• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.249-261
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• 2024

New anti-lung cancer therapies are urgently required to improve clinical outcomes. Since ganodermanontriol (GDNT) has been identified as a potential antineoplastic agent, its role in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is investigated in this study. Concretely, lung cancer cells were treated with GDNT and/or mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), after which MTT assay, flow cytometry and Western blot were conducted. Following bioinformatics analysis, carboxylesterase 2 (CES2) was knocked down and rescue assays were carried out in vitro. Xenograft experiment was performed on mice, followed by drug administration, measurement of tumor growth and determination of CES2, IMPDH1 and IMPDH2 expressions. As a result, the viability of lung cancer cells was reduced by GDNT or MMF. GDNT enhanced the effects of MMF on suppressing viability, promoting apoptosis and inducing cell cycle arrest in lung cancer cells. GDNT up-regulated CES2 level, and strengthened the effects of MMF on down-regulating IMPDH1 and IMPDH2 levels in the cells. IMPDH1 and IMPDH2 were highly expressed in LUAD samples. CES2 was a potential target for GDNT. CES2 knockdown reversed the synergistic effect of GDNT and MMF against lung cancer in vitro. GDNT potentiated the role of MMF in inhibiting tumor growth and expressions of CES2 and IMPDH1/2 in lung cancer in vivo. Collectively, GDNT suppresses the progression of LUAD by activating CES2 to enhance the metabolism of MMF.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.10
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• pp.1519-1524
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• 2010

Apigenin (4', 5, 7-trihydroxyflavone), a common dietary flavonoid abundantly present in fruits and vegetables, has shown remarkable anti-proliferative effects against various malignant cell lines. To observe the anti-proliferative effects, oral cavity cancer cell lines, $6{\times}10^3$ cells/well (96 well plate) of KB oral cavity tumor cells were plated and 24 hr later treated with apigenin for one day, after which MTT assay was performed. Apigenin induced cell death in a dose-dependent manner after incubation. Cell viability was significantly decreased in the group treated with 100 ${\mu}M$ apigenin for 24 hr (p<0.05) compared to the control group. To assess apoptosis, the nuclei of KB cells were stained with DAPI. The presence of chromatin condensation in the apigenin treated cells was detected on a fluorescent microscope (${\times}200$). We investigated the in vivo growth inhibitory effects of apigenin on oral cavity cancer KB tumor xenograft subcutaneously implanted in male nude mice. Apigenin was administered to mice by gavage at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg/day in 0.2ml of PBS. Tumor volume was significantly decreased in 25 and 50 mg/kg apigenin-administration groups compared to the control group. For apoptosis analysis, TUNEL staining was performed. A significant increase in TUNEL positive cells was found in the 25 mg/kg apigenin administration group compared to the non- apigenin administration group. Histopathological changes were not observed. These results indicate that apigenin inhibits oral cavity cancer cell growth through the induction of apoptosis.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.60-71
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• 2020

Purpose: The utility of 18-fluordesoxyglucose positron emission tomography ([¹⁸F]-FDG-PET) combined with computer tomography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in gastric cancer remains controversial and a rationale for patient selection is desired. This study aims to establish a preclinical patient-derived xenograft (PDX) based [¹⁸F]-FDG-PET/MRI protocol for gastric cancer and compare different PDX models regarding tumor growth and FDG uptake. Materials and Methods: Female BALB/c nu/nu mice were implanted orthotopically and subcutaneously with gastric cancer PDX. [¹⁸F]-FDG-PET/MRI scanning protocol evaluation included different tumor sizes, FDG doses, scanning intervals, and organ-specific uptake. FDG avidity of similar PDX cases were compared between ortho- and heterotopic tumor implantation methods. Microscopic and immunohistochemical investigations were performed to confirm tumor growth and correlate the glycolysis markers glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) and hexokinase 2 (HK2) with FDG uptake. Results: Organ-specific uptake analysis showed specific FDG avidity of the tumor tissue. Standard scanning protocol was determined to include 150 μCi FDG injection dose and scanning after one hour. Comparison of heterotopic and orthotopic implanted mice revealed a long growth interval for orthotopic models with a high uptake in similar PDX tissues. The H-score of GLUT1 and HK2 expression in tumor cells correlated with the measured maximal standardized uptake value values (GLUT1: Pearson r=0.743, P=0.009; HK2: Pearson r=0.605, P=0.049). Conclusions: This preclinical gastric cancer PDX based [¹⁸F]-FDG-PET/MRI protocol reveals tumor specific FDG uptake and shows correlation to glucose metabolic proteins. Our findings provide a PET/MRI PDX model that can be applicable for translational gastric cancer research.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.65 no.6
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• pp.790-800
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• 2022

Objective : EID3 (EP300-interacting inhibitor of differentiation) was identified as a novel member of EID family and plays a pivotal role in colorectal cancer development. However, its role in glioma remained elusive. In current study, we identified EID3 as a novel oncogenic molecule in human glioma and is critical for glioma cell survival, proliferation and invasion. Methods : A total of five patients with glioma were recruited in present study and fresh glioma samples were removed from patients. Four weeks old male non-obese diabetic severe combined immune deficiency (NOD/SCID) mice were used as transplant recipient models. The subcutaneous tumor size was calculated and recorded every week with vernier caliper. EID3 and AMP-activated protein kinase α1 (AMPKα1) expression levels were confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot assays. Colony formation assays were performed to evaluate cell proliferation. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assays were performed for cell viability assessment. Trypan blue staining approach was applied for cell death assessment. Cell Apoptosis DNA ELISA Detection Kit was used for apoptosis assessment. Results : EID3 was preferentially expressed in glioma tissues/cells, while undetectable in astrocytes, neuronal cells, or normal brain tissues. EID3 knocking down significantly hindered glioma cell proliferation and invasion, as well as induced reduction of cell viability, apoptosis and cell death. EID3 knocking down also greatly inhibited tumor growth in SCID mice. Knocking down of AMPKα1 could effectively rescue glioma cells from apoptosis and cell death caused by EID3 absence, indicating that AMPKα1 acted as a key downstream regulator of EID3 and mediated suppression effects caused by EID3 knocking down inhibition. These findings were confirmed in glioma cells generated patient-derived xenograft models. AMPKα1 protein levels were affected by MG132 treatment in glioma, which suggested EID3 might down regulate AMPKα1 through protein degradation. Conclusion : Collectively, our study demonstrated that EID3 promoted glioma cell proliferation and survival by inhibiting AMPKα1 expression. Targeting EID3 might represent a promising strategy for treating glioma.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.307-313
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• 2008

Purpose: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor, fetal liver kinase 1 (Flk-1), play an important role in vascular permeability and tumor angiogenesis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of $^{131}I$ labeled anti-Flk-1 monoclonal antibody (DC101) on the growth of melanoma tumor, which is known to be very aggressive in vivo. Materials and Methods: Balb/c nude mice were injected subcutaneously with melanoma cells in the right flank. Tumors were allowed to grow up to $200-250\;mm^3$ in volume. Gamma camera imaging and biodistribution studies were performed to identify an uptake of $^{131}I$-DC101 in various organs. Mice with tumor were randomly divided into five groups (10 mice per group) and injected intravenously; control PBS (group 1), $^{131}I$-DC101 $50\;{\mu}g/mouse$ (group 2), non-labeled DC101 $50\;{\mu}g/mouse$ (group 3), $^{131}I$-DC101 $30\;{\mu}g/mouse$ (group 4) and $15\;{\mu}g/mouse$ (group 5) every 3 or 4 days for 20 days. Tumor volume was measured with caliper twice a week. Results: In gamma camera images, the uptake of $^{131}I$-DC101 into tumor and thyroid was increased with time. Biodistribution results showed that the radioactivity of blood and other major organ was gradually decreased with time whereas tumor uptake was increased up to 48 hr and then decreased. After 4th injection of $^{131}I$-DC101, tumor volume of group 2 and 4 was significantly smaller than that group 1. After 5th injection, the tumor volume of group 5 also significantly reduced. Conclusion: These results indicated that delivery of $^{131}I$ to tumor using FlK-1 antibody, DC101, effectively blocks tumor growth in aggressive melanoma xenograft model.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.120-128
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• 2005

Background : Insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP)-3 regulates non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo by inhibiting IGF-mediated signaling pathways. To have better strategies for the treatment of lung cancer, we analyzed the combining effects of adenovirus expressing IGFBP-3 (Ad5CMV-BP3) and SCH66336, a farnesyl transferase inhibitor (FTI) designed to block Ras-mediated proliferative signaling pathways. Methods : To measure the combining effects of Ad5CMV-BP3 and SCH66336 on the proliferation of NSCLC cells, human NSCLC cell lines (H1299, H596, A549, H460, and H358), SCH66336, recombinant adenovirus expressing IGFBP-3 (Ad5CMV-BP3) and athymic nude mice were used in these experiments. Results : The combination of Ad5CMV-BP3 and SCH66336 produced a synergistic enhancement in antiproliferative effects over a range of clinically achievable concentrations in a variety of NSCLC cell lines. Furthermore, we observed a significant reduction in growth of NSCLC xenograft induced in athymic nude mice. Conclusion : In conclusion, this study demonstrated for the first time that the FTI SCH66336 synergizes with IGFBP-3 and enhances its apoptotic activity in NSCLC cells in vitro and in vivo. The combined treatment of Ad5CMV-BP3 and SCH66336 raises the possibility of using this regimen in clinic for the treatment of NSCLC.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.226-233
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• 2007

Purpose: Dual reporter gene imaging has several advantages for more sophisticated molecular imaging studies such as gene therapy monitoring. Herein, we have constructed hepatoma cell line expressing dual reporter genes of sodium iodide symporter (NIS) and enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP), and the functionalities of the genes were evaluated in vivo by nuclear and optical imaging. Materials and Methods: A pRetro-PN vector was constructed after separating NIS gene from pcDNA-NIS. RSV-EGFP-WPRE fragment separated from pLNRGW was cloned into pRetro-PN vector. The final vector expressing dual reporter genes was named pRetro-PNRGW. A human hepatoma (HepG2) cells were transfected by the retrovirus containing NIS and EGFP gene (HepG2-NE). Expression of NIS gene was confirmed by RT-PCR, radioiodine uptake and efflux studies. Expression of EGFP was confirmed by RT-PCR and fluorescence microscope. The HepG2 and HepG2-NE cells were implanted in shoulder and hindlimb of nude mice, then fluorescence image, gamma camera image and I-124 microPET image were undertaken. Results: The HepG2-NE cell was successfully constructed. RT-PCR showed NIS and EGFP mRNA expression. About 50% of cells showed fluorescence. The iodine uptake of NIS-expressed cells was about 9 times higher than control. In efflux study, $T_{1/2}$ of HepG2-NE cells was 9 min. HepG2-NE xenograft showed high signal-to-background fluorescent spots and higher iodine-uptake compared to those of HepG2 xenograft. Conclusion: A hepatoma cell line expressing NIS and EGFP dual reporter genes was successfully constructed and could be used as a potential either by therapeutic gene or imaging reporter gene.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.10
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• pp.1395-1399
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• 2008

We have recently reported the PRC1 promoter as a promoter candidate to control expression of transcriptionally targeted genes for breast cancer gene therapy. We tested whether the PRC1 promoter could be also applied for the lung cancer gene therapy. In the transient transfection assay with naked plasmids containing the luciferase fused to the PRC1 promoter, the promoter showed little activity in the normal lung cell line, MRC5. However, in the lung cancer A549 cells, PRC1 showed approximately 30-fold activation which was similar to the survivin promoter, the gene whose promoter has been already reportedas a candidate for the gene therapy of lung cancer. In viral systems, the PRC1 promoter showed approximately 75% and 66% of transcriptional activity compared to the CMV promoter in the adeno-associated virus (AAV) and the adenovirus (AV) systems, respectively. However, the PRC1 promoter in either AAV or AV showed approximately 20% activity compared to the CMV promoter in the normal lung cells. In addition, human lung tumor xenograft mice showed that the PRC1 promoter activity was as strong as the CMV activity in vivo. Taken together, these results suggested that PRC1 might be a potential promoter candidate for transcriptionally targeted lung cancer gene therapy.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.711-717
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• 2013

Opisthorchis viverrini (O. viverrini) is a well-known causative agent of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) in humans. CCA is very resistant to chemotherapy and is frequently fatal. To understand the pathogenesis of CCA in humans, a rodent model was developed. However, the development of CCA in rodents is time-consuming and the xenograft-transplantation model of human CCA in immunodeficient mice is costly. Therefore, the establishment of an in vivo screening model for O. viverrini-associated CCA treatment was of interest. We developed a hamster CCA cell line, Ham-1, derived from the CCA tissue of O. viverrini-infected and N-nitrosodimethylamine-treated Syrian golden hamsters. Ham-1 has been maintained in Dulbecco's Modified Essential Medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum for more than 30 subcultures. These cells are mostly diploid (2n=44) with some being polyploid. Tumorigenic properties of Ham-1 were demonstrated by allograft transplantation in hamsters. The transplanted tissues were highly proliferative and exhibited a glandular-like structure retaining a bile duct marker, cytokeratin 19. The usefulness of this for in vivo model was demonstrated by berberine treatment, a traditional medicine that is active against various cancers. Growth inhibitory effects of berberine, mainly by an induction of G1 cell cycle arrest, were observed in vitro and in vivo. In summary, we developed the allo-transplantable hamster CCA cell line, which can be used for chemotherapeutic drug testing in vitro and in vivo.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.69-73
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• 2014

The effects of erlotinib combined with celecoxib in a lung cancer xenograft model were here explored with a focus on possible mechanisms. A xenotransplanted lung cancer model was established in nude mice using the human lung cancer cell A549 cell line and animals demonstrating tumour growth were randomly divided into four groups: control, erlotinib, celecoxib and combined (erotinib and celecoxib). The tumor major axis and short diameter were measured twice a week and after 40 days tissues were collected for immunohistochemical analyses of Bcl-2 and Bax positive cells and Western-blotting analyses for the epidermal growth factor recepto (EGFR), P-EGFR, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Tumor size in the combined group was smaller than in the others (p<0.01) and the percentage of Bcl-2 positive cells was fewer in most cases (p<0.01), while that of Bax positive cells was greater than in the erlotinib and celecoxib groups (P>0.05). Western blotting showed decreased expression of P-EGFR and COX-2 with both erlotinib and celecoxib treatments, but most pronouncedly in the combined group (P<0.05). Simultaneous blockage of the EGFR and COX-2 signal pathways exerted stronger growth effects in our human xenotransplanted lung cancer model than inhibition of either pathway alone. The anti-tumor effects were accompanied by synergetic inhibition of tumor cell apoptosis, activation of p-EGFR and expression of COX-2.