CD98 activation increases surface expression and clusteringof beta1 integrins in MCF-7 cells through FAK/Src- and cytoskeleton-independent mechanisms

CD98, a disulfide-linked 125-kDa heterodimeric type II transmembrane glycoprotein, regulates beta1 integrin- mediated cell adhesion. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying CD98-mediated activation of beta1 integrin are presently unclear. In this study, the effects of CD98 signaling on the expression and clustering of beta1 integrin were investigated. Activation of CD98 augmented surface expression of beta1 integrin on MCF-7 cells. Cross-linking CD98 induced clustering of beta1 integrins. Inhibition of phosphorylation of focal adhesion kimase (FAK) by PP2, an inhibitor of Src family kinase, reduced cell-extracellular matrix adhesion, but not surface expression and clustering of beta1 integrin on MCF-7 cells. This result was confirmed by over-expression of dominant negative forms of FAK. In addition, phalloidin or cytochalasin D inhibited CD98-mediated induction of cell-ECM adhesion, but not surface expression and clustering of beta1 integrins. The inhibitory effects of PP2, cytochalasin D or phalloidin on CD98-stimulated cell adhesion were diminished by pretreatment of cells with Mn2+, which is shown to induce conformational change of integrins. These results provide the first evidence that CD98 activation increases not only beta1 integrin affinity but also its surface expression and clustering and the latter is independent of FAK/Src and cytoskeleton.     

Structural determination of a new 2(3 --> 20)abeotaxane with an unusual 13beta-substitution pattern and a new 6/8/6-ring taxane from Taxus cuspidata

A new 2(3 --> 20)abeotaxane with an unusual 13beta-substitution pattern and a new 6/8/6-ring taxane were isolated from the methanol extract of the needles of Taxus cuspidata. The structures were established as 2alpha,7beta-diacetoxy-5alpha,10beta,13beta-trihydroxy-2(3 --> 20)abeotaxa-4(20), 11-dien-9-one (1) and 2alpha,5alpha,7beta,9alpha,13alpha-pentahydroxy-10beta-acetoxytaxa-4(20),11-diene (2) on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectral data and high-resolution FAB-MS analyses.     

1,3-二氢-1,3-二氧-2H-异吲哚类衍生物的合成及抗新生血管生成活性研究

根据整合素α_vβ₃受体内源性配基RGD三肽构效关系和作用机制,以沙利度胺为先导化合物,设计并合成了5个未见文献报道的5-羧基-1,3-二氢-1,3-二氧-2H-异吲哚类衍生物,其结构经元素分析、红外光谱及核磁共振谱确证.体外初步生物活性筛选实验结果表明,部分目标物对脐静脉血管内皮细胞株(ECV304)增殖有显著抑制活性.     

Recombinant tetra-cell adhesion motifs supports adhesion, migration and proliferation of keratinocytes/fibroblasts, and promotes wound healing

An extracellular matrix protein plays an important role in skin wound healing. In the present study, we engineered a recombinant protein encompassing the 9(th) and 10(th) type III domains of fibronectin, and 4(th) FAS1 domain of betaig-h3. This recombinant protein, in total, harbors four known-cell adhesion motifs for integrins: Pro-His-Ser-Arg-Asn (PHSRN) and Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) in 9(th) and 10(th) type III domains of fibronectin, respectively, and Glu-Pro-Asp-Ile-Met (EPDIM) and Try-His (YH) in 4(th) FAS1 domain of betaig-h3, were designated to tetra-cell adhesion motifs (T-CAM). In vitro studies showed T-CAM supporting adhesion, migration and proliferation of different cell types including keratinocytes and fibroblasts. In an animal model of full-thickness skin wound, T-CAM exhibited excellent wound healing effects, superior to both 4(th) FAS1 domain of betaig-h3 or 9(th) and 10(th) type III domains of fibronectin. Based on these results, T-CAM can be applied where enhancement of cell adhesion, migration and proliferation are desired, and it could be developed into novel wound healing drug.     

β-MnO2和α-Mn2O3纳米棒的自牺牲模板法制备、 表征和应用

在150 ℃下, 仅以高锰酸钾溶液和无水乙醇为原料, 通过水热反应合成前驱体γ-MnOOH纳米棒. 以γ-MnOOH纳米棒为自牺牲模板, 分别在350和600 ℃下煅烧90 min, 制备出高纯度的β-MnO₂和α-Mn₂O₃纳米棒. 采用X射线粉末衍射(XRD)、 扫描电子显微镜(SEM)及热重分析(TGA)等对所制备的样品进行表征. 结果表明, 前驱物γ-MnOOH为高纯度的纳米棒状晶体, 直径约100~300 nm, 长度可达数微米, 且终产物β-MnO₂和α-Mn₂O₃均具有较高的纯度, 也很好地保持了前驱物的纳米棒状结构. 以二者为锰源, 通过固相反应合成出尖晶石LiMn₂O₄正极材料. 当充放电倍率为0.5 C时, 其首次放电比容量分别可达到120.4和123.9 mA·h/g, 而且表现出良好的循环性能和倍率性能.     

Differential inhibition of endothelial cell proliferation and migration by urokinase subdomains: amino-terminal fragment and kringle domain

The serine protease urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) is implicated in pericellular proteolysis in a variety of physiological and pathological processes including angiogenesis and tumor metastasis. The kringle domain of uPA (UK1) has proven to be an anti-angiogenic molecule with unknown mechanism and amino terminal fragment of uPA (u-ATF) with additional growth factor-like domain can be used for blocking interaction of uPA and uPA receptor. Here, we compared anti-angiogenic activities of these two molecules in vitro and in vivo. The recombinant u-ATF from E. coli and refolded in vitro was found to bind to uPAR with high affinity, whereas E. coli-derived UK1 showed no binding by Biacore analysis. In contrast to UK1 having potent inhibitory effect, u-ATF exhibited low inhibitory effect on bovine capillary endothelial cell growth (ED(50)>320 nM). Furthermore, u-ATF inhibition of VEGF-induced migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cell was far less sensitive (IC(50) = 600 nM) than those observed with UK1, and angiogenesis inhibition was marginal in chorioallantoic membrane. These results suggest that kringle domain alone is sufficient for potent anti- angiogenic activity and additional growth factor-like domain diverts this molecule in undergoing different mechanism such as inhibition of uPA/uPAR interaction rather than undergoing distinct anti- angiogenic mechanism driven by kringle domain.     

Enhancement of parthenolide-induced apoptosis by a PKC-alpha inhibition through heme oxygenase-1 blockage in cholangiocarcinoma cells

Cholangiocarcinoma (CC) is a chemoresistant intrahepatic bile duct carcinoma with a poor prognosis. The aims of this study were to identify molecular pathways that enhance sesquiterpene lactone parthenolide (PTL)-induced anticancer effects on CC cells. The effects of PTL on apoptosis and hemoxygenase-1 (HO-1) induction were examined in CC cell lines. The enhancement of PTL-mediated apoptosis by modulation of HO-1 expression and the mechanisms involved were also examined in an in vitro cell system. Low PTL concentrations (5 to 10 microM) led to Nrf2-dependent HO-1 induction, which attenuated the apoptogenic effect of PTL in Choi-CK and SCK cells. PTL-mediated apoptosis was enhanced by the protein kinase C-alpha inhibitor Ro317549 (Ro) through inhibition of expression and nuclear translocation of Nrf2, resulting in blockage of HO-1 expression. Finally, HO-1 silencing resulted in enhancement of apoptotic cell death in CC cells. The combination of PTL and Ro efficiently improved tumor growth inhibition compared to treatment with either agent alone in an in vivo subcutaneous tumor model. In conclusion, the modulation of HO-1 expression substantially improved the anticancer effect of PTL. The combination of PTL and Ro could prove to be a valuable chemotherapeutic strategy for CC.     

白山毛桃根抗脑胶质瘤活性成分及其纳米胶束的制备

采用溶剂提取和萃取方法得到白山毛桃根乙酸乙酯、 正丁醇和水层萃取物. 通过噻唑蓝(MTT)比色法考察了各萃取物对脑胶质瘤细胞U87MG活性的抑制作用. 采用高效液相色谱(HPLC)指纹图谱法比对确认活性部位的主要化学成分为2α,3α,24-三羟基-12-烯-28-乌苏酸. 采用溶剂挥发法制备了2α,3α,24-三羟基-12-烯-28-乌苏酸纳米胶束, 对其包封率、 粒径及ζ电位等进行了表征, 并考察了其抗肿瘤活性. 体外细胞实验结果表明, 白山毛桃根乙酸乙酯萃取物对脑胶质瘤细胞U87MG具有抑制作用, 通过与标准品比对确认2α,3α,24-三羟基-12-烯-28-乌苏酸为乙酸乙酯部位的主要成分, 且该成分对脑胶质瘤细胞活性具有较强抑制作用. 通过溶剂挥发法制备的2α,3α,4-三羟基-12-烯-28-乌苏酸纳米胶束包封率为64.7%, 粒径为20 nm, 粒径分布宽度(PDI)为0.246, ζ电位为-5.7 mV. 细胞实验结果进一步证明, 与单体化合物相比, 2α,3α,24-三羟基-12-烯-28-乌苏酸纳米胶束对脑胶质瘤细胞活性具有更强的抑制作用, 为白山毛桃根在脑胶质瘤治疗中的应用提供了实验依据.     

The Fumarprotocetraric Acid Inhibits Tau Covalently,Avoiding Cytotoxicity of Aggregates in Cells

Neurodegenerative disorders, including Tauopathies that involve tau protein, base their pathological mechanism on forming proteinaceous aggregates, which has a deleterious effect on cells triggering an inflammatory response. Moreover, tau inhibitors can exert their mechanism of action through noncovalent and covalent interactions. Thus, Michael’s addition appears as a feasible type of interaction involving an α, β unsaturated carbonyl moiety to avoid pathological confirmation and further cytotoxicity. Moreover, we isolated three compounds from Antarctic lichens Cladonia cariosa and Himantormia lugubris: protolichesterinic acid (1), fumarprotocetraric acid (2), and lichesterinic acid (3). The maleimide cysteine labeling assay showed that compounds 1, 2, and 3 inhibit at 50 µM, but compounds 2 and 3 are statistically significant. Based on its inhibition capacity, we decided to test compound 2 further. Thus, our results suggest that compound 2 remodel soluble oligomers and diminish β sheet content, as demonstrated through ThT experiments. Hence, we added externally treated oligomers with compound 2 to demonstrate that they are harmless in cell culture. First, the morphology of cells in the presence of aggregates does not suffer evident changes compared to the control. Additionally, the externally added aggregates do not provoke a substantial LDH release compared to the control, indicating that treated oligomers do not provoke membrane damage in cell culture compared with aggregates alone. Thus, in the present work, we demonstrated that Michael’s acceptors found in lichens could serve as a scaffold to explore different mechanisms of action to turn tau aggregates into harmless species.     

The characteristics of integrins expression in decidualized human endometrial stromal cell induced by 8-Br-cAMP in in vitro

Integrins are heterodimeric glycoproteins that have been found to undergo dynamic temporal and spatial changes in the endometrium during the menstrual cycle and in early pregnancy. Specificity of integrins is known to be different in human endometrial stromal cells and decidual cells. These shifts of integrins suggested to play an important role in embryo implantation and can be modulated by progesterone, cAMP derivatives, and cytokines. The mechanisms of decidualization and its precise physiological role are still not clearly understood and in vitro systems could provide an alternative that overcomes limitations of studying such complex biological phenomena in vivo at the time of implantation. This study was undertaken to establish an in vitro model system for human decidualization using 8-bromo-cAMP and to investigate the characteristics of stromal integrin expression in vitro by 8-Br-cAMP. Endometrial stromal cells were isolated and cultured, and then were induced to decidualize by 0.5 mM 8-Br-cAMP for 15 days. Immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometric analyses of the integrin subunits (alpha1, alpha4, alpha5, alpha6, beta1 and alphavbeta3) were performed at day 9. In the presence of 8-Br-cAMP, the staining intensity of alphavbeta3 was significantly higher than control and measurements for alpha1, alpha4, alpha5, alpha6, and beta1 were similar. Immunofluorescent localization of the integrins reflected the differences obtained from the flow cytometric analyses described above. In summary, the expression of alphavbeta3 integrin increased in stromal cells in vitro decidualized by 8-Br-cAMP and this up-regulation of alphavbeta3 integrin expression during decidualization might influence on human implantation.     

Multimeric cyclic RGD peptides as potential tools for tumor targeting: solid-phase peptide synthesis and chemoselective oxime ligation

The alpha v beta 3 integrin receptor plays an important role in human metastasis and tumor-induced angiogenesis. Targeting this receptor may provide information about the receptor status of the tumor and enable specific therapeutic planning. Solid-phase peptide synthesis of multimeric cyclo(-RGDfE-)-peptides is described, which offer the possibility of enhanced integrin targeting due to polyvalency effects. These peptides contain an aminooxy group for versatile chemoselective oxime ligation. Conjugation with para-trimethylstannylbenzaldehyde results in a precursor for radioiododestannylation, which would allow them to be used as potential tools for targeting and imaging alpha v beta 3-expressing tumor cells. The conjugates were obtained in good yield without the need of a protection strategy and under mild conditions.     

Selenium speciation determines the angiogenesis effect through regulating selenoproteins to trigger ROS-mediated cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest

Tumor angiogenesis is closely related to tumor development, immune escape, and drug resistance. Therefore, the development of effective anti-tumor angiogenesis drugs is of great research significance. Although the current clinical angiogenesis inhibitors have achieved certain efficacy, they also pose the problems of limited and short duration of efficacy, drug resistance, and intrinsic toxicity. Anti-tumor angiogenesis strategies targeting endothelial cells (ECs) have attracted widespread attention in the development of highly effective and low toxicity anti-angiogenesis inhibitors. Studies have verified that the trace element selenium (Se) can inhibit tumor growth by inhibiting tumor angiogenesis through different mechanisms. Nevertheless, it is unclear whether Se speciation has different effects on anti-tumor angiogenesis. Herein, we found that Se exhibited effective anti-angiogenic activity, and its mechanisms of activity were determined by its chemical speciation. Organic Se can significantly inhibit tumor angiogenesis by targeting thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) to trigger cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest and by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in ECs. Inorganic Se can induce cell cycle arrest and increase ROS production in ECs, showing promising anti-angiogenic effects. Se nanoparticles (SeNPs) slightly inhibit tumor angiogenesis by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest and by increasing the production of ROS. In summary, this study elucidates the anti-angiogenic activity of Se speciation control with a view to providing a scientific reference for the design and development of novel Se-based highly effective and low toxicity angiogenesis inhibitors.     

Hypoxia induces Wee1 expression and attenuates hydrogen peroxide-induced endothelial damage in MS1 cells

In an oxygen-depleted environment, endothelial cells initiate an adaptive pattern of synthesis, which may enable them to survive hypoxic crises. Using high-resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis in conjunction with mass spectroscopy, we obtained a 24 differential display of proteins in the pancreatic endothelial cell line, MS-1, at four time points following induction of hypoxia. The induction of Wee1 under hypoxia was confirmed both at the mRNA and protein levels. The phosphorylation of cell division cycle 2, which is downstream of Wee1, was also increased after hypoxic exposure. In addition, pre-exposure to hypoxia attenuated a decrease in hydrogen peroxide-induced cell number. The induction of bax (a pro-apoptotic protein) and reduction of bcl (an anti-apoptotic protein) after hypoxia stimulus were also attenuated by hypoxic pre-exposure. Moreover, hydrogen peroxide-induced morphologic damage did not appear in the wild-type Wee1-expressing cells. Taken together, our results suggest that Wee1 may have important role in hypoxia- induced pathophysiological situations in endothelial cells.     

水相介质中碳酸钾/硫脲联合促进邻位氨基溴转变成α,β-脱氢氨的研究

建立了在水相介质中, 在碳酸钾/硫脲联合促进下, 具有邻位氨基溴的酯和邻位氨基溴的酮在室温下发生溴化氢消除反应, 高收率地制备α,β-脱氢氨(功能化烯胺)的新方法. 共考察了23种不同结构α,β-邻位氨基溴的酯和α,β-邻位氨基溴的酮的反应情况, 证明该方法具有广泛的适应性. 实验发现, 无论底物为α-氨基-β-溴结构还是α-溴-β-氨基结构, 反应过程中都要经过一个氮丙啶过程, 而氮丙啶的开环是区域专一的, 因此产物具有区域专一性(烯键上的氨基均处在羰基的α-位). 所有产物的结构均经过核磁共振波谱及高分辩率质谱确证. 克量级放大实验结果表明, 该方法具有一定的用于工业化生产的可行性.     

基于乙酸为溶剂和催化剂的芳乙酮Mannich反应

采用乙酸作溶剂和催化剂, 将芳乙酮与甲醛和二级胺进行Mannich反应及热解反应, 并未得到预期的Mannich碱或α,β-不饱和酮(2), 而是以较高产率(65%~73%)生成了乙酸(2-芳甲酰基)烯丙酯(3a~3o). 通过核磁共振波谱、 高分辨质谱和红外光谱表征了化合物3a~3o的结构, 研究了此“异常”反应的发生条件, 并提出了可能的反应机理. 结果表明, 芳乙酮的特殊结构及反应中过量的乙酸是产生化合物3a~3o的决定因素.     

Synthesis and Systematic Study on the Effect of Different PEG Units on Stability of PEGylated,Integrin-αvβ6-Specific A20FMDV2 Analogues in Rat Serum and Human Plasma

A20FMDV2 is a 20-mer peptide that exhibits high selectivity and affinity for the tumour-related αvβ6 integrin that can compete with extracellular ligands for the crucial RGD binding site, playing a role as a promising αvβ6-specific inhibitor for anti-cancer therapies. Unfortunately, the clinical value of A20FMDV2 is limited by its poor half-life in blood caused by rapid renal excretion and its reported high susceptibility to serum proteases. The incorporation of poly (ethylene glycol) chains, coined PEGylation, is a well-established approach to improve the pharmacokinetic properties of drug molecules. Here, we report a systematic study on the incorporation of a varying number of ethylene glycol units (1–20) into the A20FMDV2 peptide to establish the effects of PEGylation size on the peptide stability in both rat serum and human plasma. In addition, the effect of acetyl and propionyl PEGylation handles on peptide stability is also described. Selected peptide analogues were assessed for integrin-αvβ6-targeted binding, showing good specificity and activity in vitro. Stability studies in rat serum established that all of the PEGylated peptides displayed good stability, and an A20FMDV2 peptide containing twenty ethylene glycol units (PEG₂₀) was the most stable. Surprisingly, the stability testing in human plasma identified shorter PEGs (PEG₂ and PEG₅) as more resistant to degradation than longer PEGs, a trend which was also observed with affinity binding to integrin αvβ6.     

双-β-咔啉衍生物的设计、合成及抗肿瘤活性

以去氢骆驼蓬碱为原料, 经过脱甲基、 烷基化等步骤, 合成了一系列双-β-咔啉衍生物. 目标化合物均经核磁共振谱(NMR)和质谱(MS)进行结构确证. 以顺铂为阳性对照药, 采用四甲基偶氮唑盐(MTT)法考察了目标化合物体外抗肿瘤(Bel-7402, 786-0, BGC-823, A375, 769-P和MCF7等6株细胞)活性. 结果表明, 化合物4g和4o与阳性对照药相比具有良好的抗肿瘤活性, 其半抑制浓度(IC₅₀)值均小于10 μmol/L. 初步构效关系研究表明, 当桥链亚甲基数目为8~10, β-咔啉环上9-丁基或9-异丁基取代时, 化合物的抗肿瘤活性较强.     

左氧氟沙星的噻唑并均三唑衍生物的合成及抗肿瘤活性

为进一步发展抗菌药氟喹诺酮向抗肿瘤活性转化的有效结构修饰策略,基于药效团骨架的迁越药物设计原理,用噻唑并均三唑稠环取代左氧氟沙星(1)C-3羧基的等排体,α,β-不饱和酮为其修饰基,设计合成了C-3噻唑并均三唑稠杂环目标化合物(6a-6l)。 体外抗肿瘤活性结构表明,所合成的12个化合物的活性均强于母体左氧氟沙星,化合物6e、6i、6j的活性与对照抗肿瘤药阿霉素相当。 因此,α,β-不饱和酮修饰的均三唑骨架替代C-3羧基有利于提高氟喹诺酮的抗肿瘤活性。