Dariusz Kuśmierz

Human cytomegalovirus in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

The objective of this study was to determine the frequencies of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection and HCMV genome copy number in blood of consecutive (treated from several months to several years) systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients (22 women). The obtained results were compared to the healthy controls (15 women). All patients fulfilled at least four of the 1982 revised American rheumatism association (ARA) classification criteria for SLE. Our patients demonstrated three or four of the nine possible organ systems involved and most of them had mild SLE with SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) score < 10 at time when blood samples were collected to detect HCMV. Quantitative analysis of HCMV genome was performed with aid of sequence analyzer ABI PRISM TM 7700 Perkin Elmer. Primers and probe were constructed on the basis of IE4 region of HCMV genome. The viral load was expressed as log10 of calculated HCMV genome copy number. Qualitative analysis revealed that 100% of our SLE patients were infected with HCMV, whereas in the control group only 73% of persons were HCMV positive. Statistically significant difference was demonstrated when the strength of the association between SLE or controls and infection of HCMV was calculated (estimated by Fishers exact test, P value = 0.02). Higher viral DNA copy number was observed in whole blood of SLE patients than in the control group (338.45 ± 221.76 and 229.00 ±405.61 copies/ml respectively) but did not reach statistical significance level (95% confidence interval from 170.41 to 249.32, P = 0.71). Furthermore percentage of patients with HCMV-DNA copy number >2.0 × 102 copies/ml was statistically significantly higher than this one in controls. The data show association between HCMV infection and SLE, which should be taken into account during the course of SLE.

Expression of messenger RNA for transforming growth factor-beta1 and for transforming growth factor-beta receptors in peripheral blood of systemic lupus erythematosus patients treated with low doses of quinagolide.

The objective of this study was to determine the expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 messenger RNA (TGF-β1 mRNA) and the expression of mRNA for TGF-β receptors (TGF-β Rs mRNA) in whole peripheral blood of consecutive (treated from several months to several years) systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients (21 women). A further aim of this study was to evaluate the association between expression of the above mentioned parameters in relation to the form of applied therapy (9 patients treated with quinagolide and 12 with quinagolide plus prednisone, azathioprine or cyclosporine A). The control group consisted of 15 healthy women. Most of the patients had mild SLE with SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) score < 10 at time when blood samples were collected. Laboratory measurements included real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-QPCR). The expression levels of TGF-β1 mRNA and mRNA for TGF-β RII and RIII were significantly lower in patients whereas the expression level of TGF-β RI was statistically significantly higher in SLE patients than in the controls. A very high positive correlation between TGF-β1 mRNA expression and expression levels of TGF-β Rs mRNA was found. In compared subgroups selected according to the form of the applied therapy no statistically significant differences were observed. We conclude that the TGF-β signaling pathway can be altered in circulating leukocytes derived from treated patients with SLE and that the assumed forms of the applied therapy in the group of patients under consideration are accompanied by similarity in the expression level of transcripts for TGF-β1 and TGF-β Rs determined in whole blood. In our investigations, we cannot exclude the influence of the disease itself on the obtained results.

Synthesis and anticancer and lipophilic properties of 10-dialkylaminobutynyl derivatives of 1,8- and 2,7-diazaphenothiazines

Abstract New derivatives of two isomeric types of azaphenothiazines, 1,8- and 2,7-diazaphenothiazine, containing the triple bond substituents and additionally tertiary cyclic and acyclic amine groups, were synthesized and tested for their anticancer activity. The compounds exhibited differential inhibitory activities. Better results were obtained when the acetylenic group was transformed via the Mannich reaction to the dialkylaminobutynyl groups. The most active was 2,7-diazaphenothiazine with the N-methylpiperazine-2-butynyl substituent against the human ductal breast epithelial tumor cell line T47D, more potent than cisplatin. The 2,7-diazaphenothiazine system turned out to be more active than isomeric 1,8-diaza one. For the most active compound, the expression of TP53, CDKN1A, BCL-2 and BAX genes was detected by the RT-QPCR method. The gene expression ratio BACL-2/BAX suggests the mitochondrial apoptosis in T47D cells. The synthesis makes possible to obtain many new bioactive phenothiazines with the dialkylaminoalkynyl substituents inserting various tertiary cyclic and acyclic amine moieties to the substituents.

Expression of proapoptotic BAX and TP53 genes and antiapoptotic BCL-2 gene in MCF-7 and T-47D tumour cell cultures of the mammary gland after a photodynamic therapy with photolon.

BACKGROUND Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumour in women in the whole world. Despite significant developments in the early diagnosis of breast cancer, there is no effective method which would assure total recovery of the patient. Currently available clinical data and laboratory tests indicate a possibility to introduce photodynamic therapy (PDT) to the supplementary treatment of breast cancer. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to assess the influence of PDT with Photolon as a photosensibilizator on the expression of apoptosis associated genes (BCL-2, BAX, TP53) in human breast cancer cell lines, preceded by assessment of survivorship and proliferative activity in the tested cells after PDT. MATERIAL AND METHODS In the present study human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and T-47D were used. Photolon (chlorin e6 complex: PVP 1:1) was used as a photosensitizer. Assessments of survivorship and proliferative activity of cells under the influence of PDT (WST-1 test) were conducted along with the expression of selected genes involved in the process of apoptosis: BCL-2, BAX, TP53 (RT-QPCR). RESULTS PDT limited both survivorship and proliferative activity of breast cancer cells in the two tested lines. In case of T-47D cell line was found increase of BAX and BCL-2 genes expression after PDT and sustained activity of TP53 gene. Conversely, in MCF-7 cell line a decrease in expression was found for both BAX and TP53 genes, but also an increase of BCL-2 gene expression. CONCLUSIONS A progressing decrease (24, 48 and 72 h after PDT) in the count of culture cells, which suggests the occurrence of apoptosis initiated by a photodynamic reaction with simultaneous increase of BCL-2/BAX index, indicates activation of a different endogenous apoptosis pathway than the one examined, namely pointing to suicidal death of cells after PDT.

3,6-Diazaphenothiazines as potential lead molecules – synthesis, characterization and anticancer activity

Abstract 3,6-Diazaphenothiazines were obtained in cyclization of 3-amino-3′-nitro-2,4′-dipyridinyl sulfide and the reaction of sodium 3-amino-2-pyridinethiolate with 4-chloro-3-nitropyridine followed by alkylation and heteroarylation. The thiazine ring formation ran via the Smiles rearrangement. The structure elucidation was based on 2D NMR and X-ray analysis of N-methylated product. 3,6-Diazaphenothiazines were investigated for antitumor activity using glioblastoma SNB-19, melanoma C-32 and breast cancer MCF-7 cells. 10H-3,6-diazaphenothiazine was 10 times more active (IC50 < 0.72 μg/mL) than cisplatin. Two diazaphenothiazines with the 2-pyrimidinyl and dimethylaminopropyl substituents were selectively active against MCF-7 and C-32 cells. The expressions of H3 (proliferation marker), TP53, CDKN1A (cell cycle regulators), BAX and BCL-2 (proapoptopic and antiapoptopic genes) were detected by RT-QPCR method. The expression analysis suggests the cell cycle arrest and the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway activation in MCF-7 and SNB-19 cells.

Zmiany potencjału proliferacyjnego fibroblastów pochodzących z polipów nosowych, w hodowlach in vitro, pod wpływem pochodnych wit. D

INTRODUCTION Recurrent polyposis in the same patient resulting in the necessity of repeated surgeries forced to search for new pharmacological therapeutic methods. At present, locally acting glycocorticosteroids have the greatest value in the treatment of nasal polyposis. Polyps grow is connected with inflammation process and proliferation of fibroblasts. OBJECTIVE An evaluation of calcitriol and tacalcitol influence on proliferation of fibroblasts extracted from nasal polyps. MATERIAL consisted of 9 tissue samples coming from nasal polyps sampled during polypectomies. The testing was performed on the polyps fibroblasts after the sixth passage after the primary culture was established. Three days after the culture was started the cells were poured with nutrient medium without serum added and after further 24 hours was replaced by nutrient medium with takalcitol and calcitriol in the defined concentrations. The expression of the genes coding histone H3 was evaluated with the use of RT-PCR technique. RESULTS Tacalcitiol and calcitriol in vitro decrease proliferation of fibroblasts sampled from nasal polyps. Inhibition is most effective for the concentration of 10-4M. Tacalcitiol and calcitriol also inhibit level of histone H3 gene expression. CONCLUSION Experimental data suggest tacalcitiol to be more effective in the same concentration. Present studies may indicate the direction of further investigation in the potential pharmacological treatment on nasal polyps.Summary Introduction Recurrent polyposis in the same patient resulting in the necessity of repeated surgeries forced to search for new pharmacological therapeutic methods. At present, locally acting glycocorticosteroids have the greatest value in the treatment of nasal polyposis. Polyps grow is connected with inflammation process and proliferation of fibroblasts. Objective An evaluation of calcitriol and tacalcitol influence on proliferation of fibroblasts extracted from nasal polyps. Material consisted of 9 tissue samples coming from nasal polyps sampled during polypectomies. The testing was performed on the polyps fibroblasts after the sixth passage after the primary culture was established. Three days after the culture was started the cells were poured with nutrient medium without serum added and after further 24 hours was replaced by nutrient medium with takalcitol and calcitriol in the defined concentrations. The expression of the genes coding histone H3 was evaluated with the use of RT-PCR technique. Results Tacalcitiol and calcitriol in vitro decrease proliferation of fibroblasts sampled from nasal polyps. Inhibition is most effective for the concentration of 10-4M. Tacalcitiol and calcitriol also inhibit level of histone H3 gene expression. Conclusion Experimental data suggest tacalcitiol to be more effective in the same concentration. Present studies may indicate the direction of further investigation in the potential pharmacological treatment on nasal polyps.

Inositol Hexaphosphate Inhibits Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis of Colon Cancer Cells by Suppressing the AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway

AKT, a serine/threonine protein kinase and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) plays a critical role in the proliferation and resistance to apoptosis that are essential to the development and progression of colon cancer. Therefore, AKT/mTOR signaling pathway has been recognized as an attractive target for anticancer therapy. Inositol hexaphosphate (InsP6), a natural occurring phytochemical, has been shown to have both preventive and therapeutic effects against various cancers, however, its exact molecular mechanisms of action are not fully understood. The aim of the in vitro study was to investigate the anticancer activity of InsP6 on colon cancer with the focus on inhibiting the AKT1 kinase and p70S6K1 as mTOR effector, in relation to proliferation and apoptosis of cells. The colon cancer Caco-2 cells were cultured using standard techniques and exposed to InsP6 at different concentrations (1 mM, 2.5 mM and 5 mM). Cellular proliferative activity was monitored by 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation into cellular DNA. Flow cytometric analysis was performed for cell cycle progression and apoptosis studies. Real-time RT-qPCR was used to validate mRNA levels of CDNK1A, CDNK1B, CASP3, CASP9, AKT1 and S6K1 genes. The concentration of p21 protein as well as the activities of caspase 3, AKT1 and p70S6K1 were determined by the ELISA method. The results revealed that IP6 inhibited proliferation and stimulated apoptosis of colon cancer cells. This effect was mediated by an increase in the expression of genes encoding p21, p27, caspase 3, caspase 9 as well a decrease in transcription of AKT1 and S6K1. InsP6 suppressed phosphorylation of AKT1 and p70S6K1, downstream effector of mTOR. Based on these studies it may be concluded that InsP6 can reduce proliferation and induce apoptosis through inhibition of the AKT/mTOR pathway and mTOR effector followed by modulation of the expression and activity of several key components of these pathways in colon cancer cells.

Synthesis and In Vitro Antiproliferative Activity of Novel Phenyl Ring-Substituted 5-Alkyl-12(H)-quino[3,4-b][1,4]benzothiazine Derivatives

A novel series of tetracyclic quinobenzothiazine derivatives was synthetized. Compounds containing a substituent (hydroxyl, methyl, phenyl, piperidyl, or piperazinyl) in positions 9 and 11 were obtained by cyclization of suitable 4-aminoquinolinium-3-thiolates. Quinobenzothiazine 10-O-substituted derivatives were obtained by alkylating the hydroxyl group in position 10 of the parent (quinobenzothiazine) system. Antiproliferative activity of the synthesized compounds was studied using cultured neoplastic cells (MDA-MB-231, SNB-19, and C-32 cell lines). Four selected compounds were investigated in more detail for cytotoxicity and antiproliferative effect. Transcriptional activity of genes regulating cell cycle (TP53), apoptosis (BAX, BCL-2), as well as proliferation (H3) were assessed. Finally, the ability of the selected compounds to bind DNA was checked in the presence of ethidium bromide.