Overexpression of transmembrane TNFα in brain endothelial cells induces schizophrenia-relevant behaviors.

Upregulation of genes and coexpression networks related to immune function and inflammation have been repeatedly reported in the brain of individuals with schizophrenia. However, a causal relationship between the abnormal immune/inflammation-related gene expression and schizophrenia has not been determined. We conducted co-expression networks using publicly available RNA-seq data from prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus (HP) of 64 individuals with schizophrenia and 64 unaffected controls from the SMRI tissue collections. We identified proinflammatory cytokine, transmembrane tumor necrosis factor-α (tmTNFα), as a potential regulator in the module of co-expressed genes that we find related to the immune/inflammation response in endothelial cells (ECs) and/or microglia of the brain of individuals with schizophrenia. The immune/inflammation-related modules associated with schizophrenia and the TNF signaling pathway that regulate the network were replicated in an independent cohort of brain samples from 68 individuals with schizophrenia and 135 unaffected controls. To investigate the association between the overexpression of tmTNFα in brain ECs and schizophrenia-like behaviors, we induced short-term overexpression of the uncleavable form of (uc)-tmTNFα in ECs of mouse brain for 7 weeks. We found schizophrenia-relevant behavioral deficits in these mice, including cognitive impairment, abnormal sensorimotor gating, and sensitization to methamphetamine (METH) induced locomotor activity and METH-induced neurotransmitter levels. These uc-tmTNFα effects were mediated by TNF receptor2 (TNFR2) and induced activation of TNFR2 signaling in astrocytes and neurons. A neuronal module including neurotransmitter signaling pathways was down-regulated in the brain of mice by the short-term overexpression of the gene, while an immune/inflammation-related module was up-regulated in the brain of mice after long-term expression of 22 weeks. Our results indicate that tmTNFα may play a direct role in regulating neurotransmitter signaling pathways that contribute to the clinical features of schizophrenia.

Cocaine-derived hippuric acid activates mtDNA-STING signaling in alcoholic liver disease: Implications for alcohol and cocaine co-abuse.

The simultaneous abuse of alcohol-cocaine is known to cause stronger and more unpredictable cellular damage in the liver, heart, and brain. However, the mechanistic crosstalk between cocaine and alcohol in liver injury remains unclear. The findings revealed cocaine-induced liver injury and inflammation in both marmosets and mice. Of note, co-administration of cocaine and ethanol in mice causes more severe liver damage than individual treatment. The metabolomic analysis confirmed that hippuric acid (HA) is the most abundant metabolite in marmoset serum after cocaine consumption and that is formed in primary marmoset hepatocytes. HA, a metabolite of cocaine, increases mitochondrial DNA leakage and subsequently increases the production of proinflammatory factors via STING signaling in Kupffer cells (KCs). In addition, conditioned media of cocaine-treated KC induced hepatocellular necrosis via alcohol-induced TNFR1. Finally, disruption of STING signaling in vivo ameliorated co-administration of alcohol- and cocaine-induced liver damage and inflammation. These findings postulate intervention of HA-STING-TNFR1 axis as a novel strategy for treatment of alcohol- and cocaine-induced excessive liver damage.

Effect of Isoscopoletin on Cytokine Expression in HaCaT Keratinocytes and RBL-2H3 Basophils: Preliminary Study.

Isoscopoletin is a compound derived from various plants traditionally used for the treatment of skin diseases. However, there have been no reported therapeutic effects of isoscopoletin on atopic dermatitis (AD). AD is a chronic inflammatory skin disease, and commonly used treatments have side effects; thus, there is a need to identify potential natural candidate substances. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether isoscopoletin regulates the inflammatory mediators associated with AD in TNF-α/IFN-γ-treated HaCaT cells and PMA/ionomycin treated RBL-2H3 cells. We determined the influence of isoscopoletin on cell viability through an MTT assay and investigated the production of inflammatory mediators using ELISA and RT-qPCR. Moreover, we analyzed the transcription factors that regulate inflammatory mediators using Western blots and ICC. The results showed that isoscopoletin did not affect cell viability below 40 µM in either HaCaT or RBL-2H3 cells. Isoscopoletin suppressed the production of TARC/CCL17, MDC/CCL22, MCP-1/CCL2, IL-8/CXCL8, and IL-1ß in TNF-α/IFN-γ-treated HaCaT cells and IL-4 in PMA/ionomycin-treated RBL-2H3 cells. Furthermore, in TNF-α/IFN-γ-treated HaCaT cells, the phosphorylation of signaling pathways, including MAPK, NF-κB, STAT, and AKT/PKB, increased but was decreased by isoscopoletin. In PMA/ionomycin-treated RBL-2H3 cells, the activation of signaling pathways including PKC, MAPK, and AP-1 increased but was decreased by isoscopoletin. In summary, isoscopoletin reduced the production of inflammatory mediators by regulating upstream transcription factors in TNF-α/IFN-γ-treated HaCaT cells and PMA/ionomycin-treated RBL-2H3 cells. Therefore, we suggest that isoscopoletin has the potential for a therapeutic effect, particularly in skin inflammatory diseases such as AD, by targeting keratinocytes and basophils.

Inhibition of Amyloid-ß (Aß)-Induced Cognitive Impairment and Neuroinflammation in CHI3L1 Knockout Mice through Downregulation of ERK-PTX3 Pathway.

Several clinical studies reported that the elevated expression of Chitinase-3-like 1 (CHI3L1) was observed in patients suffering from a wide range of diseases: cancer, metabolic, and neurological diseases. However, the role of CHI3L1 in AD is still unclear. Our previous study demonstrated that 2-({3-[2-(1-Cyclohexen-1-yl)ethyl]-6,7-dimethoxy-4-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2-quinazolinyl}culfanyl)-N-(4-ethylphenyl)butanamide, a CHI3L1 inhibiting compound, alleviates memory and cognitive impairment and inhibits neuroinflammation in AD mouse models. In this study, we studied the detailed correlation of CHI3L1 and AD using serum from AD patients and using CHI3L1 knockout (KO) mice with Aß infusion (300 pmol/day, 14 days). Serum levels of CHI3L1 were significantly elevated in patients with AD compared to normal subjects, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis data based on serum analysis suggested that CHI3L1 could be a significant diagnostic reference for AD. To reveal the role of CHI3L1 in AD, we investigated the CHI3L1 deficiency effect on memory impairment in Aß-infused mice and microglial BV-2 cells. In CHI3L1 KO mice, Aß infusion resulted in lower levels of memory dysfunction and neuroinflammation compared to that of WT mice. CHI3L1 deficiency selectively inhibited phosphorylation of ERK and IκB as well as inhibition of neuroinflammation-related factors in vivo and in vitro. On the other hand, treatment with recombinant CHI3L1 increased neuroinflammation-related factors and promoted phosphorylation of IκB except for ERK in vitro. Web-based gene network analysis and our results showed that CHI3L1 is closely correlated with PTX3. Moreover, in AD patients, we found that serum levels of PTX3 were correlated with serum levels of CHI3L1 by Spearman correlation analysis. These results suggest that CHI3L1 deficiency could inhibit AD development by blocking the ERK-dependent PTX3 pathway.

MicroRNA 29a therapy for CEACAM6-expressing lung adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Non-coding microRNAs (miRNAs) play critical roles in tumor progression and hold great promise as therapeutic agents for multiple cancers. MicroRNA 29a (miR-29a) is a tumor suppressor miRNA that inhibits cancer cell growth and tumor progression in non-small cell lung cancer. Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 6 (CEACAM6), which plays an important role in lung cancer progression, has been identified as a target of miR-29a. Here, we evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of a peptide vector capable of delivering miR-29a intracellularly using the acidic tumor microenvironment in a lung adenocarcinoma xenograft mouse model. METHODS: A miRNA delivery vector was constructed by tethering the peptide nucleic acid form of miR-29a to a peptide with a low pH-induced transmembrane structure (pHLIP) to enable transport of the miRNAs across the plasma membrane. Tumor suppressive effects of pHLIP-miR29a on lung adenocarcinoma development in vivo were assessed using a BALB/c xenograft model injected with A549 cells. RESULTS: Incubation of A549 cells with pHLIP-miR-29a at an acidic pH downregulated endogenous CEACAM6 expression and reduced cell viability. Intravenous injection of the mice with pHLIP-miR-29a inhibited tumor growth by up to 18.1%. Intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin reduced tumor volume by 29.9%. Combined pHLIP-miR-29a + cisplatin treatment had an additive effect, reducing tumor volume up to 39.7%. CONCLUSIONS: Delivery of miR-29a to lung adenocarcinoma cells using a pHLIP-mediated method has therapeutic potential as a unique cancer treatment approach.

Novel (E)-3-(3-Oxo-4-substituted-3,4-dihydro-2H-benzo[b][1,4]oxazin-6-yl)-N-hydroxypropenamides as Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors: Design, Synthesis and Bioevaluation.

Herein, we report the design, synthesis and evaluation of novel (E)-3-(3-oxo-4-substituted-3,4-dihydro-2H-benzo[b][1,4]oxazin-6-yl)-N-hydroxypropenamides (4 a-i, 7 a-g) targeting histone deacetylases. Three human cancer cell lines were used to test the cytotoxicity of the synthesized compounds (SW620, colon; PC-3, prostate; NCI-H23, lung cancer); inhibitory activity towards HDAC; anticancer activity; as well as their impact on the cell cycle and apoptosis. As a result, compounds 4 a-i bearing the alkyl substituents seemed to be less potent than the benzyl-containing compounds 7 a-g in all biological assays. Compounds 7 e-f were found to be the most active HDAC inhibitors with IC50 of 1.498±0.020 µM and 1.794±0.159 µM, respectively. In terms of cytotoxicity and anticancer assay, 7 e and 7 f also showed good activity with IC50 values in the micromolar range. In addition, the cell cycle and apoptosis of SW620 were affected by compound 7 f in almost a similar manner to that of reference compound SAHA. Docking assays were carried out for analysis the binding mode and selectivity of this compound toward 8 HDAC isoforms. Overall, our data confirmed that the inhibition of HDAC plays a pivotal role in their anticancer activity.

VDUP1 Deficiency Promotes the Severity of DSS-Induced Colitis in Mice by Inducing Macrophage Infiltration.

The loss of vitamin D3 upregulated protein 1 (VDUP1) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various inflammation-related diseases. Notably, reduced expression of VDUP1 has been observed in clinical specimens of ulcerative colitis (UC). However, the role of VDUP1 deficiency in colitis remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of VDUP1 in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced experimental colitis in mice. VDUP1-deficient mice were more susceptible to DSS-induced colitis than their wild-type (WT) littermates after 2% DSS administration. VDUP1-deficient mice exhibited an increased disease activity index (DAI) and histological scores, as well as significant colonic goblet cell loss and an increase in apoptotic cells. These changes were accompanied by a significant decrease in MUC2 mRNA expression and a marked increase in proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines within damaged tissues. Furthermore, phosphorylated NF-κB p65 expression was significantly upregulated in damaged tissues in the context of VDUP1 deficiency. VDUP1 deficiency also led to significant infiltration of macrophages into the site of ulceration. An in vitro chemotaxis assay confirmed that VDUP1 deficiency enhanced bone marrow-derived macrophage (BMDM) chemotaxis induced by CCL2. Overall, this study highlights VDUP1 as a regulator of UC pathogenesis and a potential target for the future development of therapeutic strategies.

Safety and tolerability of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in lupus animal models and a phase I clinical trial in humans.

OBJECTIVE: Several clinical trials aimed at treating various autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), by introducing mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been conducted. However, with refractory lupus nephritis (LN), the outcomes of MSC transplantation are not well known, and further validation is required. In particular, data concerning the safety and efficacy of LN treatment using bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) are still lacking. METHODS: We identified characteristics of BM-MSCs in terms of cell morphology, chromosomal stability, differentiation capacity, and phenotype through cell passages. The in vivo stability of BM-MSCs was evaluated by single-dose and repeated-dose toxicity tests, tumorigenicity tests, and biodistribution tests using lupus mouse models. Based on the encouraging nonclinical results, we conducted a nonrandomized, open-label, single-arm phase I clinical trial to evaluate the tolerability and safety of a single administration of haploidentical allogeneic BM-MSCs (CS20AT04) in seven LN patients (NCT03174587). We used a classical three + three design to find the optimal dosage. The starting dose was 2.0×106 cells/kg and escalated to 3.0×106 cells/kg if there was no dose-limiting toxicity (DLT). Evaluation of the safety and tolerability was assessed 28 days after the infusion, and the maximum tolerated dose was determined. RESULTS: Properly cultured BM-MSCs showed high proliferation and multipotency, but chromosomal changes were not found. There were two deaths by a rapid administration rate in the high-dose group (2.0×106 cells/head) in a single administration test. BM-MSCs were distributed in the kidneys until Day 7. In the phase I clinical trial, seven LN patients were enrolled. Participants received BM-MSCs through intravenous infusion. There was no DLT at both initial dose (2.0×106 cells/kg) and escalated dose (3.0×106 cells/kg). One patient was not administered the full 2.0×106 cells/kg dose because of a technical error during infusion. This patient did not show DLT. Three adverse events were reported, namely, one diarrhea, one toothache, and one arthralgia, and all were considered NCI-CTC grade I events. CONCLUSION: We defined the characteristics of BM-MSCs and identified their safety and tolerability in both animal models and a phase I clinical trial. The maximum tolerated dose was determined to be 3.0×106 cells/kg in patients with LN.

Design, synthesis, and evaluation of novel (E)-N'-(3-allyl-2-hydroxy)benzylidene-2-(4-oxoquinazolin-3(4H)-yl)acetohydrazides as antitumor agents.

In our continuing search for novel small-molecule anticancer agents, we designed and synthesized a series of novel (E)-N'-(3-allyl-2-hydroxy)benzylidene-2-(4-oxoquinazolin-3(4H)-yl)acetohydrazides (5), focusing on the modification of substitution in the quinazolin-4(3H)-one moiety. The biological evaluation showed that all 13 designed and synthesized compounds displayed significant cytotoxicity against three human cancer cell lines (SW620, colon cancer; PC-3, prostate cancer; NCI-H23, lung cancer). The most potent compound 5l displayed cytotoxicity up to 213-fold more potent than 5-fluorouracil and 87-fold more potent than PAC-1, the first procaspase-activating compound. Structure-activity relationship analysis revealed that substitution of either electron-withdrawing or electron-releasing groups at positions 6 or 7 on the quinazolin-4(3H)-4-one moiety increased the cytotoxicity of the compounds, but substitution at position 6 seemed to be more favorable. In the caspase activation assay, compound 5l was found to activate the caspase activity by 291% in comparison to PAC-1, which was used as a control. Further docking simulation also revealed that this compound may be a potent allosteric inhibitor of procaspase-3 through chelation of the inhibitory zinc ion. Physicochemical and ADMET calculations for 5l provided useful information of its suitable absorption profile and some toxicological effects that need further optimization to be developed as a promising anticancer agent.

Targeted Induction of Endogenous VDUP1 by Small Activating RNA Inhibits the Growth of Lung Cancer Cells.

Recent studies have reported that small double-strand RNAs (dsRNAs) can activate endogenous genes via an RNA-based promoter targeting mechanism termed RNA activation (RNAa). In the present study, we showed that dsVDUP1-834, a novel small activating RNA (saRNA) targeting promoter of vitamin D3 up-regulated protein 1 (VDUP1) gene, up-regulated expression of VDUP1 at both mRNA and protein levels in A549 lung cancer cells. We also demonstrated that dsVDUP1-834 inhibited cell proliferation in A549 lung cancer cells. Further studies showed that dsVDUP1-834 induced cell-cycle arrest by increasing p27 and p53 and decreasing cyclin A and cyclin B1. In addition, knockdown of VDUP1 abrogated dsVDUP1-834-induced up-regulation of VDUP1 gene expression and related effects. The activation of VDUP1 by dsVDUP1-834 was accompanied by an increase in dimethylation of histone 3 at lysine 4 (H3K4me2) and acetylation of histone 3 (H3ac) and a decrease in dimethylation of histone 3 at lysine 9 (H3K9me2) at the target site of VDUP1 promoter. Moreover, the enrichment of Ago2 was detected at the dsVDUP1-834 target site, and Ago2 knockdown significantly suppressed dsVDUP1-834-mediated inhibition of cell proliferation and modulation of cell-cycle regulators. Taken together, the results presented in this report demonstrate that dsVDUP1-834 induces VDUP1 gene expression by epigenetic changes, resulting in cell growth inhibition and cell-cycle arrest. Our results suggest that targeted induction of VDUP1 by dsVDUP1-834 might be a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of lung cancer.

A Natural CHI3L1-Targeting Compound, Ebractenoid F, Inhibits Lung Cancer Cell Growth and Migration and Induces Apoptosis by Blocking CHI3L1/AKT Signals.

Our previous big data analyses reported a strong association between CHI3L1 expression and lung tumor development. In this present study, we investigated whether a CHI3L1-inhibiting natural compound, ebractenoid F, inhibits lung cancer cell growth and migration and induces apoptosis. Ebractenoid F concentration-dependently (0, 17, 35, 70 µM) and significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of A549 and H460 lung cancer cells and induced apoptosis. In the mechanism study, we found that ebractenoid F bound to CHI3L1 and suppressed CHI3L1-associated AKT signaling. Combined treatment with an AKT inhibitor, LY294002, and ebractenoid F synergistically decreased the expression of CHI3L1. Moreover, the combination treatment further inhibited the growth and migration of lung cancer cells and further induced apoptosis, as well as the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins. Thus, our data demonstrate that ebractenoid F may serve as a potential anti-lung cancer compound targeting CHI3L1-associated AKT signaling.

IL-32γ suppressed atopic dermatitis through inhibition of miR-205 expression via inactivation of nuclear factor-kappa B.

BACKGROUND: IL-32 is a novel cytokine involved in many inflammatory diseases. However, the role of IL-32γ, an isotype of IL-32, in atopic dermatitis (AD) has not been reported. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effects of IL-32γ on development of AD and its action mechanisms. METHODS: We used phthalic anhydride (PA) and an MC903-induced AD model using wild-type and IL-32γ transgenic mice. We conducted the therapy experiments by using recombinant IL-32γ protein in a reconstructed human skin model and PA-induced model. We conducted a receiver operating characteristic analysis of IL-32γ with new AD biomarkers, IL-31 and IL-33, in serum from patients with AD. RESULTS: Dermatitis severity and epidermal thickness were significantly reduced in PA- and MC903-induced IL-32γ transgenic mice compared with in wild-type mice. The concentration of AD-related cytokines was reduced in PA- and MC903-induced IL-32γ transgenic mice compared with in wild-type mice. Subsequent analysis showed that IL-32γ inhibits miR-205 expression in PA- and MC903-induced skin tissue samples and TNF-α/IFN-γ-treated HaCaT cells. IL-32γ reduced NF-κB activity in skin tissue samples from PA- and MC903-induced mice and TNF-α/IFN-γ-treated HaCaT cells. NF-κB inhibitor treatment with IL-32γ expression further suppressed expression of inflammatory mediators as well as miR-205 in TNF-α/IFN-γ-treated HaCaT cells. Furthermore, recombinant IL-32γ protein alleviated AD-like inflammation in in vivo and reconstructed human skin models. Spearman correlation analysis showed that serum levels of IL-32γ and miR-205 were significantly concordant in patients with AD. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that IL-32γ reduces AD through the inhibition of miR-205 expression via inactivation of NF-κB.

Regulation of Survival Motor Neuron Gene Expression by Calcium Signaling.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is caused by homozygous survival of motor neurons 1 (SMN1) gene deletion, leaving a duplicate gene, SMN2, as the sole source of SMN protein. However, a defect in SMN2 splicing, involving exon 7 skipping, results in a low level of functional SMN protein. Therefore, the upregulation of SMN protein expression from the SMN2 gene is generally considered to be one of the best therapeutic strategies to treat SMA. Most of the SMA drug discovery is based on synthetic compounds, and very few natural compounds have been explored thus far. Here, we performed an unbiased mechanism-independent and image-based screen of a library of microbial metabolites in SMA fibroblasts using an SMN-specific immunoassay. In doing so, we identified brefeldin A (BFA), a well-known inhibitor of ER-Golgi protein trafficking, as a strong inducer of SMN protein. The profound increase in SMN protein was attributed to, in part, the rescue of the SMN2 pre-mRNA splicing defect. Intriguingly, BFA increased the intracellular calcium concentration, and the BFA-induced exon 7 inclusion of SMN2 splicing, was abrogated by the depletion of intracellular calcium and by the pharmacological inhibition of calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinases (CaMKs). Moreover, BFA considerably reduced the expression of Tra2-ß and SRSF9 proteins in SMA fibroblasts and enhanced the binding of PSF and hnRNP M to an exonic splicing enhancer (ESE) of exon 7. Together, our results demonstrate a significant role for calcium and its signaling on the regulation of SMN splicing, probably through modulating the expression/activity of splicing factors.

K284-6111 alleviates memory impairment and neuroinflammation in Tg2576 mice by inhibition of Chitinase-3-like 1 regulating ERK-dependent PTX3 pathway.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders characterized by gradual memory loss and neuropsychiatric symptoms. We have previously demonstrated that the 2-({3-[2-(1-cyclohexene-1-yl)ethyl]-6,7-dimethoxy-4-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2-quinazolinyl}sulfanyl)-N-(4-ethylphenyl)butanamide (K284-6111), the inhibitor of CHI3L1, has the inhibitory effect on memory impairment in Αß infusion mouse model and on LPS-induced neuroinflammation in the murine BV-2 microglia and primary cultured astrocyte. METHODS: In the present study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of K284-6111 on memory dysfunction and neuroinflammation in Tg2576 transgenic mice, and a more detailed correlation of CHI3L1 and AD. To investigate the effects of K284-6111 on memory dysfunction, we administered K284-6111 (3 mg/kg, p.o.) daily for 4 weeks to Tg2576 mice, followed by behavioral tests of water maze test, probe test, and passive avoidance test. RESULTS: Administration of K284-6111 alleviated memory impairment in Tg2576 mice and had the effect of reducing the accumulation of Aß and neuroinflammatory responses in the mouse brain. K284-6111 treatment also selectively inactivated ERK and NF-κB pathways, which were activated when CHI3L1 was overexpressed, in the mouse brain and in BV-2 cells. Web-based gene network analysis and our results of gene expression level in BV-2 cells showed that CHI3L1 is closely correlated with PTX3. Our result revealed that knockdown of PTX3 has an inhibitory effect on the production of inflammatory proteins and cytokines, and on the phosphorylation of ERK and IκBα. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that K284-6111 could improve memory dysfunction by alleviating neuroinflammation through inhibiting CHI3L1 enhancing ERK-dependent PTX3 pathway.

Chitinase 3 like 1 suppresses the stability and activity of p53 to promote lung tumorigenesis.

BACKGROUND: Chitinase 3 like 1 protein (Chi3L1) is expressed in several cancers, and a few evidences suggest that the secreted Chi3L1 contributes to tumor development. However, the molecular mechanisms of intracellular Chi3L1 are unknown in the lung tumor development. METHODS: In the present study, we generated Chi3L1 knockout mice (Chi3L1KO(-/-)) using CRISPR/Cas9 system to investigate the role of Chi3L1 on lung tumorigenesis. RESULTS: We established lung metastasis induced by i.v. injections of B16F10 in Chi3L1KO(-/-). The lung tumor nodules were significantly reduced in Chi3L1KO(-/-) and protein levels of p53, p21, BAX, and cleaved-caspase 3 were significantly increased in Chi3L1KO(-/-), while protein levels of cyclin E1, CDK2, and phsphorylation of STAT3 were decreased in Chi3L1KO(-/-). Allograft mice inoculated with B16F10 also suppressed tumor growth and increased p53 and its target proteins including p21 and BAX. In addition, knockdown of Chi3L1 in lung cancer cells inhibited lung cancer cell growth and upregulated p53 expression with p21 and BAX, and a decrease in phosphorylation of STAT3. Furthermore, we found that intracellular Chi3L1 physically interacted and colocalized with p53 to inhibit its protein stability and transcriptional activity for target genes related with cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. In lung tumor patient, we clinically found that Chi3L1 expression was upregulated with a decrease in p53 expression, as well as we validated that intracellular Chi3L1 was colocalized, reversely expressed, and physically interacted with p53, which results in suppression of the expression and function of p53 in lung tumor patient. CONCLUSIONS: Our studies suggest that intracellular Chi3L1 plays a critical role in the lung tumorigenesis by regulating its novel target protein, p53 in both an in vitro and in vivo system.

Design, synthesis and evaluation of novel indirubin-based N-hydroxybenzamides, N-hydroxypropenamides and N-hydroxyheptanamides as histone deacetylase inhibitors and antitumor agents.

Several novel indirubin-based N-hydroxybenzamides, N-hydropropenamides and N-hydroxyheptanamides (4a-h, 7a-h, 10a-h) were designed using a fragment-based approach with structural features extracted from several previously reported HDAC inhibitors, such as SAHA (vorinostat), MGCD0103 (mocetinostat), nexturastat A and PXD-101 (belinostat). The biological results reveal that our compounds showed excellent cytotoxicity toward three common human cancer cell lines (SW620, PC-3 and NCI-H23) with IC50 values ranging from 0.09 to 0.007 µM. The cytotoxicity of the compounds was equipotent or even up to 10-times more potent than adriamycin and up to 205-times more potent than SAHA. Among the series of N-hydroxypropenamides, compounds 10a-d were the most potent HDAC inhibitors as well as cytotoxicity toward the cell lines tested. In addition, the strong inhibitory activites toward HDAC of our compounds were observed with IC50 values of below-micromolar range. Especially, compound 4a inhibited HDAC6 with an IC50 value of 29-fold lower than that against HDAC2 isoform. Representative compounds 4a and 7a were found to significantly arrest SW620 cells at G0/G1 phase. Compounds 7a and 10a were found to strongly induce apoptosis in SW620 cells. Docking studies revealed some important features affecting the selectivity against HDAC6 isoform. The results clearly demonstrate the potential of the indirubin-hydroxamic acid hybrids and these compounds should be very promising for further development.

Exploration of certain 1,3-oxazole- and 1,3-thiazole-based hydroxamic acids as histone deacetylase inhibitors and antitumor agents.

Several novel series of hydroxamic acids bearing 2-benzamidooxazole/thiazole (5a-g, 6a-g) or 2-phenylsulfonamidothiazole (8a-c) were designed and synthesized. The compounds were obtained straightforwards via a two step pathway, starting from commercially available ethyl 2-aminooxazole-4-carboxylate or ethyl 2-aminothiazole-4-carboxylate. Biological evaluation showed that these hydroxamic acids generally exhibited good cytotoxicity against three human cancer cell lines (SW620, colon; PC-3, prostate; NCI-H23, lung cancer), with IC50 values in low micromolar range and comparable to that of SAHA. These compounds also comparably inhibited HDACs with IC50 values in sub-micromolar range (0.010-0.131 µM) and some compounds (e.g 5f, IC50, 0.010 µM) were even more potent than SAHA (IC50, 0.025 µM) in HDAC inhibition. Representative compounds 6a and 8a appeared to arrest the SW620 cell cycle at G2 phase and significantly induced both early and late apoptosis of SW620 colon cancer cells. Docking experiments on HDAC2 and HDAC6 isozymes revealed favorable interactions at the tunnel of the HDAC active site which positively contributed to the inhibitory activity of synthesized compound. The binding affinity predicted by docking program showed good correlation with the experimental IC50 values. This study demonstrates that simple 1,3-oxazole- and 1,3-thiazole-based hydroxamic acids are also promising as antitumor agents and HDAC inhibitors and these results should provide valuable information for further design of more potent HDAC inhibitors and antitumor agents.

Design, synthesis, and evaluation of novel N'-substituted-1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-1H-indol-3-carbohydrazides as antitumor agents.

In continuity of our search for novel anticancer agents acting as procaspase activators, we have designed and synthesised two series of (E)-N'-benzylidene-carbohydrazides (4a-m) and (Z)-N'-(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)carbohydrazides (5a-g) incorporating 1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-1H-indole core. Bioevaluation showed that the compounds, especially compounds in series 4a-m, exhibited potent cytotoxicity against three human cancer cell lines (SW620, colon cancer; PC-3, prostate cancer; NCI-H23, lung cancer). Within series 4a-m, compounds with 2-OH substituent (4g-i) exhibited very strong cytotoxicity in three human cancer cell lines assayed with IC50 values in the range of 0.56-0.83 µM. In particular, two compounds 4d and 4f bearing 4-Cl and 4-NO2 substituents, respectively, were the most potent in term of cytotoxicity with IC50 values of 0.011-0.001 µM. In caspase activation assay, compounds 4b and 4f were found to activate caspase activity by 314.3 and 270.7% relative to PAC-1. This investigation has demonstrated the potential of these simple acetohydrazides, especially compounds 4b, 4d, and 4f, as anticancer agents.

New Acetohydrazides Incorporating 2-Oxoindoline and 4-Oxoquinazoline: Synthesis and Evaluation of Cytotoxicity and Caspase Activation Activity.

In our search for new small molecules activating procaspase-3, we have designed and synthesized a series of new acetohydrazides incorporating both 2-oxoindoline and 4-oxoquinazoline scaffolds. Biological evaluation showed that a number of these acetohydrazides were comparably or even more cytotoxic against three human cancer cell lines (SW620, colon cancer; PC-3, prostate cancer; NCI-H23, lung cancer) in comparison to PAC-1, a first procaspase-3 activating compound, which was used as a positive control. One of those new compounds, 2-(6-chloro-4-oxoquinazolin-3(4H)-yl)-N'-[(3Z)-5-methyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-3H-indol-3-ylidene]acetohydrazide activated the caspase-3 activity in U937 human lymphoma cells by 5-fold higher than the untreated control. Three of the new compounds significantly induced necrosis and apoptosis in U937 cells.

Design, Synthesis and Bioevaluation of Two Series of 3-[(1-Benzyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl]quinazolin-4(3H)-ones and N-(1-Benzylpiperidin-4-yl)quinazolin-4-amines.

Two series of 3-[(1-benzyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl]quinazolin-4(3H)-ones and N-(1-benzylpiperidin-4-yl)quinazolin-4-amines were designed initially as potential acetylcholine esterase inhibitors. Biological evaluation demonstrated that N-(1-benzylpiperidin-4-yl)quinazolin-4-amines significantly inhibited AChE activity. Especially, two compounds of them were found to be the most potent with relative AChE inhibition percentages of 87 % in comparison to donepezil. The docking studies with AChE showed similar interactions between donepezil and four derivatives. N-(1-Benzylpiperidin-4-yl)quinazolin-4-amines also exhibited significant DPPH scavenging effects. The two series of compound also exerted moderate to good cytotoxicity against three human cancer cell lines, including SW620 (human colon cancer), PC-3 (prostate cancer), and NCI-H23 (lung cancer), with 3-[(1-benzyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl]quinazolin-4(3H)-one being the most cytotoxic agent. 3-[(1-Benzyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl]quinazolin-4(3H)-one significantly induced early apoptosis and arrested the SW620 cells at G2/M phase. From this study, two compounds of N-(1-benzylpiperidin-4-yl)quinazolin-4-amines could serve as new leads for further design and AChE inhibitors, while 3-[(1-benzyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl]quinazolin-4(3H)-one could serve as a new lead for the design and development of more potent anticancer agents.