ABSTRACT
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) possess tumor-initiating, metastatic, and drug resistance properties. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of PEGylated interferon-α2a (PEG-IFN-α2a) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on the expression of CSC markers and on specific pathways that contribute to the propagation of CSCs in HCC. HCC was initiated in rats using a single intraperitoneal dose of diethylnitrosamine (DENA) (200 mg/kg) and promoted by weekly subcutaneous injections of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) for 6 weeks. After the appearance of dysplastic nodules, the animals received PEG-IFN-α2a or 5-FU for 8 weeks. CSC markers (OV6, CD90) and molecules related to transforming growth factor ß (TGF-ß) and other signaling pathways were assessed in hepatic tissues. The PEG-IFN-α2a treatment effectively suppressed the hepatic expression of OV6 and CD90, ameliorated the diminished hepatic expression of TGF-ß receptor II (TGF-ßRII) and ß2-spectrin (ß2SP), and significantly reduced the elevated hepatic expression of TGF-ß1, interleukin6 (IL6), signal transducer and activator of transcription3 (STAT3), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In contrast, the 5-FU treatment failed to reduce the overexpression of CSC markers and barely affected the disrupted TGF-ß signaling. Furthermore, it had no effect on angiogenesis or nitrosative stress. PEG-IFN-α2a, but not 5-FU, could reduce the propagation of CSCs during the progression of HCC by upregulating the disrupted TGF-ß signaling, suppressing the IL6/STAT3 pathway and reducing angiogenesis.
Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology , Interferon-alpha/pharmacology , Liver Neoplasms/pathology , Neoplastic Stem Cells/drug effects , Polyethylene Glycols/pharmacology , Animals , Blotting, Western , Disease Models, Animal , Flow Cytometry , Fluorouracil/pharmacology , Immunohistochemistry , Male , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Recombinant Proteins/pharmacology , Signal Transduction/drug effectsABSTRACT
Imatinib is a principal therapeutic agent for targeting colorectal tumours. However, mono-targeting by imatinib does not always achieve complete cancer eradication. Selenite, a well-known chemopreventive agent, is commonly used in cancer patients. In this study, we aimed to explore whether selenite can modulate imatinib cytotoxicity in colorectal cancer cells. HCT116 cells were treated with different concentrations of imatinib and/or selenite for 24, 48 and 72 hr. Imatinib-selenite interaction was analysed using isobologram equation. As indicators of apoptosis, DNA fragmentation, caspase-3 activity, Bcl-2 expression were explored. Autophagic machinery was also checked by visualizing acidic vesicular organelles and measuring Beclin-1 expression. Furthermore, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species were also examined. This study demonstrated that selenite synergistically augmented imatinib cytotoxicity in HCT116 cells as demonstrated by combination and dose reduction indices. Supranutritional dose of selenite when combined with imatinib induced apoptotic machinery by decreasing Bcl-2 expression, increasing caspase-3 activity and subsequently fragmenting DNA and blunted cytoprotective autophagy by decreasing Beclin-1 expression and autophagosomes formation. Moreover, their combination induced cell cycle S-phase block, increased total thiol content and reduced nitric oxide levels. In conclusion, selenite synergizes imatinib cytotoxicity through multi-barrelled molecular targeting, providing a novel therapeutic approach for colorectal cancer.
