An aqueous polysaccharide extract from the edible mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus induces anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects on HT-29 colon cancer cells.

Anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activities of fractions of Pleurotus ostreatus were examined using HT-29 colon cancer cells in vitro. A hot-water-soluble fraction of the mycelium of the liquid cultured mushroom was partially isolated and chemically characterized as a low-molecular-weight alpha-glucan. HT-29 cells were exposed to the different isolates and significant inhibition of proliferation was obtained in a dose-dependent manner. Proliferation inhibition was shown to be the result of apoptotic induction because the pro-apoptotic molecules Bax and cytosolic cytochrome-c were upregulated. Fluorescence-activated cell sorter analyses of polysaccharide-treated HT-29 cells showed a high percentage of Annexin-positive cells. Here, we describe a newly identified low-molecular-weight alpha-glucan with promising anti-tumorigenic properties, and demonstrate its direct effect on colon cancer cell proliferation via induction of programmed cell death.

Low level laser irradiation stimulates osteogenic phenotype of mesenchymal stem cells seeded on a three-dimensional biomatrix.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) seeded on three-dimensional (3D) coralline (Porites lutea) biomatrices were irradiated with low-level laser irradiation (LLLI). The consequent phenotype modulation and development of MSCs towards ossified tissue was studied in this combined 3D biomatrix/LLLI system and in a control group, which was similarly grown, but was not treated by LLLI. The irradiated and non irradiated MSC were tested at 1-7, 10, 14, 21, 28 days of culturing via analysis of cellular distribution on matrices (trypan blue), calcium incorporation to newly formed tissue (alizarin red), bone nodule formation (von Kossa), fat aggregates formation (oil red O), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron dispersive spectrometry (EDS). The results obtained from the irradiated samples showed enhanced tissue formation, appearance of phosphorous peaks and calcium and phosphate incorporation to newly formed tissue. Moreover, in irradiated samples ALP activity was significantly enhanced in early stages and notably reduced in late stages of culturing. These findings of cell and tissue parameters up to 28 days of culture revealed higher ossification levels in irradiated samples compared with the control group. We suggest that both the surface properties of the 3D crystalline biomatrices and the LLLI have biostimulatory effects on the conversion of MSCs into bone-forming cells and on the induction of ex-vivo ossification.

Sulfation of extracellular polysaccharides of red microalgae: preparation, characterization and properties.

Polysaccharides are natural polymers with a variety of properties that may be translated into significant commercial applications. A program of chemical modifications of the extracellular polysaccharides of red microalgae, such as Porphyridium sp. and Rhodella reticulata, has been undertaken by our group in order to tailor new properties and hence to broaden the spectrum of potential applications. These algal biopolymers are anionic in nature due to the presence of uronic acids (about 10%) and sulfate half esters (about 7%). In the current study, the sulfate content of these biopolymers was increased to 35-40% by means of sulfation agents such as pyridine SO(3), DMF.SO(3) and ClSO(3)H. Reaction conditions were optimized in a model system based on potato starch as the model polysaccharide (type of reagent, temperature and time of reaction). After work-up procedures, the highest sulfate content was obtained by sulfation of the polysaccharide of Porphyridium sp. with a mixture of ClSO(3)H and pyridine at 70 degrees C for 1 h. The sulfated products were characterized by chemical and rheological analyses, IR spectroscopy, and GPC-HPLC chromatography. "Oversulfated" polymers (having sulfate contents exceeding 20%) with high molecular weights were found to inhibit mammalian cell growth when used at certain concentrations; for example, over 80% inhibition was obtained when oversulfated polymers at a concentration of 200 microg/ml were tested on T-cell lymphoma line 24-1. These preliminary results indicate that the modified polysaccharides do indeed exhibit potential therapeutic properties.