisms. H9C2 myocardial cells were incubated with levosimendan 30 min before exposure to homocysteine (Hcy) for 24 h. The effect of levosimendan on cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay. Biological markers of oxidative stress were examined by assessment of lipid peroxidation (LPO), total antioxidant power (TAP), and total thiol groups. Moreover, the expression of caspase-3, Bcl-2, and Bax proteins was determined by western blot analysis. These results showed that levosimendan increased survival of cardiomyocytes in Hcy condition. Treatment with levosimendan decreased lipid peroxidation level. It also enhanced the TAP and total thiol groups. Further, levosimendan pretreatment upregulated the expression of Bcl-2 and downregulated the expression of Bax. The experiments also demonstrated that levosimendan could decrease the expression and activity of caspase-3, which is a key factor in regulating apoptosis. Taken together, these results indicated that levosimendan protects H9C2 myocardial cells against Hcy-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis by scavenging free radicals and modulating the mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic signaling pathway.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2016

Mangiferin, a novel nuclear factor kappa B-inducing kinase inhibitor, suppresses metastasis and tumor growth in a mouse metastatic melanoma model

Advanced metastatic melanoma, one of the most aggressive malignancies, is currently without reliable therapy. Therefore, new therapies are urgently needed. Mangiferin is a naturally occurring glucosylxanthone and exerts many beneficial biological activities. However, the effect of mangiferin on metastasis and tumor growth of metastatic melanoma remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated the effect of mangiferin on metastasis and tumor growth in a mouse metastatic melanoma model. We found that mangiferin inhibited spontaneous metastasis and tumor growth. Furthermore, mangiferin suppressed the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and expression of phosphorylated NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK), inhibitor of kappa B kinase (IKK), and inhibitor of kappa B (IκB) and increases the expression of IκB protein in vivo. In addition, we found that mangiferin inhibited the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and very late antigens (VLAs) in vivo. Mangiferin treatment also increased the expression of cleaved caspase-3, cleaved Poly ADP ribose polymerase-1 (PARP-1), p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA), p53, and phosphorylated p53 proteins, and decreased the expression of Survivin and Bcl-associated X (Bcl-xL) proteins in vivo. These results indicate that mangiferin selectivity suppresses the NF-κB pathway via inhibition of NIK activation, thereby inhibiting metastasis and tumor growth. Importantly, the number of reported NIK selective inhibitors is limited. Taken together, our data suggest that mangiferin may be a potential therapeutic agent with a new mechanism of targeting NIK for the treatment of metastatic melanoma. - Highlights: • Mangiferin prolongs survival in mice by inhibiting metastasis and tumor growth • Mangiferin selectivity suppresses the NF-κB pathway via inhibition of NIK activation • Mangiferin regulates the expression of MMPs, VLAs, and apoptosis regulatory proteins.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2017

Amentoflavone protects dopaminergic neurons in MPTP-induced Parkinson's disease model mice through PI3K/Akt and ERK signaling pathways

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by the progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). Mitochondrial dysfunction and cell apoptosis are suggested to be actively involved in the pathogenesis of PD. In the present study, the neuroprotective effect of amentoflavone (AF), a naturally occurring biflavonoid from Selaginella tamariscina, was examined in PD models both in vitro and in vivo. On SH-SY5Y cells, AF treatment dose-dependently reduced 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP{sup +})-induced nuclear condensation and loss of cell viability without obvious cytotoxicity. It inhibited the activation of caspase-3 and p21 but increased the Bcl-2/Bax ratio. Further study disclosed that AF enhanced the phosphorylation of PI3K, Akt and ERK1/2 down-regulated by MPP{sup +} in SH-SY5Y cells, the effect of which could be blocked by LY294002, the inhibitor of PI3K. Consistently, AF alleviated the behavioral deterioration in pole and traction tests and rescued the loss of dopaminergic neurons in SNpc and fibers in striatum in methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) induced mice. It also could enhance the activation of PI3K and Akt as well as Bcl-2/Bax ratio in SN. Moreover, AF alleviated gliosis as well as the gene expression levels of IL-1β and iNOS in SN. Collectively, these results suggested that AF protected dopaminergic neurons against MPTP/MPP{sup +}-induced neurotoxicity, which might be mediated through activation of PI3K/Akt and ERK signaling pathways in dopaminergic neurons and attenuation of neuroinflammation. - Highlights: • AF protected dopaminergic neurons against MPTP/MPP{sup +}-induced neurotoxicity. • AF modulated PI3K/Akt and ERK signaling pathways. • AF could alleviate neuroinflammation in SN.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2017

Dendritic cells' death induced by contact sensitizers is controlled by Nrf2 and depends on glutathione levels

Dendritic cells (DC) are known to play a major role during contact allergy induced by contact sensitizers (CS). Our previous studies showed that Nrf2 was induced in DC and controlled allergic skin inflammation in mice in response to chemicals. In this work, we raised the question of the role of Nrf2 in response to a stress provoked by chemical sensitizers in DC. We used two well-described chemical sensitizers, dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) and cinnamaldehyde (CinA), known to have different chemical reactivity and mechanism of action. First, we performed a RT-qPCR array showing that CinA was a higher inducer of immune and detoxification genes compared to DNCB. Interestingly, in the absence of Nrf2, gene expression was dramatically affected in response to DNCB but was slightly affected in response to CinA. These observations prompted us to study DC's cell death in response to both chemicals. DNCB and CinA increased apoptotic cells and decreased living cells in the absence of Nrf2. The characterization of DC apoptosis induced by both CS involved the mitochondrial-dependent caspase pathway and was regulated via Nrf2 in response to both chemicals. Oxidative stress induced by DNCB, and leading to cell death, was regulated by Nrf2. Unlike CinA, DNCB treatment provoked a significant reduction of intracellular GSH levels and up-regulated bcl-2 gene expression, under the control of Nrf2. This work underlies that chemical reactivity may control Nrf2-dependent gene expression leading to different cytoprotective mechanisms in DC. - Highlights: • Nrf2 controls cell death induced by contact sensitizers in dendritic cells. • DNCB reduced GSH levels and up-regulated bcl-2 gene expression unlike CinA. • Chemical reactivity controls Nrf2-dependent genes having protective effect in DC.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2015

Deregulation of miR-126 expression in colorectal cancer pathogenesis and its clinical significance

In this study, we investigated the expression profiles and clinicopathological significance of miR-126 in large cohort of patients with colorectal cancers as well the cellular repercussions of miR-126 in colon cancer cells along with its targets in-vitro. Down regulation of miR-126 expression was associated with histological subtypes, peri-neural tumour infiltration, microsatellite instability and pathological staging of colorectal cancers (p<0.05). Low miR-126 expression was also associated with poorer survival in patients with colorectal cancer. Analysis of matched tissues from the same patient revealed that approximately 70% of the tested patients had similar levels of expression of miR-126 in primary cancer and cancer metastases in both lymph node and distant metastases. In addition, induced overexpression of miR-126 showed reduced cell proliferation, increased apoptosis and decreased accumulation of cells in the G{sub 0}–G{sub 1} phase of the colon cancer cells. Furthermore, SW480{sup +miR-126} cells showed reduced BCL-2 and increased P53 protein expression. To conclude, deregulation of miR-126 in colorectal cancer at the tissue and cellular levels as well as its correlation with various clinicopathological parameters confirm the cancer suppressive role of miR-126 in colorectal cancer. - Highlights: • Low miR-126 expression was associated with pathological features, MSI and staging. • Low miR-126 expression was associated with poorer patients’ survival in CRC. • Many patients had similar levels of miR-126 expression in primary cancer and cancer metastases. • Induced miR-126 expression reduces cancer proliferation & increases apoptosis. • SW480{sup +miR-126} cells showed reduced BCL-2 and increased P53 protein expression.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2015

Adrenomedullin attenuates interleukin-1β-induced inflammation and apoptosis in rat Leydig cells via inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathway

The aim of this paper is to investigate the protective effects of adrenomedullin (ADM) on interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced inflammation and apoptosis in rat Leydig cells and its underlying molecular mechanisms. Leydig cells were isolated from adult Sprague–Dawley rats. The cell culture was established by adding ADM 2 h prior to 24 h treatment with IL-1β-induced cytotoxicity. We detected cell viability and concentrations of testosterone, reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and reduced glutathione (GSH). Gene expression levels were measured for inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2). Concentrations were detected for nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Apoptosis was assessed using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL). Levels of gene expression and protein were detected for Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3, and poly adenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerase (PARP). Protein levels were measured for nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65 and IκBα. ADM reduced IL-1β-induced cytotoxicity. ADM pretreatment significantly increased testosterone concentrations and decreased ROS, MDA, and GSH concentrations. ADM pretreatment inhibited IL-1β-induced inflammation in Leydig cells by decreasing the gene expression levels of iNOS and COX-2, as well as the concentrations of NO and PGE2. ADM pretreatment further decreased the number of TUNEL-positive stained Leydig cells, as confirmed by the increase in gene expression and protein levels of Bcl-2 and the decrease of Bax, caspase-3, and PARP levels. Moreover, ADM pretreatment inhibited NF-κB p65 phosphorylation and IκBα phosphorylation and degradation. ADM has potential anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties in IL-1β-induced rat Leydig cells, which might be related to NF-κB signaling pathway. - Highlights: • ADM attenuates IL-1β-induced oxidative stress in rat Leydig cells. • ADM attenuates IL-1β-induced uncontrolled inflammation in rat Leydig cells. • ADM inhibits IL-1β-induced apoptosis in rat Leydig cells. • ADM effects on rat Leydig cells via inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathway.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2017

Biochemical changes of salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma cells induced by SGI-1776

Provirus integration site for Moloney murine leukemia virus 1 (Pim-1) has proved to be an oncogene and it is known that to depress Pim-1 activity may be a novel oncological treatment strategy. SGI-1776, a small molecule, is the first clinically tested inhibitor of the Pim kinase family. Here, we aimed to explore the effect of SGI-1776 on salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (SACC). Expression of Pim-1 was confirmed in SACC and control tissues by qRT-PCR. After SGI-1776 treatment, the Pim-1 expressions and Pim-1 kinase activity in both SACC-83 and SACC-LM cell lines were measured. Cell proliferation, cell invasion, cell cycle, apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane potential were analyzed. Also, the expression of FOXO3a, p-FOXO3a, RUNX3, Bcl-2, BAD, p-BAD, Bim and p-Bim were detected by Western blot. The results showed that Pim-1 was significantly overexpressed in SACC tissues. SGI-1776 down-regulated the Pim-1 expression, inhibited Pim-1 kinase activity, reduced cell proliferation, decreased invasive ability, increased caspase-3 activity and induced apoptosis, cell cycle arrest and mitochondrial depolarization. Reduced expression was also seen in p-FOXO3a, RUNX3, Bcl-2, p-BAD and p-Bim, whereas no significant changes were observed from FOXO3a, BAD and Bim. These results confirm the pivotal role of Pim-1 in SACC and suggest that targeting Pim-1 kinase signal pathway by SGI-1776 might be a promising therapeutic modality for SACC.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2018

Sirtuin 5 overexpression attenuates glucolipotoxicity-induced pancreatic β cells apoptosis and dysfunction

Highlights: • SIRT5 expression significantly diminished in the pancreas of T2DM animals. • SIRT5 reduced apoptotic cell mass and retained glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in β cell lines upon glucolipotoxicity. • SIRT5 plays an essential role in maintaining the β cell mass and function under glucolipotoxicity condition. Recently, SIRT5 was reported to be a predominant desuccinylase and demalonylase in mitochondria. Ablation of SIRT5 enhances the systemic succinylation and malonylation of mitochondrial proteins, including various metabolic enzymes; however, its function in pancreatic β cells has not yet been clarified. In this study, we evaluated the effects of SIRT5 overexpression on glucolipotoxicity-induced apoptosis in β cell lines. Full-length SIRT5, which preferentially targeted to mitochondria and partially to the nucleus and cytoplasm, was overexpressed in NIT-1 cells. Chronic exposure to excess palmitate and glucose (High-PA-G) induced apoptosis and suppressed glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in β cells. SIRT5 overexpression significantly alleviated apoptosis under the High-PA-G condition, accompanied by suppressed Caspase 3 activity and reduced malondialdehyde levels. SIRT5 overexpression also improved β cell secretory capacity in response to glucose under the High-PA-G condition, suggesting its protective role in β cell function. Furthermore, SIRT5 overexpression reversed the decreasing trend of anti-apoptotic factors BCL-2 and BCL-XL expression under High-PA-G condition. Further regulation mechanisms between SIRT5 and these anti-apoptotic factors remains to be explored in future studies. Our data reveal that SIRT5 is a potentially protective factor for pancreatic β cells against glucolipotoxicity-induced apoptosis and cell dysfunction.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2021

Antitumor CD8 T cell responses in glioma patients are effectively suppressed by T follicular regulatory cells

Regulatory T (Treg) cells are thought to contribute to tumor pathogenesis by suppressing tumor immunosurveillance and antitumor immunity. T follicular regulatory (Tfr) cells are a recently characterized Treg subset that expresses both the Treg transcription factor (TF) Foxp3 and the T follicular helper (Tfh) TF Bcl-6. The role of Tfr cells in glioma patients remains unclear. In this study, we found that the level of Tfr cells, identified as Foxp3{sup +}Bcl-6{sup +} CD4 T cells, was significantly elevated in tumor-infiltrating CD4 T cells from resected glioma tumors. Both Tfr cells and Treg cells significantly suppressed the proliferation and the cytotoxic capacity of CD8 T cells toward glioma tumor cells, and the suppression was positively associated with the proportion of Tfr cells and Treg cells, respectively. Tfr and Treg cells from glioma tumor samples demonstrated higher suppression potency than those from healthy blood samples and glioma blood samples. Interestingly, canonical CXCR5{sup -} Treg cells could suppress both CXCR5{sup +} and CXCR5{sup -} CD8 T cells, albeit with stronger potency toward CXCR5{sup -} CD8 T cells. However, Tfr cells presented much higher suppression potency toward CXCR5{sup +} CD8 T cells, whereas CXCR5{sup +} CD8 T cells are a potent CD8 T cell subset previously described to have antiviral and antitumor roles. Overall, these data indicate that Tfr cells are enriched in glioma tumors and have suppressive capacity toward CD8 T cell-mediated effector functions.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2016

Discovery of 2-Indole-acylsulfonamide Myeloid Cell Leukemia 1 (Mcl-1) Inhibitors Using Fragment-Based Methods

Myeloid cell leukemia-1 (Mcl-1) is a member of the Bcl-2 family of proteins responsible for the regulation of programmed cell death. Amplification of Mcl-1 is a common genetic aberration in human cancer whose overexpression contributes to the evasion of apoptosis and is one of the major resistance mechanisms for many chemotherapies. Mcl-1 mediates its effects primarily through interactions with pro-apoptotic BH3 containing proteins that achieve high affinity for the target by utilizing four hydrophobic pockets in its binding groove. Here we describe the discovery of Mcl-1 inhibitors using fragment-based methods and structure-based design. These novel inhibitors exhibit low nanomolar binding affinities to Mcl-1 and >500-fold selectivity over Bcl-xL. Additionally, X-ray structures of lead Mcl-1 inhibitors when complexed to Mcl-1 provided detailed information on how these small-molecules bind to the target and were used extensively to guide compound optimization.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗