Prostate Carcinoma Cell Lines Research Articles

Liposome-encapsulated progesterone efficiently suppresses B-lineage cell proliferation

Progesterone suppresses several ancient pathways in a concentration-dependent manner. Based on these characteristics, progesterone is considered a candidate anticancer drug. However, the concentration of progesterone used for therapy should be higher than the physiological concentration, which makes it difficult to develop progesterone-based anticancer drugs. We previously developed liposome-encapsulated progesterone (Lipo-P4) with enhanced anticancer effects, which strongly suppressed triple-negative breast cancer cell proliferation in humanized mice. In this study, we aimed to clarify whether Lipo-P4 effectively suppresses the proliferation of B-lineage cancer cells. We selected six B-cell lymphoma and two myeloma cell lines, and analyzed their surface markers using flow cytometry. Next, we prepared liposome-encapsulated progesterone and examined its effect on cell proliferation in these B-lineage cancer cells, three ovarian clear cell carcinoma cell lines, two prostate carcinoma cell lines, and one triple-negative breast cancer adenocarcinoma cell line. Lipo-P4 suppressed the proliferation of all cancer cell lines. All B-lineage cell lines, except for the HT line, were more susceptible than the other cell types, regardless of the expression of differentiation markers. Empty liposomes did not suppress cell proliferation. These results suggest that progesterone encapsulated in liposomes efficiently inhibits the proliferation of B-lineage cells and may become an anticancer drug candidate for B-lineage cancers.

LC/MS/MS and GC/MS/MS metabolic profiling of Leontodon hispidulus, in vitro and in silico anticancer activity evaluation targeting hexokinase 2 enzyme

Leontodon hispidulus Boiss is a wild annual plant growing in Egypt. The present study aims for the first time, to evaluate the phytochemical profile of the main secondary metabolites of the optimized ethanolic extract of the plant using Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. It also aims to assess the anticancer activity of its different fractions against the prostate carcinoma cell line. Moreover, an in-silico docking study was performed using the Hexokinase-two enzyme. LC-qToF-MS analysis revealed the tentative identification of 36 phenolic compounds including the glycosides of (luteolin, quercetin, kaempferol, apigenin, isorhamnetin, and daidzein), coumarines (esculin, esculetin, and daphnetin), and phenolic acids (chlorogenic, caffeic, quinic, P-coumaric, and rosmarinic). GC–MS/MS analysis revealed the presence of 18 compounds where palmitic acid, myristic acid, alpha-amyrin, and beta-amyrin were the major ones. The cytotoxic activity results revealed that methylene chloride and ethyl acetate fractions showed the highest cytotoxic activity against the PC3 cell line, with IC50 values of 19, and 19.6 μg/ml, respectively. Interestingly, the docking study demonstrated that apigenin-7-O-glucoside, luteolin-7-O-glucoside, kaempferol-3-O-glucuronide, quercetin-4′-O-glucoside, esculin, rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acid, and α-amyrin exhibited high affinity to the selected target, HEK-2 enzyme.

Abstract 2824: Establishing prostate cancer models for orthotopic and bone metastatic growth using the 22Rv1cell line

Abstract Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men with new cases diagnosed in 1.4 million men each year. Luckily the 5-year survival rates in developed countries are high reaching over 90%. However, approximately one third will develop a metastatic disease. In metastatic patients, prostate cancer almost always progresses despite the androgen deprivation therapy and is then referred to as “castration-resistant (mCRPC)”. Bone is involved in 80% of patients with metastasis, and the bone lesions are typically osteoblastic. The 22Rv1 human prostate carcinoma cell line is androgen sensitive and shown to express androgen receptor (AR). They also express low levels of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA). The aim of this study was to establish orthotopic and intratibial preclinical in vivo prostate cancer models that can be used in drug development when targeting cancer cells and their local environment. Male athymic nude mice (5-6 weeks old) and NOG mice (over 20 weeks old) were used in the study. 2.5 × 105 22Rv1 cells (ATCC) were inoculated orthotopically into the prostate of NOG mice, and 5 × 105 cells were inoculated intratibially into the bone marrow cavity of athymic nude mice. Tumor growth was followed by PSA measurements every second week using Human PSA ELISA assay. In addition, in the intratibial model, tumor-induced bone changes were monitored by X-ray imaging of the hind limbs. Prostates and hind limbs were collected at sacrifice, fixed in 10% NBF, and processed to paraffin blocks for further histological analysis. Sections of prostate were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and AR. Tumor-bearing and contralateral (healthy) tibias were stained with HE - OrangeG, MGT, TRAP, and AR. The observed tumor take rate was 92% in the orthotopic and 100% in the intratibial models. Confirmed by IHC, tumors formed in both the orthotopic and intratibial models expressed AR. 22Rv1 cells formed osteoblastic - lytic mixed bone lesions in the intratibial model. Based on lesion areas, randomization of the tumor bearing mice in the intratibial model can be done after 2 weeks from cancer cell inoculation. Taken together, the 22Rv1 prostate cancer models are relatively fast growing, express AR and present good take rates. Furthermore, the intratibial model represents robust tumor-induced changes in bone with strong osteoblastic component. Thus, these models have several advantages in efficacy studies of novel drug candidates for prostate cancer. Citation Format: Justyna Zdrojewska, Katja Fagerlund, Jenni H. Mäki-Jouppila, Mari I. Suominen. Establishing prostate cancer models for orthotopic and bone metastatic growth using the 22Rv1cell line [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 2824.

State-of-the-art in transposable element modulation affected by drugs in malignant prostatic cancer cells.

Over recent years, the investigation of transposable elements (TEs) has granted researchers a deeper comprehension of their characteristics and functions, particularly regarding their significance in the mechanisms contributing to cancer development. This manuscript focuses on prostate carcinoma cell lines and offers a comprehensive review intended to scrutinize the associations and interactions between TEs and genes, as well as their response to treatment using various chemical drugs, emphasizing their involvement in cancer progression. We assembled a compendium of articles retrieved from the PubMed database to construct networks demonstrating correlations with genes and pharmaceuticals. In doing so, we linked the transposition of certain TE types to the expression of specific transcripts directly implicated in carcinogenesis. Additionally, we underline that treatment employing different drugs revealed unique patterns of TE reactivation. Our hypothesis gathers the current understanding and guides research toward evidence-based investigations, emphasizing the association between antiviral drugs, chemotherapy, and the reduced expression of TEs in patients affected by prostate cancer.

Cellular responses to silencing of PDIA3 (protein disulphide-isomerase A3): Effects on proliferation, migration, and genes in control of active vitamin D

The active form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, is known to act via VDR (vitamin D receptor), affecting several physiological processes. In addition, PDIA3 (protein disulphide-isomerase A3) has been associated with some of the functions of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. In the present study we used siRNA-mediated silencing of PDIA3 in osteosarcoma and prostate carcinoma cell lines to examine the role(s) of PDIA3 for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-dependent responses. PDIA3 silencing affected VDR target genes and significantly altered the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-dependent induction of CYP24A1, essential for elimination of excess 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Also, PDIA3 silencing significantly altered migration and proliferation in prostate PC3 cells, independently of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 increased thermostability of PDIA3 in cellular thermal shift assay, supporting functional interaction between PDIA3 and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-dependent pathways. In summary, our data link PDIA3 to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-mediated signalling, underline and extend its role in proliferation and reveal a novel function in maintenance of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 levels.

Inhibition of the Cyclin K-CDK12 complex induces DNA damage and increases the effect of androgen deprivation therapy in prostate cancer.

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the mainstay of the current first-line treatment concepts for patients with advanced prostate carcinoma (PCa). However, due to treatment failure and recurrence investigation of new targeted therapeutics is urgently needed. In this study, we investigated the suitability of the Cyclin K-CDK12 complex as a novel therapeutic approach in PCa using the new covalent CDK12/13 inhibitor THZ531. Here we show that THZ531 impairs cellular proliferation, induces apoptosis, and decreases the expression of selected DNA repair genes in PCa cell lines, which is associated with an increasing extent of DNA damage. Furthermore, combination of THZ531 and ADT leads to an increase in these anti-tumoral effects in androgen-sensitive PCa cells. The anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activity of THZ531 in combination with ADT was validated in an ex vivo PCa tissue culture model. In a retrospective immunohistochemical analysis of 300 clinical tissue samples we show that Cyclin K (CycK) but not CDK12 expression correlates with a more aggressive type of PCa. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the clinical relevance of the CycK-CDK12 complex as a promising target for combinational therapy with ADT in PCa and its importance as a prognostic biomarker for patients with PCa.

Antioxidant, cytotoxicity, and anti-prostate carcinoma effects of CuO nanoparticles containing Thymus vulgaris

In this work, we have described the green supported of CuO NPs over Thymus vulgaris (CuNPs) as a reducing/stabilizing nanocomposite in alkaline medium. In the cellular and molecular part of the recent study, the treated cells with CuNPs were assessed to determine the cytotoxicity and anti-human prostate carcinoma properties on prostate carcinoma cell lines i.e., LNCaP clone FGC-Luc2, 22Rv1, and NCI-H660. The morphological and physicochemical features of the prepared nanocomposite were determined using several advanced techniques as Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopes (FE-SEM), Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) studies. In the antioxidant test, the IC50 of CuNPs and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals were 94 and 88 μg/mL, respectively. The IC50 of CuNPs were 191, 275, and 250 μg/mL against LNCaP clone FGC-Luc2, 22Rv1, and NCI-H660 cell lines, respectively. In conclusion, our data suggest that the malignant prostate cell lines viability decreased in the CuNPs presence.

The IGF-Independent Role of IRS-2 in the Secretion of MMP-9 Enhances the Growth of Prostate Carcinoma Cell Line PC3.

Insulin receptor substrate-2 (IRS-2), a substrate of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I receptor, is highly expressed in the prostate cancer cell line, PC3. We recently demonstrated that extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk1/2), a kinase downstream of IGF signaling, is activated in PC3 cells under serum starvation, and this activation can be inhibited by IRS-2 knockdown. Here, we observed that adding an IGF-I-neutralizing antibody to the culture medium inhibited the activation of Erk1/2. Suppression of Erk1/2 in IRS-2 knockdown cells was restored by the addition of a PC3 serum-free conditioned medium. In contrast, the IRS-2-silenced PC3 conditioned medium could not restore Erk1/2 activation, suggesting that IRS-2 promotes the secretion of proteins that activate the IGF signaling pathway. Furthermore, gelatin zymography analysis of the conditioned medium showed that matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) was secreted extracellularly in an IRS-2 dependent manner when PC3 was cultured under serum starvation conditions. Moreover, MMP-9 knockdown suppressed Erk1/2 activation, DNA synthesis, and migratory activity. The IRS-2 levels were positively correlated with Gleason grade in human prostate cancer tissues. These data suggest that highly expressed IRS-2 activates IGF signaling by enabling the secretion of MMP-9, which is associated with hyperproliferation and malignancy of prostate cancer cell line, PC3.

Metabolic profiling and cytotoxic activities of ethanol extract of Dypsis leptocheilos aerial parts and its green synthesized silver nanoparticles supported by network pharmacology analysis

Cancer, which is characterized by uncontrolled cell growth and division with loss of physiological functions. It is one of the most fatal diseases in the world. For thousands of years, natural treatments, particularly those made from natural products, have been used to cure a variety of diseases, including cancer. Several Arecaceae species have been suggested as potential treatments for a range of cancer types. Arecaceae have a long history of use in folk medicine to treat tumors and a variety of infectious disorders. The green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (SNP) using the total ethanolic extract of Dypsis leptocheilos aerial parts (TEEDL) as a reducing agent was investigated for their cytotoxic activity (using the MTT assay) for the first time. A color change from faint yellow to reddish brown in the first stages of SNP synthesis, indicating the synthesis of nanoparticles. The prepared nanoparticles were also elucidated by using UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier Transforms infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and Zeta potential. The purified silver nanoparticle preparation demonstrated more promising cytotoxic activity against tested various cell lines than TEEDL. Cell viability by using the MTT assay demonstrated the cytotoxic activity of (TEEDL-based SNPs) against breast cancer cells (MCF-7), liver carcinoma (HepG2), colon carcinoma (HCT-116), and prostate carcinoma (PC-3) cell lines with IC50 = 4.49 ± 0.23, 0.95 ± 0.05, 1.8 ± 0.1, and 2.74 ± 0.52 µg/mL, respectively. To find out which of the secondary metabolites are responsible for this activity, the metabolic profile of TEEDL was investigated. It detected 29 compounds. Finally, a network pharmacology analysis was conducted to find out the annotated genes identified by the major identified flavonoidal compounds. The results identified 145 genes annotated by the 10 major flavonoidal compounds. AKR1B1and CA7 were highly represented genes. Four-gene disease networks were constructed; (gene-breast cancers), (gene-liver cancers), and (gene-colon cancers), and (gene-prostate cancers). KEGG pathway analysis showed the top biological pathways related to all genes were nitrogen metabolism pathway, the VEGF signaling pathway, and EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance.

Stromal-epithelial interaction induces GALNT14 in prostate carcinoma cells.

Cell-cell communication is an important process in healthy tissue but also gains enhanced attention regarding pathological tissue. To date, the tumor microenvironment is gradually brought into focus when studying tumorigenesis. In the prostate gland, stromal and epithelial cells greatly interact to maintain homeostasis or tissue integrity. This study focuses on an indirect communication via soluble factors. To investigate the cell-cell interaction via soluble factors, the prostate carcinoma cell line LNCaP and the stromal primary cells p21 were co-cultured without direct contact and RNA was isolated at defined time points. Differences in gene expression were finally analyzed by RNA sequencing. RNA sequencing revealed a time-depending differential expression profile. Selected factors were subsequently characterized at molecular level and analyzed in human prostate tissue of different developmental stages as well as pathology. GALNT14 was one of the highest induced co-culture-specific genes in LNCaP cells. Detection in healthy tissue and BPH revealed an age-dependent decrease in GALNT14 expression. Moreover, in prostate carcinoma, GALNT14 expression heavily varied independent of the Gleason score. Overall, this work provides a basis for further studies related to paracrine stromal-epithelial interaction in prostate carcinoma and highlights the importance of GALNT14.

Bioinspired thiazolo-[2,3-b] quinazolin-6-one derivatives as potent anti-cancer agents targeting EGFR: their biological evaluations and in silico assessment.

Cancer is a challenging and second most deadly disease. The epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs) dimerize upon ligand bindings to the extracellular domain that intiates the downstream signaling cascades and activates intracellular kinase domain. Thus, activation of autophosphrylation through kinase domain results in metastasis, cell proliferation, and angiogenesis. In this study, we unravel the binding mechanism of newly synthesized thiazolo-[2,3-b] quinazolin-6-one and evaluate their anti-cancer activity against ovary and prostate carcinoma cell lines (OVCAR-3 and PC-3). Synthesized molecules exhibited promising anti-cancer activity against OVCAR-3 and PC-3 carcinoma cell lines with inhibitory concentrations ranging from 13.4 ± 0.43 to 23.6 ± 1.22μM and 7.5 ± 0.62 to 67.5 ± 1.24μM, respectively. These compounds induced apoptosis and resulted in cell cycle arrest at G1 and G2/M transition phases. Next, the nude mice models were taken to investigate the toxicity of the 4bi compound, and in vivo investigations revealed no effects upon examined organs (liver and kidney) treated at different concentrations. Moreover, the combined in silico approaches, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and MM/PBSA methods were performed to assess the binding affinity and stability of bioinspired synthesized congeners with the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase (EGFR-TK). The free binding energy (ΔGbind) of the 4bi molecule was found comparable to Erlotinib drug. The test molecule could be competent for further usage to determine its efficicacy in cancer therapeutics.

Modifications in cellular viability, DNA damage and stress responses inflicted in cancer cells by copper-64 ions.

Due to combined therapeutical emissions, a high linear energy transfer Auger-electrons with the longer ranged β- particles, 64Cu-based radiopharmaceuticals raise particular theragnostic interest in cancer, by joined therapeutic and real-time PET imaging properties. The in vitro study aimed to investigate the biological and molecular background of 64CuCl2 therapy by analyzing the damages and stress responses inflicted in various human normal and tumor cell lines. Colon (HT29 and HCT116) and prostate carcinoma (DU145) cell lines, as well as human normal BJ fibroblasts, were treated up to 72 h with 2-40 MBq/mL 64CuCl2. Radioisotope uptake and retention were assessed, and cell viability/death, DNA damage, oxidative stress, and the expression of 84 stress genes were investigated at various time points after [64Cu]CuCl2 addition. All the investigated cells incorporated 64Cu ions similarly, independent of their tumoral or normal status, but their fate after exposure to [64Cu]CuCl2 was cell-dependent. The most striking cytotoxic effects of the radioisotope were registered in colon carcinoma HCT116 cells, for which a substantial decrease in the number of metabolically active cells, and an increased DNA damage and oxidative stress were registered. The stress gene expression study highlighted the activation of both death and repair mechanisms in these cells, related to extrinsic apoptosis, necrosis/necroptosis or autophagy, and cell cycle arrest, nucleotide excision repair, antioxidant, and hypoxic responses, respectively. The in vitro study indicated that 40 MBq/mL [64Cu]CuCl2 delivers a therapeutic effect in human colon carcinoma, but its use is limited by harmful, yet lower effects on normal fibroblasts. The exposure of tumor cells to 20 MBq/mL [64Cu]CuCl2, might be used for a softer approach aiming for a lower radiotoxicity in normal fibroblasts as compared to tumor cells. This radioactive concentration was able to induce a persistent decrease in the number of metabolically active cells, accompanied by DNA damage and oxidative stress, associated with significant changes in stress gene expression in HCT116 colon cancer cells.

Development of new TAK-285 derivatives as potent EGFR/HER2 inhibitors possessing antiproliferative effects against 22RV1 and PC3 prostate carcinoma cell lines

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) protein tyrosine kinases co-expressed in various cancers such as ovarian, breast, colon, and prostate subtypes. Herein, new TAK-285 derivatives (9a–h) were synthesised, characterised, and biologically evaluated as dual EGFR/HER2 inhibitors. Compound 9f exhibited IC50 values of 2.3 nM over EGFR and 234 nM over HER2, which is 38-fold of staurosporine and 10-fold of TAK-285 over EGFR. Compound 9f also showed high selectivity profile when tested over a small kinase panel. Compounds 9a–h showed IC50 values in the range of 1.0–7.3 nM and 0.8–2.8 nM against PC3 and 22RV1 prostate carcinoma cell lines, respectively. Cell cycle analysis, apoptotic induction, molecular docking, dynamics, and MM-GBSA studies confirmed the plausible mechanism(s) of compound 9f as a potent EGFR/HER2 dual inhibitor with an effective antiproliferative action against prostate carcinoma.

Abstract 2858: Radiotherapy and NK cell-based immunotherapy: An evolutionary double-bind

Abstract Evolution-informed therapies exploit the ecological and evolutionary consequences of drug resistance to inhibit the expansion of treatment resistant populations and prolong time to progression. One strategy, termed an evolutionary double-bind, uses an initial therapy to elicit a specific adaptive mechanism that is then selectively targeted by a follow-on therapy. Here we examine combining radiation therapy followed by immunotherapy as a double bind strategy. Radiotherapy (RT) induces lethal double-strand DNA breaks in tumor cells and radiosensitivity is governed by the cells’ DNA repair capabilities. Radioresistant cancer cells upregulate DNA damage response pathways. However, successful adaptations to RT and other DNA damaging agents can increase natural killer (NK) cell ligand expression on tumor cells increasing their vulnerability to the immune system. We conducted a multidisciplinary investigation of this potential evolutionary double bind using an isogenic cell line model of radiation resistance derived from an androgen-independent human prostate carcinoma cell line (22Rv1). We demonstrate that RT-resistant cells maintain higher expression of NK cell ligands and have a 2-fold increase in sensitivity to NK cell mediated killing. Furthermore, we show that preferential targeting of the RT-resistant population by NK cells is preserved in competition assays with varying initial population frequencies. Scope of treatment responses are dependent on population frequencies in our in vitro analysis. Mathematical modeling quantified three key elements of a double-bind: cost of resistance, inter-specific competition between RT-sensitive and RT-resistant lines, and preferential targeting of RT-resistant lines by NK cells. We conclude that RT followed by immunotherapy produces an evolutionary double bind that can be exploited in heterogenous tumors to limit RT resistance. Furthermore, model simulations predict that extinction of both populations is achievable by sequential RT and NK cell therapy. Citation Format: Kimberly Luddy, Jeffery West, Mark Robertson-Tessi, Bina Desai, Taylor M. Bursell, Sarah Barrett, Joel Brown, Jacintha O'Sullivan, Robert Gatenby, Laure Marignol, Alexander R. Anderson, Cliona O'Farrelly. Radiotherapy and NK cell-based immunotherapy: An evolutionary double-bind [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 2858.

Epiregulin expression and secretion is increased in castration-resistant prostate cancer.

In prostate cancer, long-term treatment directed against androgens often leads to the development of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, which is more aggressive and not curatively treatable. Androgen deprivation results in elevated epiregulin expression in LNCaP cells which is a ligand of EGFR. This study aims to reveal the expression and regulation of epiregulin in different prostate cancer stages enabling a more specific molecular characterization of different prostate carcinoma types. Five different prostate carcinoma cell lines were used to characterize the epiregulin expression on the RNA and protein levels. Epiregulin expression and its correlation with different patient conditions were further analyzed using clinical prostate cancer tissue samples. Additionally, the regulation of epiregulin biosynthesis was examined at transcriptional, post-transcriptional and release level. An increased epiregulin secretion is detected in castration-resistant prostate cancer cell lines and prostate cancer tissue samples indicating a correlation of epiregulin expression with tumor recurrence, metastasis and increased grading. Analysis regarding the activity of different transcription factors suggests the involvement of SMAD2/3 in the regulation of epiregulin expression. In addition, miR-19a, -19b, and -20b are involved in post-transcriptional epiregulin regulation. The release of mature epiregulin occurs via proteolytic cleavage by ADAM17, MMP2, and MMP9 which are increased in castration-resistant prostate cancer cells. The results demonstrate epiregulin regulation by different mechanism and suggest a potential role as a diagnostic tool to detect molecular alterations in prostate cancer progression. Additionally, although EGFR inhibitors false in prostate cancer, epiregulin could be a therapeutic target for patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer.

A Practical and Analytical Comparative Study of Gel-Based Top-Down and Gel-Free Bottom-Up Proteomics Including Unbiased Proteoform Detection.

Proteomics is an indispensable analytical technique to study the dynamic functioning of biological systems via different proteins and their proteoforms. In recent years, bottom-up shotgun has become more popular than gel-based top-down proteomics. The current study examined the qualitative and quantitative performance of these two fundamentally different methodologies by the parallel measurement of six technical and three biological replicates of the human prostate carcinoma cell line DU145 using its two most common standard techniques, label-free shotgun and two-dimensional differential gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE). The analytical strengths and limitations were explored, finally focusing on the unbiased detection of proteoforms, exemplified by discovering a prostate cancer-related cleavage product of pyruvate kinase M2. Label-free shotgun proteomics quickly yields an annotated proteome but with reduced robustness, as determined by three times higher technical variation compared to 2D-DIGE. At a glance, only 2D-DIGE top-down analysis provided valuable, direct stoichiometric qualitative and quantitative information from proteins to their proteoforms, even with unexpected post-translational modifications, such as proteolytic cleavage and phosphorylation. However, the 2D-DIGE technology required almost 20 times as much time per protein/proteoform characterization with more manual work. Ultimately, this work should expose both techniques' orthogonality with their different contents of data output to elucidate biological questions.

Site-Selective Synthesis of C-17 Ester Derivatives of Natural Andrographolide for Evaluation as a Potential Anticancer Agent.

A library of 57 compounds of natural andrographolide was designed, synthesized, and screened for in vitro studies against four human cancer cell lines: A594, PC-3, MCF-7, and HCT-116. Most of the synthesized compounds displayed better cytotoxic profile against all tested cells compared to the parent andrographolide (1). The tested semisynthetic derivatives of andrographolide were found to be more sensitive toward lung carcinoma (A594) and prostate carcinoma (PC-3) cell lines. Among the synthesized compounds, the C-17 p-methoxy phenyl ester analog 8s inhibited cell proliferation effectively in A549 (IC50: 6.6 μM) and PC-3 (IC50: 5.9 μM) cell variants, and compound 9s exhibited the most potent activity against the A594 cell line, with an IC50 value of 3.5 μM. Further anticancer mechanistic investigation demonstrated that compound 9s displayed nuclear morphological changes and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) with disturbed mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) that can lead to apoptosis. To know the exact structure confirmation of intermediate compounds 4 and 5, single X-ray crystallography was performed, which supported the complete reaction design of this work.

Structures of Mammeasins P and Q, Coumarin-Related Polysubstituted Benzofurans, from the Thai Medicinal Plant Mammea siamensis (Miq.) T. Anders.: Anti-Proliferative Activity of Coumarin Constituents against Human Prostate Carcinoma Cell Line LNCaP.

A methanol extract of the flowers of Mammea siamensis (Miq.) T. Anders. (Calophyllaceae) showed anti-proliferative activity against human prostate carcinoma LNCaP cells (IC50 = 2.0 µg/mL). Two new coumarin-related polysubstituted benzofurans, mammeasins P (1) and Q (2), and a known polysubstituted coumarin mammea B/AC cyclo F (39) were isolated from the extract along with 44 previously reported polysubstituted coumarin constituents (3-38 and 40-47). The structures of two new compounds (1 and 2) were determined based on their spectroscopic properties derived from the physicochemical evidence including NMR and MS analyses and taking the plausible generative pathway into account. Among the coumarin constituents, mammeasins A (3, IC50 = 1.2 µM) and B (4, 0.63 µM), sugangin B (18, 1.5 µM), kayeassamins E (24, 3.0 µM) and G (26, 3.5 µM), and mammeas E/BA (40, 0.88 µM), E/BB (41, 0.52 µM), and E/BC (42, 0.12 µM) showed relatively potent anti-proliferative activity.

Epilobium Species: From Optimization of the Extraction Process to Evaluation of Biological Properties.

Epilobium species are used in Romanian folk medicine as tinctures, tea, or tablets for ameliorating the symptoms of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), but scientific-based evidence is scarce for this species or other endemic plants of the same genus. Therefore, the aims of this research were to evaluate the phytochemical profile of five endemic Epilobium species (E. hirsutum L., E. parviflorum Schreb., E. palustre L. E. dodonaei Vill., and E. angustifolium L.) and to assess their in vitro biological activity. For enhanced recovery of polyphenols, a D-optimal experimental plan was developed using Modde software and the optimal working conditions were ultra-turrax-assisted extraction, for 8 min, with 30% ethanol in water. The optimized extracts were obtained from various plant parts and were further characterized by LC-MS analysis, with the major compound being oenothein B. All extracts demonstrated good antioxidant activity, evaluated by DPPH and TEAC assays. The most prominent antimicrobial potency of optimized extracts was displayed against Bacillus cereus, while against Gram-(+) bacteria, a moderate efficacy was observed. Furthermore, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant potential were assessed on normal fibroblasts and prostate carcinoma cell lines. From the evaluated optimized extracts, E. angustifolium aerial parts had the highest selectivity toward killing cancerous cells, followed by E. hirsutum aerial parts extract. For the antioxidant effect, E. hirsutum leaves and E. hirstum aerial parts extracts displayed the highest potency, decreasing ROS at the level observed for the positive control. The highest anti-inflammatory potential, based on the IL-6 and IL-8 levels, was displayed by E. dodonaei aerial parts and E. angustifolium leaves extracts. In conclusion, all five endemic species of Epilobium harvested from Romanian flora possess a diverse phytochemical composition, which supports complex biological activities.

Investigating PSMA differential expression in canine uroepithelial carcinomas to aid disease-based stratification and guide therapeutic selection

BackgroundIn male dogs, uroepithelial cancers include invasive urothelial carcinoma (iUC) and prostate carcinoma (PCA). The inability to distinguish iUC involving the prostate from PCA results in indiscriminate clinical management strategies that could be suboptimal as first-line chemotherapy for iUC (cisplatin) and PCA (docetaxel) differ in people. Prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a transmembrane protein, and its overexpression has been identified in human prostate carcinoma and neovasculature associated with solid tumor growth. This study investigates whether differential PSMA expression exists between presumptive canine iUC and PCA among cell lines and archived patient samples, which might allow for improved accuracy in disease-based stratification and optimal chemotherapy selection. Additionally, in vitro sensitivities of reported canine iUC and PCA cell lines to uroepithelial directed chemotherapeutic agents were characterized.ResultsNormalized PSMA gene and protein expressions were not significantly different between 5 iUC and 4 PCA cell lines. PSMA protein expression was uniformly observed in uroepithelial cancers regardless of anatomic origin from archived patient samples, further confirming that PSMA cannot differentiate iUC from PCA. In vitro sensitivity of cell lines to uroepithelial directed chemotherapeutics revealed that vinblastine exerted the broadest cytotoxic activity.ConclusionsDifferential expression of PSMA was not identified between canine iUC and PCA cell lines or archived patient samples, and PSMA alone cannot be used for disease stratification. Nonetheless given its conserved overexpression, PSMA may be a targetable surface marker for both canine iUC and PCA. Lastly, in uroepithelial carcinomas, vinblastine might exert the broadest anticancer activity regardless of cellular origin.