Mouse Ascites Tumor Cells Research Articles

Combined treatment with dissolved hydrogen molecule and platinum nanocolloid exerts carcinostatic/carcinocidal effects by increasing hydrogen peroxide generation and cell death in the human gastric cancer cell line NUGC-4

Many studies have shown that redox regulation is an effective therapeutic strategy for different types of cancer. We have previously demonstrated that combined treatment with dissolved hydrogen molecule (H2) and platinum nanocolloid (Pt-nc) has carcinostatic effects and that increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were closely associated with carcinostatic effects in Ehrlich mouse ascites tumor cells. However, it is unknown whether combined treatment-induced ROS generation can occur in human cancer cells. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the carcinostatic effect of the combined treatment in human cells and investigate the relationship between treatment efficacy and ROS generation. H2 and Pt-nc treatment could exert cytostatic action by inhibiting the growth of human promyelocytic leukemia HL60 and human gastric adenocarcinoma-derived NUGC-4 cells; however, no effect was observed in normal human embryo fibroblast OUMS-36 cells by the temporary exposure. These findings indicate that combined treatment with H2 and Pt-nc may act selectively in tumor cells compared with normal cells. Additionally, combined treatment with H2 and Pt-nc resulted in an approximately 200-fold increase in intracellular ROS levels compared with the control, whereas the suppressive effect of tumor cell growth was abrogated entirely by catalase treatment in NUGC-4 cells. Furthermore, combined treatment with H2 and Pt-nc induced hydrogen peroxide generation, cellular morphological changes, cell death, and a decline in DNA synthesis-positive cells. In conclusion, combined treatment with H2 and Pt-nc can induce carcinostatic/carcinocidal effects through intracellular ROS increase, morphological changes, cell death, and DNA synthesis suppression in the human tumor cell line.

High-Precision Lensless Microscope on a Chip Based on In-Line Holographic Imaging.

The lensless on-chip microscope is an emerging technology in the recent decade that can realize the imaging and analysis of biological samples with a wide field-of-view without huge optical devices and any lenses. Because of its small size, low cost, and being easy to hold and operate, it can be used as an alternative tool for large microscopes in resource-poor or remote areas, which is of great significance for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases. To improve the low-resolution characteristics of the existing lensless shadow imaging systems and to meet the high-resolution needs of point-of-care testing, here, we propose a high-precision on-chip microscope based on in-line holographic technology. We demonstrated the ability of the iterative phase recovery algorithm to recover sample information and evaluated it with image quality evaluation algorithms with or without reference. The results showed that the resolution of the holographic image after iterative phase recovery is 1.41 times that of traditional shadow imaging. Moreover, we used machine learning tools to identify and count the mixed samples of mouse ascites tumor cells and micro-particles that were iterative phase recovered. The results showed that the on-chip cell counter had high-precision counting characteristics as compared with manual counting of the microscope reference image. Therefore, the proposed high-precision lensless microscope on a chip based on in-line holographic imaging provides one promising solution for future point-of-care testing (POCT).

Implications for the Predictivity of Cell-Based Developmental Toxicity Assays Developed Two Decades Apart

Many in vitro developmental toxicity assays have been proposed over several decades. Since the late 1980s, we have made intermittent attempts to introduce in vitro assays as screening tests for developmental toxicity of in-house candidate products. Two cell-based assays which were developed two decades apart were intensively studied. One was an assay of inhibitory effects on mouse ascites tumor cell attachment to a concanavalin A-coated plastic sheet surface (MOT assay), which we studied in the early days of assay development. The other was an assay of inhibitory effects on the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cell to beating heart cells (EST assay), which we assessed more recently. We evaluated the suitability of the assays for screening in-house candidates. The concordance rates with in vivo developmental toxicity were at the 60% level. The EST assay classified chemicals that inhibited cell proliferation as embryo-toxic. Both assays had a significant false positive rate. The assays were generally considered unsuitable for screening the developmental toxicity of our candidate compounds. Recent test systems adopt advanced technologies. Despite such evolution of materials and methods, the concordance rates of the EST and MOT systems were similar. This may suggest that the fundamental predictivity of in vitro developmental toxicity assays has remained basically unchanged for decades. To improve their predictivity, in vitro developmental toxicity assays should be strictly based on elucidated pathogenetic mechanisms of developmental toxicity.

Tumor specific ultrasound enhanced gene transfer in vivo with novel liposomal bubbles

Bubble liposomes (liposomes which entrap an ultrasound imaging gas) may constitute a unique system for delivering various molecules efficiently into mammalian cells in vitro. In this study, Bubble liposomes were compared with cationic lipid (CL)–DNA complexes as potential gene delivery carriers into tumor in vivo. The delivery of genes by Bubble liposomes depended on the intensity of the applied ultrasound. Transfection efficiency plateaued at 0.7 W/cm 2 ultrasound intensity. Bubble liposomes efficiently transferred genes into cultured cells even when the cells were exposed to ultrasound for only 1 s. In addition, Bubble liposomes could introduce the luciferase gene more effectively than CL-DNA complexes into mouse ascites tumor cells and solid tumor tissue. We conclude that the combination of Bubble liposomes and ultrasound is a minimally-invasive and tumor specific gene transfer method in vivo.

Cell content of phosphatidylinositol (4,5)bisphosphate in Ehrlich mouse ascites tumour cells in response to cell volume perturbations in anisotonic and in isosmotic media

The labelling pattern of cellular phosphoinositides (PtdInsP(n)) was studied in Ehrlich ascites cells labelled in vivo for 24 h with myo-[2-(3)H]- or l-myo-[1-(3)H]inositol and exposed to anisotonic or isosmotic volume perturbations. In parallel experiments the cell volume ([(14)C]3-OMG space) was monitored. In hypotonic media the cells initially swelled osmotically and subsequently as expected showed a regulatory volume decrease (RVD) response. Concurrently, the cell content of PtdInsP(2) showed a marked, transient decrease and the content of PtdInsP a small, transient increase. The changes in PtdInsP(2) and PtdInsP content increased progressively with the extent of hypotonicity (in the range 1.00-0.50 relative osmolarity). No evidence was found for either hydrolysis of PtdInsP(2) or formation of PtdInsP(3). In hypertonic medium (relative osmolarity 1.50), cells initially shrank osmotically and subsequently as expected showed a small regulatory volume increase (RVI) response. Concurrently, the cell content of PtdInsP(2) showed a marked increase and the content of PtdInsP a small decrease, i.e. changes in the opposite direction of those seen in hypotonic media. In isosmotic media with high (100 mm) or low (0.8 mm) K(+) concentration, cells slowly swelled or shrank due to uptake or loss of isosmotic KCl. Under these conditions, with largely unchanged intracellular ionic strength, the cell content of PtdInsP(2) and PtdInsP remained constant. Our results show that PtdInsP(2) is not volume sensitive per se, and moreover that the regulatory volume adjustments in Ehrlich ascites cells are not mediated by PtdInsP(2) hydrolysis and its subsequent production of second messengers. The simplest interpretation of the observed effects would be that PtdInsP(2) is controlled by ionic strength, probably via activation/inhibition of phosphoinositide-specific phosphatases/kinases. In Ehrlich ascites cells, as shown previously, the opposing ion channels and transporters activated during RVD and RVI, respectively, are controlled with tight negative coordination by a common cell volume 'set-point' that is shifted in anisotonic media, but unchanged during cell swelling in isosmotic high K(+) medium. We hypothesize that PtdInsP(2) might orchestrate this 'set-point' shift.

X-irradiation effects on thymidine kinase (TK): II. The significance of deoxythymidine triphosphate for inhibition of TK1 activity.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism behind the high sensitivity of thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) to X-irradiation. The deoxythymidine triphosphate (dTTP) pool was studied in mouse ascites tumour cells 1-24 h after X-irradiation with 5 Gy. Irradiation changed the Michaelis-Menten kinetics of TK1 from linear to biphasic, showing a negative co-operativity. These changes were closely related to changes in the dTTP pool. Addition of dTTP to the cell extract of non-irradiated cells, or thymidine (dTdR) to the culture medium, resulted in changes very similar to the kinetics found in the irradiated cells. Addition of 5 cent-amino-5 cent-deoxythymidine (5 cent-AdTdR), a thymidine analogue that eliminated the inhibitory effect of dTTP on TK1 activity, completely abolished the irradiation-induced inhibition of TK1 activity. We suggest that the reduced TK1 activity is mainly due to an elevated intracellular concentration of dTTP.

Indonesian medicinal plants. XXIV. Stereochemical structure of perseitol x K+ complex isolated from the leaves of Scurrula fusca (Loranthaceae).

A complex of perseitol (D-glycero-D-galacto-heptitol) and K+ ions in a molar ratio of 20:1 was isolated from the leaves of Scurrula fusca (Loranthaceae), which has been traditionally used for the treatment of cancer in Sulawesi Island, Indonesia. The stereochemical structure of the complex in H2O solution has been elucidated by use of several kinds of NMR techniques. Furthermore, it has been found that the complex exhibits a potent inhibitory effect on [3H]-leucine incorporation for protein synthesis in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells in mice.

Mouse SaI Sarcoma Tumor Model

SaI is an A/J-derived (H-2K(k)D(d)) transplantable mouse fibrosarcoma that produces a solid tumor when inoculated subcutaneously, intradermally, or intramuscularly, and an ascites tumor when inoculated intraperitoneally into syngeneic mice. This unit describes the establishment of primary solid SaI/N tumor, the establishment of SaI ascites tumor, and the removal for sampling of in vivo-passaged SaI ascites tumor cells in mice.

Characterisation of a cell swelling-activated K+-selective conductance of ehrlich mouse ascites tumour cells.

The K+ and Cl- currents activated by hypotonic cell swelling were studied in Ehrlich ascites tumour cells using the whole-cell recording mode of the patch-clamp technique. Currents were measured in the absence of added intracellular Ca2+ and with strong buffering of Ca2+. K+ current activated by cell swelling was measured as outward current at the Cl- equilibrium potential (ECl) under quasi-physiological gradients. It could be abolished by replacing extracellular Na+ with K+, thereby cancelling the driving force. Replacement with other cations suggested a selectivity sequence of K+ > Rb+ > NH4 approximately Na+ approximately Li+; Cs+ appeared to be inhibitory. The current-voltage relationship of the volume-sensitive K+ current was well fitted with the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz current equation between -130 and +20 mV with a permeability coefficient of around 10(-6) cm s(-1) with both physiological and high-K+ extracellular solutions. The class III antiarrhythmic drug clofilium blocked the volume-sensitive K+ current in a voltage-independent manner with an IC50 of 32 microM. Clofilium was also found to be a strong inhibitor of the regulatory volume decrease response of Ehrlich cells. Cell swelling-activated K+ currents of Ehrlich cells are voltage and calcium insensitive and are resistant to a range of K+ channel inhibitors. These characteristics are similar to those of the so-called background K+ channels. Noise analysis of whole-cell current was consistent with a unitary conductance of 5.5 pS for the single channels underlying the K+ current evoked by cell swelling, measured at 0 mV under a quasi-physiological K+ gradient.

Distribution of3H within purine nucleotides of Ehrlich mouse ascites tumour cells after intraabdominal injection ofmyo-[2-3H]inositol

In Ehrlich mouse ascites tumour cells, exposed intra-abdominally to [2-3H]inositol, ATP and GTP presented enough aberrant 3H-label to cause potential interference in the chromatographic analysis of inositol phosphates involved in signal transduction. After acid extraction and charcoal adsorption/desorption the nucleotides were dephosphorylated, enriched with [U-14C]adenosine, and exposed to purine-nucleoside specific enzymes. Reverse phase HPLC and radioactivity measurement demonstrated that for adenosine about 82% of total stable 3H label was in ribose and thus about 18% in adenine. For guanosine about 89% was in ribose and 11% in guanine. This aberrant 3H labelling could be avoided using [1-3H]inositol. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Distribution of 3H within purine nucleotides of Ehrlich mouse ascites tumour cells after intraabdominal injection of myo‐[2‐3H]inositol

Distribution of 3H within purine nucleotides of Ehrlich mouse ascites tumour cells after intraabdominal injection of myo‐[2‐3H]inositol

高α-リノレン酸/リノール酸の過剰投与におけるエールリヒ腹水癌細胞の脂肪酸に及ぼす鉄(II),ビタミンC,Eの作用について

高α-リノレン酸/リノール酸の過剰投与におけるエールリヒ腹水癌細胞の脂肪酸に及ぼす鉄(II),ビタミンC,Eの作用について

The inhibitory effect of extract of camellia sinensis and extract of Camellia Ptilophylla Chang on dna polymerase of ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells

Objective: To detect the effect of extract of Camellia Sinensis (ECS) and extract of Camellia Ptilophylla Chang (ECPC) on DNA polymerase (Pol) of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. Methods: Referring to the method of K.Ono, Pol was extracted from Ehrlich ascites tumor cells in mice. Pol α, β, and γ were separated by phosphocellulose column chromatography and were identified. The effect of ECPC and ECS on Pol was studied. Results: ECPC and ECS were shown to inhibit the activity of Pol α, β, and γ. IC50 values of ECS on Pol α, β, and γ were 10.2 µ g/ml, 9.9 µ g/ml and 28.9 µ g/ml respectively. IC50 values of ECPC on Pol α, Pol β and Pol γ were 5.6 µ g/ml, 15 µ g/ml and 14.7 µ g/ml respectively. The modes of inhibition of ECPC on Pol α, Pol β and Pol γ were noncompetitive with respect to template DNA. The Ki values of ECPC on Pol α, β, and γ were 2.68±0.12 µ g/ml, 2.24±0.12 µ g/ml, 2.56±0.18 µ g/ml. Conclusion: ECPC and ECS were shown to have inhibitory effect on DNA polymerase of tumor cells. The mode of inhibition of ECPC on Pol α, Pol β and Pol γ were noncompetitive with respect to template DNA.

On the Role of Calcium in the Regulatory Volume Decrease (RVD) Response in Ehrlich Mouse Ascites Tumor Cells

The putative role for Ca2+ entry and Ca2+ mobilization in the activation of the regulatory volume decrease (RVD) response has been assessed in Ehrlich cells. Following hypotonic exposure (50% osmolarity) there is: (i) no increase in cellular Ins(1,4,5)P3 content, as measured in extracts from [2-3H]myoinositol-labeled cells, a finding at variance with earlier reports from our group; (ii) no evidence of Ca2+-signaling recorded in a suspension of fura-2-loaded cells; (iii) Ca2+-signaling in only about 6% of the single, fura-2-loaded cells at 1-mm Ca2+ (1% only at 0.1-mM Ca2+ and in Ca2+-free medium), as monitored by fluorescence-ratio imaging; (iv) no effect of removing external Ca2+ upon the volume-induced K+ loss; (v) no significant inhibition of the RVD response in cells loaded with the Ca2+ chelator BAPTA when the BAPTA-loading is performed in K+ equilibrium medium; (vi) an inhibition of the swelling-induced K+ loss (about 50%) at 1-mM Ba2+, but almost no effect of charybdotoxin (100 nm) or of clotrimazole (10 microM), reported inhibitors of the K+ loss induced by Ca2+-mobilizing agonists. Thus, Ca2+signaling by Ca2+ release or Ca2+ entry appears to play no role in the activation mechanism for the RVD response in Ehrlich cells.

Cell swelling activates separate taurine and chloride channels in Ehrlich mouse ascites tumor cells

The taurine efflux from Ehrlich ascites tumor cells is stimulated by hypotonic cell swelling. The swelling-activated taurine efflux is unaffected by substitution of gluconate for extracellular Cl- but inhibited by addition of MK196 (anion channel blocker) and 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS; anion channel and anion exchange blocker) and by depolarization of the cell membrane. This is taken to indicate that taurine does not leave the osmotically swollen Ehrlich cells in exchange for extracellular Cl-, i.e., via the anion exchanger but via a MK196- and DIDS-sensitive channel that is potential dependent. An additional stimulation of the swelling-activated taurine efflux is seen after addition of arachidonic acid and oleic acid. Cell swelling also activates a "Mini Cl- channel." The Cl- efflux via this Cl- channel, in contrast to the swelling-activated taurine efflux, is unaffected by DIDS and inhibited by arachidonic acid and oleic acid. It is suggested that the swelling-activated "Mini Cl- channel" and the swelling-activated taurine channel in the Ehrlich cell represent two distinct types of channels.

Activation of protein kinase C during cell volume regulation in Ehrlich mouse ascites tumor cells

We have previously demonstrated that in Ehrlich cells a bumetanide-sensitive Na +,K +,2Cl − cotransporter is activated during regulatory volume decrease after cell shrinkage (hypertonic conditions) as well as during the late phase of regulatory volume decrease (hypotonic conditions). It is, however, quiescent under isotonic conditions. Using a protein kinase C assay system (Amersham, UK) it is here demonstrated that hypertonic cell shrinkage results in an increase in protein kinase C activity to 174% within the first minute, concomitant with the activation of the Na +,K +,2Cl − cotransporter. Hypotonic cell swelling results in a late activation of protein kinase C concomitant with a late activation of the Na +,K +,2Cl − cotransporter. The activation of protein kinase C during hypertonic as well as hypotonic conditions is inhibited by H-7. The more specific protein kinase C inhibitor chelerythrine inhibited protein kinase C as well as the Na +,K +,2Cl − cotransporter to the same extent as did H-7. These results indicate the involvement of protein kinase C in the regulation of the Na +,K +,2Cl − cotransporter in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells during cell volume regulation.

Aberrant 3H labelling of ATP during in vivo labelling of Ehrlich mouse ascites tumour cells with [2-3H]inositol is significant in the study of isomers of InsP3 and InsP4

Neutralized perchloric acid extracts of intra-abdominally proliferating Ehrlich mouse ascites-tumour cells harvested after 24 h exposure to [2-3H]inositol were analysed by Mono Q HR5/5 anion-exchange h.p.l.c. using an ammonium formate/phosphoric acid gradient or by ambient-pressure small-column anion-exchange chromatography (Bio-Rad AG 1-X8, 200-400 mesh). The results showed that cellular ATP contained aberrant 3H label in excess of 3H in the isomers of InsP3 and InsP4. The putative ATP 3H radioactivity showed: (i) h.p.l.c. run time as the material causing the largest A254 peak traced, (ii) precise spiking with ATP and [14C]ATP and (iii) specific absorption to charcoal. Moreover, enzymic conversion of ATP into ADP changed putative ATP 3H into putative ADP 3H. In addition, aberrant 3H labelling of cellular ADP and GTP was detected, although at a lower level.

PHi regulation in Ehrlich mouse ascites tumor cells: Role of sodium-dependent and sodium-independent chloride-bicarbonate exchange

pHi recovery in acid-loaded Ehrlich ascites tumor cells and pHi maintenance at steady-state were studied using the fluorescent probe BCECF. Both in nominally HCO3(-)-free media and at 25 mM HCO3-, the measured pHi (7.26 and 7.82, respectively) was significantly more alkaline than the pHi value calculated assuming the transmembrane HCO3- gradient to be equal to the Cl- gradient. Thus, pHi in these cells is not determined by the Cl- gradient and by Cl-/HCO3- exchange. pHi recovery following acid loading by propionate exposure, NH4+ withdrawal, or CO2 exposure is mediated by amiloride-sensitive Na+/H+ exchange in HCO3(-)-free media, and in the presence of HCO3- (25 mM) by DIDS-sensitive, Na+)-dependent Cl-/HCO3- exchange. A significant residual pHi recovery in the presence of both amiloride and DIDS suggests an additional role for a primary active H+ pump in pHi regulation. pHi maintenance at steady-state involves both Na+/H+ exchange and Na(+)-dependent Cl-/HCO3- exchange. Acute removal of external Cl- induces a DIDS-sensitive, Na(+)-dependent alkalinization, taken to represent HCO3- influx in exchange for cellular Cl-. Measurements of 36Cl- efflux into Cl(-)-free gluconate media with and without Na+ and/or HCO3- (10 mM) directly demonstrate a DIDS-sensitive, Na(+)-dependent Cl-/HCO3- exchange operating at slightly acidic pHi (pHo 6.8), and a DIDS-sensitive, Na+)-independent Cl-/HCO3- exchange operating at alkaline pHi (pHo 8.2).

DNA synthesis after combined treatment with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil of a mouse ascites tumor growing in vivo

We examined whether an increase in the salvage and/or the de novo synthesis of thymidine (TdR) can explain the elevated DNA synthesis rate found up to 15-20 h after combined treatment with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), compared with single-drug regimen. The salvage and the de novo pathways of TdR in Bp8 mouse ascites tumor cells were reduced equally after the combined treatment and the single-drug treatments. The inhibition of the de novo pathway of TdR was confirmed by a reduced thymidylate synthase activity, as measured in cell extract. A marked imbalance of the deoxyribonucleotide triphosphates were found, in particular between the deoxypyrimidines. These imbalances were similar between the 5-FU single-drug treatment and combined treatment. We conclude that neither the extracellular TdR salvage nor the de novo synthesis of TdR explain the relatively elevated DNA synthesis rate after combined treatment. We suggest that the supra-additive effect of the combined treatment is due to an interaction between the elevated DNA synthesis, the imbalanced deoxyribonucleotides and the cisplatin-induced DNA cross-links, and possibly also due to a higher concentration of 5-FU incorporated into DNA.

Ser2 is the autophosphorylation site in the beta subunit from bicistronically expressed human casein kinase-2 and from native rat liver casein kinase-2 beta.

Human casein kinase-2 (CK-2) subunits alpha and beta were bicistronically expressed in bacteria. The recombinant holoenzyme shared all investigated properties with the native CK-2 from mammalian sources (rat liver, Krebs II mouse ascites tumour cells). Contrary to recombinant human CK-2 produced by self-assembly in vitro, the bicistronically expressed beta subunit was autophosphorylated during formation of the holoenzyme in bacteria. Electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI) revealed Ser2 (second amino acid, first serine) as the only phosphate acceptor site. Kinetic data obtained with either the phosphorylated or the unphosphorylated form of CK-2 did not differ significantly, suggesting that the autophosphorylation had no influence on the kinetic parameters Km and Vmax. In parallel, native rat liver CK-2 beta subunit was shown to incorporate 0.1 mol phosphate/mol holoenzyme, which suggests that the enzyme is already heavily phosphorylated. ESI analysis also revealed Ser2 as the only phosphorylated residue at the amino terminus. In the case of both recombinant human CK-2 and native rat liver CK-2, treatment with alkaline phosphatase readily reversed the phosphorylated form of the beta subunit to the faster migrating dephosphorylated polypeptide.