Ewa Karna

Serum and tissue level of insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I) and IGF‐I binding proteins as an index of pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer

Previously we have found deregulation of collagen metabolism in human pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer tissues. Insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I) is known to stimulate collagen biosynthesis through interaction with IGF‐I receptor. IGF‐I binding proteins (BPs) regulate the activity of IGF‐I. We investigated whether serum and tissue IGF‐I and IGF‐BPs as well as tissue IGF‐I receptor expression may reflect disturbances of collagen metabolism in patients with pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. In pancreatitis tissue, a significant increase in IGF‐I and IGFBP‐3 content was accompanied by a distinct increase in IGF‐I receptor expression, compared to control pancreas tissue. In contrast, serum from patients with pancreatitis did not show significant increases in IGF‐I and IGFBP‐3 levels, however, significant increases in IGFBP‐1 level (2.5 fold). Moreover, a distinct decrease in radioactive IGF‐binding to the BPs, compared to control serum, was found. Pancreatic cancer tissue and serum of patients with pancreatic cancer showed significant increases in IGF‐I, IGFBP‐3 and IGFBP‐1 content, accompanied by dramatic increases in IGF‐I tissue receptor expression, compared to controls. In serum of patients with pancreatic cancer distinct increases in radioactive IGF‐binding to 46 kDa BP, compared to control serum, were observed. The data suggest that disturbances in tissue collagen metabolism during pancreatic diseases may result from deregulation of IGF‐I homeostasis and that elevated serum levels of IGF‐I, IGFBP‐3 and IGFBP‐1 may serve as markers of pancreatic cancer.

Collagen metabolism disturbances are accompanied by an increase in prolidase activity in lung carcinoma planoepitheliale

One of the consequences of neoplastic transformation is deregulation of tissue collagen metabolism. Although metalloproteinases initiate the breakdown of collagen in lung carcinoma, the final step of collagen degradation is mediated by prolidase (E.C.3.4.13.9). We investigated whether prolidase activity could reflect disturbances of collagen metabolism in human lung carcinoma planoepitheliale (Ca pl.). Ten human lung Ca pl. and 10 samples of normal lung parenchyma were compared with respect to prolidase activity and expression (western immunoblot), the content of collagen and collagen degradation products (free and bound hydroxyproline determination), β1 integrin subunit expression (western immunoblot) and collagenolytic activity (zymography). An increase in collagen content (66%, P < 0.05), free proline pool (50%, P < 0.05) and collagenolytic activity was accompanied by a significant increase in the prolidase activity (106%, P < 0.05) and its expression in Ca pl. No differences were found between Ca pl. and the control lung tissue with respect to β1 integrin expression. Prolidase activity may reflect disturbances in tissue collagen metabolism in lung Ca pl. and it may, therefore, serve as a sensitive marker of the disease.

Fibroblast chemotaxis and prolidase activity modulation by insulin-like growth factor II and mannose 6-phosphate.

Chemotactic locomotion of fibroblasts requires extensive degradation of extracellular matrix components. The degradation is provided by a variety of proteases, including lysosomal enzymes. The process is regulated by cytokines. The present study shows that mannose 6-phosphate and insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) enhance fibroblast chemotaxis toward platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). It is suggested that lysosomal enzymes (bearing mannose 6-phosphate molecules) are involved in chemotactic activity of the cells. The suggestion is supported by the observation that a-mannosidase and cathepsin D inhibitor - pepstatin are very potent inhibitors of fibroblast chemotaxis. Simultaneously, mannose 6-phosphate stimulates extracellular collagen degradation. The final step in collagen degradation is catalyzed by the cytosolic enzyme - prolidase. It has been found that mannose 6-phosphate stimulates also fibroblast prolidase activity with a concomitant increase in lysosomal enzymes activity. The present study demonstrates that the prolidase activity in fibroblasts may reflect the chemotactic activity of the cells and suggests that the mechanism of cell locomotion may involve lysosomal enzyme targeting, probably through IGF-II/mannose 6-phosphate receptor.

The potential mechanism for glutamine-induced collagen biosynthesis in cultured human skin fibroblasts.

Although glutamine (Gln) is known as an important stimulator of collagen biosynthesis in collagen-producing cells, the mechanism and endpoints by which it regulate the process remain largely unknown. Intermediates of Gln interconversion: glutamate (Glu) and pyrroline-5-carboxylate (P5C) stimulate collagen biosynthesis in cultured cells but evoke different maxima of collagen biosynthesis stimulating activity at different times of incubation. P5C was found to be the most potent stimulator of collagen biosynthesis after 6 h of incubation (approx. three-fold increase); after 12 h, it induced increase in collagen biosynthesis to 260%, while at 24 h, the process was decreased to approximately 80% of control values. Glu induced increase in collagen biosynthesis to approximately 180%, 400% and 120% of control values, after 6, 12 and 24 h, respectively, suggesting that after 12 h of incubation, Glu was the most potent stimulator of collagen biosynthesis. Glu was also the most potent stimulator of type I procollagen expression at this time. After 6, 12 and 24 h incubation, Gln induced collagen biosynthesis to approximately 112, 115 and 230% of control values, respectively. Since prolidase is known to be involved in collagen metabolism, the enzyme activity assay was performed in fibroblasts cultured in the presence of Gln, Glu and P5C. While Gln and Glu required 24 h for maximal stimulation of prolidase activity, P5C induced it after 6-12 h. The data suggest that P5C induced collagen biosynthesis and prolidase activity in a shorter time than Gln and Glu. We considered that P5C directly stimulates the processes, while Gln acts through its intermediate-P5C. Reduction of P5C to proline is coupled to the conversion of glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) to 6-phospho-gluconate, catalyzed by G6P dehydrogenase. We have found that dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a potent inhibitor of G6P dehydrogenase, inhibited a stimulatory effect of P5C on collagen synthesis, expression of type I collagen and prolidase activity. Our results postulate a potential mechanism of glutamine-induced collagen biosynthesis through its intermediate - P5C. P5C-dependent activation of nucleotide biosynthesis, prolidase activity and P5C conversion into proline may contribute to the stimulation of collagen biosynthesis.

Insulin-like growth factor I-dependent regulation of prolidase activity in cultured human skin fibroblasts

Prolidase [E.C.3.4.13.9] is a cytosolic exopeptidase that catalyses the hydrolysis of C-terminal proline containing dipeptides or tripeptides. The enzyme plays an important role in the recycling of proline for collagen synthesis. Increase in enzyme activity is correlated with increased rates of collagen turnover but the mechanism and endpoints by which this enzyme is regulated remain largely unknown. We have found that insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), potent stimulator of collagen biosynthesis, induces prolidase activity in cultured human skin fibroblasts. Supporting evidence comes from the following observations: (1) Serum of fasted rats, (IGF-I, 72 ± 16 ng/ml) showed about 50% reduced ability to stimulate prolidase activity and collagen biosynthesis in confluent fibroblasts in comparison to the effect of control rat serum (IGF-I, 168 ± 29). (2) An addition of IGF-I (100 ng/ml) to fasted rat serum restored its ability to stimulate prolidase activity and collagen biosynthesis to control values. (3) In confluent human skin fibroblasts, cultured for 48 h with serum free medium prolidase activity was decreased to 50% of control cells, cultured in the presence of normal rat serum. Supplementation of serum free medium with EGF, PDGF and IGF-I (factors that can replace growth promoting activity of serum) stimulated prolidase activity to control values while the medium deprived IGF-I had no such effect. (4) The relative differences in prolidase activity due to specific treatment of confluent cells with above growth factors were accompanied by parallel differences in the amount of the enzyme protein recovered from these cells as shown by western immunoblot analysis. Thus we conclude that prolidase activity is regulated by IGF-I in confluent fibroblasts.

Betulinic acid inhibits the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α and vascular endothelial growth factor in human endometrial adenocarcinoma cells

Although betulinic acid (BA) is known to induce apoptosis and antiangiogenic response in tumor cells, the underlying mechanism of its action is unknown. Deregulation of tissue collagen metabolism is one of the consequences of neoplastic transformation. The final step of collagen degradation is mediated by prolidase [E.C.3.4.13.9] which may play a role in angiogenesis. The formation of new blood vessels is regulated by the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1). The expression of HIF-1 correlates with hypoxia-induced angiogenesis as a result of the induction of vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF). Since BA evokes anticancer activity, its effect on collagen biosynthesis, HIF-1α and VEGF expressions, as well as prolidase activity and expression was studied in cultured endometrial adenocarcinoma (EA) cells. It was found that BA inhibits collagen biosynthesis in EA cells (5[3H] proline incorporation assay). It was accompanied by a parallel decrease in prolidase activity and expression and decrease in expressions of α1 and α2 integrins, HIF-1α, and VEGF (western immunoblot analysis) in cultured human EA cells. The data suggest that BA may have anti-angiogenic potential by inhibition of prolidase, HIF-1α and VEGF expressions, and inhibition of collagen biosynthesis.

Protective effect of hyaluronic acid on interleukin-1-induced deregulation of β1-integrin and insulin-like growth factor-I receptor signaling and collagen biosynthesis in cultured human chondrocytes

The mechanism of protective action of hyaluronic acid (HA) on collagen metabolism disturbances in tissues during inflammation is not known. Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) receptor and β1-integrin receptor signaling plays an important role in the regulation of collagen biosynthesis at both transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of IL-1β (inductor of experimental inflammation) on the signaling pathways as well as on collagen biosynthesis, gelatinases and prolidase activity in cultured human chondrocytes and the effect of HA on these processes. It was found that IL-1β-dependent inhibition of collagen biosynthesis was accompanied by increase in β1-integrin receptor, NF-kB expressions, and increase in phosphorylation of FAK, that resulted in stimulation of metalloproteinase MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities, but not prolidase activity and expression. Simultaneously, decrease in expression of IGF-I receptor and phosphorylation of Akt and p38 were found. All those processes were counteracted by HA. This suggests that cross talk between β1-integrin and IGF-I receptors is disturbed by IL-1β, and HA recovers their proper signaling in cultured chondrocytes. We propose that IGF-I receptor and β1-integrin signaling may play an important role in protective effect of hyaluronic acid on interleukin-1-induced inhibition of collagen biosynthesis in cultured human chondrocytes.

Inhibitory effect of acetylsalicylic acid on metalloproteinase activity in human lung adenocarcinoma at different stages of differentiation.

The mechanism underlying the anticancer effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is not clear. We addressed the question whether the alterations in collagen content in lung adenocarcinomas reported in previous studies result from dysregulation of gelatinolytic activity and whether the activity is altered by acetylsalicylic acid in vitro. Human lung adenocarcinomas were divided into three groups: well-differentiated (G1), moderately differentiated (G2) and poorly differentiated (G3) tumors. Each group was compared with normal lung tissue with respect to tissue collagen and collagen degradation product content (hydroxyproline assay), gelatinolytic activity (zymography) and the expression of matrix metalloproteinases, MMP-2 and MMP-9 (Western immunoblot). Moreover, in the studied tissues, the effect of acetylsalicylic acid on gelatinolytic activity was measured. The lung adenocarcinoma G1 had a similar collagen content as normal lung tissue but increased amounts of collagen degradation products and free hydroxyproline. These phenomena were accompanied by a marked increase in gelatinolytic activity (MMP-2 and MMP-9) in the G1 tumor. In adenocarcinoma G2, the free hydroxyproline content and gelatinolytic activity were increased, while the collagen and collagen degradation product contents were not markedly altered, compared to control. In contrast, adenocarcinoma G3 had an increased tissue collagen content (by about 60%), decreased percentage of collagen degradation products and similar gelatinolytic activity, compared to normal lung. Acetylsalicylic acid was found to inhibit gelatinolytic activity both in control and adenocarcinoma tissues, preferentially the active forms of gelatinases MMP-2 and MMP-9. The results suggest that human lung adenocarcinoma G1, through an elevated expression of the activated forms of both MMP-2 and MMP-9, may represent a more invasive phenotype than less differentiated tumors G2 or G3. It indicates that lung adenocarcinoma G1 should be considered as a possible target for metalloproteinase inhibitory therapy. Acetylsalicylic acid may be such a therapeutical agent in cancer prevention or early stages of tumor growth.

Doxycycline-induced inhibition of prolidase activity in human skin fibroblasts and its involvement in impaired collagen biosynthesis.

Several lines of evidence suggest that doxycycline, a semi-synthetic derivative of tetracycline, may be a useful agent in the treatment of osteoarthritis. It inhibits collagen synthesis and collagenase activity in hypertrophic chondrocytes, slowing the process of collagen turnover. However, the mechanism of doxycycline-induced inhibition of these processes has not been established. We considered prolidase, an enzyme involved in collagen metabolism, as a possible target for the doxycycline-induced inhibition of collagen synthesis. Cultured human skin fibroblasts, specialized for collagen synthesis, were used as model cells. Prolidase [E.C. 3.4.13.9] is a manganese-dependent cytosolic exopeptidase that cleaves imidodipeptides containing C-terminal proline, thus providing large amounts of proline for collagen resynthesis. Enzyme activity is regulated through the beta1 integrin receptor. Therefore, we compared the effect of doxycycline on prolidase activity and expression, collagen biosynthesis, gelatinolytic activity and beta1 integrin expression in 24-h treated cultured human skin fibroblasts. We found that doxycycline induced coordinately inhibition of prolidase activity and collagen biosynthesis (IC50 at about 150 microg/ml) and gelatinolytic activity in cultured human skin fibroblasts. The inhibitory effect of doxycycline on the processes was not due to the cytotoxicity of this drug, as shown in the cell viability tetrazoline test. However, an inhibitory effect of the drug on DNA synthesis was observed (IC50 at about 100 microg/ml). The decrease in prolidase activity in fibroblasts treated with doxycycline was not accompanied by any differences in the amount of prolidase or beta1 integrin recovered from these cells, as shown by Western immunoblot analysis. This suggests that the doxycycline-induced down-regulation of prolidase is a post-translational event. The data presented here raise the possibility that the doxycycline-induced decrease in collagen biosynthesis is mostly due to the inhibition of prolidase activity.

In vitro Antiproliferative and Antifungal Activity of Essential Oils from Erigeron acris L. and Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers.

Antiproliferative and antifungal activities of essential oils from Erigeron acris root and herb and from Erigeron annuus herb were investigated. The cell viability assay was performed in cultured fi broblasts, cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MBA-231), and endometrial adenocarcinoma (Ishikawa) cells as well as colon adenocarcinoma (DLD-1) cells using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT). The essential oil from E. acris root showed the highest antiproliferative activity in the MCF-7 cell line with an IC50 value of 14.5 μg/mL. No effect of the essential oil on normal cells at that concentration was found. Antifungal activity against various strains of five Candida species, i.e. C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, C. krusei, and C. parapsilosis, was tested by the microdilution method. It was found that all examined oils can be useful as antifungal agents against the abovementioned species, but the essential oil of E. acris herb was the most active. Their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) ranged from 30 to 0.4 μL/mL. The data presented suggest that essential oils from E. acris and E. annuus possess antifungal activity against Candida spp. and antiproliferative activity against breast cancer MCF-7 cells