Development and characterization of oxaceprol-loaded poly-lactide-co-glycolide nanoparticles for the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Oxaceprol is well-defined therapeutic agent as an atypical inhibitor of inflammation in osteoarthritis. In the present study, we aimed to develop and characterize oxaceprol-loaded poly-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) nanoparticles for intra-articular administration in osteoarthritis. PLGA nanoparticles were prepared by double-emulsion solvent evaporation method. Meanwhile, a straightforward and generally applicable high performance liquid chromatography method was developed, and validated for the first time for the quantification of oxaceprol. To examine the drug carrying capacity of nanoparticles, varying amount of oxaceprol was entrapped into a constant amount of polymer matrix. Moreover, the efficacy of drug amount on nanoparticle characteristics such as particle size, zeta potential, morphology, drug entrapment, and in vitro drug release was investigated. Nanoparticle sizes were between 229 and 509 nm for different amount of oxaceprol with spherical smooth morphology. Encapsulation efficiency ranged between 39.73 and 63.83% by decreasing oxaceprol amount. The results of Fourier transform infrared and DSC showed absence of interaction between oxaceprol and PLGA. The in vitro drug release from these nanoparticles showed a sustained release of oxaceprol over 30 days. According to cell culture studies, oxaceprol-loaded nanoparticles had no cytotoxicity with high biocompatibility. This study was the first step of developing an intra-articular system in the treatment of osteoarthritis for the controlled release of oxaceprol. Our findings showed that these nanoparticles can be beneficial for an effective treatment of osteoarthritis avoiding side effects associated with oral administration.

Epigenetic Mechanisms in Psychiatric Diseases and Epigenetic Therapy.

Preclinical Research Epigenetic mechanisms refer covalent modification of DNA and histone proteins that control transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Epigenetic regulation is involved in the development of the nervous system and plays an important role in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders, including depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Epigenetic drugs, including histone deacetylation and DNA methylation inhibitors have received increased attention for the management of psychiatric diseases. The purpose of this review is to discuss the potential of epigenetic drugs to treat these disorders and to clarify the mechanisms by which they regulate the dysfunctional genes in the brain. Drug Dev Res 77 : 407-413, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The association between histone 3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) and prostate cancer: relationship with clinicopathological parameters.

BACKGROUND: It is well established that genetic and epigenetic alterations are common events in prostate cancer, which may lead to aberrant expression of critical genes. The importance of epigenetic mechanisms in prostate cancer carcinogenesis is increasingly evident. In this study, the focus will be on histone modifications and the primary objectives are to map H3K27me3 marks and quantify RAR beta 2, ER alpha, SRC3, RGMA, PGR, and EZH2 gene expressions in prostate cancer tissues compared to normal tissues. In addition, a data analysis was made in connection with the clinicopathological parameters. METHODS: 71 normal specimens and 66 cancer prostate tissues were randomly selected in order to assess the proportion of the repressive H3K27me3 mark and gene expression. H3K27me3 level was evaluated by ChIP-qPCR and mRNA expression using RT-qPCR between prostate cancer and normal tissues. Subsequently, western-blotting was performed for protein detection. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed, and Tukey's test was used to correct for multiple comparisons (p-value threshold of 0.05). The principal component analysis (PCA) and discriminant factorial analysis (DFA) were used to explore the association between H3K27me3 level and clinicopathological parameters. RESULTS: The study demonstrated that H3K27me3 level was significantly enriched at the RAR beta 2, ER alpha, PGR, and RGMA promoter regions in prostate cancer tissues compared to normal tissues. After stratification by clinicopathological parameters, the H3K27me3 level was positively correlated with Gleason score, PSA levels and clinical stages for RAR beta 2, ER alpha, PGR, and RGMA. High H3K27me3 mark was significantly associated with decreased RAR beta 2, ER alpha, PGR and RGMA gene expressions in prostate cancer sample compared to the normal one. Moreover, the results showed that mRNA level of EZH2, AR and SRC3 are upregulated in prostate cancer compared to normal prostate tissues and this correlates positively with Gleason score, PSA levels and clinical stages. Obviously, these observations were confirmed by protein level using western-blot. CONCLUSIONS: This data clearly demonstrated that H3K27me3 level correlated with aggressive tumor features. Also this study revealed that reverse correlation of RAR beta 2, ER alpha, PGR, and RGMA expressions with EZH2, SRC3, and AR expressions in prostate cancer tissues suggests that these genes are the target of EZH2. Therefore, all therapeutic strategies leading to histone demethylation with epigenetic drugs such as histone methyltransferase inhibitor may be relevant treatments against prostate cancer.

Assessment of matrix Gla protein, Klotho gene polymorphisms, and oxidative stress in chronic kidney disease.

Increased vascular calcification and oxidative stress are considered as extra renal risk factors at the pathogenesis cardiovascular events in chronic kidney disease (CKD). We investigated matrix Gla protein (MGP) (T-138C, Glu60X, Thr83Ala) and Klotho (Cys370Ser) gene polymorphisms, serum MGP levels, and oxidative stress status of 84 CKD patients and 37 healthy controls. The MGP gene Glu60X and Thr83Ala polymorphisms were significantly associated with CKD. The correlation between T-138C genotype of MGP gene, Cys370Ser genotype of Klotho gene, and CKD was not significant (p > 0.05). At the haplotype analysis, the combination of the X allele of Glu60X and the Thr allele of Thr83Ala showed a significantly increased risk of CKD (p < 0.05). X allele, Thr allele, and C allele of T-138C were associated with diabetes mellitus and CKD phenotypes occurring concurrently (p < 0.01). Serum zinc levels were significantly low in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients (p = 0.0001). The total comet score frequency of ESRD patients was higher than that of control group (p < 0.05). The urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine levels were significantly high in CKD patients (p < 0.05). According to this study, analyzing the distribution of MGP gene and oxidative stress status would be very informative in order to detect their role at CKD.

The Epigenetic Landscape of Promoter Genome-wide Analysis in Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease due to its clinico-pathological features and response to therapy. The classification of breast tumors based on their hormone receptor status and pathologic features. Post-translational histone modifications come into prominence for regulation of gene expression in cancer pathogenesis. Here, we analyzed dysregulation of H3K9ac and H3K27me3-enriched subtype-specific genes using ChIP-on-chip assay in breast cancer tumors and matched normal tissue samples. Breast cancer tumors were classified according to St Gallen Consensus 2013. Our results indicated that the promoter regions of genes modified by H3K9ac epi-mark are commonly associated with tumors with HER2-positive and TNBC subtype. H3K27me3-enriched genes were comprised of Luminal A and B1 subtypes. We constructed a network structure to elicit epigenetically regulated genes related with breast cancer progression. The central genes of the network (RUNX1, PAX3, GATA4 and DLX5) were subjected for epigenetically dysregulation in association with different breast cancer subtypes. Our study submits epigenetic mechanisms are crucial to elicit subtype-specific regulation in breast cancer and ChIP-on-chip assay provides a better understanding for breast tumorigenesis and new approaches for prevention and treatment.

H3K4 acetylation, H3K9 acetylation and H3K27 methylation in breast tumor molecular subtypes.

AIM: Here, we investigated how the St Gallen breast molecular subtypes displayed distinct histone H3 profiles. PATIENTS & METHODS: 192 breast tumors divided into five St Gallen molecular subtypes (luminal A, luminal B HER2-, luminal B HER2+, HER2+ and basal-like) were evaluated for their histone H3 modifications on gene promoters. RESULTS: ANOVA analysis allowed to identify specific H3 signatures according to three groups of genes: hormonal receptor genes (ERS1, ERS2, PGR), genes modifying histones (EZH2, P300, SRC3) and tumor suppressor gene (BRCA1). A similar profile inside high-risk cancers (luminal B [HER2+], HER2+ and basal-like) compared with low-risk cancers including luminal A and luminal B (HER2-) were demonstrated. CONCLUSION: The H3 modifications might contribute to clarify the differences between breast cancer subtypes.

Epigenetic Modifications with DZNep, NaBu and SAHA in Luminal and Mesenchymal-like Breast Cancer Subtype Cells.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Numerous studies have shown that breast cancer and epigenetic mechanisms have a very powerful interactive relation. The MCF7 cell line, representative of luminal subtype and the MDA-MB 231 cell line representative of mesenchymal-like subtype were treated respectively with a Histone Methyl Transferase Inhibitors (HMTi), 3-Deazaneplanocin hydrochloride (DZNep), two histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), sodium butyrate (NaBu), and suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) for 48 h. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) was used to observe HDACis (SAHA and NaBu) and HMTi (DZNep) impact on histones and more specifically on H3K27me3, H3K9ac and H3K4ac marks with Q-PCR analysis of BRCA1, SRC3 and P300 genes. Furthermore, the HDACi and HMTi effects on mRNA and protein expression of BRCA1, SRC3 and P300 genes were checked. In addition, statistical analyses were used. RESULTS: In the MCF7 luminal subtype with positive ER, H3k4ac was significantly increased on BRCA1 with SAHA. On the contrary, in the MDA-MB 231 breast cancer cell line, representative of mesenchymal-like subtype with negative estrogen receptor, HDACis had no effect. Also, DZNEP decreased significantly H3K27me3 on BRCA1 in MDA-MB 231. Besides, on SRC3, a significant increase for H3K4ac was obtained in MCF7 treated with SAHA. And DZNEP had no effect in MCF7. Also, in MDA-MB 231 treated with DZNEP, H3K27me3 significantly decreased on SRC3 while H3K4ac was significantly increased in MDA-MB-231 treated with SAHA or NaBu for P300. CONCLUSION: Luminal and mesenchymal-like breast cancer subtype cell lines seemed to act differently to HDACis (SAHA and NaBu) or HMTi (DZNEP) treatments.

The Role of Soy Phytoestrogens on Genetic and Epigenetic Mechanisms of Prostate Cancer.

Soy phytoestrogens are dietary components with considerable effects on reducing the incidence of prostate cancer. Epidemiological studies demonstrated that occurrence of prostate cancer is relatively low in Asia and Southern Europe, a status associated with consuming of soy isoflavones, such as genistein, daidzein, and glycitein. Soy phytoestrogens exert their activity on molecular mechanisms, including cell-cycle control, induction of apoptosis, inhibition of angiogenesis, and metastasis. In addition, they have antioxidant activity and show regulatory effect on the expression of genes involved in DNA damage and repair. Furthermore, the epigenetic regulation of gene expression can be modified by soy phytoestrogens. They show regulatory effects on gene activity by altering DNA methylation and/or histone modification patterns. In this chapter, we discuss the role of soy phytoestrogens on the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of prostate cancer. We attempt to provide further insight in order to understand the underlying mechanisms of protective effects of soy phytoestrogens in preventing prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer: The main risk and protective factors-Epigenetic modifications.

With 13 million new cases worldwide every year, prostate cancer is as a very real public health concern. Prostate cancer is common in over-50s men and the sixth-leading cause of cancer-related death in men worldwide. Like all cancers, prostate cancer is multifactorial - there are non-modifiable risk factors like heredity, ethnicity and geographic location, but also modifiable risk factors such as diet. Diet-cancer linkages have risen to prominence in the last few years, with accruing epidemiological data pointing to between-population incidence differentials in numerous cancers. Indeed, there are correlations between fat-rich diet and risk of hormone-dependent cancers like prostate cancer and breast cancer. Diet is a risk factor for prostate cancer, but certain micronutrients in specific diets are considered protective factors against prostate cancer. Examples include tomato lycopene, green tea epigallocatechin gallate, and soy phytoestrogens. These micronutrients are thought to exert cancer-protective effects via anti-oxidant pathways and inhibition of cell proliferation. Here, we focus in on the effects of phytoestrogens, and chiefly genistein and daidzein, which are the best-researched to date. Soy phytoestrogens are nonsteroid molecules whose structural similarity lends them the ability to mimic the effects of 17ß-estradiol. On top of anti-oxidant effects, there is evidence that soy phytoestrogens can modulate the epigenetic modifications found in prostate cancer. We also studied the impact of phytoestrogens on epigenetic modifications in prostate cancer, with special focus on DNA methylation, miRNA-mediated regulation and histone modifications.

Genome-wide DNA methylation modified by soy phytoestrogens: role for epigenetic therapeutics in prostate cancer?

In prostate cancer, DNA methylation is significantly associated with tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. Previous studies have suggested that soy phytoestrogens might regulate DNA methylation at individual candidate gene loci and that they play a crucial role as potential therapeutic agents for prostate cancer. The purpose of our study was to examine the modulation effects of phytoestrogens on a genome-wide scale in regards to DNA methylation in prostate cancer. Prostate cancer cell lines DU-145 and LNCaP were treated with 40 µM of genistein and 110 µM of daidzein. DNMT inhibitor 5-azacytidine (2 µM) and the methylating agent budesonide (2 µM) were used to compare their demethylation/methylation effects with phytoestrogens. The regulatory effects of phytoestrogens on DNA methylation were analyzed by using a methyl-DNA immunoprecipitation method coupled with Human DNA Methylation Microarrays (MeDIP-chip). We observed that the methylation profiles of 58 genes were altered by genistein and daidzein treatments in DU-145 and LNCaP prostate cancer cells. In addition, the methylation frequencies of the MAD1L1, TRAF7, KDM4B, and hTERT genes were remarkably modified by genistein treatment. Our results suggest that the modulation effects of phytoestrogens on DNA methylation essentially lead to inhibition of cell growth and induction of apoptosis. Genome-wide methylation profiling reported here suggests that epigenetic regulation mechanisms and, by extension, epigenetics-driven novel therapeutic candidates warrant further consideration in future "omics" studies of prostate cancer.

Epigenetic mechanisms of breast cancer: an update of the current knowledge.

Epigenetic alterations are heritable changes in gene expression that occur without causing any change in DNA sequence. They are important key factors for cancer development and prognosis. Breast cancer is induced by the accumulation of altered gene regulation. Besides genetic mutations, epigenetics mechanisms have an important role in breast cancer tumorigenesis. Investigations related with aberrant epigenetic regulations in breast cancer focus on initiating molecular mechanisms in cancer development, identification of new biomarkers to predict breast cancer aggressiveness and the potential of epigenetic therapy. In this review, we will summarize the recent knowledge about the role of epigenetic alterations related with DNA methylation and histone modification in breast cancer. In addition, altered regulation of breast cancer specific genes and the potential of epigenetic therapy will be discussed according to epigenetic mechanisms.

Epigenetic modifications in prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men in France. Apart from the genetic alterations in prostate cancer, epigenetics modifications are involved in the development and progression of this disease. Epigenetic events are the main cause in gene regulation and the three most epigenetic mechanisms studied include DNA methylation, histone modifications and microRNA expression. In this review, we summarized epigenetic mechanisms in prostate cancer. Epigenetic drugs that inhibit DNA methylation, histone methylation and histone acetylation might be able to reactivate silenced gene expression in prostate cancer. However, further understanding of interactions of these enzymes and their effects on transcription regulation in prostate cancer is needed and has become a priority in biomedical research. In this study, we summed up epigenetic changes with emphasis on pharmacologic epigenetic target agents.