ABSTRACT
Androgen receptor (AR) plays an important role in the maintenance of prostate function and development of prostate cancer. AR is the key target in the therapy of prostate cancer. In this study, a cell-based screening assay was established by dual-luciferase reporter system to analyze the activity of AR. In the screening assay, we detected the anti-prostate cancer activities of rhodiola root extract, wild kiwifruit root extract and tripterygium wilfordii root extract, which may provide a new strategy for the treatment of prostate cancer.
ABSTRACT
Drug therapy is one of the efficient methods for prostate cancer treatment. However, drug resistance greatly hindered the treatment of prostate cancer patients. Herein, the mechanisms of drug resistance in prostate cancer have been exhaustively reviewed, and that can provide an alternative strategy and new targets for anti-prostate cancer therapy.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Drug Resistance, Neoplasm , Prostatic Neoplasms , Drug TherapyABSTRACT
Influenza virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) is essential for replication and expression of influenza virus genome. Viral genomic sequences encoding RdRP are highly conservative, thus making it a potential anti-influenza drug target. A cell-based influenza RdRP inhibitor screening assay was established by a luciferase reporter system to analyze the activity of RdRP. Specificity study and statistic analysis showed that the screening assay is sensitive and reproducible.
Subject(s)
Humans , Amantadine , Pharmacology , Antiviral Agents , Pharmacology , Drug Evaluation, Preclinical , Methods , Genes, Reporter , HEK293 Cells , Alphainfluenzavirus , Luciferases , Genetics , Metabolism , Oseltamivir , Pharmacology , Plasmids , RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase , Metabolism , Reproducibility of Results , Ribavirin , Pharmacology , Sensitivity and Specificity , Transfection , Zanamivir , PharmacologyABSTRACT
This study was purposed to investigate the effect of hematopoietic growth factor expression regulated by Egr-1 promoter on the recovery of hematopoietic function in bearing-melanoma mice after chemotherapy with doxorubicin (ADM). The human GM-CSF cDNA and enhanced green fluorescence protein (GFP) cDNA were linked together with internal ribozyme entry site (IRES) and then were inserted into the expression vector pCI-neo under control of the Egr-1 promoter (Egr-EG). This vector was transduced into human bone marrow stromal cell lines HFCL by lipofectamine and was transfused in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice. The experimental mice were randomly divided into 4 groups (6 mice in each group): (1) HFCL/EG + ADM group in which the HFCL/EG cells were transplanted intravenously in SCID mice bearing melanoma, ADM was given intraperitoneally after 3 days; (2) HFCL + ADM group in which the HFCL cells were transplanted intravenously, ADM was given intraperitoneally after 3 days; (3) HPCL/EG group in which HFCL/EG cells were transplanted alone; (4) HFCL group in which HFCL cells were transplanted alone. The dynamic change of peripheral blood picture was assayed by hemocytometer; the eGFP(+) human stromal cells were detected by flow cytometry; the expression of GM-CSF mRNA and protein were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot respectively. The results indicated that as compared with HFCL/EG and HFCL groups, the leukocyte count in HFCL/EG + ADM group decreased, but decrease level was weaker than that in HFCL + ADM group, meanwhile the recovery of leukocyte count was earlier than that in HFCL + ADM group. The CFU-GM amount between 4 groups showed no significant difference. The detection results showed that the inhibitory rate of tumor was related to chemotherapy, but not to expression of exogenous gene; the eGFP(+) stromal cells existed in bone marrow of mice treated with ADM. The RT-PCR and Western blot assays revealed enhancement of GM-CSF mRNA and protein. It is concluded that the ADM-inducible GM-CSF gene therapy regulated by Egr-1 promoter may promote the hematopoietic recovery after chemotherapy.
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Humans , Mice , Doxorubicin , Pharmacology , Early Growth Response Protein 1 , Genetics , Gene Expression , Genetic Vectors , Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor , Genetics , Hematopoiesis , Hematopoietic Stem Cells , Mice, SCID , Promoter Regions, GeneticABSTRACT
Background and purpose:Ionizing radiation(IR) activates the early growth response- I(Egr1) promoter through specific cis-acting sequences termed CArG elements by production of radical oxygen intermediates(ROls).Egr-EG,an expression vector pCIneo containing CArG elements cloned upstream of the cDNA for human recombinant GM-CSF,was used to treat hematopoietic damage due to chemotherapy.Commonly used chemotherapeutic agents can cause tumor cell death by producing DNA damage and generating ROIs.We therefore hypothesized that clinically employed chemotherapeutic agents that increase ROIs could also be employed to activate Egr-EG in a chemoinducible gene therapy strategy.This study was done to explore the chemo-protective effect of the expression of hematopoietic growth factors regulated by Egr-1 promoter on chemotherapy induced damage. Methods:The human GM-CSF cDNA and EGFP cDNA were linked together with internal ribosome entry site(IRES) and then inserted into the eukaryotic expression vector pCI-neo with the Egr-1 promoter(Egr-EG),and was further transduced into human bone marrow stromai cell lines HFCL(HFCL/EG).The HFCL/EG cells were transplanted i.v.into BI6 melanoma in C.B-17 combined immunodeficient(SCID) mice.5-FU was given i.p.on day 3 and 4.The white blood cell amount in peripheral blood,the expression of EGFP and GM-CSF in human stromal cell engrafted in recipient mice were detected by flow cytometry,RT-PCR,Western blot and colony-forming units for granulocytes and macrophages(CFU-GM),respectively.Results:In contrast to the two control groups,HFCL/EG(the Egr-regulatory element-derived expression of GM-CSF gene therapy) resulted in a proportional increase in the number of the white blood cell after chemotherapy,no significant diifferences were found for CFU-GM in bone marrow cells and the inhibition ratio on tumor in recipient mice.Chemotherapy could markedly increase the expression of EGFP and GM- CSF mRNA/protein as compared with that of non-chemotherapy control groups and HFCL group.Conclusion: Chemoinducible GM-CSF gene therapy regulated by Egr-1 promoter can ameliorate the toxic effect on 5-FU chemotherapy-inducible hematopoietic damage.
ABSTRACT
Objective To compare the irradiation-protective and inter-synergestic effects of E838,WR-2721, Rubia cordifolia, cystamin e hydrochloride and ethinyl estradiol on radiation and combined radiation-burn injury. Methods Above-mentioned drugs were given to the mice i ntraperitoneally, or intragastrcally, then, the mortality and the average surviv al d for 30 d were observed before and after the administration of the drug s. Results ①When drugs were before injury , the survival rate and the average survival d of the radiation and combined radiation-burn injured mice were increased obviously with the best effect in E838 and WR-2721. ②When drugs were given after injury, E838 and R. cordifolia also kept the effect. ③Combined appling WR-2721（pre) and E838（post）displayed a significant syner gistic reaction. Conclusion E838 and WR-2721 are more e ffective than the others in the prevention of radiation.
ABSTRACT
Objective To compare the irradiation-protective and inter-synergestic effects of E838,WR-2721, Rubia cordifolia, cystamin e hydrochloride and ethinyl estradiol on radiation and combined radiation-burn injury. Methods Above-mentioned drugs were given to the mice i ntraperitoneally, or intragastrcally, then, the mortality and the average surviv al d for 30 d were observed before and after the administration of the drug s. Results ①When drugs were before injury , the survival rate and the average survival d of the radiation and combined radiation-burn injured mice were increased obviously with the best effect in E838 and WR-2721. ②When drugs were given after injury, E838 and R. cordifolia also kept the effect. ③Combined appling WR-2721（pre) and E838（post）displayed a significant syner gistic reaction. Conclusion E838 and WR-2721 are more e ffective than the others in the prevention of radiation.