Non-homologous dsODN increases the mutagenic effects of CRISPR-Cas9 to disrupt oncogene E7 in HPV positive cells.

Genome editing tools targeting high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) oncogene could be a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of HPV-related cervical cancer. We aimed to improve the editing efficiency and detect off-target effects concurrently for the clinical translation strategy by using CRISPR-Cas9 system co-transfected with 34nt non-homologous double-stranded oligodeoxynucleotide (dsODN). We firstly tested this strategy on targeting the Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) gene, of which the expression is easily observed. Our results showed that the GFP+ cells were significantly decreased when using GFP-sgRNAs with dsODN, compared to using GFP-sgRNAs without donors. By PCR and Sanger sequencing, we verified the dsODN integration into the break sites of the GFP gene. And by amplicon sequencing, we observed that the indels% of the targeted site on the GFP gene was increased by using GFP-sgRNAs with dsODN. Next, we went on to target the HPV18 E7 oncogene by using single E7-sgRNA and multiplexed E7-sgRNAs respectively. Whenever using single sgRNA or multiplexed sgRNAs, the mRNA expression of HPV18 E7 oncogene was significantly decreased when adding E7-sgRNAs with dsODN, compared to E7-sgRNAs without donor. And the indels% of the targeted sites on the HPV18 E7 gene was markedly increased by adding dsODN with E7-sgRNAs. Finally, we performed GUIDE-Seq to verify that the integrated dsODN could serve as the marker to detect off-target effects in using single or multiplexed two sgRNAs. And we detected fewer on-target reads and off-target sites in multiplexes compared to the single sgRNAs when targeting the GFP and the HPV18 E7 genes. Together, CRISPR-Cas9 system co-transfected with 34nt dsODN concurrently improved the editing efficiency and monitored off-target effects, which might provide new insights in the treatment of HPV infections and related cervical cancer.

The comparison of ZFNs, TALENs, and SpCas9 by GUIDE-seq in HPV-targeted gene therapy.

Zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like endonucleases (TALENs), and CRISPR-associated Cas9 endonucleases are three major generations of genome editing tools. However, no parallel comparison about the efficiencies and off-target activity of the three nucleases has been reported, which is critical for the final clinical decision. We for the first time developed the genome-wide unbiased identification of double-stranded breaks enabled by sequencing (GUIDE-seq) method in ZFNs and TALENs with novel bioinformatics algorithms to evaluate the off-targets. By targeting human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16), we compared the performance of ZFNs, TALENs, and SpCas9 in vivo. Our data showed that ZFNs with similar targets could generate distinct massive off-targets (287-1,856), and the specificity could be reversely correlated with the counts of middle "G" in zinc finger proteins (ZFPs). We also compared the TALENs with different N-terminal domains (wild-type [WT]/αN/ßN) and G recognition modules (NN/NH) and found the design (αN or NN) to improve the efficiency of TALEN inevitably increased off-targets. Finally, our results showed that SpCas9 was more efficient and specific than ZFNs and TALENs. Specifically, SpCas9 had fewer off-target counts in URR (SpCas9, n = 0; TALEN, n = 1; ZFN, n = 287), E6 (SpCas9, n = 0; TALEN, n = 7), and E7 (SpCas9, n = 4; TALEN, n = 36). Taken together, we suggest that for HPV gene therapies, SpCas9 is a more efficient and safer genome editing tool. Our off-target data could be used to improve the design of ZFNs and TALENs, and the universal in vivo off-target detection pipeline for three generations of artificial nucleases provided useful tools for genome engineering-based gene therapy.

Phytocompounds curcumin, quercetin, indole-3-carbinol, and resveratrol modulate lactate-pyruvate level along with cytotoxic activity in HeLa cervical cancer cells.

Cancer cells meet their energy need by predominantly increased uptake of glucose, high rate of glycolysis, and increased production of lactate even in the presence of adequate oxygen.  This process was proposed by Otto Warburg and named after him as the Warburg effect. The development of drugs that target glucose intake and aerobic glycolysis or lactic acid secretion of cancer cells is a newer approach for drug discovery. We have tested five purified plants-derived compounds such as curcumin, quercetin, ellagic acid, resveratrol, and indole-3-carbinol in HeLa cells for cytotoxicity, inhibition of metastasis, and modulation of lactate-pyruvate metabolism. Standard biochemical methods were used for glucose, lactic acid, and pyruvic acid measurement. The cell viability was determined by MTT assay. Cell migration was checked by wound healing assay. A dose-dependent cytotoxic effect and inhibition of cell migration were observed in all the tested compounds. A decrease in the lactate and increase in pyruvate level was observed in all the tested compounds except ellagic acid. Our finding suggests that tested phytocompounds are associated with the metabolic reprogramming of cancer cells and execute the cytotoxic effect. These compounds could be used for cancer prevention and therapy.

An effective vaginal gel to deliver CRISPR/Cas9 system encapsulated in poly (ß-amino ester) nanoparticles for vaginal gene therapy.

BACKGROUND: Gene therapy has held promises for treating specific genetic diseases. However, the key to clinical application depends on effective gene delivery. METHODS: Using a large animal model, we developed two pharmaceutical formulations for gene delivery in the pigs' vagina, which were made up of poly (ß-amino ester) (PBAE)-plasmid polyplex nanoparticles (NPs) based two gel materials, modified montmorillonite (mMMT) and hectorite (HTT). FINDINGS: By conducting flow cytometry of the cervical cells, we found that PBAE-GFP-NPs-mMMT gel was more efficient than PBAE-GFP-NPs-HTT gel in delivering exogenous DNA intravaginally. Next, we designed specific CRISPR/SpCas9 sgRNAs targeting porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) and evaluated the genome editing efficacy in vivo. We discovered that PERV copy number in vaginal epithelium could be significantly reduced by the local delivery of the PBAE-SpCas9/sgRNA NPs-mMMT gel. Comparable genome editing results were also obtained by high-fidelity version of SpCas9, SpCas9-HF1 and eSpCas9, in the mMMT gel. Further, we confirmed that the expression of topically delivered SpCas9 was limited to the vagina/cervix and did not diffuse to nearby organs, which was relatively safe with low toxicity. INTERPRETATION: Our data suggested that the PBAE-NPs mMMT vaginal gel is an effective preparation for local gene therapy, yielding insights into novel therapeutic approaches to sexually transmitted disease in the genital tract. FUNDING: This work was supported by the National Science and Technology Major Project of the Ministry of science and technology of China (No. 2018ZX10301402); the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81761148025, 81871473 and 81402158); Guangzhou Science and Technology Programme (No. 201704020093); National Ten Thousand Plan-Young Top Talents of China, Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (17ykzd15 and 19ykyjs07); Three Big Constructions-Supercomputing Application Cultivation Projects sponsored by National Supercomputer Center In Guangzhou; the National Research FFoundation (NRF) South Africa under BRICS Multilateral Joint Call for Proposals; grant 17-54-80078 from the Russian Foundation for Basic Research.

In vitro and in vivo growth inhibition of human cervical cancer cells via human papillomavirus E6/E7 mRNAs' cleavage by CRISPR/Cas13a system.

Sustained infection of high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPVs), especially HPV16 and HPV18, is a major cause of cervical cancer. E6 and E7 oncoproteins, encoded by the HPV genome, are critical for transformation and maintenance of malignant phenotypes of cervical cancer. Here, we used an emerging programmable clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/Cas13a system to cleave HPV 16/18 E6/E7 messenger RNAs (mRNAs). The results showed that customized CRISPR/Cas13a system effectively and specifically knocked down HPV 16/18 E6/E7 mRNAs, inducing growth inhibition and apoptosis in HPV16-positive SiHa and HPV18-positive HeLa Cell lines, but not in HPV-negative C33A cell line. Simultaneously, we detected downregulation of E6/E7 oncoproteins and upregulation of tumor suppressor P53 and RB proteins. In addition, we used subcutaneous xenograft tumor growth assays to find that the weight and volume of tumors in the SiHa-16E6CR1 group knocked down by the CRISPR/Cas13a system were significantly lower than those in the SiHa-VECTOR group lacking crRNA. Our study demonstrated that targeting HPV E6/E7 mRNAs by the CRISPR/Cas13a system may be a candidate therapeutic strategy for HPV-related cervical cancer.

Hyperbranched poly(ß-amino ester) based polyplex nanopaticles for delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 system and treatment of HPV infection associated cervical cancer.

Persistent high-risk HPV infection is the main factor for cervical cancer. HPV E7 oncogene plays an important role in HPV carcinogenesis. Down-regulation of E7 oncogene expression could induce growth inhibition in HPV-positive cells and thus treats HPV related cervical cancer. Here we developed a non-virus gene vector based on poly(amide-amine)-poly(ß-amino ester) hyperbranched copolymer (hPPC) for the delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 system to specifically cleave HPV E7 oncogene in HPV-positive cervical cancer cells. The diameter of polyplex nanoparticles (NPs) formed by hPPCs/linear poly(ß-amino ester) (PBAE) and plasmids were approximately 300 nm. These hPPCs/PBAE-green fluorescence protein plasmids polyplex NPs showed high transfection efficiency and low toxicity in cells and mouse organs. By cleaving HPV16 E7 oncogene, reducing the expression of HPV16 E7 protein and increasing intracellular retinoblastoma 1 (RB1) amount, hPPCs/PBAE-CRISPR/Cas9 therapeutic plasmids polyplex NPs, especially highly branched hPPC1-plasmids polyplex NPs, exhibited strong growth inhibition of cervical cancer cells in vitro and xenograft tumors in nude mice. Together, the hPPCs/PBAE polyplex NPs to deliver HPV16 E7 targeted CRISPR/Cas9 system in this study could potentially be applied to treat HPV-related cervical cancer.

Cytological Immunostaining of HMGA2, LRP1B, and TP63 as Potential Biomarkers for Triaging Human Papillomavirus-Positive Women.

BACKGROUND: Since human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing has been promoted as primary screening strategy, the triage method has also evolved from morphological testing to a molecular biomarker detection to improve screening efficiency. In this study, we investigated the performance of three HPV integration hot-spots, HMGA2, LRP1B, and TP63, as potential triage markers in HPV screening tests. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2016 to December 2017 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. Immunocytochemistry was carried out using residual cervical cell samples from 121 HPV-positive cases (23 normal, 24 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1, and 74 CIN2+). RESULTS: Of the 121 cases, 77 showed completely paired for the three biomarkers. In these 77 cases, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of HMGA2 showed the best potential for detecting CIN2+ among HPV+ cases (sensitivity 70%; specificity 91.89%; AUC 0.839). TP63 was second most effective biomarker (AUC 0.838; sensitivity 80%; specificity 81.08%). In contrast, LRP1B had the smallest AUC (0.801) among the three biomarkers but had the highest sensitivity (90%) and specificity (56.76%). To test the triage value of combining the three biomarkers, logistic regression was conducted followed by ROC comparison analysis. Promisingly, the combination of the three biomarkers gave the largest AUC of 0.951 with 92.5% sensitivity and 89.1% specificity (P < .0001 compared to liquid-based cytology test by Z-test). CONCLUSIONS: A combination of HMGA2, LRP1B, and TP63 as potential biomarkers may be useful for screening during triage of HPV-positive patients, particularly for detecting CIN2 + .

Risk stratification of cervical lesions using capture sequencing and machine learning method based on HPV and human integrated genomic profiles.

From initial human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and precursor stages, the development of cervical cancer takes decades. High-sensitivity HPV DNA testing is currently recommended as primary screening method for cervical cancer, whereas better triage methodologies are encouraged to provide accurate risk management for HPV-positive women. Given that virus-driven genomic variation accumulates during cervical carcinogenesis, we designed a 39 Mb custom capture panel targeting 17 HPV types and 522 mutant genes related to cervical cancer. Using capture-based next-generation sequencing, HPV integration status, somatic mutation and copy number variation were analyzed on 34 paired samples, including 10 cases of HPV infection (HPV+), 10 cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade and 14 cases of CIN2+ (CIN2: n = 1; CIN2-3: n = 3; CIN3: n = 9; squamous cell carcinoma: n = 1). Finally, the machine learning algorithm (Random Forest) was applied to build the risk stratification model for cervical precursor lesions based on CIN2+ enriched biomarkers. Generally, HPV integration events (11 in HPV+, 25 in CIN1 and 56 in CIN2+), non-synonymous mutations (2 in CIN1, 12 in CIN2+) and copy number variations (19.1 in HPV+, 29.4 in CIN1 and 127 in CIN2+) increased from HPV+ to CIN2+. Interestingly, 'common' deletion of mitochondrial chromosome was significantly observed in CIN2+ (P = 0.009). Together, CIN2+ enriched biomarkers, classified as HPV information, mutation, amplification, deletion and mitochondrial change, successfully predicted CIN2+ with average accuracy probability score of 0.814, and amplification and deletion ranked as the most important features. Our custom capture sequencing combined with machine learning method effectively stratified the risk of cervical lesions and provided valuable integrated triage strategies.

Unique synergistic formulation of curcumin, epicatechin gallate and resveratrol, tricurin, suppresses HPV E6, eliminates HPV+ cancer cells, and inhibits tumor progression.

Curcumin (from curry) (C) is highly potent against cervical cancer cells (CCC), but poor bioavailability has limited its clinical use. Similar natural polyphenols resveratrol (from grapes) (R), and epicatechin gallate (from green tea) (E) also display activity against CCC. By treating CCC (HeLa) with C, E, or R, or combinations of these compounds, we computed combination indices and observed a strong synergism among C, E, and R at the unique molar ratio 4:1:12.5. This combination, named as TriCurin, rapidly down regulated HPV18 E6 and NF-kB expression while concomitantly inducing the tumor suppressor protein p53 in HeLa cells. In the mouse c-Ha-ras and HPV16 E6, E7-expressing TC-1 CCC, both C and TriCurin elicited suppression of E6, induction of both p53 and acetyl-p53 (activated p53), and activation of caspase-3, but the TriCurin-evoked changes were several-fold greater than that produced by curcumin (4.7-fold for E6 inhibition, and 2-fold, 6-fold, and 1.7-fold for the induction of p53, acetyl-p53, and active caspase-3, respectively). Consequently, TriCurin was more potent in killing TC-1 and HeLa cells. Intralesional TriCurin treatment of tumors generated in mice by subcutaneously implanting the TC-1 CCC caused an 80-90% decrease in tumor growth. The ability of C to eliminate HeLa cells was significantly stabilized when delivered as TriCurin than when delivered alone. Topical application of TriCurin dispersed in a cream base afforded efficient transfer of C across the skin. Subcutaneous TriCurin injection yielded no adverse effect in tumor-naïve healthy mice. Thus, TriCurin is a safe and promising therapeutic agent against HPV-associated disease.

Curcumin and Ellagic acid synergistically induce ROS generation, DNA damage, p53 accumulation and apoptosis in HeLa cervical carcinoma cells.

Cervical cancer and precancerous lesions of the cervix continue to be a global health issue, and the medication for the treatment for chronic HPV infection so far has not been effective. Potential anticancer and anti HPV activities of two known phytochemicals, Curcumin and Ellagic acid were evaluated in HeLa cervical cancer cells. Curcumin is a natural compound found in the root of Curcuma longa plant and Ellagic acid a polyphenol found in fruits of strawberries, raspberries and walnuts. The combination of Curcumin and Ellagic acid at various concentrations showed better anticancer properties than either of the drug when used alone as evidenced by MTT assay. Besides this, Curcumin and Ellagic acid also restore p53, induce ROS formation and DNA damage. Mechanistic study further indicated that Curcumin and Ellagic acid show anti-HPV activity as evidenced by decrease in the HPV E6 oncoprotein on HeLa cells.

Diagnostic imaging of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia based on hematoxylin and eosin fluorescence.

BACKGROUND: Pathological classification of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is problematic as it relies on subjective criteria. We developed an imaging method that uses spectroscopy to assess the fluorescent intensity of cervical biopsies derived directly from hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained tissues. METHODS: Archived H&E slides were identified containing normal cervical tissue, CIN I, and CIN III cases, from a Community Hospital and an Academic Medical Center. Cases were obtained by consensus review of at least 2 senior pathologists. Images from H&E slides were captured first with bright field illumination and then with fluorescent illumination. We used a Zeiss Axio Observer Z1 microscope and an AxioVision 4.6.3-AP1 camera at excitation wavelength of 450-490 nm with emission captured at 515-565 nm. The 32-bit grayscale fluorescence images were used for image analysis. RESULTS: We reviewed 108 slides: 46 normal, 33 CIN I and 29 CIN III. Fluorescent intensity increased progressively in normal epithelial tissue as cells matured and advanced from the basal to superficial regions of the epithelium. In CIN I cases this change was less prominent as compared to normal. In high grade CIN lesions, there was a slight or no increase in fluorescent intensity. All groups examined were statistically different. CONCLUSION: Presently, there are no markers to help in classification of CIN I-III lesions. Our imaging method may complement standard H&E pathological review and provide objective criteria to support the CIN diagnosis.

Coupling to a glioblastoma-directed antibody potentiates antitumor activity of curcumin.

Current therapies for glioblastoma are largely palliative, involving surgical resection followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy, which yield serious side effects and very rarely produce complete recovery. Curcumin, a food component, blocked brain tumor formation but failed to eliminate established brain tumors in vivo, probably because of its poor bioavailability. In the glioblastoma GL261 cells, it suppressed the tumor-promoting proteins NF-κB, P-Akt1, vascular endothelial growth factor, cyclin D1 and BClXL and triggered cell death. Expression of exogenous p50 and p65 subunits of NF-κB conferred partial protection on transfected GL261 cells against curcumin insult, indicating that NF-κB played a key role in protecting glioblastoma cells. To enhance delivery, we coupled curcumin to the glioblastoma-specific CD68 antibody in a releasable form. This resulted in a 120-fold increase in its efficacy to eliminate GL261 cells. A very similar dose response was also obtained with human glioblastoma lines T98G and U87MG. GL261-implanted mice receiving intratumor infusions of the curcumin-CD68 adduct followed by tail-vein injections of solubilized curcumin displayed a fourfold to fivefold reduction in brain tumor load, survived longer, and about 10% of them lived beyond 100 days. Hematoxylin-eosin staining of brain sections revealed a small scar tissue mass in the rescued mice, indicating adduct-mediated elimination of glioblastoma tumor. The tumor cells were strongly CD68+ and some cells in the tumor periphery were strongly positive for microglial Iba1, but weakly positive for CD68. This strategy of antibody targeting of curcumin to tumor comes with the promise of yielding a highly effective therapy for glioblastoma brain tumors.

Curcumin potentiates the ability of sunitinib to eliminate the VHL-lacking renal cancer cells 786-O: rapid inhibition of Rb phosphorylation as a preamble to cyclin D1 inhibition.

Curcumin, an important component of the culinary spice turmeric, has been shown to harbor anticancer properties against a wide range of cancer cells with minimal toxicity toward normal cells. Two general tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) sunitinib and sorafenib are currently used in treating renal cancer. Though the use of these TKIs has significantly improved survival, both elicit distressing side effects, limiting their long-term use. We tested the activity of sunitinib and sorafenib to eliminate 786-O renal cancer cells and the efficacy of curcumin to enhance this process. A four-fold decrease in the IC50 of sunitinib, from 4.5 µM to 1.2 µM, was observed in the presence of 20-µM curcumin. However, curcumin did not potentiate the activity of sorafenib. The sunitinib-curcumin (SunC) combination sharply inhibited hyperphosphorylation of the tumor suppressor protein Rb within 8 hours of SunC treatment. Although the levels of cyclin D1 did not change in 8 hours, its expression was dramatically inhibited after 24 hours of SunC exposure. Since curcumin is known to inhibit the cyclin D1-dependent G1/S-phase kinase CDK4 and the cyclin B-dependent G2/M-phase kinase CDK1 that catalyze phosphorylation-mediated inactivation of Rb, our results indicate that SunC containing a lower dose of sunitinib would be effective in restoring the tumor suppressor activity of Rb, thereby truncating cell cycle and triggering cell death. Our results submit the possibility of using SunC as an effective antitumor formulation to reduce the dose and risk of adverse effects of sunitinib.

A novel curcumin-based vaginal cream Vacurin selectively eliminates apposed human cervical cancer cells.

OBJECTIVE: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections remain a leading cause of mortality worldwide. In the U.S. strategies via screening and vaccination prevent HPV-associated cervical neoplasms, but consume immense healthcare costs. The spice component curcumin has potent anticancer and antiviral properties, which have been difficult to harness as a treatment, due to its poor systemic bioavailability. This project tests the possibility of developing a curcumin-based therapy for cervical cancer. METHODS: Using four HPV(+) cervical cancer cell lines and normal fibroblasts we first tested the selectivity and potency of curcumin in eliminating HPV(+) cells. Subsequently, we developed a curcumin-based cervical cream and tested its efficacy in eliminating apposed HPV(+) cells and also its possible side effects on the vaginal epithelium of healthy mice. RESULTS: Curcumin selectively eliminates a variety of HPV(+) cervical cancer cells (HeLa, ME-180, SiHa, and SW756), suppresses the transforming antigen E6, dramatically inhibits the expression of the pro-cancer protein epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and concomitantly induces p53. Additionally, Vacurin, a uniform colloidal solution of curcumin in a clinically used amphipathic vaginal cream, eliminates apposed HeLa cells while suppressing the expression of EGFR. In mice, daily intravaginal application of Vacurin for three weeks produced no change in body weight and when the mice were sacrificed, the vaginal tract epithelium showed no Vacurin-evoked adverse effects. CONCLUSION: We have developed a curcumin-based vaginal cream, which effectively eradicates HPV(+) cancer cells and does not affect non-cancerous tissue. Our preclinical data support a novel approach for the treatment of cervical HPV infection.

Atp8a1 deficiency is associated with phosphatidylserine externalization in hippocampus and delayed hippocampus-dependent learning.

The molecule responsible for the enzyme activity plasma membrane (PM) aminophospholipid translocase (APLT), which catalyzes phosphatidylserine (PS) translocation from the outer to the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane, is unknown in mammals. A Caenorhabditis elegans study has shown that ablation of transbilayer amphipath transporter-1 (TAT-1), which is an ortholog of a mammalian P-type ATPase, Atp8a1, causes PS externalization in the germ cells. We demonstrate here that the hippocampal cells of the dentate gyrus, and Cornu Ammonis (CA1, CA3) in mice lacking Atp8a1 exhibit a dramatic increase in PS externalization. Although their hippocampi showed no abnormal morphology or heightened apoptosis, these mice displayed increased activity and a marked deficiency in hippocampus-dependent learning, but no hyper-anxiety. Such observations indicate that Atp8a1 plays a crucial role in PM-APLT activity in the neuronal cells. In corroboration, ectopic expression of Atp8a1 but not its close homolog, Atp8a2, caused an increase in the population (V(max) ) of PM-APLT without any change in its signature parameter K(m) in the neuronal N18 cells. Conversely, expression of a P-type phosphorylation-site mutant of Atp8a1 (Atp8a1*) caused a decrease in V(max) of PM-APLT without significantly altering its K(m) . The Atp8a1*-expressing N18 cells also exhibited PS externalization without apoptosis. Together, our data strongly indicate that Atp8a1 plays a central role in the PM-APLT activity of some mammalian cells, such as the neuronal N18 and hippocampal cells.

Coupling to a cancer cell-specific antibody potentiates tumoricidal properties of curcumin.

In vitro studies have shown that curcumin, a polyphenol from the culinary component turmeric, has strong anticancer properties. However, there is no consensus on its therapeutic effect in human. Our earlier experiments involving implanted murine melanoma B16F10 cells in the neck or brain of syngeneic C57BL6 mice showed that tail vein injection of curcumin blocks formation of lesions and tumor in these mice. However, such treatment was ineffective in eliminating established tumors that already occupied ≤10% of brain volume. Possible reasons include low solubility and rapid metabolism of curcumin in vivo. To increase its efficacy, we have linked curcumin through a cleavable arm to an antibody (Ab) against the melanoma surface antigen Muc18. The antibody-coupled curcumin was 230-fold more effective in eliminating B16F10 cells in vitro, and in vivo, it rapidly decimated established, B16F10-evoked brain tumors, enabling the rescued mice to live normally far beyond 90 days from implantation of cancer cells. In contrast, mice treated with Muc18 Ab alone died of brain tumor within a month. In B16F10 cells, curcumin-Ab (adduct) treatment caused a dramatic inhibition of NF-kB: a transcription factor that is constitutively activated in cancer cells. Furthermore, overexpression of NF-kB in the B16F10 cells blocked adduct-evoked stimulation of caspase-3/7 activity. Thus, by suppressing NF-kB, the curcumin adduct inhibits other downstream tumor-promoting proteins, thereby eliminating the B16F10 cells. Our study submits a novel yet generally applicable strategy of converting curcumin into a potent anticancer agent and provides a mechanistic framework for its action.

Erk1/2-dependent phosphorylation of PKCalpha at threonine 638 in hippocampal 5-HT(1A) receptor-mediated signaling.

Stimulation of the serotonin 1A receptor (5-HT(1A)-R) causes activation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (Erk) and protein kinase C alpha (PKCalpha) in both hippocampal HN2-5 cells and cultured hippocampal slices from postnatal day-15 (P15) mice. Our earlier studies demonstrated that PKCalpha is co-immunoprecipitated with Erk and the phosphorylation of PKCalpha in this Erk-PKCalpha complex is dependent on the Erk pathway. Furthermore, the T(638) residue, which must be phosphorylated for the complete activation of PKCalpha, is within an authentic Erk consensus domain (S/TP), and the PKCalpha protein also contains two docking sites for Erk such as KRGRIYL and KRGIIYRDLKL. Using Föster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) we have confirmed an association between Erk and PKCalpha. Employing PKCalpha and Erk mutants we next demonstrated that Erk causes direct phosphorylation and activation of PKCalpha. By mutating the phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK-1)-promoted phosphorylation site (S(497)) and the kinase site (K(368)) in PKCalpha, we observed that both of these autophosphorylation-deficient mutants are phosphorylated at T(638) in an Erk-dependent manner. To confirm that Erk indeed catalyzes phosphorylation of PKCalpha at T(638), we used a mutant Erk construct in which a relatively large amino acid residue in the ATP binding site (Q(103)) had been replaced with glycine, enabling this mutant to utilize a bulky analog of ATP, cyclopentyl ATP. An in vitro kinase assay using this mutant Erk protein, radiolabeled cyclopentyl ATP, and a synthetic oligopeptide containing the S/TP site of PKCalpha demonstrated phosphorylation of the peptide by Erk1/2. These results confirm the novel possibility that PKCalpha is a direct substrate of Erk1/2 in neuronal cells and help link two important signaling molecules that regulate maturation and protection of hippocampal neurons as well as many other cell types.

A genetic strategy involving a glycosyltransferase promoter and a lipid translocating enzyme to eliminate cancer cells.

The most common therapeutic strategy for the treatment of cancer uses antimetabolites, which block uncontrolled division of cancer cells and kill them. However, such antimetabolites also kill normal cells, thus yielding detrimental side effects. This emphasizes the need for an alternative therapy, which would have little or no side effects. Our approach involves designing genetic means to alter surface lipid determinants that induce phagocytosis of cancer cells. The specific target of this strategy has been the enzyme activity termed aminophospholipid translocase (APLT) or flippase that causes translocation of phosphatidylserine (PS) from the outer to the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane in viable cells. Efforts to identify the enigmatic, plasma membrane APLT of mammalian cells have led investigators to some P-type ATPases, which have often proven to be the APLT of internal membranes rather than the plasma membrane. By measuring kinetic parameters for the plasma membrane APLT activity, we have shown that the P-type ATPase Atp8a1 is the plasma membrane APLT of the tumorigenic N18 cells, but not the non-tumorigenic HN2 (hippocampal neuron x N18) cells. Targeted knockdown of this enzyme causes PS externalization in the N18 cells, which would trigger phagocytic removal of these cells. But how would we specifically express the mutants or antisense Atp8a1 in the cancer cells? This has brought us to a glycosyltransferase, GnT-V, which is highly expressed in the transformed cells. By using the GnT-V promoter to drive a luciferase reporter gene we have demonstrated a dramatic increase in luciferase expression selectively in tumor cells. The described strategy could be tested for the removal of cancer cells without the use of antimetabolites that often kill normal cells.

Age-dependent differential expression and activity of rat liver cytosolic inorganic pyrophosphatase gene.

Besides epigenetic factors, the genetic make-up and differential gene expression not only determines aging and disease susceptibility but also the functional activity of cells in an individual. Analysis of a variety of mammalian tissues revealed that the age-associated differentially expressed genes mainly belong to inflammation, stress, and metabolism. Intracellular PPi is a by-product of multiple biosynthetic reactions and its hydrolysis by cytosolic inorganic pyrophosphatase (iPPase) has long been considered as an important homeostatic mechanism favoring biosynthesis. In this paper we report an age-associated increase ( approximately 2-fold) in the expression of rat liver cytosolic iPPase gene by differential display PCR and northern blot analysis. Expression profiling of iPPase by RNA slot blot analysis in several other tissues revealed no significant change with aging. A comparative spectrophotometric and in-gel analysis of iPPase activity in whole cell lysate (WCL) of liver, brain, skeletal muscle, heart, spleen and kidney exhibited that liver of old rats (24 months ) has approximately 2-fold more activity than the adult (4 months) ones and also its activity is highest among the tissues. The specificity of iPPase activity in the spectrophotometric assay and in-gel analysis was confirmed by specific iPPase inhibitors like CaCl(2) and NaF.

Altered expression of trefoil factor 3 and cathepsin L gene in rat kidney during aging.

Alterations in a wide array of physiological functions are normal consequences of aging. It is likely that, decline in cellular and physiological functions that occur during aging are the net result of age related differential gene expression and their consequent down stream effects. In this report we demonstrate that in aged kidney there is a decrease in the expression of trefoil factor 3 gene and an age-related increase in the expression of cathepsin L gene as revealed by differential display PCR (DD-PCR) and northern blot analysis. Trefoil factor 3 is mainly expressed in the alimentary canal and protects it from the degradative effect of HCl by stimulating the goblet cells to synthesize mucin. Though the exact role of trefoil factor 3 in kidney is not known, we speculate that it has a protective role in kidney. Cathepsin L is a cysteine protease which degrades connective tissue proteins like collagen, elastin and fibronectin. Increase in the expression of cathepsin L in aged kidney leading to considerable loss of organ function in old age. Down regulation of trefoil factor 3 and up regulation of cathepsin L may contribute to lack of protection and increased age related tissue damage to kidney in aging.