• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.5825-5831
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• 2013

Background/Objectives: Maintenance of cellular function in culture is vital for transfer and development following adoptive immunotherapy. Dual properties of IL-21 in activating T cells and reducing activation induced cell death led us to explore the mechanism of action of IL-21 enhanced proliferation and cytotoxic potential of CIK cells. Method: CIK cells cultured from PBMCs of healthy subjects were stimulated with IL-21 and cellular viability and cytotoxicity to K562 cells were measured. To elucidate the mechanism of action of IL-21, mRNA expression of cytotoxic factors was assessed by RT-PCR and protein expression of significantly important cytotoxic factors and cytokine secretion were determined through flow cytometry and ELISA. Western blotting was performed to check the involvement of the JAK/STAT pathway following stimulation. Results: We found that IL-21 did not enhance in vitro proliferation of CIK cells, but did increase the number of cells expressing the CD3+/CD56+ phenotype. Cytotoxic potential was increased with corresponding increase in perforin ($0.9831{\pm}0.1265$ to $0.7592{\pm}0.1457$), granzyme B ($0.4084{\pm}0.1589$ to $0.7319{\pm}0.1639$) and FasL ($0.4015{\pm}0.2842$ to $0.7381{\pm}0.2568$). Interferon gamma and TNF-alpha were noted to increase ($25.8{\pm}6.1ng/L$ to $56.0{\pm}2.3ng/L$; and $5.64{\pm}0.61{\mu}g/L$ to $15.14{\pm}0.93{\mu}g/L$, respectively) while no significant differences were observed in the expression of granzyme A, TNF-alpha and NKG2D, and NKG2D. We further affirmed that IL-21 signals through the STAT-3 and STAT-5b signaling pathway in the CIK cell pool. Conclusion: IL-21 enhances cytotoxic potential of CIK cells through increasing expression of perforin, granzyme B, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha. The effect is brought about by the activation of STAT-3 and STAT-5b proteins.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.101-108
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• 2007

Armillaria tabescens, one of edible and medicinal mushrooms belonging to Agaricales of Basidiomycota, has been known to have outstanding curative effects on chronic hepatitis and cholecystitis and inhibitory effects on the sarcoma 180 and Erhrlich carcinoma of mice. Neutral saline soluble (0.9% NaCl), hot water soluble and methanol soluble substances (hereinafter referred to Fr, NaCl, Fr. HW and Fr, MeOH, respectively) were extracted from fruiting body of the mushroom. In vitro cytotoxicity tests showed that crude polysaccharides were not cytotoxic against cancer cell lines such as NIH3T3 and Sarcoma 180 at the concentration of $2000\;{\mu}g/ml$. Intraperitoneal injection with crude polysaccharides exhibited life prolongation effect of $28.8{\sim}46.5%$ in mice inoculated with Sarcoma 180, respectively. Fr. NaCl improved the immunopotentiation activity of B lymphocyte by increasing the alkaline phosphatase activity by $1.8{\sim}2.1$ folds, respectively. In case of Fr, NaCl, the numbers of peritoneal exudate cells and circulating leukocytes were increased by 9 and 1.9 folds, respectively.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.287-294
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• 2016

The effect of kaempferol (3,5,7,4-tetrahydroxyflavone), a flavonoid compound that was identified in barnyard millet (Echinochloa crus-galli var. frumentacea) grains, on G₂-checkpoint and apoptotic pathways was investigated in human acute leukemia Jurkat T cell clones stably transfected with an empty vector (J/Neo) or a Bcl-xL expression vector (J/Bcl-xL). Exposure of J/Neo cells to kaempeferol caused cytotoxicity and activation of the ATM/ATR-Chk1/Chk2 pathway, activating the phosphorylation of p53 (Ser-15), inhibitory phosphorylation of Cdc25C (Ser-216), and inactivation of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1), with resultant G₂-arrest of the cell cycle. Under these conditions, apoptotic events, including upregulation of Bak and PUMA levels, Bak activation, mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) loss, activation of caspase-9, -8, and -3, anti-poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage, and accumulation of apoptotic sub-G₁ cells, were induced without accompanying necrosis. However, these apoptotic events, except for upregulation of Bak and PUMA levels, were completely abrogated in J/Bcl-xL cells overexpressing Bcl-xL, suggesting that the G₂-arrest and the Bcl-xL-sensitive mitochondrial apoptotic events were induced, in parallel, as downstream events of the DNA-damage-mediated G₂-checkpoint activation. Together these results demonstrate that kaempferol-mediated antitumor activity toward Jurkat T cells was attributable to G₂-checkpoint activation, which caused not only G₂-arrest of the cell cycle but also activating phosphorylation of p53 (Ser-15) and subsequent induction of mitochondria-dependent apoptotic events, including Bak and PUMA upregulation, Bak activation, Δψm loss, and caspase cascade activation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.142-145
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• 2009

The cytotoxic activity against human cancer cells and anti-tumor effect in Balb/c mice of a 70% ethanol extract from masou salmon (MSE) was investigated. The cancer cell lines including human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), human lung carcinoma (A549), human hepatoblastoma (HepG2), human gastric carcinoma (AGS), human cervical adenocarcinoma (HeLa) and transformed primary human embryonal kidney (293) exposed to MSE decreased cell viability as indicated by the MTT assay. The MSE shows significant cytotoxicity on MCF-7, A549, HepG2, AGS and HeLa cells, and are more active than 293 cells. The treatment with 1 mg/mL MSE resulted in 9.2%, 12.7%, 16.6%, and 16.9% cell survival against A549, MCF-7, HepG2, and AGS cells, respectively. Moreover, anticancer effect in vivo of MSE was tested in the animal system using Balb/c mice transplanted sarcoma-180 cells. MSE showed inhibition of tumor growth and the rate of inhibition was 44.7% and 55.7% at the 25 mg/kg body weight and 250 mg/kg body weight, respectively. Thus, we suggest that MSE could be a beneficial material for human cancer prevention.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.1007-1021
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• 2018

Cancer represents one of the most significant threats to human health on a global scale. Hence, the development of effective cancer prevention strategies, as well as the discovery of novel therapeutic agents against cancer, is urgently required. In light of this challenge, this research aimed to evaluate the effects of several potent bioactive peptides and proteins contained in crocodile white blood cell extract (cWBC) against LU-1, LNCaP, PC-3, MCF-7, and CaCo-2 cancer cell lines. The results demonstrate that 25, 50, 100, and $200{\mu}g/ml$ cWBC exhibits a strong cytotoxic effect against all investigated cell lines ($IC_{50}$ $70.34-101.0{\mu}g/ml$), while showing no signs of cytotoxicity towards noncancerous Vero and HaCaT cells. Specifically, cWBC treatment caused a significant reduction in the cancerous cells' colony forming ability. A remarkable suppression of cancerous cell migration was observed after treatment with cWBC, indicating potent antimetastatic properties. The mechanism involved in the cancer cell cytotoxicity of cWBC may be related to apoptosis induction, as evidenced by typical apoptotic morphology features. Moreover, certain cWBC concentrations induced significant overproduction of ROS and significantly inhibited the $S-G_2/M$ transition in the cancer cell. The molecular mechanisms of cWBC in apoptosis induction were to decrease Bcl-2 and XIAP expression levels and increase the expression levels of caspase-3, caspase-8, and p53. These led to a decrease in the expression level of the cell cycle-associated gene cyclin-B1 and the arrest of cell population growth. Consequently, these findings demonstrate the prospect of the use of cWBC for cancer therapy.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.20-52
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• 1999

In order to investigate the effect of Naetakchungumsankamibang(NTCGS) water extract on the skin tumor induced by 3-MCA and immunological responses in mice, the cytotoxicity against SK-MEL-2 cells and total number of tumors induced by 3-MCA were measured. The numbers of WBC, platelets and RBC, plaque forming cells, hemagglutinin titer, hemolysis titer, carbon clearance, proliferation of splenocyte by thymidine uptake assay, splenic leukocyte by FACS analysis and $TNF-{\alpha}$ were also measured for the evaluation of the immunological responses. The results were obtained as follows: 1. In cytotoxicity against SK-MEL-2 cells, concentration inhibiting cell growth up to below $20\%$ of control was recognized at 1mg/ml of NTCGS. 2. In Inhibitory effect on the skin tumor induced by 3-MCA, the results showed a strong inhibitory effect of NTCGS. 3. In hematological changes in the tumor bearing mice, the numbers of WBC decreased significantly in NTCGS treated group as compared with control. 4. In hematological changes in the tumor bearing mice, the numbers of platelets increased significantly in NTCGS treated group as compared with control. 5. In hematological changes in the tumor bearing mice, the numbers of RBC increased with no significance in NTCGS treated group as compared with control. 6. Effects of the plaque forming cells in the tumor bearing mice, NTCGS treated group exhibited a significant effect compared with control. 7. In terms of the effects on hemagglutinin titer, NTCGS treated group showed higher level than control, without significance. 8. In terms of the effects on hemolysis titer, NTCGS treated group showed higher level than control, without significance. 9. In terms of the effects on phagocytic index K in Balb/C mice, NTCGS treated group showed significant difference from control. 10. In terms of the effects on proliferation of splenocyte by thymidine uptake assay, NTCGS showed significant effect at the concentration of 0.5mg/ml. 11. In terms of the effects on splenic leukocyte of Balb/C mice by FACS analysis, NTCGS treated group showed significantly higher level of helper T cell, B cell and macrophage than in control. 12. In terms of the effects on the secretion of $TNF-{\alpha}$, the treated group showed significant effect at the concentration of 1mg/ml of NTCGS. Based on the results summarized above, NTCGS is considered to have antitumor activity and immunological responses against skin tumor, and to be usable fur the treatment.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.2487-2490
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• 2013

In Thai traditional medicine, Plumbago indica or Jetamul-Pleung-Dang in Thai is known to have health benefit especially for anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antitumor activities. However, the mechanisms of its action are still uncertain. One of which might be genotoxic effects. In the present study, we investigated the genotoxicity of an ethanolic extract of Plumbago indica root (EEPIR) by sister chromatid exchange (SCE) assay in human lymphocytes. Results have shown that all treatments with EEPIR ($12.5-100{\mu}g/ml$) could induce cell cycle delay as shown by significant increase in the number of metaphase cells in the first cell cycle but neither in the second nor the third cell cycle. Only at concentrations of 25, 50, and $100{\mu}g/ml$ were SCE levels significantly increased above that of the control (p<0.05). EEPIR at a concentration of $500{\mu}g/ml$ induced cell death as few mitotic cells were shown. Accordingly, EEPIR ($25-100{\mu}g/ml$) is genotoxic in human lymphocytes and cytotoxic at concentrations of ${\geq}500{\mu}g/ml$ in vitro. Therefore, these activities of the EEPIR could serve its potential therapeutic effects, especially as an anticancer agent. Further study of EEPIR in vivo is now needed to support this in vitro evidence.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.3855-3859
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• 2013

Purpose: Liver cancer, one of the most common cancers in China, is reported to feature relatively high morbidity and mortality. Curcumin (Cum) is considered as a drug possessing anti-angiogenic, anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation effect. Previous research has demonstrated antitumor effects in a series of cancers. Materials and Methods: In this study the in vitro cytotoxicity of Cum was measured by MTT assay and pro-apoptotic effects were assessed by DAPI staining and measurement of caspase-3 activity. In vivo anti-hepatoma efficacy of Cum was assessed with HepG2 xenografts. Results: It is found that Cum dose-dependently inhibited cell growth in HepG2 cells with activation of apoptosis. Moreover, Cum delayed the growth of liver cancer in a dose-dependent manner in nude mice. Conclusions: Cum might be a promising phytomedicine in cancer therapy and further efforts are needed to explore this therapeutic strategy.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.127-135
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• 1987

In vitro sensitivity testing was performed for 21 kinds putative anticancer drugs selected from references and information. Cellular damage of P815 mastocytoma cells following exposure to water extracts of drugs was evaluated by colony formation assay. Highly effective drugs with more than 50% inhibition of colony formation were seven (Houttuyniae Herba, Sanguisorbae Radix, Nepetae Herba, Manitis Squama, Lonicerae Flos, Amomi Semen, Polyporus), though not more effective than BCNU. According to the results of $^3H-thymidine$ incorporation assay for determination of selective cytotoxicity, 3 of these drugs (Houttuyniae Herba, Polyporus, Manitis Squama) were found to be low cytotoxic to normal mouse lymphoid cells. These findings suggest that the above 3 drugs may be used for effective anticancer drugs in vivo.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.6-11
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• 1994

The MeOH extract of the fruits of Melia toosendan was selected for futher study by its cytotoxicity and effect on the human breast cancer cell line, MCF-7. The active principle obtained by activity guided fractionation followed by purification gave rise to a needle crystal. The structure was deduced by employing NMR and was determined to be identical with 28-deacetyl sendanin by comparison with published data. This compound induced morphological change of MCF-7 to be rounded with tubule at concentrations between $50\;{\mu}g/ml$ and $0.025\;{\mu}g/ml$. This compound, however, showed strong cytotoxic effect on Hepalclc7 and HepG2, and their $GI_{50}$ on the hepatoma cell lines were $0.238\;{\mu}g/ml$ and $0.805\;{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. Its effect on lymphocyte of mouse was stronger than hepatoma cell lines, and their $ED_{50}$ of polyclonal antibody response was $0.011\;{\mu}g/ml$, and $ED_{50}$ of cell viability was $0.039\;{\mu}g/ml$.