Cathepsin-K inhibition enhances anti-cancerous activity within oral squamous cell carcinoma cells: Uncloaking the potency of new K21 formulation.

BACKGROUND: The ability of cancer cells to be invasive and metastasize depend on several factors, of which the action of protease activity takes center stage in disease progression. PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE: To analyze function of new K21 molecule in the invasive process of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell line. MATERIALS & METHODS: The Fusobacterium (ATCC 23726) streaks were made, and pellets were resuspended in Cal27 (ATCC CRL-2095) OSCC cell line spheroid cell microplate. Cells were seeded and Lysotracker staining performed for CathepsinK red channel. Cell and morphology were evaluated using Transmission Electron microscopy. Thiobarbituric acid assay was performed. OSCC was analyzed for Mic60. Raman spectra were collected from the cancer cell line. L929 dermal fibroblast cells were used for Scratch Assay. ELISA muti arrays were used for cytokines and matrix molecules. Internalization ability of fibroblast cells were also analyzed. Structure of K21 as a surfactant molecule with best docked poses were presented. RESULTS: Decrease in lysosomal staining was observed after 15 and 30 min of 0.1% treatment. Tumor clusters were associated with cell membrane destruction in K21 primed cells. There was functional silencing of Mic60 via K21, especially with 1% concentration with reduced cell migration and invasiveness. Raman intensity differences were seen at 700 cm-1, 1200 cm-1 and 1600 cm-1 regions. EVs were detected within presence of fibroblast cells amongst K21 groups. Wound area and wound closure showed the progress of wound healing. CONCLUSION: Over expression of CatK can be reduced by a newly developed targeted K21 based drug delivery system leading to reduced migration and adhesion of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. The K21 drug formulation can have great potential for cancer therapies due to targeting and cytotoxicity effects.

An in silico approach towards the identification of novel inhibitors of the TLR-4 signaling pathway.

Precise functioning and fine-tuning of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling is a critical requirement for the smooth functioning of the innate immune system, since aberrant TLR4 activation causes excessive production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and interferons. This can result in life threatening conditions such as septic shock and other inflammatory disorders. The TRIF-related adaptor molecule (TRAM) adaptor protein is unique to the TLR4 signaling pathway and abrogation of TRAM-mediated TLR4 signaling is a promising strategy for developing therapeutics aimed at disrupting TRAM interactions with other components of the TLR4 signaling complex. The VIPER motif from the vaccinia virus-producing protein, A46 has been reported to disrupt TRAM-TLR4 interactions. We have exploited this information, in combination with homology modeling and docking approaches, to identify a potential binding site on TRAM lined by the BB loop and αC helix. Virtual screening of commercially available small molecules targeting the binding site enabled to short-list 12 small molecules to abrogate TRAM-mediated TLR4 signaling. Molecular dynamics and molecular mechanics calculations have been performed for the analysis of these receptor-ligand interactions.