Anticancer Effect of Cold Atmospheric Plasma in Syngeneic Mouse Models of Melanoma and Colon Cancer.

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) may have applications in treating various types of malignant tumors. This study assessed the anticancer effects of CAP using melanoma and colon cancer cell lines. CAP treatment significantly reduced the in vitro viability of melanoma and colon cancer cell lines and had a negligible effect on the viability of normal human melanocytes. Additionally, CAP and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor had an additive anticancer effect in a CAP-resistant melanoma cell line. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species known to be generated by CAP enhanced the anticancer effects of CAP and EGFR inhibitors. The in vivo anticancer activities of CAP were evaluated by testing its effects against syngeneic tumors induced in mice by melanoma and colon cancer cells. CAP treatment reduced tumor volume and weight in both cancer models, with the extent of tumor reduction dependent on the duration and number of CAP treatments. Histologic examination also revealed the tumoricidal effects of CAP in both tumor models. In conclusion, CAP inhibits the growth of mouse melanoma and colon cancer cell lines in vitro and shows tumoricidal effects against mouse models of melanoma and colon cancer in vivo.

Efficacy of Asymmetric siRNA Targeting Androgen Receptors for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia.

Asymmetric small interfering RNAs (asiRNAs) that mediate RNA interference have been investigated for therapeutic use in various tissues, including skin tissue. Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is caused by a combination of genetic factors, resulting in sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which binds to the androgen receptor (AR) to mediate a series of biomolecular changes leading to hair loss. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of a cell-penetrating, AR-targeting asiRNA (cp-asiAR) for AGA treatment, which was designed to silence the AR gene. AGA mouse models were developed by stimulation with DHT, and ex vivo human scalp tissues were also used for analysis. Cp-asiAR-mediated changes in mRNA expression and protein levels of AR were assessed along with the examination of phenotypic improvements in mouse model of AGA. We also assessed downstream signaling associated with AR in primary human dermal papilla (DP) cells. Several cp-asiARs were screened for selecting the optimal sequence of AR using cell lines in vitro. A cholesterol-conjugated, chemically modified cp-asiAR candidate was optimized under passive uptake conditions in vitro. Intradermal cp-asiAR injection efficiently reduced mRNA and protein levels corresponding to AR in mouse models. Moreover, cp-asiAR injection promoted hair growth in mouse models with DHT-induced AGA. In ex vivo human hair follicle culture, the proportion of telogen hair decreased, and the mean hair bulb diameter increased in the cp-asiAR-treated group. In isolated primary human DP cells, AR expression was effectively downregulated by cp-asiAR. Furthermore, cp-asiAR attenuated DHT-mediated increases in interleukin-6, transforming growth factor-ß1, and dickkopf-1 levels. No significant toxicity was observed in DP cells after cp-asiAR treatment. Cp-asiAR treatment showed effective downregulation of AR expression and prevention of DHT-mediated alterations in the hair cycle and hair diameter, indicating its potential as a novel therapeutic option for AGA.

Treatment of atopic dermatitis using non-thermal atmospheric plasma in an animal model.

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has been incorporated into various fields, including promotion of cutaneous wound healing. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic cutaneous condition characterized by inflammation-induced skin wounds and impaired skin barrier function. To investigate whether CAP may improve AD using an animal model. Dermatophagoides farinae extracts (DFE)-induced murine models of AD were used in this study. The plasma-treated group received a total of 6 CAP treatments during 2 weeks, while the control group did not receive any treatment. Differences in dermatitis severity, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), serum level of immunoglobulin (Ig) E and epidermal thickness were evaluated in both groups. The dermatitis severity was significantly improved by CAP treatment. TEWL was lower in the plasma-treated group compared with the non-treated control group. Serum Ig E dropped significantly after treatment with CAP. Difference in epidermal thickness of the ear skin was not significant between the plasma-treated and non-treated groups. Localized treatment of AD with CAP decreases dermatitis severity, TEWL, and serum Ig E level. These results show CAP's potentials as a novel therapeutic modality for AD.

C1q/TNF-related protein-9 inhibits cytokine-induced vascular inflammation and leukocyte adhesiveness via AMP-activated protein kinase activation in endothelial cells.

Although recent studies have reported cardioprotective effects of C1q/TNF-related protein 9 (CTRP9), the closet adiponectin paralog, its role on cytokine-induced endothelial inflammation is unknown. We investigated whether CTRP9 prevented inflammatory cytokine-induced nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation and inhibited the expression of adhesion molecules and a chemokine in the vascular endothelial cell. We used human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) to examine the effects of CTRP9 on NF-κB activation and the expression of NF-κB-mediated genes, including intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) was used as a representative proinflammatory cytokine. In an adhesion assay using THP-1 cells, CTRP9 reduced TNFα-induced adhesion of monocytes to HAECs. Treatment with CTRP9 significantly decreased TNFα-induced activation of NF-κB, as well as the expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and MCP-1. In addition, treatment with CTRP9 significantly increased the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), the downstream target of AMPK. The inhibitory effect of CTRP9 on the expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and MCP-1 and monocyte adhesion to HAECs was abolished after transfection with an AMPKα1-specific siRNA. Our study is the first to demonstrate that CTRP9 attenuates cytokine-induced vascular inflammation in endothelial cells mediated by AMPK activation.

Dehydroepiandrosterone prevents linoleic acid-induced endothelial cell senescence by increasing autophagy.

BACKGROUND: Autophagy has emerged as a potentially important factor in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is an adrenal steroid of great recent interest due to its anti-aging and anti-atherogenic effects; however, little is known about its role in autophagy and endothelial senescence. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether DHEA prevents linoleic acid (LA)-induced endothelial senescence by enhancing autophagy. MATERIALS/METHODS: After pre-treatement with or without DHEA prior to LA treatment in human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs), the level of senescence was compared by senescence-associated acidic ß-galactosidase (SA-ß-Gal) staining and hyperphosphorylated pRB (ppRB) protein level. Autophagy was detected by LC3 conversion and measuring the level of p62/SQSTM1 (sequestosome 1), a protein degraded by autophagy. The fusion of autophagosome and lysosome was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy. RESULTS: Pre-treatment with DHEA inhibited LA-induced endothelial senescence. DHEA increased the conversion of LC3-I to LC3-II and decreased the level of p62 in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Although both DHEA and LA treatment increased the conversion of LC3-I to LC3-II, treatment of LA increased p62 and decreased fusion of autophagosome and lysosome, which reflected decreased autophagic flux. However, pre-treatment with DHEA restored autophagic flux inhibited by LA. When we evaluated signaling pathways, we found that JNK activation involved in LC3 conversion induced by DHEA. CONCLUSION: DHEA prevents LA-induced endothelial senescence by restoring autophagy and autophagic flux through JNK activation.

Association of serum angiopoietin-like protein 2 with carotid intima-media thickness in subjects with type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Although recent animal studies have suggested that angiopoietin-like protein 2 (ANGPTL2), a novel inflammatory adipokine, is likely to be involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, in rodents, little is known regarding whether serum ANGPTL2 level is also associated with atherosclerosis in humans, especially in patients with type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to investigate whether serum ANGPTL2 concentration is associated with atherosclerosis by measuring carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in subjects with type 2 diabetes without previous history of cardiovascular diseases. In addition, we examined the clinical and biochemical variables associated with serum ANGPLT2 concentration. METHODS: We measured the circulating ANGPTL2 level in 166 subjects (92 men and 74 women; mean age of 60.0 years) with type 2 diabetes. Measurements of carotid IMT were performed in all subjects. RESULTS: Serum ANGPTL2 concentration was positively correlated with carotid IMT (r = 0.220, p = 0.004). In multiple linear regression, serum ANGPTL2 concentration was independently associated with increased carotid IMT along with older age, male gender, and higher systolic blood pressure. Higher levels of hemoglobin A1c and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were significantly associated with elevated serum ANGPTL2 concentration in subjects with type 2 diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Serum ANGPTL2 concentration was significantly and positively associated with carotid atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes, suggesting that ANGPTL2 may be important in the atherosclerosis in humans.

Association of serum C1q/TNF-related protein-9 concentration with arterial stiffness in subjects with type 2 diabetes.

CONTEXT: Although recent animal studies have suggested that C1q/TNF-related protein-9 (CTRP9) is more likely to be involved in the regulation of vascular function, more specifically atherosclerosis, in rodents, little is known about whether serum CTRP9 level is associated with atherosclerosis in humans. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether serum CTRP9 concentration is associated with atherosclerosis by measuring brachial ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in subjects with type 2 diabetes. In addition, we examined the clinical and biochemical variables associated with serum CTRP9 concentration. DESIGN AND METHODS: We measured circulating CTRP9 and total adiponectin levels in 278 subjects (169 men and 109 women; mean age of 58.3 years) with type 2 diabetes. Measurements of baPWV were performed in all subjects. RESULTS: Serum CTRP9 concentration was positively correlated with baPWV. This correlation was significant even after adjusting for total adiponectin levels. In multiple linear regression, serum CTRP9 concentration was independently associated with increased baPWV. Female gender, higher body mass index, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance were significantly associated with elevated serum CTRP9 concentration in subjects with type 2 diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Serum CTRP9 concentration was significantly and positively associated with arterial stiffness in patients with type 2 diabetes, suggesting that CTRP9 might be important in the regulation of arterial stiffness in humans.

Vaspin inhibits cytokine-induced nuclear factor-kappa B activation and adhesion molecule expression via AMP-activated protein kinase activation in vascular endothelial cells.

BACKGROUND: Vaspin is an adipocytokine that was recently identified in the visceral adipose tissue of diabetic rats and has anti-diabetic and anti-atherogenic effects. We hypothesized that vaspin prevents inflammatory cytokine-induced nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation by activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in vascular endothelial cells. METHODS: We examined the effects of vaspin on NF-κB activation and the expression of the NF-κB-mediated genes intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), E-selectin, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). Human aortic endothelial cells (HAECS) were used. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) was used as a representative proinflammatory cytokine. RESULTS: Treatment with vaspin significantly increased the phosphorylation of AMPK and acetyl-CoA carboxylase, the down-stream target of AMPK. Furthermore, treatment with vaspin significantly decreased TNFα-induced activation of NF-κB, as well as the expression of the adhesion molecules ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-selectin, and MCP-1. These effects were abolished following transfection of AMPKα1-specific small interfering RNA. In an adhesion assay using THP-1 cells, vaspin reduced TNFα-induced adhesion of monocytes to HAECS in an AMPK-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: Vaspin might attenuate the cytokine-induced expression of adhesion molecule genes by inhibiting NF-κB following AMPK activation.