Ming-Fen Lee

Rosmanol potently induces apoptosis through both the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and death receptor pathway in human colon adenocarcinoma COLO 205 cells

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), a culinary spice and medicinal herb, has been widely used in European folk medicine to treat numerous ailments. Many studies have shown that rosemary extracts play important roles in anti-inflammation, anti-tumor, and anti-proliferation in various in vitro and in vivo settings. The roles of tumor suppression of rosemary have been attributed to the major components, including carnosic acid, carnosol, and rosmarinic acid, rosmanol, and ursolic acid. This study was to explore the effect of rosmanol on the growth of COLO 205 human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells and to delineate the underlying mechanisms. When treated with 50 μM of rosmanol for 24h, COLO 205 cells displayed a strong apoptosis-inducing response with a 51% apoptotic ratio (IC(50) ∼42 μM). Rosmanol increased the expression of Fas and FasL, led to the cleavage and activation of pro-caspase-8 and Bid, and mobilized Bax from cytosol into mitochondria. The mutual activation between tBid and Bad decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential and released cytochrome c and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) to cytosol. In turn, cytochrome c induced the processing of pro-caspase-9 and pro-caspase-3, followed by the cleavage of poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and DNA fragmentation factor (DFF-45). These results demonstrate that the rosmanol-induced apoptosis in COLO 205 cells is involvement of caspase activation and involving complicated regulation of both the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and death receptor pathway.

Garcinol inhibits cell growth in hepatocellular carcinoma Hep3B cells through induction of ROS-dependent apoptosis

Garcinol, derived from Garcinia indica and other related species, has been found to modulate several cell signalling pathways involved in apoptosis and cancer development. Growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible gene 153 (GADD153) is a member of the CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) family of transcription factors; it is expressed at low levels under normal conditions but strongly induced upon growth arrest, DNA damage, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. This study investigated the effect of garcinol on Hep3B cells, a human hepatocellular cancer cell line lacking functional p53, with the goal of elucidating the molecular mechanisms of p53-independent apoptosis in hepatocellular cancer. Overall, garcinol activated not only the death receptor and the mitochondrial apoptosis pathways but also the ER stress modulator GADD153. Garcinol treatment led to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), increased GADD153 expression, and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential. An increase in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio resulted in enhanced apoptosis. Caspase-8 and tBid (truncated Bid) expression also increased in a time-dependent manner. The enzymatic activities of caspase-3 and caspase-9 increased approximately 13-fold and 7.8-fold, respectively. In addition, the proteolytic cleavage of poly-(ADP-ribose)-polymerase (PARP) and DNA fragmentation factor-45 (DFF-45) increased in dose- and time-dependent manners. Our data suggest a promising therapeutic application of garcinol in p53-independent apoptosis in cancers.

Resveratrol Modulates MED28 (Magicin/EG-1) Expression and Inhibits Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF)-Induced Migration in MDA-MB-231 Human Breast Cancer Cells

Resveratrol and pterostilbene exhibit diverse biological activities. MED28, a subunit of the mammalian Mediator complex for transcription, was also identified as magicin, an actin cytoskeleton Grb2-associated protein, and as endothelial-derived gene (EG-1). Several tumors exhibit aberrant MED28 expression, whereas the underlying mechanism is unclear. Triple-negative breast cancers, often expressing epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR), are associated with metastasis and poor survival. The objective of this study is to compare the effect of resveratrol and pterostilbene and to investigate the role of MED28 in EGFR-overexpressing MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Pretreatment of resveratrol, but not pterostlbene, suppressed EGF-mediated migration and expression of MED28 and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 in MDA-MB-231 cells. Moreover, overexpression of MED28 increased migration, and the addition of EGF further enhanced migration. Our data indicate that resveratrol modulates the effect of MED28 on cellular migration, presumably through the EGFR/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway, in breast cancer cells.

Quercetin induces growth arrest through activation of FOXO1 transcription factor in EGFR-overexpressing oral cancer cells.

The squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (SCCHNs) with aberrant epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling are often associated with poor prognosis and low survival. Therefore, efficient inhibition of the EGFR signaling could intervene with the development of malignancy. Quercetin appears to be antitumorigenesis, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear in oral cancer. Fork-head box O (FOXO) transcription factors, Akt downstream effectors, are important regulators of cell growth. Here, we hypothesized that FOXO1 might be crucial in quercetin-induced growth inhibition in EGFR-overexpressing oral cancer. Quercetin treatment suppressed cell growth by inducing G2 arrest and apoptosis in EGFR-overexpressing HSC-3 and TW206 oral cancer cells. Quercetin inhibited EGFR/Akt activation with a concomitant induction of FOXO1 activation. FOXO1 knockdown attenuated quercetin-induced p21 and FasL expression and subsequent G2 arrest and apoptosis, respectively. Likewise, quercetin suppressed tumor growth in HSC-3 xenograft mice. Taken together, our data indicate that quercetin is an effective anticancer agent and that FOXO1 is crucial in quercetin-induced growth suppression in EGFR-overexpressing oral cancer.

Pterostilbene inhibits dimethylnitrosamine-induced liver fibrosis in rats.

Pterostilbene, found in grapes and berries, exhibits pleiotropic effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-proliferative activities. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of pterostilbene on liver fibrosis and the potential underlying mechanism for such effect. Sprague-Dawley rats were intraperitoneally given dimethyl n-nitrosamine (DMN) (10mg/kg) 3 days per week for 4 weeks. Pterostilbene (10 or 20mg/kg) was administered by oral gavage daily. Liver function, morphology, histochemistry, and fibrotic parameters were examined. Pterostilbene supplementation alleviated the DMN-induced changes in the serum levels of alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase (p<0.05). Fibrotic status and the activation of hepatic stellate cells were improved upon pterostilbene supplementation as evidenced by histopathological examination as well as the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2). These data demonstrated that pterostilbene exhibited hepatoprotective effects on experimental fibrosis, potentially by inhibiting the TGF-β1/Smad signaling.

Quercetin suppresses cellular migration and invasion in human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with aberrant epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling is often associated with a poor prognosis and a low survival rate. Hence, efficient inhibition of the EGFR signaling-mediated malignancy would improve survival rate. In a previous study, we demonstrated that quercetin appears to be a potent anti-tumorigenic agent through its inhibition of the EGFR/Akt pathway in oral cancer, but its anti-metastatic potential in HNSCC remains unclear [1]. Here, we have hypothesized that quercetin might be effective in metastatic inhibition in EGFR-overexpressing HNSCC cells. Quercetin treatment with 10 μM (half concentration of IC50) suppressed cell migration and invasion in EGFR-overexpressing HSC-3 and FaDu HNSCC cells. Quercetin also inhibited the colony growth of HSC-3 cells embedded in a Matrigel matrix. Among matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), the secreted gelatinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 are responsible for the degradation of gelatin in the extracellular matrix and type IV collagen in the basement membrane; and this degradation event is crucial for the migration from the origin and the invasion into the bone in HNSCC. Quercetin (10 μM) treatment also suppressed the expression and proteolytic activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Taken together, our data indicate that quercetin is an effective anti-cancer agent against MMP-2- and MMP-9-mediated metastasis in EGFR-overexpressing HNSCC.

MED28 regulates MEK1-dependent cellular migration in human breast cancer cells.

MED28, a mammalian Mediator subunit, exhibits several cellular roles, including a merlin, Grb2, and cytoskeleton‐associated protein (magicin), a repressor of smooth muscle cell differentiation, and an endothelial‐derived gene (EG‐1). Overexpression of MED28 may stimulate cell proliferation which presumably results from the transcriptional activation of the Mediator function. Additionally, several tumors, including breast cancer, highly express MED28. We have found recently that MED28 potentiated epidermal growth factor (EGF)‐induced migration in human breast cancer cells. Therefore, the objective of this study is to identify the role of MED28 in the aspect of cellular migration and invasion in human breast cancer cells. Suppression of MED28 blocked cellular migration and invasion with concomitant reduced expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (MMP2) and mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MAP2K1; MEK1); overexpression of MED28 enhanced cellular migration and upregulated MMP2 and MEK1 expression. Moreover, suppression of MEK1, by dominant‐negative, kinase‐dead MEK1 cDNA construct or MEK1‐specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) as well as MEK1 inhibitors, blocked MED28‐induced MMP2 activation, cellular migration, and invasion in breast cancer cells. Furthermore, ectopic expression of MEK1 rescued the inhibitory effect of MED28 knockdown on invasion, and exogenous MMP2 recombinant protein recovered the suppression on invasion upon MED28 or MEK1 knockdown. Our data indicate that MED28 regulates cellular migration in a MEK1‐dependent manner in human breast cancer cells, reinforcing the important cellular roles of MED28. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 3820–3827, 2012.

Transcription factor HBP1 is a direct anti-cancer target of transcription factor FOXO1 in invasive oral cancer

Either FOXO1 or HBP1 transcription factor is a downstream effector of the PI3K/Akt pathway and associated with tumorigenesis. However, the relationship between FOXO1 and HBP1 in oral cancer remains unclear. Analysis of 30 oral tumor specimens revealed that mean mRNA levels of both FOXO1 and HBP1 in non-invasive and invasive oral tumors were found to be significantly lower than that of the control tissues, and the status of low FOXO1 and HBP1 (< 0.3 fold of the control) was associated with invasiveness of oral tumors. To investigate if HBP1 is a direct transcription target of FOXO1, we searched potential FOXO1 binding sites in the HBP1 promoter using the MAPPER Search Engine, and two putative FOXO1 binding sites located in the HBP1 promoter –132 to –125 bp and –343 to –336 bp were predicted. These binding sites were then confirmed by both reporter gene assays and the in cellulo ChIP assay. In addition, Akt activity manipulated by PI3K inhibitor LY294002 or Akt mutants was shown to negatively affect FOXO1-mediated HBP1 promoter activation and gene expression. Last, the biological significance of the FOXO1-HBP1 axis in oral cancer malignancy was evaluated in cell growth, colony formation, and invasiveness. The results indicated that HBP1 knockdown potently promoted malignant phenotypes of oral cancer and the suppressive effect of FOXO1 on cell growth, colony formation, and invasion was alleviated upon HBP1 knockdown in invasive oral cancer cells. Taken together, our data provide evidence for HBP1 as a direct downstream target of FOXO1 in oral cancer malignancy.

All Trans-Retinoic Acid Mediates MED28/HMG Box-Containing Protein 1 (HBP1)/β-Catenin Signaling in Human Colorectal Cancer Cells.

Vitamin A is required for normal body function, including vision, epithelial integrity, growth, and differentiation. All trans‐retinoic acid (ATRA), a family member of vitamin A, has been explored in treating acute promyelocytic leukemia and other types of cancer. Dysregulated Wnt/β‐catenin signaling and disrupted cadherin‐catenin complex often contribute to colorectal malignancy. MED28, a mammalian Mediator subunit, is found highly expressed in breast and colorectal cancers. Our laboratory has also reported that MED28 regulates cell growth, migration, and invasion in human breast cancer cells. In the current study we investigated the effect of ATRA on MED28 and Wnt/β‐catenin signaling in colorectal cancer. HCT116, HT29, SW480, and SW620, four human colorectal cancer cell lines representing different stages of carcinogenesis and harboring critical genetic changes, were employed. Our data indicated that regardless of genetic variations among these cells, suppression of MED28 reduced the expression of cyclin D1, c‐Myc, and nuclear β‐catenin, but increased the expression of E‐cadherin and HMG box‐containing protein 1 (HBP1) where HBP1 has been described as a negative regulator of the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling. The reporter activity of an HBP1 promoter increased upon MED28 knockdown, but decreased upon MED28 overexpression. ATRA reduced the expression of MED28 and mimicked the effect of MED28 suppression in down‐regulating Wnt/β‐catenin signaling. Taken together, ATRA can reverse the suppressive effect of MED28 on HBP1 and E‐cadherin and inactivate the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway in colorectal cancer, suggesting a protective effect of ATRA against colorectal cancer. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 1796–1803, 2016.

Transcription factor HMG box-containing protein 1 (HBP1) modulates mitotic clonal expansion (MCE) during adipocyte differentiation

Transcription factor HMG box‐containing protein 1 (HBP1) has been found to be up‐regulated in rat adipose tissue and differentiated preadipocyte; however, how HBP1 is involved in adipocyte formation remains unclear. In the present study, we demonstrated that under a standard differentiation protocol HBP1 expression fluctuates with down‐regulation in the mitotic clonal expansion (MCE) stage followed by up‐regulation in the terminal differentiation stage in both 3T3‐L1 and MEF cell models. Also, HBP1 knockdown accelerated cell cycle progression in the MCE stage, but it impaired final adipogenesis. To gain further insight into the role of HBP1 in the MCE stage, we found that the HBP1 expression pattern is reciprocal to that of C/EBPβ, and ectopic expression of HBP1suppresses C/EBPβ expression. These data indicate that HBP1 functions as a negative regulator of MCE. In contrast, when HBP1 expression was gradually elevated along with a concomitant induction of C/EBPα at the end of the MCE, HBP1 knockdown leads to a significant reduction of C/EBPα expression, suggesting that HBP1‐mediated C/EBPα expression may be needed for the termination of the cell cycle at the end of MCE for terminal differentiation. All told, our findings show that HBP1 is a key transcription factor in the already complicated regulatory cascade during adipocyte differentiation.