Multifunctional CaCO3@Cur@QTX125@HA nanoparticles for effectively inhibiting growth of colorectal cancer cells.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of cancer-related deaths in humans, and effective treatments are still needed in clinical practice. Despite significant developments in anticancer drugs and inhibitors, their poor stability, water solubility, and cellular membrane permeability limit their therapeutic efficacy. To address these issues, multifunctional CaCO3 nanoparticles loaded with Curcumin (Cur) and protein deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor QTX125, and coated with hyaluronic acid (HA) (CaCO3@Cur@QTX125@HA), were prepared through a one-step gas diffusion strategy. Dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that CaCO3@Cur@QTX125@HA nanoparticles have uniform spherical morphology and elemental distribution, with diameters around 450 nm and a Zeta potential of - 8.11 mV. The controlled release of Cur from the nanoparticles was observed over time periods of 48 h. Cellular uptake showed that CaCO3@Cur@QTX125@HA nanoparticles were efficiently taken up by cancer cells and significantly inhibited their growth. Importantly, CaCO3@Cur@QTX125@HA nanoparticles showed specific inhibitory effects on CRC cell growth. Encouragingly, CaCO3@Cur@QTX125@HA nanoparticles successfully internalized into CRC patient-derived organoid (PDO) models and induced apoptosis of tumor cells. The multifunctional CaCO3@Cur@QTX125@HA nanoparticles hold promise for the treatment of CRC.

Heterogeneity of cannabinoid ligand-induced modulations in intracellular Ca2+ signals of mouse pancreatic acinar cells in vitro.

We recently reported that a CB2R agonist, GW405833 (GW), reduced both the ACh-induced Ca2+ oscillations and the L-arginine-induced Ca2+ signal enhancement in mouse pancreatic acinar cells, suggesting that GW-induced inhibition may prevent the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis. In this study, we aim to evaluate the effects of other cannabinoid ligands on Ca2+ signaling in acinar cells. Patch-clamp whole-cell recordings were applied to measure ACh-induced intracellular Ca2+ oscillations in pancreatic acinar cells acutely dissociated from wild-type (WT), CB1R knockout (KO), and CB2R KO mice, and the pharmacological effects of various cannabinoid ligands on the Ca2+ oscillations were examined. We found that all the 8 CB2R agonists tested inhibited ACh-induced Ca2+ oscillations. Among them, GW, JWH133, and GP1a caused potent inhibition with IC50 values of 5.0, 6.7, and 1.2 µmol/L, respectively. In CB2R KO mice or in the presence of a CB2R antagonist (AM630), the inhibitory effects of these 3 CB2R agonists were abolished, suggesting that they acted through the CB2Rs. The CB1R agonist ACEA also induced inhibition of Ca2+ oscillations that existed in CB1R KO mice and in the presence of a CB1R antagonist (AM251), suggesting a non-CB1R effect. In WT, CB1R KO, and CB2R KO mice, a nonselective CBR agonist, WIN55,212-2, inhibited Ca2+ oscillations, which was not mediated by CB1Rs or CB2Rs. The endogenous cannabinoid substance, 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), did not show an inhibitory effect on Ca2+ oscillations. In conclusion, CB2R agonists play critical roles in modulating Ca2+ signals in mouse pancreatic acinar cells, while other cannabinoid ligands modulate Ca2+ oscillations in a heterogeneous manner through a CB receptor or non-CB-receptor mechanism.

Emerging role of exosome-derived long non-coding RNAs in tumor microenvironment.

Exosomes are extracellular vesicles released by many cell types and have been attributed for their roles in many diseases including cancer. Exosomes secreted by tumor cells and stromal cells are critical mediators of intercellular communication in tumor microenvironments. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are selectively sorted into exosomes and can regulate cancer onset and progression in a variety of ways. In this review, we summarize the characteristics of exosomal lncRNAs and their dysregulation in multiple types of cancer. We provide an overview of current research on exosomal lncRNAs in tumor microenvironments, especially the functions of exosomal lncRNAs in regulating tumor biology. A deeper understanding of the role of exosomal lncRNAs in the tumor microenvironment may help provide new diagnostic and prognostic markers for cancer.

Berberine inhibits intracellular Ca2+ signals in mouse pancreatic acinar cells through M3 muscarinic receptors: Novel target, mechanism, and implication.

Berberine, a natural isoquinoline alkaloid, exhibits a variety of pharmacological effects, but the pharmacological targets and mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we report a novel finding that berberine inhibits acetylcholine (ACh)-induced intracellular Ca2+ oscillations, mediated through an inhibition of the muscarinic subtype 3 (M3) receptor. Patch-clamp recordings and confocal Ca2+ imaging were applied to acute dissociated pancreatic acinar cells prepared from CD1 mice to examine the effects of berberine on ACh-induced Ca2+ oscillations. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings showed that berberine (from 0.1 to 10 µM) reduced ACh-induced Ca2+ oscillations in a concentration-dependent manner, and this inhibition also depended on ACh concentrations. The inhibitory effect of berberine neither occurred in intracellular targets nor extracellular cholecystokinin (CCK) receptors, chloride (Cl-) channels, and store-operated Ca2+ channels. Together, the results demonstrate that berberine directly inhibits the muscarinic M3 receptors, further confirmed by evidence of the interaction between berberine and M3 receptors in pancreatic acinar cells.

Nanocarriers of Fe3O4 as a Novel Method for Delivery of the Antineoplastic Agent Doxorubicin Into HeLa Cells in vitro.

Here we report the synthesis and in vitro characterization of a redox-sensitive, magnetically inducible nanoparticle carrier system based on the doxorubicin (DOX) drug delivery model. Each quantal nanocarrier unit consists of a magnetite Fe3O4 nanoparticle core that is further encapsulated in self-assembled micelles of the redox-responsive polyethylene glycol derivative, DSPE-SS-mPEG. The nanocarrier system was prepared using a combination of ultrasonication and dialysis to produce the microenvironment sensitive delivery system. The final synthesized and DOX-loaded magnetic nanocarriers had an average size of ~150 nm when assembled with a 6.9% DOX payload. The release rate of DOX from these redox-responsive magnetic nanocarriers was shown to be accelerated in vitro when in the presence of glutathione (GSH). Furthermore, we demonstrated that more redox-responsive magnetic nanocarriers could be taken up by HeLa cells when a local magnetic field was applied. Once internalized within a cell, the micelles of the outer nanocarrier complex were broken down in the presence of higher concentrations of GSH, which accelerated the release of DOX. This produces a particle with dual operating characteristics that can be controlled via a specific cellular environment coupled with an exogenously applied signal in the form of a magnetic field triggering release.

MicroRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, and circular RNAs: potential tumor biomarkers and targets for colorectal cancer.

Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) can be divided into microRNAs (miRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), circular RNAs (circRNAs), pRNAs, and tRNAs. Traditionally, miRNAs exert their biological function mainly through the inhibition of translation via the induction of target RNA transcript degradation. lncRNAs and circRNAs were once considered to have no potential to code proteins. Here, we will review the current knowledge on ncRNAs in relation to their origins, characteristics, and functions. We will also review how ncRNAs work as competitive endogenous RNA, gene transcription and expression regulators, and RNA-binding protein sponges in colorectal cancer (CRC). Notably, except for the abovementioned mechanisms, recent advances revealed that lncRNAs can also act as the precursor of miRNAs, and a small portion of lncRNAs and circRNAs was verified to have the potential to code proteins, providing new evidence for the significance of ncRNAs in CRC tumorigenesis and development.

Security and Radical Assessment in Open, Laparoscopic, Robotic Colorectal Cancer Surgery: A Comparative Study.

PURPOSE: This retrospective study was designed to assess the safety and effectiveness of open, laparoscopic, robotic colorectal cancer surgery. METHODS: Three hundred patients with colorectal cancer who underwent curative resection in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between February 2014 and May 2016 were included. Patients were classified into open surgery group, laparoscopic surgery group, and robot-assisted group. RESULTS: The blood loss in laparoscopic surgery group was less than that in open surgery group, and the blood loss in robot-assisted group less was than the open surgery group. The number of lymph node dissection in robot-assisted group was significantly larger than that in the open group ( P < .05). The distance between the lower edge of the tumor group and the distal margin in robotic group was longer than that of the laparoscopic surgery group and the open group ( P < .05). Three (2.8%) cases of urinary retention occurred in the open surgery group, 4 (3.92%) cases in the laparoscopic surgery group, and 1 (1.1%) case in the robot-assisted group, while 2 (1.87%) cases of sexual dysfunction occurred in the open surgery group, 2 (1.96%) cases in the laparoscopic surgery group, and 1 (1.1%) case in the robot-assisted group. The urinary retention and sexual dysfunction rate did not differ between the 3 groups ( P > .05), but the minimally invasive group showed a certain advantage over the open group. CONCLUSION: Compared to the traditional open surgery, minimally invasive surgery (especially in robot-assisted group) has advantages such as less intraoperative bleeding, rapid postoperative recovery, and radical cure; open group, laparoscopic surgery group, and robot-assisted group have a similar incidence of postoperative complications, but reduction in the incidence of anastomotic leakage and intestinal obstruction. Robot-assisted group has the potential advantage for pelvic autonomic nerve protection.

The 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate analog, DPB161 blocks store-operated Ca2+ entry in acutely dissociated rat submandibular cells.

Cellular Ca2+ signals play a critical role in cell physiology and pathology. In most non-excitable cells, store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) is an important mechanism by which intracellular Ca2+ signaling is regulated. However, few drugs can selectively modulate SOCE. 2-Aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2APB) and its analogs (DPB162 and DPB163) have been reported to inhibit SOCE. Here, we examined the effects of another 2-APB analog, DPB161 on SOCE in acutely-isolated rat submandibular cells. Both patch-clamp recordings and Ca2+ imaging showed that upon removal of extracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]o=0), rat submandibular cells were unable to maintain ACh-induced Ca2+ oscillations, but restoration of [Ca2+]o to refill Ca2+ stores enable recovery of these Ca2+ oscillations. However, addition of 50 µM DPB161 with [Ca2+]o to extracellular solution prevented the refilling of Ca2+ store. Fura-2 Ca2+ imaging showed that DPB161 inhibited SOCE in a concentration-dependent manner. After depleting Ca2+ stores by thapsigargin treatment, bath perfusion of 1 mM Ca2+ induced [Ca2+]i elevation in a manner that was prevented by DPB161. Collectively, these results show that the 2-APB analog DPB161 blocks SOCE in rat submandibular cells, suggesting that this compound can be developed as a pharmacological tool for the study of SOCE function and as a new therapeutic agent for treating SOCE-associated disorders.

Gap Junctions Contribute to Ictal/Interictal Genesis in Human Hypothalamic Hamartomas.

Human hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) is a rare subcortical lesion associated with treatment-resistant epilepsy. Cellular mechanisms responsible for epileptogenesis are unknown. We hypothesized that neuronal gap junctions contribute to epileptogenesis through synchronous activity within the neuron networks in HH tissue. We studied surgically resected HH tissue with Western-blot analysis, immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, biocytin microinjection of recorded HH neurons, and microelectrode patch clamp recordings with and without pharmacological blockade of gap junctions. Normal human hypothalamus tissue was used as a control. Western blots showed increased expression of both connexin-36 (Cx36) and connexin-43 (Cx43) in HH tissue compared with normal human mammillary body tissue. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that Cx36 and Cx43 are expressed in HH tissue, but Cx36 was mainly expressed within neuron clusters while Cx43 was mainly expressed outside of neuron clusters. Gap-junction profiles were observed between small HH neurons with electron microscopy. Biocytin injection into single recorded small HH neurons showed labeling of adjacent neurons, which was not observed in the presence of a neuronal gap-junction blocker, mefloquine. Microelectrode field recordings from freshly resected HH slices demonstrated spontaneous ictal/interictal-like discharges in most slices. Bath-application of gap-junction blockers significantly reduced ictal/interictal-like discharges in a concentration-dependent manner, while not affecting the action-potential firing of small gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons observed with whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from the same patient's HH tissue. These results suggest that neuronal gap junctions between small GABAergic HH neurons participate in the genesis of epileptic-like discharges. Blockade of gap junctions may be a new therapeutic strategy for controlling seizure activity in HH patients.

Cannabinoid receptor subtype 2 (CB2R) agonist, GW405833 reduces agonist-induced Ca(2+) oscillations in mouse pancreatic acinar cells.

Emerging evidence demonstrates that the blockade of intracellular Ca(2+) signals may protect pancreatic acinar cells against Ca(2+) overload, intracellular protease activation, and necrosis. The activation of cannabinoid receptor subtype 2 (CB2R) prevents acinar cell pathogenesis in animal models of acute pancreatitis. However, whether CB2Rs modulate intracellular Ca(2+) signals in pancreatic acinar cells is largely unknown. We evaluated the roles of CB2R agonist, GW405833 (GW) in agonist-induced Ca(2+) oscillations in pancreatic acinar cells using multiple experimental approaches with acute dissociated pancreatic acinar cells prepared from wild type, CB1R-knockout (KO), and CB2R-KO mice. Immunohistochemical labeling revealed that CB2R protein was expressed in mouse pancreatic acinar cells. Electrophysiological experiments showed that activation of CB2Rs by GW reduced acetylcholine (ACh)-, but not cholecystokinin (CCK)-induced Ca(2+) oscillations in a concentration-dependent manner; this inhibition was prevented by a selective CB2R antagonist, AM630, or was absent in CB2R-KO but not CB1R-KO mice. In addition, GW eliminated L-arginine-induced enhancement of Ca(2+) oscillations, pancreatic amylase, and pulmonary myeloperoxidase. Collectively, we provide novel evidence that activation of CB2Rs eliminates ACh-induced Ca(2+) oscillations and L-arginine-induced enhancement of Ca(2+) signaling in mouse pancreatic acinar cells, which suggests a potential cellular mechanism of CB2R-mediated protection in acute pancreatitis.

miR-411 regulated ITCH expression and promoted cell proliferation in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common human malignancies and the third most common cause of cancer mortality in the world. In this study, we report that miR-411 expression is markedly upregulated in HCC cells and HCC tissues compared with normal control tissues and cells. Previous studies have shown that miR-411 plays a crucial role in a variety of biological processes in various human cancer cells. However, the specific function of miR-411 in HCC remains unclear. Ectopic expression of miR-411 promoted the proliferation and anchorage-independent growth of HCC cells, whereas inhibition of miR-411 reduced this effect. Bioinformatics analysis further revealed ITCH, a putative tumor suppressor as a potential target of miR-411. Data from luciferase reporter assays showed that miR-411 directly binds to the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of ITCH mRNA and repressed expression at both transcriptional and translational levels. In functional assays, miR-411 promoted HCC cell proliferation, which could be suppressed by miR-411-in. Taken together, our data provide convincing evidence that miR-411 functions as an onco-miRNA, which was associated with cell proliferation of HCC, and its oncogenic effect is mediated chiefly through direct suppression of ITCH expression.