The effect of 3-bromopyruvate on the properties of cathepsin B in the aspect of metastatic potential of colon cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: Cathepsin B (CTSB, EC 3.4.22.1) is a protease that physiologically resides in lysosomes and whose biosynthesis, cell surface location, intracellular distribution, and enzymatic activity undergo changes during the pathogenesis of cancer; it plays an important role in metastasis. Due to its active center structure, it is theoretically susceptible to the action of 3-bromopyruvate - an analogue of pyruvic acid and an alkylator that has been studied in depth in recent years for its anti-cancer activity, mainly through the inhibition of glycolytic enzymes. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of 3-bromopyruvate on the tumor cell properties in selected colorectal carcinoma cell lines that are widely attributed to the dysregulation of CTSB. Moreover, the effect of direct action of 3-bromopyruvate on the CTSB molecule was investigated in vitro. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The research on the effect of 3-bromopyruvate on Caco-2/HCT 116 cells and purified human CTSB included a scratch/wound healing assay, a cell invasion assay, spectrofluorimetric measurements of enzymatic activity of cathepsin B, indirect immunofluorescence and flow cytometry, zymography, and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry methods. RESULTS: 3-bromopyruvate reduced the activity and secretion of active CTSB and lowered the motility and invasiveness of Caco-2/HCT 116 human colorectal cancer cells. It decreased the exposure of CTSB on the outer surface of the cell membrane in both cell lines. 3-bromopyruvate inhibited the activity of CTSB reversibly and did not alkylate the molecule of the enzyme. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report on the effect of 3-bromopyruvate directly on CTSB and indirectly on the mechanisms leading to its distinct pathophysiological properties, resulting in increased metastatic potential of cancer cells, among others. Although detailed mechanisms of the interaction between 3-bromopyruvate and the active site of CTSB require further research, the results provide a new perspective from which to study the antitumor effect of 3-bromopyruvate.

3-Bromopyruvate as a potential pharmaceutical in the light of experimental data.

3-Bromopyruvate (3-BrPA) is an halogenated analogue of pyruvic acid known for over four decades as an alkylating agent reacting with thiol groups of many proteins. It enters animal cells like a lactate: via monocarboxylic acid transporters. Increasing interest in this compound, in recent times, is mainly due to hopes associated with its anticancer action. It is based on the impairment of energy metabolism of tumor cells by inhibiting enzymes in the glycolysis pathway (hexokinase II, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, phosphoglycerate kinase) and the oxidative phosphorylation (succinate dehydrogenase). Two cases of clinical application of this compound in the treatment of advanced cancers were reported. By using 3-BrPA, rheumatoid arthritis in SKG mice has been reduced. This compound has also antiparasitic activity: lowers cell viability of Trypanosoma brucei, decreases intracellular proliferation of Toxoplasma gondii and reduces the metabolic activity of Schistosoma mansoni. It also has antifungal properties; particularly it acts strongly on Cryptococcus neoformans, as well as Saccharomyces cerevisiae. An inhibitory effect on bacterial enzymes was also described on: isocitrate lyase from Escherichia coli, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Pseudomonas indigofera and 2-methylisocitrate lyase, succinate dehydrogenase and acetohydroxylic acid synthase from Escherichia coli. Wherever undesirable (cancer, parasitic) cells differ from normal by more intense glycolysis and higher energy needs, there is a good chance of successful 3-BrPA use. However, this compound acts on all cells and it, therefore, seems that its future as a pharmaceutical is dependent upon the development of appropriate methods for its effective and safe application.

Triterpenoid Acids as Important Antiproliferative Constituents of European Elderberry Fruits.

In Europe, both the fruits and flowers of Sambucus nigra L. have been used against cold, as well as laxative, diaphoretic, and diuretic remedies. There are also a number of commercially available food products that contain elderberry juice, puréed or dried elderberries. Recent comprehensive literature data on pharmacology and chemistry of Sambuci fructus have encouraged us to screen extracts with different polarities from this plant material against cancer cell lines. The cytotoxic activity of the ethyl acetate and aqueous acetone extracts from elderberries as well as detected triterpenoids on human colon adenocarcinoma cell line (LoVo) and human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) was investigated by sulforhodamine B assay. Moreover, cell migration assay was conducted for triterpenoid fraction and pure compounds. Aqueous acetone extract possessed much lower IC50 value in cancer cell lines compared to ethyl acetate extract. The latter manifested high cytotoxicity against studied cell lines, suggesting that nonpolar compounds are responsible for the cytotoxic activity. Indeed, the phytochemical analysis revealed that ursolic and oleanolic acids are the main triterpenoids in the mentioned extract of which ursolic acid showed the highest activity with IC50 values of 10.7 µg/mL on MCF-7 and 7.7 µg/mL on LoVo cells.

Dynamic Analysis of Changes of Protein Levels and Selected Biochemical Indices in Rat Serum in the Course of Experimental Pleurisy.

A significant role is played in inflammation by the liver, which, stimulated by inflammatory mediators, synthetizes plasma proteins with various dynamics. The purpose of these studies is to generate a detailed dynamic analysis of changes to concentrations of plasma and serum protein fractions and selected acute-phase proteins as well as nonspecific biochemical indices during the course of an induced pleurisy. The studies were conducted on female inbred Buffalo rats, which were divided into two groups: a control group (C) and an experimental group (IP) in which pleurisy was induced. In the IP group, significant changes in biochemical indices were observed between the 48th and 96th hours of pleurisy. A reduction of albumin, transferrin, urea, and creatinine concentrations was observed, while concentrations of the complement components C3 and C4, haptoglobin, and fibrinogen increased. An early increase of IL-1 was observed, while increases of IL-6 and TNF were noted in the later period. The maximum intensity of the processes described above occurred between the 72nd and 96th hours of pleurisy.

Inhibition of cathepsin B activity by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin.

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is the most potent toxic isomer in the dioxin-like family. Due to its resistance to metabolic degradation, this ubiquitous environmental pollutant readily accumulates in multiple organs. Cathepsin B is a lysosomal cysteine protease playing an essential role in the intracellular protein turnover. Alterations in its expression, activity, and localization may facilitate the development of many pathologies, including cancer. TCDD, due to its extremely lipophilic nature, may diffuse through biological membranes and affect lysosomal enzymes, including cathepsins. Therefore, in this study we performed two enzymatic assays, spectrofluorimetry and gelatin zymography, in order to evaluate the effect of TCDD on purified bovine cathepsin B. We showed that the dioxin decreases the enzyme's activity in a dose-dependent manner. The reversibility of TCDD-induced inhibition of the protease was also examined, suggesting that TCDD does not bind covalently to the enzyme's active site, acting rather as a reversible inhibitor.

Alternaria alternata and its allergens: a comprehensive review.

Alternaria alternata is mainly an outdoor fungus whose spores disseminate in warm, dry air, so in temperate climates, their count peaks in the summers. Alternaria may also be found in damp, insufficiently ventilated houses, where its allergenic properties cocreate the sick building syndrome. Mold-induced respiratory allergies and research on Alternaria both have a lengthy history: the first was described as early as 1698 and the second dates back to 1817. However, the two were only linked in 1930 when Alternaria spores were found to cause allergic asthma. The allergenic extracts from Alternaria hyphae and spores still remain in use but are variable and insufficiently standardized as they are often a random mixture of allergenic ingredients and coincidental impurities. In contrast, contemporary biochemistry and molecular biology make it possible to obtain pure allergen molecules. To date, 16 allergens of A. alternata have been isolated, many of which are enzymes: Alt a 4 (disulfide isomerase), Alt a 6 (enolase), Alt a 8 (mannitol dehydrogenase), Alt a 10 (alcohol dehydrogenase), Alt a 13 (glutathione-S-transferase), and Alt a MnSOD (Mn superoxide dismutase). Others have structural and regulatory functions: Alt a 5 and Alt a 12 comprise the structure of large ribosomal subunits and mediate translation, Alt a 3 is a molecular chaperone, Alt a 7 regulates transcription, Alt a NTF2 facilitates protein import into the nucleus, and Alt a TCTP acts like a cytokine. The function of four allergenic proteins, Alt a 1, Alt a 2, Alt a 9, and Alt a 70 kDa, remains unknown.

Early induction of stress-associated Src activator/Homo sapiens chromosome 9 open reading frame 10 protein following photodynamic therapy.

BACKGROUND: There are proteins, responsible for many basic cell functions (transmission of extracellular signals to cytoplasm or nucleus, cell growth, proliferation, migration, survival), which are activated and overexpressed in response to acute oxidative stress, especially tyrosine kinases. The oxidative stress-associated Src activator/Homo sapiens chromosome 9 open reading frame 10 protein (Ossa/C9orf10) protects cancer cells from oxidative stress-induced apoptosis by Src family kinases activation. METHODS: In this study precursor of protoporphyrin IX, 5-aminolevulinic acid and its encapsulated form were used in treating MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. After light illumination, cells were collected at different time points and used for evaluation (immunocytochemistry, Western blot analysis) of expression of above proteins, c-Src and Ossa. RESULTS: Our results showed that 5-aminolevulinic acid-mediated photodynamic therapy caused decrease of c-Src expression at 7h after irradiation. The strongest expression was observed at 24h after treatment. Encapsulated form of 5-aminolevulinic acid in terms of PDT caused similar changes of expression of c-Src protein. Furthermore, we observed strong Ossa expression at 7h after treatment in comparison to very low expression at time points 0, 18 and 24h. CONCLUSION: We would like to emphasize that our results showed high expression of Ossa at early time interval after PDT, which was accompanied by a low expression of c-Src kinase, what could protect cancer cells from PDT through activation of c-Src in response to oxidative stress.

Immunocytochemical studies on the nuclear ubiquitous casein and cyclin-dependent kinases substrate following 5-aminolevulinicacid-mediated photodynamic therapy on MCF-7 cells.

BACKGROUND: Recent data indicates that nuclear ubiquitous casein and cyclin-dependent kinases substrate (NUCKS) may play role in tumor growth. In present study authors examined whether photodynamic therapy with 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) induces NUCKS expression in breast cancer cell line, MCF-7. METHODS: In the experiment concentration of 5-ALA was 6.5mM. Excitation wavelength was 630 ± 20 nm, total light dose of light 5 or 10 J/cm(2) and irradiance 60 mW/cm(2) was used. Cells were collected at established time points and Western blot and immunocytochemical studies were performed using antibody against NUCKS. RESULTS: Studies proved strong cytotoxic effects in cells following PDT with 6.5mM of precursor and 10 J/cm(2). Western blot analysis revealed the strongest expression of NUCKS at 7h after PDT. At next time points, 18 and 24h, expression of NUCKS decreased and became similar to that of control group. Further immunocytochemical studies showed very strong expression of NUCKS following PDT with 5-ALA and light irradiation of 5 J/cm(2). Early, at 0 h, that expression was predominantly seen in nuclei, while at 7h expression of NUCKS was observed in disseminated manner within entire cells in both nuclei and cytoplasm, with prevalence of cytoplasmic staining. CONCLUSIONS: Authors suggest that NUCKS is involved in cellular responses following PDT, and since parallel induction of NUCKS and proapoptotic marker Bax and inhibition of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 was observed, this protein might also be involved in induction of apoptosis following PDT.

In vitro and in vivo matrix metalloproteinase expression after photodynamic therapy with a liposomal formulation of aminolevulinic acid and its methyl ester.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a well-known method for the treatment of malignant tumors, and its principles have been well established over the past 30 years. This therapy involves the application of a chemical called a photosensitizer and its subsequent excitation with light at the appropriate wavelength and energy. Topical photodynamic therapy with aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is an alternative therapy for many malignant processes, including nonmelanoma skin cancers such as basal-cell carcinoma (BCC). Our novel approach for this study was to use a liposomal formulation of 5-ALA and its methyl ester (commercially available as metvix) both in vitro and in vivo, and to check whether the liposome-entrapped precursors of photosensitizers can induce the expression of metalloproteinases (MMPs) in animal tumor cells and in other tissues from tumor-bearing rats and in selected cell lines in vitro. We also checked whether the application of tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) has any effect on MMPs in the above-mentioned experimental models, and if they can cause complete inhibition of MMP expression. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that after the PDT, the intensity of expression of MMPs in healthy animals was very low and seen in single cells only. After the PDT in tumor-bearing rats, MMP-3 was expressed in the tumor cells with the highest intensity of staining in the tissues directly adjacent to the tumors, while MMP-2 and -9 were not found. In the control groups, there was no observed expression of MMPs. In vitro studies showed that MMP-3 was expressed in MCF-7 cells after PDT, but MMP-9 was not observed and MMP-2 was only seen in single cases. Our studies confirmed that the application of an MMP-3 inhibitor may block an induction of MMP-3 expression which had previously been initiated by PDT. The preliminary data obtained from cancer patients revealed that new precursors are effective in terms of PDT, and that using MMP inhibitors should be considered as a potential enhancing factor in clinical PDT.

Acute-phase response proteins are related to cachexia and accelerated angiogenesis in gastroesophageal cancers.

BACKGROUND: Accurate outcome prediction in gastroesophageal malignancies is challenging. Acute-phase response proteins (APRPs) have been claimed to be independent prognosticators, although the basis for their association with prognosis remains unexplained. We hypothesized that, similarly to pancreatic and lung cancers, changes in APRPs in gastroesophageal malignancies are associated with cachexia and accelerated angiogenesis. METHODS: C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin and transferrin serum levels were evaluated and the Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS) calculated. These data were compared with concentrations of circulating interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6 and IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, VEGF-C and midkine in 96 gastroesophageal cancer patients (49 with cachexia) and 42 healthy subjects. RESULTS: Albumin and CRP levels were altered in the cancer patients, with further CRP elevation in those with cachexia. Transferrin was decreased only in the cachectic patients. The interrelationships between the APRPs were strengthened in cachexia and only then were APRPs correlated with the cytokines elevated in gastroesophageal cancer-related cachexia: IL-6, IL-8, VEGF-A and midkine. GPS corresponded well to transferrin, IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha, VEGF-A and midkine concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Cachexia in gastroesophageal cancers is associated with changes in APRP concentrations. This, together with a direct relationship of APRPs with accelerated angiogenesis, may constitute a foundation for the association of APRPs and GPS with outcome in these malignancies.

Enhanced formation of advanced oxidation protein products in IBD.

BACKGROUND: Advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) are new protein markers of oxidative stress with pro-inflammatory properties, accumulated in many pathological conditions. The issue of their enhanced formation in IBD has not been addressed yet. METHODS: The concentration of relative AOPPs (rAOPP; concentration of AOPPs divided by albumin level) were measured in 68 subjects with ulcerative colitis (UC), 50 subjects with Crohn's disease (CD) and 45 healthy volunteers, and related to disease phenotype, clinical and biochemical activity, and therapeutic strategy. Diagnostic utility of rAOPP was evaluated by ROC analysis. RESULTS: In comparison with controls (1.367 micromol/g), rAOPP were increased in inactive (1.778 micromol/g, P = 0.053) and active (1.895 micromol/g, P = 0.013) UC and in active (1.847 micromol/g, P = 0.003) CD. In CD, but not UC, rAOPP correlated with disease activity (r = 0.42, P = 0.013). Significant correlations with the inflammatory/malnutrition indices-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (r = 0.53), leukocytes (r = 0.33), platelets (r = 0.38), IL-6 (r = 0.36), and transferrin (r = -0.35) were demonstrated in CD. In UC, rAOPP correlated only with ESR (r = 0.35) and IL-6 (r = 0.30). Instead, associations with antioxidant dismutase (r = 0.29) and catalase (r = 0.22) were observed. The diagnostic power of rAOPP in discriminating diseased from non-diseased subjects was less than that of C-reactive protein (CRP). Simultaneous determination of rAOPP and CRP did not significantly improve the power of single CRP determination. CONCLUSIONS: IBD was associated with enhanced formation of AOPP, which differed between C and UC with respect to the relationship between rAOPP and disease activity, inflammatory and antioxidant response. These differences may reflect divergent ways that oxidative stress develops in CD and UC. The diagnostic power of rAOPP was insufficient for its clinical application.

Elevation of circulating interleukin-8 is related to lymph node and distant metastases in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas--implication for clinical evaluation of cancer patient.

The presence of lymph node metastasis (LNM) is an important factor in clinical evaluation of esophageal cancer patients. Biological markers able to support detection of metastatic lymph nodes are sought after. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is overexpressed by many cancers and involved in cancer dissemination. We investigated the relationship between circulating IL-8 and clinicopathological features of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), and evaluated the diagnostic potential of IL-8, with reference to the key angiogenic and lymphangiogenic factors: vascular endothelial growth factors A and C (VEGF-A and VEGF-C). We found elevated IL-8 levels in ESCC patients, correlated with tumor size and cancer dissemination, especially LNM. Circulating IL-8 correlated with lymphangiogenic VEGF-C rather then angiogenic VEGF-A. The association weakened in metastatic cancers, suggesting divergent mechanism of IL-8 involvement in the dissemination process. The cytokine levels correlated with platelets and neutrophils, pointing at these cells as possible sources of circulating IL-8. We demonstrated IL-8 that positively correlated with inflammation status of ESCC patients. Circulating IL-8 was a better indicator of ESCC dissemination than VEGF-A or VEGF-C. Yet, the detection rates were not satisfactory enough to allow for the recommendation of IL-8 determination as an adjunct to the clinical evaluation of lymph node involvement in ESCC patients.