Auranofin reverses acquired resistance to osimertinib in non-small cell lung cancer / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the role of auranofin in reversing acquired resistance to osimertinib in non-small cell lung cancer. Methods Osimertinib-sensi-tive NSCLC cell lines HI975 and PC9 were used to establish osimertinib-resistant NSCLC cell lines HI975/OR and PC9/OR. An FDA approved library of 1470 FDA drugs was used to high-throughput screen the reversal agents of acquired resistant of osimertinib by CCK-8. Compusyn was used to calculate the combination index of osimertinib and auranofin to determine the optimal dose of drug combination. CCK-8, EdU, flow cytometry and Transwell experiments were used to detect osimertinib, auranofin and the combination drug effect on proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of osimertinib acquired NSCLC cell lines. RNA-sequencing was applied to screen differentially expressed mRNAs in osimertinib treatment alone and osimertinib combined with auranofin treatment group. qRT-PCR and western blot were employed to validate the selected gene expression and protein expression. Results Compared with osimertinib sensitive cell lines H1975 and PC9, H1975/OR and PC9/OR showed significantly higher cell viability and lower apoptosis rate after osimertinib treatment. The resistance index was 70. 31 and 136. 99, respectively. In FDA approved 1470 drug library, only auranofin could enhance the sensitivity of osimertinib in H1975/OR and PC9/OR. When 1 μmol • L

Effects of auranofin on the activity of ovarian cancer cells and its molecular mechanisms / 安徽医科大学学报

Objective@#To explore the activity of auranofin against ovarian cancer cells and its possible molecular mechanism．@*Methods @#The dose-response survival curve and IC50 of auranofin on ovarian cancer cell lines ，SKOV3，Caov3 and SW626 cells and immortalized normal human embryonic kidney HEK-293T cells were determined by CCK-8 method．Cell cycle was determined by flow cytometry．The levels of total glutathione ( GSH) ，reduced GSH and glutathione disulfide ( GSSG) ，thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells were determined by microplate reader，and the reduced GSH / GSSG ratio was calculated．Western blot was used to determine the expression of cyclin dependent kinases( CDK) 4，CDK6，Cyclin D1，P53，p-P53 and MDM2 in SKOV3 and Caov3 ovarian cancer cells. @*Results @#Compared with HEK-293T cells，the dose-response survival curves and IC50 values of SKOV3，Caov3 and SW626 cells showed that ovarian cancer cells were more sensitive to auranofin (P＜0. 05) ．After SKOV3 and Caov3 cells were treated with the dose of respective IC50 concentrations of auranofin，compared with the untreated cells group，the Auranofin IC50 group cells' intracellular levels of GSH，the ratio of reduced GSH / GSSG and the activity of TrxR decreased (t = 25. 11 /31. 18，14. 72 /19. 92，43. 30 /10. 74， all P＜0. 05) ，and the levels of ROS increased (t = 23. 82 /27. 71，P＜0. 05) ; cells number at G0 / G1 phases increased，with cells number at S and G2 phases decreased (P＜0. 05) ; and the expression levels of cell cycle-related proteins CDK4，CDK6，Cyclin D1 and the P53-specific E3 ubiquitin ligase MDM2 were down-regulated (t = 7. 51 /15. 59，17. 32 /11. 26，20. 78 /20. 78，24. 25 /17. 32，all P＜0. 05) ，while the expression levels of P53 and p-P53 were up-regulated (t = 17. 32 /24. 25，12. 12 /10. 39，all P ＜0. 05) ．@*Conclusion@# Auranofin causes oxidative stress in ovarian cancer cells by inhibiting TrxR activity，and by partially degrading MDM2 to stabilize and acti- vate P53，so as to block the cancer cells in G0 / G1 phase，and exert anti-ovarian cancer activities.

Estudo do potencial de reposicionamento do composto auranofina no controle de infecções por Candida albicans / Study on the potential for the repositioning of auranofin in the control of Candida albicans infections

A ocorrência crescente de resistência antifúngica, a toxicidade, além do pequeno espectro de ação dos antifúngicos convencionais, limita o número de alternativas terapêuticas para doenças causadas por leveduras do gênero Candida. Uma das frentes de pesquisa é a proposta de novos usos para drogas existentes chamada de reposicionamento, que diminui o tempo e esforço na busca de novos compostos eficazes. Neste contexto, o presente estudo tem como objetivo avaliar o potencial antifúngico e os mecanismos de ação do composto auranofina contra a espécie Candida albicans, além da toxicidade in vivo. Foram utilizadas cepas padrões de C. albicans (SC5314, ATCC 18804) e as concentrações inibitória mínima (CIM) e fungicida mínima (CFM) foram determinadas. Os mecanismos de ação dos compostos foram avaliados sobre a estrutura celular de C. albicans, com verificação de alterações na morfologia, na parede celular, sobre os fatores de virulência de C. albicans, como transição levedura-hifa e produção de exoenzimas, além do efeito do composto sobre o metabolismo de C. albicans e efeito antifúngico sob condições de estresse osmótico. Para avaliação da toxicidade das concentrações efetivas de auranofina in vivo, foi utilizado o modelo invertebrado, Drosophila melanogaster. Os dados obtidos no ensaio de transição levedura-hifa foram avaliados pelos testes ANOVA e de Tukey e os testes Kruskal-Wallis e de Dunn. foram utilizados na análise do efeito de auranofina sobre o metabolismo fúngico. O nível de significância para todos os testes foi de 5%. Foram verificadas concentrações inibitória e fungicida de auranofina sobre C. albicans. Apesar da ausência de efeitos sobre fatores de virulência, auranofina causou redução no metabolismo fúngico e no crescimento fúngico sob estresse osmótico, sugerindo, nesse caso, um possível efeito direto ou indireto na membrana celular fúngica. Além disso, nas concentrações efetivas não foi observada toxicidade relevante in vivo. Os resultados demonstraram, portanto, que auranofina tem potencial para seu reposicionamento como antifúngico, no entanto, mais estudos são necessários para mais esclarecimentos e utilização adequada do medicamento (AU).

The increasing occurrence of antifungal resistance, toxicity, in addition to the small spectrum of action of conventional antifungals, limits the number of therapeutic alternatives for diseases caused by yeasts of the genus Candida. One of the research fronts is the proposal of new uses for existing drugs called repositioning, which reduces the time and effort in the search for new effective compounds. In this context, the present study aims to evaluate the antifungal potential and mechanisms of action of the auranofin compound against Candida albicans, in addition to in vivo toxicity. Standard strains of C. albicans (SC5314, ATCC 18804) were used and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicide concentration (MFC) were determined. The mechanisms of action of the compounds were evaluated on the cellular structure of C. albicans, with verification of changes in morphology, in the cell wall, on the virulence factors of C. albicans, such as yeast-hypha transition and production of exoenzymes, in addition to the effect of the compound on the metabolism of C. albicans and antifungal effect under osmotic stress conditions. To evaluate the toxicity of effective concentrations of auranofin in vivo, the invertebrate model, Drosophila melanogaster, was used. The data obtained in the yeast-hypha transition assay were evaluated by the ANOVA and Tukey tests and the KruskalWallis and Dunn tests. were used to analyze the effect of auranofin on fungal metabolism. The significance level for all tests was 5%. Inhibitory and fungicidal concentrations of auranofin were verified on C. albicans. Despite the absence of effects on virulence factors, auranofin caused a reduction in fungal metabolism and fungal growth under osmotic stress, suggesting, in this case, a possible direct or indirect effect on the fungal cell membrane. Furthermore, at effective concentrations, no relevant in vivo toxicity was observed. The results showed, therefore, that auranofin has the potential for its repositioning as an antifungal, however, more studies are needed for further clarification and proper use of the drug (AU).

Effect of auranofin combined with antineoplastic vorinostat on bactericidal activities against gramnegative bacteria and study on the target of auranofin / 中华传染病杂志

Objective To find the target of auranofin with the antibacterial activity against gramnegative bacteria and to investigate the effect of the combination of auranofin and vorinostat on the antibacterial activity against gram-negative bacteria.Methods The strains of E.coli lacking thioredoxin reductase (TrxR)was used to find the target gene.The potential synergies of the combination of auranofin and vorinostat for E.coli strain,A.baumannii strain,P.aeruginosa strain,K.pneumonia strain and muhidrug-resistant (MDR)A.baumannii strain were evaluated using susceptibility tests,micro-dilution checkerboard tests and time-kill studies.The genes related to Trx (trxA,trxB,trxC) and the gene expressed glutathione (gor) of E.coli BW25113 strains (WT) were separately knocked out to observe the effect of auranofin on minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the time-kill kinetics of △trxC and △gor.Furthermore,the complemented strains (C-trxA,C-trxB,C-trxC,C-gor) were used to verify and define the genetic targets.Results According to the results of susceptibility tests,MICs of auranofin were 64 mg/L for E.coli strain BW25113 and K.pneumonia strain ATCC 43816,128 mg/L for P.aeruginosa strain PA14 and 32 mg/L for both A.baumannii strain ATCC 17978 and A.baumannii strain AB5075.However,MICs of vorinostat are 512 mg/L for all isolates.The fractional inhibitory concentration indexes (FICIs) of the combination of auranofin and vorinostat for E.coli strain BW25113,A.baumannii strain ATCC 17978,MDR A.baumannii strain AB5075,K.pneumonia starin ATCC 43816 and P.aeruginosa strain PAl4 were 0.313,0.375,0.375,0.375,and 0.375,respectively,with all values ＜ 0.5,which showed synergy.In susceptibility tests of knockout strains,MICs of auranofin for △trxC increased from 64 mg/L to 256 mg/L,decreased to 16 mg/L for △gor,and no changes for △trxA and △trxB.Auranofin showed the same antibacterial activities against the complemented strains (C-trxC,C-gor) and E.col BW25113,which decreased by about 1.8 lg colong formins units (CFU)/mL of bacterial counts.However,the antibacterial activity of auranofin was significantly reduced for △trxC,and decreased by ＜ 1 lg CFU/mL of bacterial counts.For Agor,bacterial counts decreased 4.6 lg CFU/mL,and the antibacterial activity markedly increased.Conclusions The potential target gene of auranofin against gram-negative bacteria could be trxC,which provides new ideas and methods for the clinical treatment of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria.

Auranofin Suppresses Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-2 Expression through Annexin A5 Induction in Human Prostate Cancer Cells

Auranofin has been developed as antirheumatic drugs, which is currently under clinical development for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Previous report showed that auranofin induced apoptosis by enhancement of annexin A5 expression in PC-3 cells. To understand the role of annexin A5 in auranofin-mediated apoptosis, we performed microarray data analysis to study annexin A5-controlled gene expression in annexin A5 knockdown PC-3 cells. Of differentially expressed genes, plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-2 was increased by annexin A5 siRNA confirmed by qRT-PCR and western blot. Treatment with auranofin decreased PAI-2 and increased annexin A5 expression as well as promoting apoptosis. Furthermore, auranofin-induced apoptosis was recovered by annexin A5 siRNA but it was promoted by PAI-2 siRNA. Interestingly, knockdown of annexin A5 rescued PAI-2 expression suppressed by auranofin. Taken together, our study suggests that induction of annexin A5 by auranofin may enhance apoptosis through suppression of PAI-2 expression in PC-3 cells.

Compatibilidad química por calorimetría diferencial de barrido y termogravimetría del auranofin tabletas 3 mg / Chemical compatibility of 3 mg Auranofin tablets demonstrated by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry

Como parte de la pre-estabilidad de la preformulación de auranofin tabletas, se realizó un estudio de compatibilidad química, para lo cual se emplearon técnicas de análisis térmico como la calorimetría diferencial de barrido y la termogravimetría. Previo a dichos estudios se caracterizó térmicamente por calorimetría diferencial de barrido el principio activo y cada uno de los excipientes. Posteriormente se procedió a la realización del estudio de compatibilidad química, mediante la preparación de mezclas físicas binarias entre el principio activo y cada uno de los excipientes. Se detectó por ambos métodos que el principio activo tuvo una transición física de fusión, no reportada en la literatura, lo que permitió poder calcular su pureza por calorimetría diferencial de barrido. Mediante la técnica calorimétrica fue posible inferir la ausencia de incompatibilidad química entre el principio activo y los excipientes estudiados. Además, mediante el cálculo de la energía de activación se estableció el siguiente orden de estabilidad térmica: auranofin:PVP> auranofin:lactosa> auranofin:explotab> auranofin:estearato> auranofin:aerosil> auranofin:celulosa, por lo que se recomienda el uso de estos excipientes en la elaboración de la formulación farmacéutica

As part of the pre-stability study of the Auranofin tablet pre-formulation, a chemical compatibility study was conducted using thermal analysis techniques such as the differential scanning calorimetry and the thermogravimetry. Prior to these studies, the active principle and each of the excipients were thermally characterized with the aid of the differential scanning calorimetry. Then, there proceeded to carry out the chemical compatibility study by preparing binary physical mixtures between the active principle and each of the excipients. Both methods showed that the active principle had a melting physical transition, not reported in the literature, which allowed calculating its purity aided by the differential scanning calorimetry. It was possible to infer from the calorimetry technique that there was not chemical incompatibility between the active principle and the studied excipients. By means of the activation energy estimation, the following order of thermal stability was set: Auranofin:PVP> Auranofin: lactose> Auranofin:explotab> Auranofin:estearate> Auranofin:aerosil> Auranofin:celullose. The use of these excipients was recommended for the preparation of the pharmaceutical formulation

Gold compound auranofin inhibits I kappaB kinase (IKK) by modifying Cys-179 of IKK beta subunit

Antirheumatic gold compounds have been shown to inhibit NF-kB activation by blocking IkB kinase (IKK) activity. To examine the possible inhibitory mechanism of gold compounds, we expressed wild type and mutant forms of IKk alpha and beta subunits in COS-7 cells and determined the effect of gold on the activity of these enzymes both in vivo and in vitro. Substitution of Cys-179 of IKK beta with alanine (C179A) rendered the enzyme to become resistant to inhibition by a gold compound auranofin, however, similar protective effect was not observed with an equivalent level of IKK alpha (C178A) mutant expressed in the cells. Auranofin inhibited constitutively active IKK alpha and beta and variants; IKK alpha (S176E, S180E) or IKK beta (S177E, S181E), suggesting that gold directly cause inhibition of activated enzyme. The different inhibitory effect of auranofin on IKK alpha (C178A) and IKK beta (C179A) mutants indicates that gold could inhibit the two subunits of IKK in a different mode, and the inhibition of NF- kB and IKK activation induced by inflammatory signals in gold-treated cells appears through its interaction with Cys-179 of IKK beta.