Immunostimulatory Agent Evaluation: Lymphoid Tissue Extraction and Injection Route-Dependent Dendritic Cell Activation

For evaluation of a new therapeutic agent for immunotherapy or vaccination, analysis of immune cell activation in lymphatic tissues is essential. Here, we ...

Chungbuk National University

Gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) is the most common malignancy of the biliary tract and one of the most lethal forms of human cancer. However, there is limited information about the molecular pathogenesis of GBC. Here, we examined the functional role of the tumor suppressor N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2 (NDRG2) and the underlying molecular mechanisms of disease progression in GBC.

Loss of NDRG2 promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition of gallbladder carcinoma cells through MMP-19-mediated Slug expression.

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 plays an important role in the invasion and metastasis of various types of cancer cells. We have previously reported that excretory-secretory products from Clonorchis sinensis increases matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression. However, the regulatory mechanisms through which matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression affects cholangiocarcinoma development remain unclear. In the current study, we examined the potential role of excretory-secretory products in regulating the migration and invasion of various cholangiocarcinoma cell lines. We demonstrated that excretory-secretory products significantly induced matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression and activity in a concentration-dependent manner. Reporter gene and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed that excretory-secretory products induced matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression by enhancing the activity of nuclear factor-kappa B. Moreover, excretory-secretory products induced the degradation and phosphorylation of IκBα and stimulated nuclear factor-kappa B p65 nuclear translocation, which was regulated by extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2. Taken together, our findings indicated that the excretory-secretory product-dependent enhancement of matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity and subsequent induction of IκBα and nuclear factor-kappa B activities may contribute to the progression of cholangiocarcinoma.

Clonorchis sinensis excretory-secretory products regulate migration and invasion in cholangiocarcinoma cells via extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2/nuclear factor-κB-dependent matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression.

Excessive migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) after vascular injury contributes to the development of occlusive vascular disease. Inhibition of VSMC migration is a validated therapeutic modality for occlusive vascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis and restenosis. We investigated the inhibitory effect of chebulinic acid (CBA) on cell migration and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 activation in platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-induced mouse and human VSMCs. CBA significantly inhibited PDGF-BB-induced migration in mouse and human VSMCs, without inducing cell death. Additionally, CBA significantly blocked PDGF-BB-induced phosphorylation of the PDGF receptor (PDGF-R), Akt, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 by inhibiting the activation of the PDGF-BB signalling pathway. In both mouse and human VSMCs, CBA inhibited PDGF-induced MMP-2 mRNA and protein expression as well as the proteolytic activity of MMP-2. Moreover, CBA suppressed sprout outgrowth formation of VSMCs from endothelium-removed aortic rings as well as neointima formation following rat carotid balloon injury. Taken together, our findings indicated that CBA inhibits VSMC migration by decreasing MMP-2 expression through PDGF-R and the ERK1/2 and Akt pathways. Our data may improve the understanding of the antiatherogenic effects of CBA in VSMCs.

Chebulinic acid inhibits smooth muscle cell migration by suppressing PDGF-Rβ phosphorylation and inhibiting matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression.

Normal extracellular secretion of nephroblastoma overexpressed (NOV, also known as CCN3) is important for the adhesion, migration, and differentiation of cells. In previous studies, we have shown that the intracellular accumulation of CCN3 inhibits the growth of prominent neurons. Increased intracellular CCN3 can be induced through various processes, such as transcription, detoxification, and posttranslational modification. In general, posttranslational modifications are very important for protein secretion. However, it is unclear whether posttranslational modification is necessary for CCN3 secretion. In this study, we have conducted mutational analysis of CCN3 to demonstrate that its thrombospondin type-1 (TSP1) domain is important for CCN3 secretion and intracellular function. Point mutation analysis confirmed that CCN3 secretion was inhibited by cysteine (C)241 mutation, and overexpression of CCN3-C241A inhibited neuronal axonal growth in vivo. Furthermore, we demonstrated that palmitoylation is important for the extracellular secretion of CCN3 and that zinc finger DHHC-type containing 22 (ZDHHC22), a palmityoltransferase, can interact with CCN3. Taken together, our results suggest that palmitoylation by ZDHHC22 at C241 in the CCN3 TSP1 domain may be required for the secretion of CCN3. Aberrant palmitoylation induces intracellular accumulation of CCN3, inhibiting neuronal axon growth.

CCN3 secretion is regulated by palmitoylation via ZDHHC22.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a neoplastic plasma cell disorder with high disease recurrence rates. Novel therapeutic approaches capable of improving outcomes in patients with MM are urgently required. The AKT signalling plays a critical regulatory role in MM pathophysiology, including survival, proliferation, metabolism, and has emerged as a key therapeutic target. Here, we identified a novel AKT inhibitor, HS1793, and defined its mechanism of action and clinical significance in MM. HS1793 disrupted the interaction between AKT and heat shock protein 90, resulting in protein phosphatase 2A-modulated phosphorylated-AKT (p-AKT) reduction. Moreover, we observed reductions in the kinase activity of the AKT downstream target, IκB kinase alpha, and the transcriptional activity of nuclear factor kappa B, which induced mitochondria-mediated cell death in MM cells exclusively. We confirmed the cytotoxicity and specificity of HS1793 via PET-CT imaging of a metastatic mouse model generated using human MM cells. We also evaluated the cytotoxic effects of HS1793 in primary and relapsed MM cells isolated from patients. Thus, HS1793 offers great promise in eliminating MM cells and improving therapeutic responses in primary and relapsed/refractory MM patients.

Sungbo Shim

Department of Biochemistry

Chungbuk National University

Immunostimulatory Agent Evaluation: Lymphoid Tissue Extraction and Injection Route-Dependent Dendritic Cell Activation

Sungbo Shim

.css-o250i3{font-size:18px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;line-height:21.6px;}Department of Biochemistry

Chungbuk National University

Immunostimulatory Agent Evaluation: Lymphoid Tissue Extraction and Injection Route-Dependent Dendritic Cell Activation

Department of Biochemistry