Browsing by Author "Wang, Yu-Shan"

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Canine CD8 T cells showing NK cytotoxic activity express mRNAs for NK cell-associated surface molecules
(2010-02-15)
Lin, Yi-Chun
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Huang, Yi-Chun
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Wang, Yu-Shan
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Juang, Rong-Huay
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Liao, Kuang-Wen
Natural killer (NK) cells have been considered to be a group of lymphocytes lacking clonally distributed receptors for antigens typical of T cells and B cells. in some mammalian species, including humans, a subpopulation of CD8(+) peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) exhibits NK activity. This NK subpopulation has not been well characterized in mammals and its characterization is particularly poor in the dog. In this study, we demonstrated that a subset of canine CD8(+) cells derived from PBLs and lymphokine (IL-2)-activated killers (LAKs) of PBLs that was CD3(+), CD4(-), CD21(-), CD5(lo), alpha/beta TCR(+), and gamma/delta TCR(-) contained substantially higher levels of mRNAs for NK cell-related receptors (NKp30, NKp44, NKG2D, 2B4, and CD16 for PBL, and NKG2D and CD56 for LAK) than the corresponding CD8(-) cells. This subset of CD8(+) lymphocytes derived from LAKs also displayed significantly higher NK cytotoxic activity than the corresponding CD8(+) cells. In contrast, CD8(+) cells derived from nonstimulated PBLs showed very low levels of NK cytotoxic activity. Our results indicate that, in IL-2-stimulated PBLs, canine CD8(+) cells are an important subset associated with NK cytotoxic activity. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Characterization of canine monocyte-derived dendritic cells with phenotypic and functional differentiation
(2007-07-01)
Wang, Yu-Shan
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Chi, Kwan-Hwa
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Liao, Kuang-Wen
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Liu, Cheng-Chi
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Cheng, Chiao-Lei
For therapeutic purposes, large numbers of dendritic cells (DCs) are essential. In this study, we used 2% autologous canine plasma, granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt3L), and interleukin 4 (IL-4) in generating monocyte-derived DCs from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of dogs. The plasma enriched the population of CD14-positive monocytes by greatly enhancing the efficiency of monocyte adherence, the proportion of adherent cells increasing from 6.6% with 10% fetal bovine serum to 15.3% with 2% autologous canine plasma. Culturing the adherent monocytes for 6 d with human GM-CSF, canine IL-4, and human Flt3L significantly increased the yield of DCs, more than 90% of which were CD14-negative. Because, in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), monocytes that were CD14-positive expressed tumor necrosis factor alpha much more than DCs with low levels of CD14, it is important to decrease the numbers of CD14-positive cel, Is in generating monocyte-derived DCs. With flow cytometry and real-time reverse-transcriptase-mediated polymerase chain reaction assays, we found that in canine immature DCs (iDCs) the expression of DLA class 11 molecules, CD1a, CD11c, CD40, and CD86 was high and the expression of CD80, CD83, and CD14 either low or negative. During maturation (stimulated by LPS), the expression of CD1a, CD40, CD83, and CD80 was upregulated. However, the expression of DLA class 11 molecules, CD11c, and CD86 was not increased in mature DCs. Incubating the iDCs with LPS decreased antigen uptake and increased the cells' immunostimulatory capacity (assessed by the allogeneic mixed-lymphocyte reaction), indicating that LPS accelerates the functional maturation of DCs. This protocol may facilitate the use of DCs in cellular immunotherapy.
Helicobacter pylori CagA protein activates Akt and attenuates chemotherapeutics-induced apoptosis in gastric cancer cells
(2017-12-26)
Lan, Keng-Hsueh
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Lee, Wei-Ping
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Wang, Yu-Shan
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Liao, Shi-Xian
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Lan, Keng-Hsin
Infection with cagA-positive Helicobacter pylori is associated with a higher risk of gastric cancer. The cagA gene product, CagA, is translocated into gastric epithelial cells and perturbs host cellular biological functions. Etoposide, a topoisomerase II inhibitor widely used to couple DNA damage to apoptosis, is a common cytotoxic agent used for advanced gastric cancer. We investigate the effect of CagA on etoposide-induced apoptosis in gastric cancer cells to elucidate whether CagA play a role in gastric carcinogenesis via impairing DNA damage-dependent apoptosis. AGS cell lines stably expressing CagA isolated from H. pylori 26695 strain were established. In the presence of etoposide, viability of parental AGS cells was decreased in a time-and dose-dependent manner, whereas CagA-expressing AGS cells were less susceptible to etoposide induced cell-killing effect. Suppression of etoposide-induced apoptosis was shown in CagA-expressing but not in parental AGS cells by DNA fragmentation, cell cycle, and annexin-V assays. This inhibitory effect of etoposide-induced apoptosis conferred by CagA was also demonstrated in SCM1 and MKN45 gastric cancer cell lines, with two additional chemotherapeutics, 5-FU and cisplatin. The effect of Akt activation on inhibition of etoposide-induced cytotoxicity by CagA was also evaluated. CagA expression and etoposide administration activate Akt in a dose-dependent manner. Enhancement of etoposide cytotoxicity by a PI-3-kinase inhibitor, LY294002, was evident in parental but was attenuated in CagA-expressing AGS cells. CagA may activate Akt, either in the absence or presence of etoposide, potentially contributing to gastric carcinogenesis associated with H. pylori infection and therapeutic resistance by impairing DNA damage-dependent apoptosis.
Modulated electro-hyperthermia-enhanced liposomal drug uptake by cancer cells
(2019-01-01)
Tsang, Yuk-Wah
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Chi, Kwan-Hwa
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Huang, Cheng-Chung
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Chi, Mau-Shin
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Chiang, Hsin-Chien
Purpose: Modulated electro-hyperthermia (mEHT) stands to be a significant technological advancement in the hyperthermia field, utilizing autofocusing electromagnetic power on the cell membrane to create massive apoptosis. Since mEHT possesses the unique ability to excite cell membranes, we hypothesized that mEHT could enhance the uptake of liposomal drugs by enhancing phagocytic activity. Materials and methods: Water bath control and mEHT were used to compare the enhancement of liposome-encapsulated doxorubicin (Lipodox (R)) uptake by cancer cells. Cancer cells were made visible by doxorubicin fluorescence to investigate drug uptake. Viable cell yield was determined via the Trypan Blue exclusion method. Various substrates were used to investigate the mechanism of drug-uptake enhancement. The murine colon carcinoma model, CT26, was used to confirm the tissue infiltration of Lipodox (R) and its therapeutic effect. Results: mEHT treatment showed a significant enhancement of Lipodox (R) uptake of doxorubicin fluorescence compared with 37 degrees C or 42 degrees C water bath treatment. Tumor tissue sections also confirmed that mEHT treatment achieved the highest doxorubicin concentration in vivo (1.44 +/- 0.32 mu g/g in mEHT group and 0.79 +/- 0.32 mu g/g in 42 degrees C water bath). Wortmannin was used to inhibit the macropinocytosis effect and 70 kDa dextran-FITC served as uptake substance. The uptake of dextran-FITC by cancer cells significantly increased after mEHT treatment whereas such enhancement was significantly inhibited by wortmannin. Conclusion: The result showed mEHT-induced particle-uptake through macropinocytosis. mEHT-enhanced uptake of Lipodox (R) may amplify the therapeutic effect of liposomal drugs. This novel finding warrants further clinical investigation.
Neuroprotective effects of resveratrol against oxygen glucose deprivation induced mitochondrial dysfunction by activation of AMPK in SH-SY5Y cells with 3D gelatin scaffold
(2020-01-01)
Lin, Chien-Hung
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Nicol, Christopher J. B.
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Cheng, Yi-Chuan
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Yen, Chiahui
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Wang, Yu-Shan
Ischemic stroke arising from the sudden blockage of arteries in the brain, is a common and serious brain damaging problem worldwide, often leading to disability or death. The oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) model was created to improve understanding of hypoxia- and hypoglycemia-induced neuronal cell injury, and provide an in vitro surrogate to assess novel treatments for cerebral hypoxia-ischemia. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a critical neuroprotective regulator of energy homeostasis, metabolism and cell survival. However, the neuroprotective mechanisms by which AMPK achieves these beneficial effects in human SH-SY5Y neural cells exposed to OGD are still not well understood. Resveratrol is a potent activator of AMPK suggesting it may have therapeutic potential as a neuroprotective agent. Therefore, we hypothesized the AMPK activator resveratrol protects against OGD-mediated impairment of human SH-SY5Y neuronal cells. The novelty of the experiment using a 3D gelatin scaffold cell culture assay, we have tested the potential of 3D systems to mimic the endogenous neuronal environment and have applied these systems to study the effect of OGD on neuronal cells with/without resveratrol. Here we show resveratrol reverses, via AMPK-dependent downregulation of caspase 3 and 9 activity, the OGD-mediated decreases in SH-SY5Y cell viability on a 3D gelatin scaffold. In addition, treatment with OGD decreases mRNA levels of AMPK and the neuroprotective genes (Bcl-2 and CREB); however, co-treatment with resveratrol significantly normalizes these effects. Importantly, resveratrol improves the expression of AMPK and p-AMPK in OGD-exposed SH-SY5Y cells. Resveratrol also significantly rescues SH-SY5Y cells from OGD-mediated mitochondrial deficiency (lower D-loop level, mitochondrial mass, maximal respiratory function, COX activity, and mitochondrial membrane potential). Resveratrol also rescues the transcript expression levels of PGC1 alpha and mitochondrial genes (NRF-1 and Tfam) in OGD-treated SH-SY5Y cells. These findings extend our mechanistic understanding of the central role of AMPK in OGD-related neuronal impairment, and may serve as basis for implementing new therapeutic strategies in the treatment of ischemic stroke.
Pharmacologically upregulated carcinoembryonic antigen-expression enhances the cytolytic activity of genetically-modified chimeric antigen receptor NK-92MI against colorectal cancer cells
(2018-08-03)
Shiozawa, Masayuki
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Chang, Chuan-Hsin
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Huang, Yi-Chun
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Chen, Yi-Ching
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Chi, Mau-Shin
Background: The natural killer cell line, NK-92MI, is cytotoxic against various types of cancer. The aim of this study was to develop chimeric antigen receptor-modified (CAR) NK-92MI cells targeting carcinoembryonic antigen-expressing (CEA) tumours and increase killing efficacy by pharmacologically modifying CEA-expression. Result: We generated anti-CEA-CAR NK-92MI cells by retroviral vector transduction. This genetically-modified cell line recognised and lysed high CEA-expressing tumour cell lines (LS174T) at 47.54 +/- 12.60% and moderate CEA-expressing tumour cell lines (WiDr) at 31.14 +/- 16.92% at a 5:1 effector: target (E/T) ratio. The cell line did not lyse low CEA-expressing tumour cells (HCT116) as they did their parental cells (NK-92MI cells). The histone deacetylase-inhibitor (HDAC) sodium butyrate (NaB) and the methylation-inhibitor 5-azacytidine (5-AZA), as epigenetic modifiers, induced CEA-expression in HCT116 and WiDr cells. Although the IC50 of 5 fluorouracil (5-FU) increased, both cell lines showed collateral sensitivity to anti-CEA-CAR NK-92MI cells. The cytolytic function of anti-CEA-CAR NK-92MI cells was increased from 22.99 +/- 2.04% of lysis background to 69.20 +/- 11.92% after NaB treatment, and 69.70 +/- 9.93% after 5-AZA treatment, at a 10:1 UT ratio in HCT116 cells. The WiDr cells showed similar trend, from 22.99 +/- 4.01% of lysis background to 70.69 +/- 10.19% after NaB treatment, and 59.44 +/- 10.92% after 5-AZA treatment, at a 10:1 E/T ratio. Conclusions: This data indicates that the effector-ability of anti-CEA-CAR NK-92MI increased in a CEA-dependent manner. The combination of epigenetic-modifiers like HDAC-inhibitors, methylation-inhibitors, and adoptive-transfer of ex vivo-expanded allogeneic-NK cells may be clinically applicable to patients with in 5-FU resistant condition.
Potential enhancement of host immunity and anti-tumor efficacy of nanoscale curcumin and resveratrol in colorectal cancers by modulated electro- hyperthermia
(2020-06-29)
Kuo, I-Ming
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Lee, Jih-Jong
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Wang, Yu-Shan
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Chiang, Hsin-Chien
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Huang, Cheng-Chung
BackgroundModulated electro-hyperthermia (mEHT) is a form of hyperthermia used in cancer treatment. mEHT has demonstrated the ability to activate host immunity by inducing the release of heat shock proteins, triggering apoptosis, and destroying the integrity of cell membranes to enhance cellular uptake of chemo-drugs in tumor cells. Both curcumin and resveratrol are phytochemicals that function as effective antioxidants, immune activators, and potential inhibitors of tumor development. However, poor bioavailability is a major obstacle for use in clinical cancer treatment.MethodsThis purpose of this study was to investigate whether mEHT can increase anti-cancer efficacy of nanosized curcumin and resveratrol in in vitro and in vivo models. The in vitro study included cell proliferation assay, cell cycle, and apoptosis analysis. Serum concentration was analyzed for the absorption of curcumin and resveratrol in SD rat model. The in vivo CT26/BALB/c animal tumor model was used for validating the safety, tumor growth curve, and immune cell infiltration within tumor tissues after combined mEHT/curcumin/resveratrol treatment.ResultsThe results indicate co-treatment of mEHT with nano-curcumin and resveratrol significantly induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of CT26 cells. The serum concentrations of curcumin and resveratrol were significantly elevated when mEHT was applied. The combination also inhibited the growth of CT26 colon cancer by inducing apoptosis and HSP70 expression of tumor cells while recruiting CD3+ T-cells and F4/80+ macrophages.ConclusionsThe results of this study have suggested that this natural, non-toxic compound can be an effective anti-tumor strategy for clinical cancer therapy. mEHT can enable cellular uptake of potential anti-tumor materials and create a favorable tumor microenvironment for an immunological chain reaction that improves the success of combined treatments of curcumin and resveratrol.
Putative Abscopal Effect in Three Patients Treated by Combined Radiotherapy and Modulated Electrohyperthermia
(2020-03-10)
Chi, Mau-Shin
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Mehta, Minesh P.
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Yang, Kai-Lin
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Lai, Hung-Chih
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Lin, Ying-Chu
Purpose: True abscopal responses from radiation therapy are extremely rare; the combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors with radiation therapy has led to more reports of the abscopal effect, but even in this setting, the genuine magnitude remains unknown and is still considered generally uncommon. We report the occurrence of what appears to be putative, durable abscopal tumor responses with associated auto-immune systemic reactions resulting from the combination of local radiotherapy (RT) and modulated electrohyperthermia (mEHT). Materials and Methods: Data from advanced cancer patients treated palliatively with RT and mEHT between January and December 2017 were collected as part of a post-marketing safety monitoring program of mEHT therapy. We specified a minimum RT dose of 30 Gy and at least four mEHT treatments for reporting toxicities, which was the primary aim of the larger study. Results: Thirty-three patients treated with RT and mEHT, both applied to the same lesion, were included. The median RT dose was 45.5 Gy in 20 fractions (fxs) and the median number of mEHT treatments was 12 (range, 4-20). Most patients had subsequent systemic therapy after one course of RT and mEHT. Three patients (9.1%) developed autoimmune toxicities. Case number 1 received RT and mEHT only; case number 2 had two cycles of concurrent low dose chemotherapy during RT; and case number 3 received concurrent immune checkpoint inhibitors. None of the three patients received any further systemic treatment due to obvious treatment-related autoimmune reactions which occurred rapidly after RT; one had autoimmune hepatitis, one had dermatitis herpetiformis and the third developed severe myasthenia gravis. Interestingly, what we surmise to be long-lasting abscopal responses outside the irradiated area, were noted in all three patients. Conclusion: RT combined with mEHT could putatively result in enhancing immune responsiveness. These preliminary observational findings lead to the generation of a hypothesis that this combination induces both an in-situ, tumor-specific immune reaction and an anti-self-autoimmune reaction, in at least a small proportion of patients, and of those who experience the auto-immune response, tumor response is a concomitant finding. Mechanisms underlying this phenomenon need to be investigated further.
Relationship between Energy Dosage and Apoptotic Cell Death by Modulated Electro-Hyperthermia
(2020-06-02)
Kao, Patrick Hung-Ju
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Chen, Chia-Hung
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Tsang, Yuk-Wah
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Lin, Chen-Si
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Chiang, Hsin-Chien
Modulated electro-hyperthermia (mEHT) is a form of mild hyperthermia (HT) used for cancer treatment. The principle utility of HT is the ability not only to increase cell temperature, but also to increase blood flow and associated pO(2) to the microenvironment. While investigational evidence has shown the unique ability of mEHT to elicit apoptosis in cancer cells, in vivo and in vitro, the same trait has not been observed with conventional HT. There is dissension as to what allows mEHT to elicit apoptosis despite heating to only mild temperatures, with the predominant opinion in favor of increased temperature at a cellular level as the driving force. For this study, we hypothesized that in addition to temperature, the amount of electrical energy delivered is a major factor in induction of apoptosis by mEHT. To evaluate the impact of electrical energy on apoptosis, we divided generally practiced mEHT treatment into 3 phases: Phase I (treatment start to 10min. mark): escalation from 25 degrees C to 37 degrees C Phase II (10min. mark to 15min. mark): escalation from 37 degrees C to 42 degrees C Phase III (15min. mark to 45min. mark): maintenance at 42 degrees C Combinations of mEHT at 18W power, mEHT at 7.5W power, water bath, and incubator were applied to each of the three phases. Power output was recorded per second and calculated as average power per second. Total number of corresponding Joules emitted per each experiment was also recorded. The biological effect of apoptotic cell death was assayed by annexin-V assay. In group where mEHT was applied for all three phases, apoptosis rate was measured at 31.18 +/- 1.47%. In group where mEHT was only applied in Phases II and III, apoptosis rate dropped to 20.2 +/- 2.1%. Where mEHT was only applied in Phase III, apoptosis was 6.4 +/- 1.7%. Interestingly, when mEHT was applied in Phases I and II, whether Phase III was conducted in either water bath at 42 degrees C or incubator at 37 degrees C, resulted in nearly identical apoptosis rates, 26 +/- 4.4% and 25.9 +/- 3.1%, respectively. These results showed that accumulation of mEHT at high-powered setting (18W/sec) during temperature escalation (Phase I and Phase II), significantly increased apoptosis of tested cancer cells. The data also showed that whereas apoptosis rate was significantly increased during temperature escalation by higher power (18W/sec), apoptosis was limited during temperature maintenance with lower power (7.5W/sec). This presents that neither maintenance of 42 degrees C nor accumulation of Joules by mEHT has immediate correlating effect on apoptosis rate. These findings may offer a basis for direction of clinical application of mEHT treatment.
Specific drug delivery efficiently induced human breast tumor regression using a lipoplex by non-covalent association with anti-tumor antibodies
(2019-02-06)
Lin, Yu-Ling
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Tsai, Nu-Man
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Chen, Chia-Hung
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Liu, Yen-Ku
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Lee, Chung-Jen
BackgroundA cationic liposome-PEG-PEI complex (LPPC) was employed as a carrier for achieving targeted delivery of drug to human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2/neu)-expressing breast cancer cells. LPPC can be easily loaded with an anti-tumor drug and non-covalently associated with an anti-tumor antibody such as Herceptin that is clinically used to rapidly form immunoparticles within 1h.ResultsDrug-loaded LPPC have an average size about 250nm and a zeta potential of about 40mV. Herceptin was complexed onto surface of the LPPC to form the drug/LPPC/Herceptin complexes. The size of curcumin/LPPC/Herceptin complexes were 280nm and the zeta potentials were about 23mV. Targeting ability of this delivery system was demonstrated through specific binding on surface of cells and IVIS images in vivo, which showed specific binding in HER2-positive SKBR3 cells as compared to HER2-negative Hs578T cells. Only the drug/LPPC/Herceptin complexes displayed dramatically increased the cytotoxic activity in cancer cells. Both in vitro and in vivo results indicated that Herceptin adsorbed on LPPC directed the immunocomplex towards HER2/neu-positive cells but not HER2/neu-negative cells. The complexes with either component (curcumin or doxorubicin) used in the LPPC-delivery system provided a better therapeutic efficacy compared to the drug treatment alone and other treatment groups, including clinical dosages of Herceptin and LipoDox, in a xenografted model.ConclusionsLPPC displays important clinical implications by easily introducing a specific targeting characteristic to drugs utilized for breast cancer therapy.
The inhibitory effect of 7, 7 ''-dimethoxyagastisflavone on the metastasis of melanoma cells via the suppression of F-actin polymerization
(2017-09-01)
Lin, Ching-Min
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Lin, Yu-Ling
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Ho, Shu-Yi
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Chen, Pin-Rong
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Tsai, Yi-Hsuan
7,7"-Dimethoxyagastisflavone (DMGF), a biflavonoid isolated from Taxus x media cv. Hicksii, induces apoptotic and autophagic cell death. However, whether DMGF suppresses tumor metastasis is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-metastatic activities of DMGF on the metastatic processes of melanoma cells in vivo and in vitro. A transwell assay showed that DMGF could effectively attenuate the motility of B16F10 cells, and the results of real-time PCR revealed that DMGF also suppressed the expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2). Moreover, DMGF did not influence tube formation but inhibited the migration of endothelial cells. Furthermore, animal models were used to monitor the effects of DMGF on tumor metastasis, and all models showed that DMGF significantly suppressed the metastatic behaviors of B16F10 cells, including intravasation, colonization, and invasion of the lymphatic duct. In addition, DMGF could also reduce the densities of the blood vessels in the tumor area in vivo. Further investigation of the molecular mechanisms of anti-metastatic activity revealed that DMGF can down-regulate the levels of key modulators of the Cdc42/Rac1 pathway to interfere in F-actin polymerization and suppress the formation of lamellipodia by reducing the phosphorylation of CREB. These data suggested that DMGF presents anti-metastatic activities in B16F10 melanoma cells. Here, we demonstrated that DMGF can inhibit the metastasis of highly invasive melanoma cancer cells through the down-regulation of F-actin polymerization. Considering these findings, DMGF may be further developed to serve as a chemoprevention drug for patients with metastatic melanoma.