TgMAPK1 is a Toxoplasma gondii MAP kinase that hijacks host MKK3 signals to regulate virulence and interferon-γ-mediated nitric oxide production.

The parasite Toxoplasma gondii controls tissue-specific nitric oxide (NO), thereby augmenting virulence and immunopathology through poorly-understood mechanisms. We now identify TgMAPK1, a Toxoplasma mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), as a virulence factor regulating tissue-specific parasite burden by manipulating host interferon (IFN)-γ-mediated inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Toxoplasma with reduced TgMAPK1 expression (TgMAPK1(lo)) demonstrated that TgMAPK1 facilitates IFN-γ-driven p38 MAPK activation, reducing IFN-γ-generated NO in an MKK3-dependent manner, blunting IFN-γ-mediated parasite control. TgMAPK1(lo) infection in wild type mice produced ≥ten-fold lower parasite burden versus control parasites with normal TgMAPK1 expression (TgMAPK1(con)). Reduced parasite burdens persisted in IFN-γ KO mice, but equalized in normally iNOS-replete organs from iNOS KO mice. Parasite MAPKs are far less studied than other parasite kinases, but deserve additional attention as targets for immunotherapy and drug discovery.

Characterization of Vitamin D insensitive prostate cancer cells.

The antitumor effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (calcitriol) are being exploited for prevention and treatment of prostate cancer (CaP). These studies examined the antiproliferative effects of calcitriol in primary cell cultures derived from transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate (TRAMP) mice chronically treated with calcitriol (20 microg/kg) or vehicle 3x/week from 4 weeks-of-age until palpable tumors developed. This is a report on the response of two representative control (Vitamin D naïve, naïve) and calcitriol-treated (Vitamin D insensitive, VDI) cells to calcitriol. VDI cells were less sensitive to calcitriol based on less cell growth inhibition and less inhibition of DNA synthesis as measured by MTT and BrdU incorporation assays. Similarly, VDI cells were less sensitive to growth inhibition by the vitamin analog, 19-nor-1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(2) (paricalcitol). There was no change in apoptosis following treatment of naïve and VDI cells with calcitriol. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) expression was up-regulated by calcitriol in both naïve and VDI cells. In addition, calcitriol induced the Vitamin D metabolizing enzyme, 24-hydroxylase (cyp24) mRNA and enzyme activity similarly in naïve and VDI cells as measured by RT-PCR and HPLC, respectively. In summary, VDI cells are less responsive to the antiproliferative effects of calcitriol. Understanding Vitamin D insensitivity will further clinical development of Vitamin D compounds for prevention and treatment of CaP.

Biological mechanisms of action of novel C-10 non-acetal trioxane dimers in prostate cancer cell lines.

The mechanisms of action of three C-10 non-acetal trioxane dimers (TDs) were examined in human (LNCaP) and mouse (TRAMP-C1A and -C2H) prostate cancer cell lines. 1 (AJM3/23), 2 (GHP-TM-III-07w), and 3 (GHP-KB-06) inhibited cell growth with 3 being the most potent in C1A (GI50 = 18.0 nM), C2H (GI50 = 17.0 nM), and LNCaP (GI50 = 17.9 nM) cells. In comparison to a standard cytotoxic agent such as doxorubicin (GI50 = 45.3 nM), 3 (GI50 = 17.9 nM) inhibited LNCaP cell growth more potently. TDs induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in LNCaP cells and decreased cells in the S phase. These changes correlated with modulation of G1 phase cell cycle proteins including decreased cyclin D1, cyclin E, and cdk2 and increased p21waf1 and p27Kip1. TDs also promoted apoptosis in LNCaP cells with increased expression of proapoptotic bax. These results demonstrate that TDs are potentially useful agents that warrant further preclinical development for treatment of prostate cancer.

Anticancer and antimalarial efficacy and safety of artemisinin-derived trioxane dimers in rodents.

In only four chemical steps from naturally occurring artemisinin (1), trioxane dimers 6 and 7 were prepared on a multigram scale in overall 32-44% yields. In mice, both isonicotinate N-oxide dimer 6 and isobutyric acid dimer 7 were considerably more antimalarially efficacious than clinically used sodium artesunate (2) via both oral and intravenous administration. In the transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate model, some of the trioxane dimers had potent anticancer activity.

Antitumor effects of two less-calcemic vitamin D analogs (Paricalcitol and QW-1624F2-2) in squamous cell carcinoma cells.

The active metabolite of vitamin D(3) (1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3), calcitriol) has potent antitumor activities in vitro and in vivo in multiple cancers. Concerns about induction of hypercalcemia by calcitriol and the desire for more potent agents have prompted development of less-calcemic vitamin D analogs. These studies demonstrate that two vitamin D analogs, 19-nor-1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(2) (paricalcitol) and 1alpha-hydroxymethyl-16-ene-24,24-difluoro-25-hydroxy-26,27-bis-homovitamin D(3) (QW-1624F(2)-2, QW), have anticancer effects in the calcitriol-responsive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cell line. Paricalcitol (GI50 = 0.7 nM) and QW (GI50 = 0.001 nM) inhibited SCC cell growth; however, QW was more potent. Paricalcitol (10 nM) and QW (10 nM) induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and inhibited DNA synthesis by approximately 95%. The vitamin D analogs modulated cell cycle regulators, including decreasing mRNA and protein levels of p21(Waf1/Cip1) (p21) and cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (cdk2), and increasing p27(Kip1) (p27) protein expression. Vitamin D analogs induced apoptosis, caspase-3 cleavage and increased expression of pro-apoptotic MEKK-1. Phosphorylation of Akt, MEK and ERK1/2 that promote cell growth and survival were inhibited by vitamin D analogs. The anticancer effects of paricalcitol and QW are comparable to the effect of calcitriol. These less-calcemic vitamin D analogs are as effective as calcitriol in vitro and are promising for prevention and treatment of cancer and other diseases.