The study was conducted to investigate the role of c-Myc in the regulation of ionizing radiation-induced cell cycle arrest and cell death in human cervical cancer cells. Control and c-Myc-silenced Hela cells were collected at different time points after 60 Co γ-ray radiation. Flow cytometry was used to measure cell cycle distribution and apoptosis. Immunofluorescence was applied to determine the percentage of cells in M phase. Transmission electron microscopy and immunoblotting were used to detect the induction of autophagy after radiation. Immunoblotting was also used to measure the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins. In c-Myc-silenced cells, radiation induced delayed but long-lasting G2/M arrest and an abnormal M phase compared with the control. In addition, c-Myc knockdown significantly inhibited apoptotic cell death induced by radiation. Meanwhile, radiation-induced autophagy appeared stronger in c-Myc-silenced cells. Mechanically, we found that Caspase 8 and survivin expression was decreased in c-Myc-silenced Hela-630 cells. These data showed that c-Myc serves as a co-regulator in radiation-induced G2/M cell cycle arrest and cell death in human cervical cancer cells.

Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is a highly conserved ATP-dependent chaperone protein that plays a vital role in tumorigenesis. This study aims to investigate the apoptosis inducer role of BIIB021 (orally available HSP90 inhibitors) compound via inhibition of HSP90 activity in the human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa). The anticancer potential of BIIB021 was determined by XTT [2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)] cell proliferation assay against the human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa). ATPase and luciferase aggregation assays were carried out to detect the HSP90 inhibitor potential of BIIB021. To determine the antiproliferative mechanism of the BIIB021, the expression level of the pro-apoptotic and antiapoptotic markers was determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and ELISA experiments. BIIB021 exhibited a cytotoxic effect on HeLa cell proliferation and the inhibitory concentration (IC)50 dose of BIIB021 was found to be 14.79 nM at 48 h. BIIB021 decreased the ATP hydrolysis rate of HSP90 and blocked the refolding of the desaturated luciferase in the presence of ATP. To understand the antiproliferative mechanism of the BIIB021 in HeLa cells, the mRNA and protein expression levels of the apoptotic markers [BCL-2 associated X (BAX), B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2), cytochrome-c (CYT-c), and caspase-3 (CAS-3)] were determined by RT-PCR and ELISA experiments. The results obtained indicated that BIIB021 decreased BCL-2 levels and increased BAX, CYT-c, and CAS-3 levels in human cervical cancer cells. These results confirmed that BIIB021 inhibited the chaperone activity of HSP90, resulting in anti-proliferating effects in cervical cancer cells via the induction of the intrinsic apoptotic pathways.

Previously, we found that desethylamiodarone (DEA) may have therapeutic potentiality in bladder cancer. In this study, we determined its effects on human cervical cancer cells (HeLa). Cell viability was evaluated by Muse Cell Count & Viability Assay; cell apoptosis was detected by Muse Annexin V & Dead Cell Assay. Cell cycle was flow cytometrically determined by Muse Cell Cycle Kit and the morphological changes of the cells were observed under a fluorescence microscope after Hoechst 33342 staining. The changes in the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins in the HeLa cells were assessed by immunoblot. Our results showed that DEA significantly inhibited the proliferation and viability of HeLa cells and induced apoptosis in vitro in dose-dependent and also in cell cycle-dependent manner because DEA induced G0/G1 phase arrest in the HeLa cell line. We found that DEA treatment downregulated the expression of phospho-Akt and phospho-Bad. In addition, DEA could downregulate expression of Bcl-2, upregulate Bax, and induce cytochrome c release. Our results indicate that DEA might have significance as an anti-tumor agent against human cervical cancer.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of aloe-emodin (AE) on the radiosensitivity and differentiation of HeLa human cervical cancer cells. Cell proliferation was assessed in the HeLa cervical cancer cell line by a methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide assay. Radiosensitivity was determined by a colony‑forming assay. Flow cytometry was used for analysis of cell cycle distribution and apoptosis. The expression of γ-H2AX and cyclinB was assessed by western blotting. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was measured by an ALP activity kit. It was demonstrated that AE inhibited the proliferation of HeLa cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, induced G2/M and S phase cell cycle arrest and enhanced the radiosensitivity of HeLa cells. The combination of AE and radiation induced apoptosis, upregulated cyclin B and γ-H2AX expression and further improved ALP activity compared with treatment with AE or radiation alone. AE enhanced the radiosensitivity of HeLa human cervical cancer cells invitro, inhibited the proliferation of HeLa cells, induced G2/M phase cell cycle arrest and, in combination with radiation, induced the apoptosis and improved the differentiation of HeLa cells.

Objective To investigate the photochemotherapeutic effect and the main affecting factors of PSD-007 on human cervical cancer Hela in vitro.Methods Hela cells were treated with different concentrations of PSD-007 (0,3.125,6.25,12.5,25,50,100 μg/ml) for 2 h under the influence of low-level laser (635 nm) therapy at different doses (0,0.6,1.2,2.4,4.8,9.6 J/cm2).Then the OD values and survival rates of Hela cells were measured by MTT assay compared with breast cancer cells MCF-7 in same treatment.Hela cells were treated with 12.5 μg/ml of PSD-007 for 2 h and were treated with different intensities of laser (1.2,2.4,4.8 J/cm2).The cellular apoptosis rate and cell cycle phase distribution of Hela were measured by a flow cytometry (FCM).Results Survival rates of Hela cells declined with more than 25 μg/ml of PSD-007 only,and significant difference in the inhibitory between the PDT group and control group was observed (P＜0.05).The survival rates of Hela after PDT was decreased by the concentration of sensitizer and dose of laser.There were no significant differences of cell survival rates among the groups with concentrations more than 12.5 μg/ml and laser energy density more than 4.8 J/cm2.The FCM assay showed a G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in a time-dependent manner.Conclusions PSD-007 has a photodynamic effect on Hela in vitro.Photodynamic effect of PSD-007 was more significant in Hela than MCF-7.Less photosensitizer and laser energy density were needed. Key words: Photodynamic therapy; Human cervical cancer cells; Hela; PSD-007

Extracellular adenosine is akey signaling molecule which mediates immune suppression, angiogenesis, and regulates cancer cells growth. The effect of adenosine on cervical cancer cells migration and invasion has not been well studied. In the current study, we used Hela and SiHa cell lines to evaluate the effects of adenosine on cervical cancer cells migration, invasion, and apoptosis. The results showed that adenosine treatment inhibited the migration and invasion activities of Hela and SiHa cells. Moreover, by determining the expression of molecules which were involved in epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) progress, we found that epithelial marker E-cadherin was significantly increased in response to adenosine treatment, while the mesenchymal markers including N-cadherin and fibronectin were decreased. These data suggested that adenosine inhibited cervical cancer cells via repressing the EMT progress. The flow cytometry analysis showed that adenosine could also induce cervical cancer cell apoptosis, which mechanism was further confirmed by investigating the expression levels of apoptosis related molecules, via activating mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. These data might suggest that adenosine could be used as an agent for the treatment of cervical cancer.

Abstract Introduction: Altered cellular energy metabolism is a crucial characteristic of most cancers regardless of tissue or cellular origin. In contrast to normal cells, which generate most of their adenosine triphosphate (ATP) through oxidative phosphorylation, cancer cells are dependent on aerobic glycolysis to meet energy demands (Warburg effect). However, recent studies demonstrate an upregulation in mitochondrial activity (O2 consumption and ATP production) when cancer cells are subjected to stress, such as radiation/chemotherapy treatment. To understand the significance of ATP produced by oxidative phosphorylation in cancer cells, a synthetic ATP-binding protein, DX, was targeted to the mitochondria in HeLa cells to reduce bioavailable ATP. Hypothesis: Reduced available ATP, due to DX in the mitochondria of HeLa cells, will negatively affect cellular metabolism, viability and chemoresistance. Methods: For controlled expression, DX was cloned into the pcDNA™5/TO expression vector under the control of a tetracycline (Tet)-regulated promoter. The DX construct was designed to translocate into the matrix of the mitochondria using the mitochondria targeting sequence and the 3’ UTR of a nuclear SOD2 gene. Cultured T-REx™ HeLa cells (which stably express the Tet-repressor protein) were transfected with pcDNA™5/TO::DX-MITO. As a control, T-REx™ HeLa cells were transfected with the parent plasmid, pcDNA™5/TO, and cultured under identical conditions. RT-PCR was performed to confirm DX expression, while western blot analysis was performed to confirm DX localization to the mitochondria. The impact of DX on cell viability and morphology was assessed using a tetrazolium-based colorimetric assay, caspase 3/7 assay, and by light/fluorescent microscopy. To correlate phenotypic change with DX activity, the level of bioavailable ADP /ATP was measured at specific time points following DX induction. Results: RT-PCR and western blot analysis confirmed DX expression and translation in HeLa cells, respectively, following Tet induction. Cells expressing DX experienced a significant reduction in viability and alteration in morphology compared to control HeLa cells. Contemporaneous with DX expression, bioavailable ATP decreased and the levels of caspases 3/7 increased suggesting that a majority of cells undergo apoptosis in response to energy crisis. Conclusion: Reduced intracellular ATP levels, mediated by a synthetic ATP-binding protein, negatively affects the viability of cervical cancer cells. The consequence of this on biochemical pathways, mitochondrial function and cell viability requires further investigation. We suggest DX, could be used to control and regulate energy metabolism and represents a new approach for cancer chemotherapy. Citation Format: Eddie Khav, Bernardo Chavira, Matt Hamada, Nagaraj Vinay Janthakahalli, Shaleen Korch. Intracellular ATP depletion in cancer cells by a synthetic ATP-binding protein. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 214.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of Casticin on proliferation inhibition of human cervical cancer HeLa cells in vitro and to unravel the associated mechanisms. Human cervical HeLa cells were cultured in vitro. The inhibitory effect of Casticin on the viability of human cervical cancer HeLa cells was evaluated by the MTT assay. The colony formation ability was detected by plate colony formation assay. Distribution of cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry. The protein expression levels were analyzed by Western blot. Casticin significantly inhibited the growth of human cervical cancer HeLa cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and the IC50 was 2.82 μg/mL. The colony-forming rate was reduced drastically compared with control group (P < 0.05). The cells were markedly arrested at G2/M phase after the treatment of Casticin for 48 h. Western blot showed that the expression of p21 protein was up-regulated and protein level of Cyclin B1 was depressed by Casticin in a concentration dependent manner. Casticin could inhibit the cell growth and lead to cell arrest in human cervical cancer HeLa cells, and the down-regulation of Cyclin B1 protein expression and activation of p21 protein might contribute to Casticin induced cell arrest in human cervical cancer HeLa cells.

Abstract Introduction: Cancer cells utilize a markedly reduced oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) when experiencing conditions of high oxygen stress (Warburg Effect/aerobic glycolysis), a phenomenon first studied by Otto Warburg. While there have been many discoveries associated with metabolic differences across cancer cells, one of the most common alterations is the primary means of generating ATP. The importance of deciphering these cellular decisions will enable an understanding of the multifaceted role ATP has in cancer proliferation, senescence, and chemotherapeutic resistance. The use of synthetic protein DX, a man-made ATP chelator with high specificity and affinity, is a proposed method of investigating the metabolic response in cancer cells. Hypothesis: Following DX expression, HeLa cells respond to energy stress (reduced intracellular ATP) via metabolic adaptations, specifically inducing the spare respiratory capacity. Methods: The impact of DX on cell viability was determined using a tetrazolium-based colorimetric cell viability assay and a caspase 3/7 assay. To correlate phenotypic/viability change with DX activity, bioavailable ATP levels were measured at specific time points following DX expression. Additionally, the relative contribution of glycolysis and OXPHOS to the total ATP production rate was measured using the label-free XF Real Time ATP Rate Assay and XF Cell Mito Stress Test (XFe96 Seahorse, Agilent Technologies) over time post DX expression. To determine the impact of ATP stress on mitochondrial and nuclear content, both were quantified following DX-expression. Results: In a time- and dose- dependent manner, DX negatively impacted cell growth and induced cell death via apoptosis, at a time concomitant with a decrease in bioavailable ATP. In response to DX over time, the total ATP production rates in HeLa cells significantly decreased. Importantly, this reduction in the rate of ATP production was associated with a significant downregulation in both OXPHOS and glycolysis. Conclusion: Advances in synthetic biology have allowed for the intentional design of artificial proteins that maintain function in vivo. These proteins can be developed into powerful investigative tools to study biological questions, such as cellular decisions involved in cancer cell metabolism. In response to DX-potentiated ATP stress, the significant reduction in both glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation suggests metabolic downregulation is required to maintain HeLa cell viability. Citation Format: Parth K. Jayaswal, Taha Muhammad, Ashley Brown, Jeffrey Norris, Shaleen B. Korch. Metabolic response in human cervical cancer cells to modifications in bioavailable ATP. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 3694.

Abstract: To investigate whether juglone could inhibits the proliferation on human cervical cancer cells (HeLa) in vitro. Cells were divided into control group, different concentration (10μM, 20μM, 50μM, 100μM and200μM) juglone groups for different durations. The viability of HeLa cells was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. The morphology changes of HeLa cells were observed by inverted microscope .The results showed that the viability of HeLa cells was decreased and the cell morphology was changed in a dose-dependent manner after treatment different concentration juglone for 24h when compared with control group. The results suggest that Juglone may be effective for the treatment of HeLa cells.