Cantharidic acid induces apoptosis in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells through p38-mediated upregulation of caspase activation.
Environ Toxicol
; 35(5): 619-627, 2020 May.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-31916385
ABSTRACT
Cantharidic acid (CA) is the hydrolysis product of the acid anhydride cantharidin, which is a natural toxin secreted by several species of blister beetles. Several studies have indicated that as an inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2 (PP2A), CA induces apoptosis in various human cancer cells. However, the effect of CA on human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells and the underlying pathways have not been addressed. In our current study, we tested the hypothesis that CA treatment reduces the viability of human NPC cells (HONE-1, NPC-39, and NPC-BM) by inducing apoptosis. Results indicated that CA markedly reduced cell viability, which was revealed by the upregulation of caspase activation in extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis pathways as well as the upregulation of extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1/2 (JNK1/2) pathways. Coadministration of a p38 inhibitor (SB203580) with CA abolished the activation of caspase proteins. These findings indicated that CA treatment leads to apoptosis in human NPC cells through the upregulation of caspase activation, mediated particularly by the p38 pathway. Hence, CA is a promising therapeutic agent for human NPC.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Cantaridina
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Ativação Transcricional
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Apoptose
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Caspases
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Proteínas Quinases p38 Ativadas por Mitógeno
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Antineoplásicos
Limite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Environ Toxicol
Assunto da revista:
SAUDE AMBIENTAL
/
TOXICOLOGIA
Ano de publicação:
2020
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Taiwan