PAK1 as a Potential Therapeutic Target in Male Smokers with EGFR-Mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

P21-activated kinases (PAKs) are serine/threonine protein kinases that contribute to several cellular processes. Here, we aimed to determine the prognostic value of PAK1 and its correlation with the clinicopathological characteristics and five-year survival rates in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We evaluated PAK1 mRNA and protein expression in NSCLC cells and resected tumor specimens, as well as in healthy human bronchial epithelial cells and adjacent healthy lung tissues, respectively, for effective comparison. Immunohistochemical tissue microarray analysis of 201 NSCLC specimens showed the correlation of PAK1 expression with clinicopathological characteristics. The mRNA and protein expression of PAK1 were 2.9- and 4.3-fold higher in six of seven NSCLC cell types and human tumors (both, p < 0.001) than in healthy human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells and adjacent healthy lung tissues, respectively. Decreased survival was significantly associated with PAK1 overexpression in the entire cohort (χ² = 8.48, p = 0.0036), men (χ² = 17.1, p < 0.0001), and current and former smokers (χ² = 19.2, p < 0.0001). Notably, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation-positive lung cancer patients with high PAK1 expression showed higher mortality rates than those with low PAK1 expression (91.3% vs. 62.5%, p = 0.02). Therefore, PAK1 overexpression could serve as a molecular target for the treatment of EGFR mutation-positive lung cancer, especially among male patients and current/former smokers.     

Effect of Korean Red Ginseng and Rg3 on Asian Sand Dust-Induced MUC5AC,MUC5B,and MUC8 Expression in Bronchial Epithelial Cells

Korean Red ginseng (KRG), commonly used in traditional medicine, has anti-inflammatory, anti- oxidative, and anti-tumorigenic properties. Asian sand dust (ASD) is known to aggravate upper and lower airway inflammatory responses. BEAS-2B cells were exposed to ASD with or without KRG or ginsenoside Rg3. Mucin 5AC (MUC5AC), MUC5B, and MUC8 mRNA and protein expression levels were determined using quantitative RT-PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), activator protein 1, and mitogen-activated protein kinase expression and activity were determined using western blot analysis. ASD induced MUC5AC, MUC5B, and MUC8 mRNA and protein expression in BEAS-2B cells, which was significantly inhibited by KRG and Rg3. Although ASD-induced mucin expression was associated with NF-κB and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity, KRG and Rg3 significantly suppressed only ASD-induced NF-κB expression and activity. KRG and Rg3 inhibited ASD-induced mucin gene expression and protein production from bronchial epithelial cells. These results suggest that KRG and Rg3 have potential for treating mucus-producing airway inflammatory diseases.     

Chemical Constituents from the Flowers of Carthamus tinctorius L. and Their Lung Protective Activity

A new flavonoid, saffloflavanside (1), a new sesquiterpene, safflomegastigside (2), and a new amide, saffloamide (3), together with twenty-two known compounds (4–25), were isolated from the flowers of Carthamus tinctorius L. Their structures were determined based on interpretation of their spectroscopic data and comparison with those reported in the literature. The protective effects against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated damage on human normal lung epithelial (BEAS-2B) cells of the compounds were evaluated using MTT assay and cellular immunofluorescence assay. The results showed that compounds 2–3, 8–11, and 15–19 exhibited protective effects against LPS-induced damage to BEAS-2B cells. Moreover, compounds 2–3, 8–11, and 15–19 can significantly downregulate the level of nuclear translocation of NF-κB p-p65. In summary, this study revealed chemical constituents with lung protective activity from C. tinctorius, which may be developed as a drug for the treatment of lung injury.     

Nicotine Inhibits the Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity of NNK Mediated by CYP2A13 in BEAS-2B Cells

Both tobacco-specific carcinogen 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) and nicotine can be metabolized by cytochrome P450 2A13 (CYP2A13). Previous studies have shown that nicotine has a potential inhibitory effect on the toxicity of NNK. However, due to the lack of CYP2A13 activity in conventional lung cell lines, there had been no systematic in vitro investigation for the key target organ, the lung. Here, BEAS-2B cells stably expressing CYP2A13 (B-2A13 cells) were constructed to investigate the effects of nicotine on the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of NNK. The results showed more sensitivity for NNK-induced cytotoxicity in B-2A13 cells than in BEAS-2B and B-vector cells. NNK significantly induced DNA damage, cell cycle arrest, and chromosomal damage in B-2A13 cells, but had no significant effect on BEAS-2B cells and the vector control cells. The combination of different concentration gradient of nicotine without cytotoxic effects and a single concentration of NNK reduced or even counteracted the cytotoxicity and multi-dimensional genotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, CYP2A13 caused the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of NNK in BEAS-2B cells, and the addition of nicotine could inhibit the toxicity of NNK.     

PMA-induced up-regulation of MMP-9 is regulated by a PKCalpha-NF-kappaB cascade in human lung epithelial cells

Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is associated with airway remodeling and tissue injury in asthma. However, little is known about how MMP-9 is up-regulated in airway epithelial cells. In this study, we show that phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) induces MMP-9 expression via a protein kinase Calpha (PKCalpha)-dependent signaling cascade in BEAS-2B human lung epithelial cells. Pretreatment with either GF109203X, a general PKC inhibitor, or Go6976, a PKCalpha/beta isozyme inhibitor, inhibited PMA-induced activation of the MMP-9 promoter, as did transient transfection with PKCalpha antisense oligonuclotides. PMA activated NF-kappaB by phosphorylating IkappaB in these cells and this was also inhibited by GF109203X and Go6976, suggesting that PKCa acts as an upstream regulator of NF-kappaB in PMA-induced MMP-9 induction. Our results indicate that a "PKCalpha-NF- kappaB"-dependent cascade is involved in the signaling leading to PMA-induced MMP-9 expression in the lung epithelium.     

The anti-lung cancer activity of propylene tethered dihydroartemisinin-isatin hybrids

Nineteen propylene tethered dihydroartemisinin-isatin hybrids 5a-g and 6a-l were designed, synthesized, and screened for their in vitro antiproliferative activity against three lung cancer cell lines, inclusive of drug-sensitive (A549), doxorubicin-resistant A549 (A549/DOX) and cisplatin-resistant A549 (A549/DDP) cell lines. The cytotoxicity of the synthesized hybrids towards normal lung epithelial cell line (BEAS-2B) was also assessed to evaluate the selectivity. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) elucidated that (1) alkyloxylimino fragment at C-3 position of isatin moiety were more favorable than the carbonyl and benzoxylimino, and the relative contricution order was methoxylimino > ethoxylimino > carbonyl > benzoxylimino; halogen atom at C-5 or C-6 position of isatin fragment could enhance the activity. Among them, hybrid 6f (IC₅₀: 21.7–28.9 μM) showed promising activity against the three tested lung cancer cell lines, and the activity was not inferior to that of cisplatin (IC₅₀: 19.7 and 66.9 μM) and doxorubicin (IC₅₀: 54.3 and 15.1 μM) against multidrug-resistant A549/DOX and A549/DDP lung cancer cell lines. In addition, hybrid 6f (IC₅₀: >100 μM) was non-cytotoxic towards normal lung epithelial cell line (BEAS-2B), and the RI values of hybrid 6f were 1.12 and 1.33. Further, hybrid 6f also possessed acceptable stability in mouse and human microsomes. Accordingly, hybrid 6a was a promising anti-lung cancer chemotherapeutic candidate and merited further evaluations.     

Ursolic Acid inhibits cigarette smoke extract-induced human bronchial epithelial cell injury and prevents development of lung cancer

Cigarette smoking is the main cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer. The present study was aimed to explore the chemopreventive effect of ursolic acid (UA) on these diseases. In the CSE treated normal human bronchial epithelial cell model, UA alleviated cytotoxicity caused by CSE, recovered the intracellular redox balance, and relieved the stimulation of external deleterious factors as well. UA mitigated CSE-induced DNA damage through the Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) pathway. Moreover, UA inhibited lung cancer development in the model established by A549 cells in nude mice in vivo. For the first time, our results indicate that UA could be developed as a potential lung cancer chemopreventive agent.     

Validation of a Fast and Simple HPLC-UV Method for the Quantification of Adenosine Phosphates in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells

A new HPLC method for the simultaneous quantitative analysis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and adenosine monophosphate (AMP) was developed and validated. ATP, ADP, and AMP were extracted from human bronchial epithelial cells with a rapid extraction procedure and separated with a C18 column (3 × 150 mm, 2.7 µm) using isocratic elution with a mobile phase consisting of 50 mM of potassium hydrogen phosphate (pH 6.80). The absorbance was monitored at 254 nm. The calibration curves were linear in 0.2 to 10 µM, selective, precise, and accurate. This method allowed us to quantify the nucleotides from two cell models: differentiated NHBE primary cells grown at the air–liquid interface (ALI) and BEAS-2B cell line. Our study highlighted the development of a sensitive, simple, and green analytical method that is faster and less expensive than other existing methods to measure ATP, ADP, and AMP and can be carried out on 2D and 3D cell models.     

红景天苷衍生物的合成及其抗缺氧活性

为了寻找安全、高效的抗缺氧活性分子,以对羟基苯乙醇和1,2,3,4,6-β-D-葡萄糖五乙酸酯为起始原料,设计合成了25个新型红景天苷衍生物R1～R10、X1～X10、J1～J5,其结构经¹H NMR,¹³C NMR和HR-MS(ESI)表征,且均未见文献报道。采用H9C2心肌细胞缺氧/复氧模型对上述化合物进行体外抗缺氧活性评价,并通过人肾上皮细胞293T、人肺上皮细胞BEAS-2B、大鼠心肌细胞H9C2和人正常肝细胞LO2这4种细胞评价了体外抗缺氧活性较佳的化合物R7、X2、X8和J1的细胞毒性,最后通过常压缺氧小鼠模型,进一步评价了R7、X8和J1的体内抗缺氧活性。结果表明：R7、X8和J1表现出显著的体内外抗缺氧活性且无明显的细胞毒性。     

5-Aminolevulinic acid-induced fluorescence in bronchial tumours: dependency on the patterns of tumour invasion

5-ALA-induced protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) fluorescence kinetics was quantified by fluorescence microscopy in three-dimensional organ co-cultures of human bronchial epithelium, which were infiltrated by four different lung tumour cell lines (EPLC-M31, LCLC-103H, NCI-H125 and NCI-H841). Corresponding fluorescence measurements were performed in monolayer cultures of these tumour cell lines and BEAS-2B cells as a model for normal bronchial epithelium by flow cytometry. Significant differences of fluorescence intensities (FI) between the tumours were detected in organ co-cultures as well as in single cell measurements. Relative FI values in organ co-cultures (FI(EPLC-32M1)>FI(LCLC-H103)>FI(NCI-H125)>FI(NCI-H841)) did not correspond to the measurements in single cells (FI(LCLC-H103)>FI(NCI-H125)>FI(NCI-H841)>FI(EPLC-32M1)). Histology of organ co-cultures revealed different patterns of invasion and tumour cell densities depending on the tumour type. After correction of FI in the co-cultures to tumour cell density the correlation coefficient for fluorescence values between both models increased considerably. Thus, additionally to distinctive features of 5-ALA metabolism, patterns of tumour invasion may be a factor determining 5-ALA-induced fluorescence. Considering these results, a pronounced heterogeneity of 5-ALA-induced fluorescence might be expected in different bronchial tumours in vivo. This could interfere with the diagnostic reliability of 5-ALA-induced fluorescence for early tumour detection.     

Implication of leucyl-tRNA synthetase 1 (LARS1) over-expression in growth and migration of lung cancer cells detected by siRNA targeted knock-down analysis

Molecular mechanism of lung carcinogenesis and its aggressive nature is still largely elusive. To uncover the biomarkers related with tumorigenesis and behavior of lung cancer, we screened novel differentially expressed genes (DEG) in A549 lung cancer cell line by comparison with CCD-25Lu, normal pulmonary epithelial cell line, using annealing control primer(ACP)-based GeneFishing system. Of the DEGs, over-expression of leucyl-tRNA synthetase 1 (LARS1) was prominent and this up-regulation was confirmed by immunoblotting and real-time quantitative RT-PCR analysis. In addition to A549 cell line, primary lung cancer tissues also expressed higher level of LARS1 mRNA than their normal counter tissues. To explore the oncogenic potential of LARS1 over-expression in lung cancer, we knocked-down LARS1 by treating siRNA and observed the tumor behavior. LARS1 knock-down cells showed reduced ability to migrate through transwell membrane and to form colonies in both soft agar and culture plate. Taken together, these findings suggest that LARS1 may play roles in migration and growth of lung cancer cells, which suggest its potential implication in lung tumorigenesis.     

支气管动脉CTA检查在中央型肺癌患者介入术前的指导价值

为探讨支气管动脉CT血管造影(CTA)检查在中央性肺癌患者介入术前的指导价值,本研究选取因反复肺癌咯血于我院行支气管动脉CTA检查的中央性肺癌患者56例,另选取同期正常对照组15例。所有患者均进行支气管动脉栓塞术,比较CTA影像学检查结果。结果显示,左肺癌患者的L支气管动脉显影率、右肺癌患者的R支气管动脉显影率均显著高于对照组,差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.05);左、右肺癌患者的L、R支气管动脉内径均显著高于对照组,差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.05);左肺癌患者的支气管动脉解剖分型以Grade 4型为主,占72.2%;右肺癌患者的支气管动脉解剖分型以Grade 1型为主,占47.4%。共检出咯血动脉76支,其中支气管动脉58支、肺循环动脉10支、多种动脉交通吻合型6支、肋间动脉2支。28例肺癌患者的供血支气管动脉至少有1个弯角≤90°,走行迂曲,CTA可见点或网状肿瘤血管,内肺动脉被包绕,狭窄;部分肺外体循环参与供血的患者,其病灶邻近的胸膜增厚。研究结果显示,支气管动脉CTA检查可有效提供支气管动脉的分支类型、解剖分型及开口部位,能较好地观察肺内疾病的血供来源,为患者介入治疗提供参考。     

Cell-type selective phototoxicity achieved with chlorophyll-a derived photosensitizers in a co-culture system of primary human tumor and normal lung cells

The ATP-dependent transporter ABCG2 exports certain photosensitizers (PS) from cells, implying that the enhanced expression of ABCG2 by cancer cells may confer resistance to photodynamic therapy (PDT) mediated by those PS. In 35 patient-derived primary cultures of lung epithelial and stromal cells, PS with different subcellular localization and affinity for ABCG2 displayed cell-type specific retention both independent and dependent on ABCG2. In the majority of cases, the ABCG2 substrate 2-[1-hexyloxyethyl]-2-devinyl pyropheophorbide-a (HPPH) was lost from fibroblastic cells more rapidly than from their epithelial counterparts, even in the absence of detectable ABCG2 expression, facilitating selective eradication by PDT of epithelial over fibroblastic cells in tumor/stroma co-cultures. Pairwise comparison of normal and transformed epithelial cells also identified tumor cells with elevated or reduced retention of HPPH, depending on ABCG2. Enhanced ABCG2 expression led to the selective PDT survival of tumor cells in tumor/stroma co-cultures. This survival pattern was reversible through HPPH derivatives that are not ABCG2 substrates or the ABCG2 inhibitor imatinib mesylate. PS retention, not differences in subcellular distribution or cell signaling responses, was determining cell type selective death by PDT. These data suggest that up-front knowledge of tumor characteristics, specifically ABCG2 status, could be helpful in individualized PDT treatment design.     

Metabolism of Pyrene and Chrysene in Epithelial Human Bronchial and Hamster Lung Cells

Abstract

The metabolism of pyrene and chrysene in epithelial human bronchial and in hamster lung cells has been studied and found to be very similar in both systems, although it differs from that observed in rat lung microsomes. Metabolite profiles have been analyzed by means of capillary GC and by GC/MS.     

Determination of lignans,phenolic acids and antioxidant capacity in transformed hairy root culture of Linum usitatissimum

Hairy root culture is a promising alternative method for the production of secondary metabolites. In this study, transformed root of Linum usitatissimum was established using Agrobacterium rhizogenes A4 strain from root cultures for lignans, phenolic acids and antioxidant capacity determination. Total lignin content (secoisolariciresinol diglucoside, secoisolariciresinol and matairesinol) was 55.5% higher in transformed root cultures than in the non-transformed root culture. Secoisolariciresinol was detected in higher concentration (2.107 μmol/g DM) in the transformed root culture than non-transformed culture (1.099 μmol/g DM). Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside and matairesinol were exclusively detected in the transformed root culture, but were not found in the non-transformed root culture. The overall production of phenolic acids in transformed roots was approximately 3.5 times higher than that of the corresponding non-transformed culture. Free radical scavenging DPPH˙ and ABTS˙⁺ assays showed 2.9-fold and 1.76-fold higher anti-oxidant activity in transformed root culture as compared to non-transformed.     

Three New Lignan Derivatives from Lindera glauca (Siebold et Zucc.) Blume

Two new aryl‐tetralin lignan glycosides, linderanosides A and B ( 1 and 2 , resp.), and a new dihydrobenzofuran neolignan glycoside, linderanoside C ( 3 ), together with five known lignan derivatives ( 4 – 8 ) were isolated from the trunk of Lindera glauca. The structures of these new compounds were determined through spectroscopic analyses, including extensive 2D‐NMR data and acid hydrolysis. The absolute configurations of the compounds were clarified by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopic studies. Compounds 1 – 8 were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against A549 (non‐small cell lung adenocarcinoma), SK‐OV‐3 (ovarian cancer cells), A498 (human kidney epithelial cells), and HCT‐15 (colon cancer cells) human tumor cell lines using sulforhodamine B assays in vitro.     

Blockade of translationally controlled tumor protein attenuated the aggressiveness of fibroblast-like synoviocytes and ameliorated collagen-induced arthritis

Histamine releasing factor/translationally controlled tumor protein (HRF/TCTP) stimulates cancer progression and allergic responses, but the role of HRF/TCTP in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains undefined. In this study, we explored the pathogenic significance of HRF/TCTP and evaluated the therapeutic effects of HRF/TCTP blockade in RA. HRF/TCTP transgenic (TG) and knockdown (KD) mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) were used to determine the experimental phenotypes of RA. HRF/TCTP levels in the sera of RA patients were measured and compared to those from patients with osteoarthritis (OA), ankylosing spondylitis, Behçet’s disease, and healthy controls. HRF/TCTP expression was also assessed in the synovium and fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) obtained from RA or OA patients. Finally, we assessed the effects of HRF/TCTP and dimerized HRF/TCTP-binding peptide-2 (dTBP2), an HRF/TCTP inhibitor, in RA-FLSs and CIA mice. Our clinical, radiological, histological, and biochemical analyses indicate that inflammatory responses and joint destruction were increased in HRF/TCTP TG mice and decreased in KD mice compared to wild-type littermates. HRF/TCTP levels in the sera, synovial fluid, synovium, and FLSs were higher in patients with RA than in control groups. Serum levels of HRF/TCTP correlated well with RA disease activity. The tumor-like aggressiveness of RA-FLSs was exacerbated by HRF/TCTP stimulation and ameliorated by dTBP2 treatment. dTBP2 exerted protective and therapeutic effects in CIA mice and had no detrimental effects in a murine tuberculosis model. Our results indicate that HRF/TCTP is a novel biomarker and therapeutic target for the diagnosis and treatment of RA.Subject terms: Translational research, Autoimmunity     

Comprehensive fluorogenic derivatization–liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry proteomic analysis of colorectal cancer cell to identify biomarker candidate

Existing colorectal cancer biomarkers are insufficient for providing a quick and accurate diagnosis, which is critical for a good prognosis. More appropriate biomarkers are thus needed. To identify new colorectal cancer biomarker candidates, we conducted a comprehensive differential proteomic analysis of six cancer cell lines and a normal cell line, utilizing a fluorogenic derivatization–liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (FD‐LC‐MS/MS) approach. Two sets of intracellular biomarker candidates were identified: one for colorectal cancer, and the other for metastatic colorectal cancer. Our results suggest that cooperative expression of FABP5 and cyclophilin A might be linked to Her2 signaling. Upregulation of LDHB and downregulation of GAPDH suggest the existence of a specific nonglycolytic energy production pathway in metastatic colorectal cancer cells. Downregulation of 14‐3‐3ζ/δ, cystatin‐B, Ran and thioredoxin could be a result of their secretion, which then stimulates metastasis via activity in the sera and ascitic fluids. We propose a possible flow scheme to describe the dynamics of protein expression in colorectal cancer cells leading to tumor progression and metastasis via cell proliferation, angiogenesis, disorganization of actin filaments and epithelial–mesenchymal transition. Our results suggest that colorectal tumor progression may be regulated by signaling mediated by Her2, hypoxia, and TGFβ. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synergistic cycles of protease activity and inflammation via PPARγ degradation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Inflammation, oxidative stress, and protease–antiprotease imbalance have been suggested to be a pathogenic triad in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, it is not clear how proteases interact with components of inflammatory pathways. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of neutrophil elastase (NE) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced interleukin 8 (IL-8) production and determine the molecular mechanism in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs). Immortalized bronchial epithelial cells and primary HBECs were used to investigate the impact of NE on LPS-induced IL-8 production. The molecular mechanism by which NE modulated LPS-induced IL-8 production was confirmed in elastase-treated C57BL/6 mice and primary HBECs obtained from COPD patients and healthy controls. The results showed that NE treatment synergistically augmented LPS-induced IL-8 production in both immortalized bronchial epithelial cells and primary HBECs. NE partially degraded peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), which is known to regulate IL-8 production in the nucleus. Treatment with a PPARγ agonist and overexpression of PPARγ reversed the NE-induced synergistic increase in LPS-induced IL-8 production. Moreover, PPARγ levels were lower in lung homogenates and lung epithelial cells from elastase-treated mice than in those from saline-treated mice. In accordance with the findings in mice, PPARγ levels were lower in primary HBECs from COPD patients than in those from healthy never-smokers or healthy smokers. In conclusion, a vicious cycle of mutual augmentation of protease activity and inflammation resulting from PPARγ degradation plays a role in the pathogenesis of COPD.Subject terms: Inflammation, Cytokines