MicroRNA expression analysis of human skin fibroblasts treated with high-fluence light-emitting diode-red light.

Skin fibrosis is a chronic debilitating feature of several skin diseases that lead to characteristic increases in dermal fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition through upregulation in components of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-B)/SMAD pathway. In contrast to ultraviolet phototherapy, high-fluence light-emitting diode-generated red light (HF-LED-RL, 633 ± 15 nm) is a safe, economic and non-invasive therapy with in vitro evidence that supports modulation of the key cellular characteristics involved in the pathogenesis of skin fibrosis. Limited data exists pertaining to the effects of HF-LED-RL on human skin fibroblast microRNA (miRNA). Herein, we explored the effects of HF-LED-RL on fibroblast miRNA levels using RNA-seq and miRNA expression analysis. Using RNA-seq analysis we found that HF-LED-RL at 320 and 640 J/cm2 increased transcription of key miRNA that are involved in skin fibrosis including miRNA-29, miRNA-196a and Let-7a, and decreased transcription of miRNA-21, miRNA-23b and miRNA-31. These microRNA findings provide insight into the molecular underpinnings of HF-LED-RL and highlight potential therapeutic targets of interest for the treatment of skin fibrosis. Additional research on the specific molecular mechanisms underlying HF-LED-RL effects on fibroblasts may provide further mechanistic insight into this therapy and may reveal additional future therapeutic targets for skin fibrosis.

GCP-mediated growth inhibition and apoptosis of prostate cancer cells via androgen receptor-dependent and -independent mechanisms.

BACKGROUND: Genistein combined polysaccharide (GCP) is a nutritional supplement that can inhibit prostate cancer growth experimentally and clinically. It is composed predominantly of the isoflavones genistein, daidzein, and glycitein, which have anti-cancer properties. Although genistein is well studied, the properties of GCP are not well defined. The goal of this work was to better characterize the signaling pathways impacted by GCP in an effort to optimize its efficacy. METHODS: Cell growth and apoptosis were evaluated by MTS proliferation, caspase-based assays, and flow cytometry. Modulation of androgen receptor (AR) levels and activation status of signaling molecules were monitored by immunoblot analysis. AR function was measured by evaluating prostate-specific antigen (PSA) message and protein levels and by reporter assays. RESULTS: GCP inhibited proliferation of androgen-dependent LNCaP and androgen-independent LNCaP-p53(GOF) and 22Rv1 cell lines in a dose-dependent manner and cells were more responsive in the presence of androgen. GCP markedly suppressed mTOR-p70S6K signaling while Akt and p53 were only modestly modulated. GCP significantly attenuated androgen signaling as evidenced by diminished AR protein levels and a consequent reduction in transcriptional activity and PSA expression. AR expression was enhanced by de-repression of translation with inhibitors of PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling and by inhibition of proteasome-dependent degradation. Neither inhibitor could counteract GCP-mediated AR downregulation, suggesting the involvement of a mechanism(s) independent of these pathways. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that GCP mediates growth inhibition and apoptosis through multiple mechanisms including (1) molecular mimicry of androgen ablation (via AR downregulation) and (2) by providing an AR-independent, pro-apoptotic signal (mTOR inhibition).