Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of harmine derivatives as topoisomerase I inhibitors for cancer treatment.

A series of ß-carboline derivatives were designed and synthesized by introducing the chalcone moiety into the harmine. The synthesized derivatives were evaluated their anti-proliferative activities against six human cancer cell lines (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, HepG2, HT29, A549, and PC-3) and one normal cell line (L02). Among them, compound G11 exhibited the potent anti-proliferative activity against MCF-7 cell line, with an IC50 value of 0.34 µM. Further biological studies revealed that compound G11 inhibited colony formation of MCF-7 cells, suppressed MCF-7 cell migration by downregulating migration-associated protein MMP-2. In addition, it could induce apoptosis of MCF-7 cells by downregulating Bcl-2 and upregulating Cleaved-PARP, Bax, and phosphorylated Bim proteins. Furthermore, compound G11 can act as a Topo I inhibitor, affecting DNA synthesis and transcription, thereby inhibiting cancer cell proliferation. Moreover, compound G11 inhibited tumor growth in 4T1 syngeneic transplant mice with an inhibition rate of 43.19 % at a dose of 10 mg/kg, and 63.87 % at 20 mg/kg, without causing significant toxicity to the mice or their organs, achieving the goal of reduced toxicity and increased efficacy. All these results indicate of G11 has enormous potential as an anti-tumor agent and merits further investigation.

Amygdalin alleviated TGF-ß-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in bronchial epithelial cells.

OBJECTIVE: Transforming growth factor-beta TGF-ß-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in bronchial epithelial cells contributes to airway wall remodeling in asthma. This study aims to explore the role of amygdalin, an active ingredient in bitter almonds, in TGF-ß-induced EMT in bronchial epithelial cells and to elucidate the possible mechanisms underlying its biological effects. METHODS: An asthmatic mouse model was established through ovalbumin induction. Primary mouse bronchial epithelial cells and a human bronchial epithelial cell line were incubated with transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß) to induce EMT, whose phenotype of cells was evaluated by the expressions of EMT markers [alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), vimentin, and fibronectin] and cell migration capacity. A co-immunoprecipitation assay was performed to assess the ubiquitination of heparanase (HPSE). RESULTS: In asthmatic model mice, amygdalin treatment relieved airway wall remodeling and decreased expressions of EMT markers (α-SMA and vimentin). In TGF-ß-treated bronchial epithelial cells, amygdalin treatment decreased the mRNA and protein levels of EMT markers (α-SMA, vimentin, and fibronectin) without impairing cell viability. Through the Swiss Target Prediction database, HPSE was screened as a candidate downstream target for amygdalin. HPSE overexpression further promoted TGF-ß-induced EMT while the HPSE inhibitor suppressed TGF-ß-induced EMT in bronchial epithelial cells. In addition, HPSE overexpression reversed the inhibitory effect of amygdalin on TGF-ß-induced EMT in bronchial epithelial cells. The following mechanism exploration revealed that amygdalin downregulated HPSE expression by enhancing ubiquitination. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that amygdalin inhibited TGF-ß-induced EMT in bronchial epithelial cells and found that the anti-EMT activity of amygdalin might be related to its regulatory effect on HPSE expression.

Exosomal transfer of activated neutrophil-derived lncRNA CRNDE promotes proliferation and migration of airway smooth muscle cells in asthma.

Activated neutrophil-derived exosomes reportedly contribute to the proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs), thereby aggravating the airway wall remodeling during asthma; however, the specific mechanism remains unclear. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-EXO and si-CRNDE-EXO were extracted from the media of human neutrophils treated with LPS and LPS + si-CRNDE (a siRNA targets long non-coding RNA CRNDE), respectively. Human ASMCs were co-cultured with LPS-EXO or si-CRNDE-EXO, and cell viability, proliferation and migration were measured. The interplay of colorectal neoplasia differentially expressed (CRNDE), inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B kinase subunit beta (IKKß) and nuclear receptor subfamily 2 group C member 2 (TAK1) was explored using RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and Co-IP assays. A mouse model of asthma was induced using ovalbumin. CRNDE was upregulated in LPS-EXO and successfully transferred from LPS-treated neutrophils to ASMCs through exosome. Mechanically, CRNDE loaded in LPS-EXO reinforced TAK1-mediated IKKß phosphorylation, thereby activating the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway. Functionally, silencing CRNDE in LPS-EXO, an IKKß inhibitor, and an NF-κB inhibitor all removed the upregulation of cell viability, proliferation and migration induced by LPS-EXO in ASMCs. In the end, the in vivo experiment demonstrated that CRNDE knockdown in neutrophils effectively reduced the thickness of bronchial smooth muscle in a mouse model for asthma. Activated neutrophils-derived CRNDE was transferred to ASMCs through exosomes and activated the NF-κB pathway by enhancing IKKß phosphorylation. The latter promoted the proliferation and migration of ASMCs and then contributed to airway remodeling in asthma.

LincRNA-p21 promotes classical macrophage activation in acute respiratory distress syndrome by activating NF-κB.

Background: Previous studies have revealed the important role of alveolar macrophages (AMs) in the pathogenesis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and potential anti-inflammatory properties of lincRNA-p21. This study aims to study the association between lincRNA-p21 and active AMs to understand the molecular mechanisms of AMs-mediated inflammatory responses in ARDS.Methods: This study was mainly investigated in mice with the intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or LPS-treated AMs. The expression of lincRNA-p21 and classical macrophage markers, IL-12ß and iNOS, was detected by quantitative RT-PCR, while NF-κB p65 translocation was measured by western blotting analysis. And, NF-κB activity was analyzed through luciferase report assays. Gain- and loss-of-function studies were also performed for further investigations.Results: Elevated lincRNA-p21 levels were observed in both LPS-induced ARDS mice and LPS-treated AMs, with upregulated expression of IL-12ß and iNOS, namely M1 activation, and p65 nuclear translocation. Further in vitro studies showed that LPS-induced M1 activation could be counteracted by both lincRNA-p21 inhibition and inhibited NF-κB activation. Moreover, both p65 nuclear translocation and NF-κB activity were promoted by lincRNA-p21 overexpression, while lincRNA-p21 inhibition showed a negative effect on LPS-induced p65 nuclear translocation and increase of NF-κB activity. Additionally, LPS-induced lung injuries could be attenuated by lincRNA-p21 inhibition in vivo.Conclusion: This study revealed elevated lincRNA-p21 levels in LPS-induced ARDS and investigated the potential role of lincRNA-p21 in LPS-induced pro-inflammatory response via NF-κB/p65 mediated pathways, suggesting the potential application of lincRNA-p21 for ADRS therapy.

GAS5 promotes airway smooth muscle cell proliferation in asthma via controlling miR-10a/BDNF signaling pathway.

AIMS: To explore the role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) growth arrest-specific transcript 5 (GAS5) in the cell proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) in asthma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An asthma rat model was established by ovalbumin sensitization and challenge. The expression of GAS5, miR-10a and BDNF mRNA and protein was determined with qRT-PCR and western blot, separately. The targeting relationship between GAS5 and miR-10a was examined with RNA immunoprecipitation and RNA pull-down assay; the interaction between miR-10a and BDNF was evaluated by luciferase reporter assay. Cell Proliferation Assay (MTS) was used for ASMC proliferation detection. Knock-down of GAS5 was performed in asthmatic rats to determine the effects of GAS5 in vivo. KEY FINDINGS: Compared with control group, the inspiratory resistance and expiratory resistance were increased in asthma group; and the expression of GAS5, miR-10a and BDNF was higher, lower and higher, respectively. The expression of GAS5 and miR-10a was elevated and repressed, respectively, by platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB). GAS5 functioned as a bait of miR-10a. GAS5 regulates BDNF expression through miR-10a. PDGF-BB promotes the cell proliferation of ASMCs through miR-10a/BDNF. Knock-down of GAS5 significantly decreased airway hyperresponsiveness in asthmatic rats. SIGNIFICANCE: The lncRNA GAS5/miR-10a/BDNF regulatory axis played an important role in promoting ASMCs proliferation, thus contributing to asthma.

[Long-term therapeutic effects of tracheotomy on children with recurrent laryngeal papillomatosis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the long-term therapeutic effects of tracheotomy on juvenile onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis in children. METHODS: Between 1993 and 2007, 86 cases of juvenile onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (JRRP) in children were encounted and divided into tracheotomy group and conventional surgery group, the clinical data of these children were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: There were 29 cases in tracheotomy group, the time of carrying tracheal casing pipe was 13 - 66.5 months, the operative times of every case was 4 - 9 times (median 7), there were 27 cases with more than 2 years release after extubation. There were 2 cases with tumor dissemination into incision of trachea and endotracheal, one case lost to follow up and the other one dead. No case developed laryngotracheal stenosis and severe complication. There were 57 cases in conventional surgery group, the operation times of every case was 9 - 32 times (median 18). Fifty-three cases with no recurrence after follow up for more than one year; 2 cases with trachea tumor dissemination, and after operation, no recurrence after 2 years follow up. Two cases with endotracheal dissemination, one case lost to follow up and the other one dead. No case developed laryngotracheal stenosis and severe complication. The voice assessment result of tracheotomy group was obviously better than that in the conventional surgery group, the difference had statistical significance (χ(2) = 33.16, P < 0.005), the tumor dissemination rate of the two groups had no statistical significance (χ(2) = 0.0026, P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Tracheotomy significantly reduce the operative times, give the greatest degree of preservation of laryngeal function, and it do not increase the tumor dissemination into trachea. Tracheotomy is an effective method of treatment in children with a high rate of recurrence, and with poor economic conditions, and difficult to follow-up. It can improve the long-term life quality of the children.