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  1. Law BN, Ling AP, Koh RY, Chye SM, Wong YP
    Mol Med Rep, 2014 Mar;9(3):947-54.
    PMID: 24366367 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2013.1878
    Neurodegenerative diseases remain a global issue which affects the ageing population. Efforts towards determining their aetiologies to understand their pathogenic mechanisms are underway in order to identify a pathway through which therapeutic measures can be applied. One such pathogenic mechanism, oxidative stress (OS), is widely considered to be involved in neurodegenerative disease. Antioxidants, most notably flavonoids, have promising potential for therapeutic use as shown in in vitro and in vivo studies. In view of the importance of flavonoids for combating OS, this study investigated the neuroprotective effects of orientin, which has been reported to be capable of crossing the blood‑brain barrier. The maximum non‑toxic dose (MNTD) of orientin against SH‑SY5Y neuroblastoma cells was determined using a 3‑(4,5‑dimethylthiazol‑2‑yl)‑2,5‑diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The effects of the MNTD and the half MNTD (½MNTD) of orientin on cell cycle progression and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, as well as the activity of caspases 3/7, 8 and 9 after exposure to 150 µM of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were also determined using flow cytometry, a 2',7'‑dichlorodihydrofluorescein‑diacetate (DCFH‑DA) assay and caspase assay kits, respectively. The results revealed that orientin at ≤20 µM was not cytotoxic to SH‑SY5Y cells. After treatment with orientin at the MNTD, the percentage of apoptotic cells was significantly reduced compared with that in cells treated with 150 µM H2O2 alone. The results also showed that, although orientin at the MNTD and ½MNTD did not reduce intracellular ROS levels, it significantly inhibited the activity of caspases 3/7. Caspase 9 was significantly inactivated with orientin at the MNTD. Findings from this study suggest that the neuroprotection conferred by orientin was the result of the intracellular mediation of caspase activity.
    Matched MeSH terms: Caspase 8/metabolism
  2. Tan BL, Norhaizan ME, Huynh K, Heshu SR, Yeap SK, Hazilawati H, et al.
    PMID: 26122204 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-015-0730-4
    Brewers' rice, is locally known as temukut, is a mixture of broken rice, rice bran, and rice germ. The current study is an extension of our previous work, which demonstrated that water extract of brewers' rice (WBR) induced apoptosis in human colorectal cancer (HT-29) cells. We also identified that brewers' rice was effective in reducing the tumor incidence and multiplicity in azoxymethane (AOM)-injected colon cancer rats. Our present study was designed to identify whether WBR confers an inhibitory effect via the regulation of upstream components in the Wnt signaling pathway in HT-29 cells. To further determine whether the in vitro mechanisms of action observed in the HT-29 cells inhibit the downstream signaling target of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, we evaluated the mechanistic action of brewers' rice in regulating the expressions and key protein markers during colon carcinogenesis in male Sprague-Dawley rats.
    Matched MeSH terms: Caspase 8/metabolism*
  3. Ghrici M, El Zowalaty M, Omar AR, Ideris A
    Int J Mol Med, 2013 Mar;31(3):525-32.
    PMID: 23337979 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2013.1244
    Newcastle disease virus (NDV) AF2240 Malaysian strain is a very virulent avian virus. NDV strain AF2240 was previously demonstrated to induce apoptosis in human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells. However, at which stage of the NDV life cycle apoptosis is induced and whether NDV replication and protein synthesis are involved in apoptosis induction have yet to be determined. In the present study, we investigated the time course of NDV strain AF2240 nucleoprotein (NP) gene expression and the early apoptotic signs in the form of activation of caspase-8 and mitochondrial transition pore opening. In addition, the induction of apoptosis by both ultraviolet-inactivated and cycloheximide-treated NDV-infected MCF-7 cells were examined. Our findings showed that NDV strain AF2240 induced apoptosis at 1 h post-infection (pi) through activation of mitochondrial transition pore opening and at 2 h through activation of caspase-8, while the NP gene was expressed at 6 h pi. The induced apoptosis was independent of both virus replication and protein synthesis. In conclusion, NDV strain AF2240 induces apoptosis at an early stage of its life cycle, possibly during virus binding or fusion with the cell membrane. The mitochondrial-related pathway may be the central activator in NDV strain AF2240-induced apoptosis.
    Matched MeSH terms: Caspase 8/metabolism
  4. Fung SY, Lee ML, Tan NH
    Toxicon, 2015 Mar;96:38-45.
    PMID: 25615711 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2015.01.012
    Snake venom LAAOs have been reported to exhibit a wide range of pharmacological activities, including cytotoxic, edema-inducing, platelet aggregation-inducing/platelet aggregation-inhibiting, bactericidal and antiviral activities. A heat-stable form of l-amino acid oxidase isolated from king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) venom (OH-LAAO) has been shown to exhibit very potent cytotoxicity against human tumorigenic cells but not in their non-tumorigenic counterparts, and the cytotoxicity was due to the apoptosis-inducing effect of the enzyme. In this work, the molecular mechanism of cell death induced by OH-LAAO was investigated. The enzyme exerts its apoptosis-inducing effect presumably via both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways as suggested by the increase in caspase-8 and -9 activities. Oligonucleotide microarray analysis showed that the expression of a total of 178 genes was significantly altered as a result of oxidative stress induced by the hydrogen peroxide generated by the enzyme. Of the 178 genes, at least 27 genes are involved in apoptosis and cell death. These alterations of gene expression was presumably caused by the direct cytotoxic effect of H2O2 generated during the enzymatic reaction, as well as the non-specific oxidative modifications of signaling molecules that eventually lead to apoptosis and cell death. The very substantial up-regulation of cytochrome P450 genes may also contribute to the potent cytotoxic action of OH-LAAO by producing excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS). In conclusion, the potent apoptosis inducing activity of OH-LAAO was likely due to the direct cytotoxic effect of H2O2 generated during the enzymatic reaction, as well as the non-specific oxidation of signalling molecules.
    Matched MeSH terms: Caspase 8/metabolism
  5. Kua VMD, Rasul A, Sreenivasan S, Rasool B, Younis T, Lai NS
    Pak J Pharm Sci, 2019 Jul;32(4(Supplementary)):1797-1803.
    PMID: 31680075
    Leukemia is a type of blood cancer where abnormal and immature leucocytes are produced in the bone marrow. Methadone hydrochloride is a man-made drug that is commonly used in the maintenance treatment for drug addiction. The objective of this research was to determine the cytotoxic activity and apoptotic effects of methadone hydrochloride treatment towards two leukemia cell lines which are CCRF-CEM and HL-60. CCRF-CEM and HL-60 cells were treated with methadone hydrochloride for 24 and 48 hours to determine the cytotoxic activity. IC50 at 24 hours obtained for CCRF-CEM was 121.6μmol/L while IC50 for HL-60 cells was 97.18μmol/L. Result obtained from DNA fragmentation assay showed no characteristic DNA ladder pattern in CCRF-CEM leukemia cells treated with methadone hydrochloride. Characteristics DNA ladder pattern was observed in methadone hydrochloride treated HL-60 cells. Formation of comets was seen in methadone hydrochloride treated CCRF-CEM and HL-60 cells with varying degree of DNA damage. The comets formed by methadone hydrochloride treated HL-60 cells were more prominent as compared to methadone-treated CCRF-CEM cells. The expression of apoptotic-related proteins in methadone-treated CCRF-CEM and HL-60 cells were checked by incubating the cell lysate with Raybio® Human Apoptosis Antibody Array. Significant alterations in expression level of apoptosis-related proteins in methadone hydrochloride treated CCRF-CEM cells were found involving upregulation of caspase-8 expression and downregulation of survivin expression. Methadone hydrochloride induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells involved upregulation of Bid and caspase-8 expression and downregulation of Bcl-2, p21 and survivin expression.
    Matched MeSH terms: Caspase 8/metabolism
  6. Nordin N, Yeap SK, Rahman HS, Zamberi NR, Abu N, Mohamad NE, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2019 02 07;9(1):1614.
    PMID: 30733560 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-38214-x
    Very recently, we postulated that the incorporation of citral into nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC-Citral) improves solubility and delivery of the citral without toxic effects in vivo. Thus, the objective of this study is to evaluate anti-cancer effects of NLC-Citral in MDA MB-231 cells in vitro through the Annexin V, cell cycle, JC-1 and fluorometric assays. Additionally, this study is aimed to effects of NLC-Citral in reducing the tumor weight and size in 4T1 induced murine breast cancer model. Results showed that NLC-Citral induced apoptosis and G2/M arrest in MDA MB-231 cells. Furthermore, a prominent anti-metastatic ability of NLC-Citral was demonstrated in vitro using scratch, migration and invasion assays. A significant reduction of migrated and invaded cells was observed in the NLC-Citral treated MDA MB-231 cells. To further evaluate the apoptotic and anti-metastatic mechanism of NLC-Citral at the molecular level, microarray-based gene expression and proteomic profiling were conducted. Based on the result obtained, NLC-Citral was found to regulate several important signaling pathways related to cancer development such as apoptosis, cell cycle, and metastasis signaling pathways. Additionally, gene expression analysis was validated through the targeted RNA sequencing and real-time polymerase chain reaction. In conclusion, the NLC-Citral inhibited the proliferation of breast cancer cells in vitro, majorly through the induction of apoptosis, anti-metastasis, anti-angiogenesis potentials, and reducing the tumor weight and size without altering the therapeutic effects of citral.
    Matched MeSH terms: Caspase 8/metabolism
  7. Nordin N, Majid NA, Othman R, Omer FAA, Nasharuddin MNA, Hashim NM
    Apoptosis, 2018 02;23(2):152-169.
    PMID: 29430581 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-018-1447-x
    Plagioneurin B belongs to acetogenin group has well-established class of compounds. Acetogenin group has attracted worldwide attention in the past few years due their biological abilities as inhibitors for several types of tumour cells. Plagioneurin B was isolated via conventional chromatography and tested for thorough mechanistic apoptosis activity on human ovarian cancer cells (CAOV-3). Its structure was also docked at several possible targets using Autodock tools software. Our findings showed that plagioneurin B successfully inhibits the growth of CAOV-3 cells at IC50 of 0.62 µM. The existence of apoptotic bodies, cell membrane blebbing and chromatin condensation indicated the hallmark of apoptosis. Increase of Annexin V-FITC bound to phosphatidylserine confirmed the apoptosis induction in the cells. The apoptosis event was triggered through the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways via activation of caspases 8 and 9, respectively. Stimulation of caspase 3 and the presence of DNA ladder suggested downstream apoptotic signalling were initiated. Further confirmation of apoptosis was conducted at the molecular levels where up-regulation in Bax, as well as down-regulation of Bcl-2, Hsp-70 and survivin were observed. Plagioneurin B was also seen to arrest CAOV-3 cells cycle at the G2/M phase. Docking simulation of plagioneurin B with CD95 demonstrated that the high binding affinity and hydrogen bonds formation may explain the capability of plagioneurin B to trigger apoptosis. This study is therefore importance in finding the effective compound that may offer an alternative drug for ovarian cancer treatment.
    Matched MeSH terms: Caspase 8/metabolism
  8. Safi SZ, Saeed L, Shah H, Latif Z, Ali A, Imran M, et al.
    Mol Biol Rep, 2022 Oct;49(10):9473-9480.
    PMID: 35925485 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07816-0
    BACKGROUND: The current study aimed to investigate the stimulatory effect of beta-adrenergic receptors (β-ARs) on brain derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB).

    METHODS: Human Müller cells were cultured in low and high glucose conditions. Cells were treated with xamoterol (selective agonist for β1-AR), salmeterol (selective agonist for β2-AR), isoproterenol (β-ARs agonist) and propranolol (β-ARs antagonist), at 20 µM concentration for 24 h. Western Blotting assay was performed for the gene expression analysis. DNA damage was evaluated by TUNEL assay. DCFH-DA assay was used to check the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Cytochrome C release was measured by ELISA.

    RESULTS: Xamoterol, salmeterol and isoproterenol showed no effect on Caspase-8 but it reduced the apoptosis and increased the expression of BDNF in Müller cells. A significant change in the expression of caspase-3 was observed in cells treated with xamoterol and salmeterol as compared to isoproterenol. Xamoterol, salmeterol and isoproterenol significantly decreased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) when treated for 24 hours. Glucose-induced cytochrome c release was disrupted in Müller cells.

    CONCLUSION: β-ARs, stimulated by agonist play a protective role in hyperglycemic Müller cells, with the suppression of glucose-induced caspase-3 and cytochrome c release. B-Ars may directly mediate the gene expression of BDNF.

    Matched MeSH terms: Caspase 8/metabolism
  9. Shafie NH, Esa NM, Ithnin H, Saad N, Pandurangan AK
    Int J Mol Sci, 2013;14(12):23545-58.
    PMID: 24317430 DOI: 10.3390/ijms141223545
    Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6), or phytic acid is a natural dietary ingredient and has been described as a "natural cancer fighter", being an essential component of nutritional diets. The marked anti-cancer effect of IP6 has resulted in our quest for an understanding of its mechanism of action. In particular, our data provided strong evidence for the induction of apoptotic cell death, which may be attributable to the up-regulation of Bax and down-regulation of Bcl-xl in favor of apoptosis. In addition, the up-regulation of caspase-3 and -8 expression and activation of both caspases may also contribute to the apoptotic cell death of human colorectal adenocarcinoma HT-29 cells when exposed to IP6. Collectively, this present study has shown that rice bran IP6 induces apoptosis, by regulating the pro- and anti-apoptotic markers; Bax and Bcl-xl and via the activation of caspase molecules (caspase-3 and -8).
    Matched MeSH terms: Caspase 8/metabolism
  10. Zahedifard M, Faraj FL, Paydar M, Yeng Looi C, Hajrezaei M, Hasanpourghadi M, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2015 Jun 25;5:11544.
    PMID: 26108872 DOI: 10.1038/srep11544
    The current study investigated the cytotoxic effect of 3-(5-chloro-2-hydroxybenzylideneamino)-2-(5-chloro-2-hydroxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydroquinazolin-41(H)-one (A) and 3-(5-nitro-2-hydroxybenzylideneamino)-2-(5-nitro-2-hydroxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-one (B) on MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, MCF-10A and WRL-68 cells. The mechanism involved in apoptosis was assessed to evaluate the possible pathways induced by compound A and B. MTT assay results using A and B showed significant inhibition of MCF-7 cell viability, with IC50 values of 3. 27 ± 0.171 and 4.36 ± 0.219 μg/mL, respectively, after a 72 hour treatment period. Compound A and B did not demonstrate significant cytotoxic effects towards MDA-MB-231, WRL-68 and MCF-10A cells. Acute toxicity tests also revealed an absence of toxic effects on mice. Fluorescent microscopic studies confirmed distinct morphological changes (membrane blebbing and chromosome condensation) corresponding to typical apoptotic features in treated MCF-7 cells. Using Cellomics High Content Screening (HCS), we found that compound A and B could trigger the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to the cytosol. The release of cytochrome c activated the expression of caspases-9 and then stimulated downstream executioner caspase-3/7. In addition, caspase-8 showed remarkable activity, followed by inhibition of NF-κB activation in A-and B-treated MCF-7 cells. The results indicated that A and B could induce apoptosis via a mechanism that involves either extrinsic or intrinsic pathways.
    Matched MeSH terms: Caspase 8/metabolism
  11. Subramani T, Yeap SK, Ho WY, Ho CL, Omar AR, Aziz SA, et al.
    J Cell Mol Med, 2014 Feb;18(2):305-13.
    PMID: 24266867 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.12188
    Vitamin C is generally thought to enhance immunity and is widely taken as a supplement especially during cancer treatment. Tamoxifen (TAM) has both cytostatic and cytotoxic properties for breast cancer. TAM engaged mitochondrial oestrogen receptor beta in MCF-7 cells and induces apoptosis by activation of pro-caspase-8 followed by downstream events, including an increase in reactive oxygen species and the release of pro-apoptotic factors from the mitochondria. In addition to that, TAM binds with high affinity to the microsomal anti-oestrogen-binding site and inhibits cholesterol esterification at therapeutic doses. This study aimed to investigate the role of vitamin C in TAM-mediated apoptosis. Cells were loaded with vitamin C by exposure to dehydroascorbic acid, thereby circumventing in vitro artefacts associated with the poor transport and pro-oxidant effects of ascorbic acid. Pre-treatment with vitamin C caused a dose-dependent attenuation of cytotoxicity, as measured by acridine-orange/propidium iodide (AO/PI) and Annexin V assay after treatment with TAM. Vitamin C dose-dependently protected cancer cells against lipid peroxidation caused by TAM treatment. By real-time PCR analysis, an impressive increase in FasL and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) mRNA was detected after TAM treatment. In addition, a decrease in mitochondrial transmembrane potential was observed. These results support the hypothesis that vitamin C supplementation during cancer treatment may detrimentally affect therapeutic response.
    Matched MeSH terms: Caspase 8/metabolism
  12. Mohd Fisall UF, Ismail NZ, Adebayo IA, Arsad H
    Mol Biol Rep, 2021 May;48(5):4465-4475.
    PMID: 34086162 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06466-y
    Moringa oleifera is a well-known medicinal plant which has anti-cancer and other biological activities. This research aims to determine the cytotoxic and apoptotic effect of M. oleifera leave extract on the breast cancer (MCF7) cells. The extracts were prepared using hexane, dichloromethane, chloroform and n-butanol by fractionating the crude 80% methanol extract of the plant leaves. The cytotoxic effect of the extracts on MCF7 cells were determined using CellTiter 96® AQueous One Solution Cell Proliferation (MTS) assay. The apoptosis study was conducted using Annexin V-FITC analysis and confirmed by Western blotting using selected proteins, which are p53, Bax, cytochrome c and caspase 8. Our results showed that the dichloromethane (DF-CME-MOL) extract was selectively cytotoxic to MCF7 cells (5 μg/mL) without significantly inhibiting the non-cancerous breast (MCF 10A) cells. It had the highest selectivity index (SI) value of 9.5 among the tested extracts. It also induced early apoptosis and increased the expressions of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax, caspase 8 and p53 in MCF7 cells. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis (GC-MS) analysis showed that the major compounds found in DF-CME-MOL were benzeneacetonitrile, 4-hydroxy- and benzeneacetic acid, 4-hydroxy-, methyl ester among others that were detected. Thus, DF-CME-MOL extract was found to inhibit the proliferation of MCF7 cells by apoptosis induction, which is likely due to the activities of the detected phytochemical compounds of the extract.
    Matched MeSH terms: Caspase 8/metabolism*
  13. Wong HC, Wong CC, Sagineedu SR, Loke SC, Lajis NH, Stanslas J
    Cell Biol Toxicol, 2014 Oct;30(5):269-88.
    PMID: 25070834 DOI: 10.1007/s10565-014-9282-5
    3,19-(3-Chloro-4-fluorobenzylidene)andrographolide (SRJ23), a new semisynthetic derivative of andrographolide (AGP), exhibited selectivity against prostate cancer cells in the US National Cancer Institute (NCI) in vitro anti-cancer screen. Herein, we report the in vitro growth inhibition and mechanisms of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induced by SRJ23.
    Matched MeSH terms: Caspase 8/metabolism
  14. Ajdari Z, Rahman H, Shameli K, Abdullah R, Abd Ghani M, Yeap S, et al.
    Molecules, 2016 Mar 01;21(3):123.
    PMID: 26938520 DOI: 10.3390/molecules21030123
    The current study investigated the anticancer properties of gold nanoparticles (SG-stabilized AuNPs) synthesized using water extracts of the brown seaweed Sargassum glaucescens (SG). SG-stabilized AuNPs were characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The SG-stabilized AuNPs were stable and small at 3.65 ± 1.69 nm in size. The in vitro anticancer effect of SG-stabilized AuNPs was determined on cervical (HeLa), liver (HepG2), breast (MDA-MB-231) and leukemia (CEM-ss) cell lines using fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, caspase activity determination, and MTT assays. After 72 h treatment, SG-stabilized AuNPs was shown to be significant (p < 0.05) cytotoxic to the cancer cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The IC50 values of SG-stabilized AuNPs on the HeLa, HepG2, CEM-ss, MDA-MB-231 cell lines were 4.75 ± 1.23, 7.14 ± 1.45, 10.32 ± 1.5, and 11.82 ± 0.9 μg/mL, respectively. On the other hand, SG-stabilized AuNPs showed no cytotoxic effect towards the normal human mammary epithelial cells (MCF-10A). SG-stabilized AuNPs significantly (p < 0.05) arrest HeLa cell cycle at G2/M phase and significantly (p < 0.05) activated caspases-3 and -9 activities. The anticancer effect of SG-stabilized AuNPs is via the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. The study showed that SG-stabilized AuNPs is a good candidate to be developed into a chemotherapeutic compound for the treatment of cancers especially cervical cancer.
    Matched MeSH terms: Caspase 8/metabolism
  15. Lim SW, Loh HS, Ting KN, Bradshaw TD, Zeenathul NA
    PMID: 25480449 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-14-469
    Tocotrienols, especially the gamma isomer was discovered to possess cytotoxic effects associated with the induction of apoptosis in numerous cancers. Individual tocotrienol isomers are believed to induce dissimilar apoptotic mechanisms in different cancer types. This study was aimed to compare the cytotoxic potency of alpha-, gamma- and delta-tocotrienols, and to explore their resultant apoptotic mechanisms in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 and glioblastoma U87MG cells which are scarcely researched.
    Matched MeSH terms: Caspase 8/metabolism
  16. Wong CC, Sagineedu SR, Sumon SH, Sidik SM, Phillips R, Lajis NH, et al.
    Environ Toxicol Pharmacol, 2014 Sep;38(2):489-501.
    PMID: 25168151 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2014.07.016
    Andrographolide (AGP) is the main bioactive constituent isolated from the traditional medicinal, Andrographis paniculata which contributes towards its various biological activities, including anticancer property. In this study, a series of new AGP derivatives were semi-synthesised and screened against the NCI in vitro 60 cell lines. From the screening results, we had identified SRS07 as the most potent AGP derivative, against breast and colon cancer cell lines. Subsequently, SRS07 was tested for its capability to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in MCF-7 and HCT116 cancer cells. SRS07 effectively induced G1 cell cycle arrest in both cell lines and ultimately apoptosis by inducing DNA fragmentation in HCT116 cells. The apoptotic cell death induced by SRS07 was confirmed via FITC Annexin-V double staining. Western blot analysis of SRS07-treated HCT116 cells revealed that the compound induced apoptosis be activating caspase 8 which in turn cleaved Bid to t-Bid to initiate cell death cascade. Prediction of the possible mode of action of SRS07 by utilising NCI COMPARE analysis failed to reveal a distinct mechanism category. Hence, it is speculated that SRS07 possesses novel mechanism of action. In conclusion, SRS07 demonstrated superior in vitro anticancer profiles and emerged as a potential lead anticancer candidate.
    Matched MeSH terms: Caspase 8/metabolism
  17. Qattan MY, Bakker EY, Rajendran R, Chen DW, Saha V, Liu J, et al.
    PLoS One, 2017;12(6):e0178606.
    PMID: 28582465 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178606
    Glucocorticoids (GCs) and topoisomerase II inhibitors are used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) as they induce death in lymphoid cells through the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and p53 respectively. Mechanisms underlying ALL cell death and the contribution of the bone marrow microenvironment to drug response/resistance remain unclear. The role of the microenvironment and the identification of chemoresistance determinants were studied by transcriptomic analysis in ALL cells treated with Dexamethasone (Dex), and Etoposide (Etop) grown in the presence or absence of bone marrow conditioned media (CM). The necroptotic (RIPK1) and the apoptotic (caspase-8/3) markers were downregulated by CM, whereas the inhibitory effects of chemotherapy on the autophagy marker Beclin-1 (BECN1) were reduced suggesting CM exerts cytoprotective effects. GCs upregulated the RIPK1 ubiquitinating factor BIRC3 (cIAP2), in GC-sensitive (CEM-C7-14) but not in resistant (CEM-C1-15) cells. In addition, CM selectively affected GR phosphorylation in a site and cell-specific manner. GR is recruited to RIPK1, BECN1 and BIRC3 promoters in the sensitive but not in the resistant cells with phosphorylated GR forms being generally less recruited in the presence of hormone. FACS analysis and caspase-8 assays demonstrated that CM promoted a pro-survival trend. High molecular weight proteins reacting with the RIPK1 antibody were modified upon incubation with the BIRC3 inhibitor AT406 in CEM-C7-14 cells suggesting that they represent ubiquitinated forms of RIPK1. Our data suggest that there is a correlation between microenvironment-induced ALL proliferation and altered response to chemotherapy.
    Matched MeSH terms: Caspase 8/metabolism
  18. Abu N, Akhtar MN, Yeap SK, Lim KL, Ho WY, Zulfadli AJ, et al.
    PLoS One, 2014;9(10):e105244.
    PMID: 25286005 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0105244
    INTRODUCTION: The kava-kava plant (Piper methsyticum) is traditionally known as the pacific elixir by the pacific islanders for its role in a wide range of biological activities. The extract of the roots of this plant contains a variety of interesting molecules including Flavokawain A and this molecule is known to have anti-cancer properties. Breast cancer is still one of the leading diagnosed cancers in women today. The metastatic process is also very pertinent in the progression of tumorigenesis.

    METHODS: MCF-7 and MDA-MB231 cells were treated with several concentrations of FKA. The apoptotic analysis was done through the MTT assay, BrdU assay, Annexin V analysis, cell cycle analysis, JC-1 mitochondrial dye, AO/PI dual staining, caspase 8/9 fluorometric assay, quantitative real time PCR and western blot. For the metastatic assays, the in vitro scratch assay, trans-well migration/invasion assay, HUVEC tube formation assay, ex vivo rat aortic ring assay, quantitative real time PCR and western blot were employed.

    RESULTS: We have investigated the effects of FKA on the apoptotic and metastatic process in two breast cancer cell lines. FKA induces apoptosis in both MCF-7 and MDA-MB231 in a dose dependent manner through the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway. Additionally, FKA selectively induces a G2/M arrest in the cell cycle machinery of MDA-MB231 and G1 arrest in MCF-7. This suggests that FKA's anti-cancer activity is dependent on the p53 status. Moreover, FKA also halted the migration and invasion process in MDA-MB231. The similar effects can be seen in the inhibition of the angiogenesis process as well.

    CONCLUSIONS: FKA managed to induce apoptosis and inhibit the metastatic process in two breast cancer cell lines, in vitro. Overall, FKA may serve as a promising candidate in the search of a new anti-cancer drug especially in halting the metastatic process but further in vivo evidence is needed.

    Matched MeSH terms: Caspase 8/metabolism
  19. Rahman MA, Ramli F, Karimian H, Dehghan F, Nordin N, Ali HM, et al.
    PLoS One, 2016;11(3):e0151466.
    PMID: 27019365 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0151466
    Artonin E is a prenylated flavonoid isolated from the stem bark of Artocarpus elasticus Reinw.(Moraceae). This study aimed to investigate the apoptotic mechanisms induced by artonin E in a metastatic human ovarian cancer cell line SKOV-3 in vitro. MTT assay, clonogenic assay, acridine orange and propidium iodide double staining, cell cycle and annexin V analyses were performed to explore the mode of artonin E-induced cell death at different time points. DNA laddering, activation of caspases-3, -8, and -9, multi-parametric cytotoxicity-3 analysis by high-content screening, measurement of reactive oxygen species generation, and Western blot were employed to study the pathways involved in the apoptosis. MTT results showed that artonin E inhibited the growth of SKOV-3 cells, with IC50 values of 6.5±0.5 μg/mL after 72 h treatment, and showed less toxicity toward a normal human ovarian cell line T1074, with IC50 value of 32.5±0.5 μg/mL. Results showed that artonin E induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at the S phase. This compound also promoted the activation of caspases-3, -8, and -9. Further investigation into the depletion of mitochondrial membrane potential and release of cytochrome c revealed that artonin E treatment induced apoptosis via regulation of the expression of pro-survival and pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members. The expression levels of survivin and HSP70 proteins were also down regulated in SKOV-3 cells treated with artonin E. We propose that artonin E induced an antiproliferative effect that led to S phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis through dysregulation of mitochondrial pathways, particularly the pro- and anti-apoptosis signaling pathways.
    Matched MeSH terms: Caspase 8/metabolism
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