Influence of genetic polymorphisms on pharmacokinetics and treatment response of mycophenolic acid: a scoping review.

This scoping review explores the impact of genetic polymorphisms on the pharmacokinetics and treatment responses of mycophenolic acid (MPA), an immunosuppressant. The study includes 83 articles from 1226 original studies, focusing on transplantation (n = 80) and autoimmune disorders (n = 3). Genetic variants in uridine 5'-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT1A9, UGT1A8 and UGT2B7) and transmembrane transporters (ABCC2, SLCO1B1, SLCO1B3 and ABCB1) significantly affected MPA's pharmacokinetics and susceptibility to its adverse effect. Whereas variants in several genes including UGT1A9, UGT2B7, IMPDH1 and IMPDH2 have been associated with a higher risk of transplant rejection. However, there is a lack of studies on MPA's impact on autoimmune disorders and limited research on the Asian population. The findings underscore the need for further research on MPA's impact across different populations and diseases, particularly among other Asian ethnic groups, to advance personalized medicine in MPA therapy.

[Box: see text].

Nobiletin Inhibits Breast Cancer Stem Cell by Regulating the Cell Cycle: A Comprehensive Bioinformatics Analysis and In Vitro Experiments.

Inhibiting breast cancer stem cell (BCSC) signaling pathways is a strategic method for successfully treating breast cancer. Nobiletin (NOB) is a compound widely found in orange peel that exhibits a toxic effect on various types of cancer cells, and inhibits the signaling pathways that regulate the properties of BCSCs; however, the effects of NOB on BCSCs remain elusive. The purpose of this study was to determine the target genes of NOB for inhibiting BCSCs using in vitro three-dimensional breast cancer cell culture (mammospheres) and in silico approaches. We combined in vitro experiments to develop mammospheres and conducted cytotoxicity, next-generation sequencing, and bioinformatics analyses, such as gene ontology, the Reactome pathway enrichment, network topology, gene set enrichment analysis, hub genes selection, genetic alterations, prognostic value related to the mRNA expression, and mRNA and protein expression of potential NOB target genes that inhibit BCSCs. Here, we show that NOB inhibited BCSCs in mammospheres from MCF-7 cells. We also identified CDC6, CHEK1, BRCA1, UCHL5, TOP2A, MTMR4, and EXO1 as potential NOB targets inhibiting BCSCs. NOB decreased G0/G1, but increased the G2/M cell population. These findings showed that NOB is a potential therapeutic candidate for BCSCs treatment by regulating cell cycle.

Tumour-suppressive effects of curcumin analogs CCA-1.1 and Pentagamavunone-1 in colon cancer: In vivo and in vitro studies.

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Chemoprevention Curcumin Analog-1.1 (CCA-1.1) and Pentagamavunone-1 (PGV-1) in vivo and in vitro in colorectal cancer model. CCA-1.1 or PGV-1 was administered orally to 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced rats for 16 weeks. The cytotoxicity of both compounds was tested on Caco-2, CT26, and NIH/3T3 cells using the MTT method. The cell cycle, apoptosis, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were analyzed through flow cytometry. X-gal staining was used to examine the compound's effect on senescence. Oral co-administration of CCA-1.1 or PGV-1 significantly suppressed the carcinogenic characteristics and symptoms of premalignant colon cancer relative to DMH-only and untreated groups. CCA-1.1 and PGV-1 administration did not affect the blood profile. CCA-1.1 and PGV-1 demonstrated great cytotoxicity on Caco-2 and CT26 cells, with 50% inhibition concentration (IC50) values of 4.3 ± 0.2 and 3.1 ± 0.1 µM for CCA-1.1 and 11.2 ± 1.1 and 4.8 ± 0.1 µM for PGV-1, respectively, while not toxic against fibroblast cells. Both compounds instigated G2/M arrest and efficiently induced cell senescence and apoptosis. Moreover, these analogs selectively elevated oxidative stress in colon cancer cells without inducing noticeable changes in fibroblasts. In conclusion, PGV-1 and CCA-1.1 suppressed colorectal tumor formation and induced mitotic arrest.

Cytoprotective Properties of Citronella Oil (Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendl.) and Lemongrass Oil (Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf) through Attenuation of Senescent-Induced Chemotherapeutic Agent Doxorubicin on Vero and NIH-3T3 Cells.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the cytoprotective potentials of citronella (Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendl.) essential oil (CO) and lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf) essential oil (LO). METHODS: The essential oils from citronella and lemongrass were obtained by steam-water distillation, then analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrophotometry (GC-MS) to determine the chemical constituents. The antioxidant activity of CO and LO was compared using a total antioxidant capacity kit. The viability of normal kidney epithelial cells Vero and fibroblast NIH-3T3 as the cell models were tested using a trypan blue exclusion assay. The effect of cellular senescence inhibition on both cell models was measured using senescence-associated ß-galactosidase (SA-ß-gal) staining. The mechanism of action of CO and LO in the protection of cellular damage against doxorubicin was also confirmed through 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFDA) staining to discover the ability to decrease reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and a gelatin zymography assay to observe the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). RESULTS: The major marker components of CO and LO were citronellal and citral, respectively. Both oils showed low cytotoxic activity against Vero and NIH-3T3 cells, with IC50 values of over 40 µg/mL. LO exhibited higher antioxidant capacity than CO, but there was no effect on the intracellular ROS level of both oils on Vero and NIH-3T3 cells. However, CO and LO decreased cellular senescence induced by doxorubicin exposure on both cells, as well as suppressed MMP-2 expression.  Conclusion: Both CO and LO decrease the cellular senescence and MMP-2 expression with less cytotoxic effects on normal cells independently from their antioxidant capacities. The results were expected to support the use of CO and LO as tissue protective and anti-aging agents in maintaining the body's cellular health against chemotherapeutics or cellular damaging agents.

Identification of potential targets of the curcumin analog CCA-1.1 for glioblastoma treatment : integrated computational analysis and in vitro study.

The treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is challenging owing to its localization in the brain, the limited capacity of brain cells to repair, resistance to conventional therapy, and its aggressiveness. Curcumin has anticancer activity against aggressive cancers, such as leukemia, and GBM; however, its application is limited by its low solubility and bioavailability. Chemoprevention curcumin analog 1.1 (CCA-1.1), a curcumin analog, has better solubility and stability than those of curcumin. In this study, we explored potential targets of CCA-1.1 in GBM (PTCGs) by an integrated computational analysis and in vitro study. Predicted targets of CCA-1.1 obtained using various databases were subjected to comprehensive downstream analyses, including functional annotation, disease and drug association analyses, protein-protein interaction network analyses, analyses of genetic alterations, expression, and associations with survival and immune cell infiltration. Our integrative bioinformatics analysis revealed four candidate targets of CCA-1.1 in GBM: TP53, EGFR, AKT1, and CASP3. In addition to targeting specific proteins with regulatory effects in GBM, CCA-1.1 has the capacity to modulate the immunological milieu. Cytotoxicity of CCA-1.1 was lower than TMZ with an IC50 value of 9.8 µM compared to TMZ with an IC50 of 40 µM. mRNA sequencing revealed EGFR transcript variant 8 was upregulated, whereas EGFRvIII was downregulated in U87 cells after treatment with CCA-1.1. Furthermore, a molecular docking analysis suggested that CCA-1.1 inhibits EGFR with various mutations in GBM, which was confirmed using molecular dynamics simulation, wherein the binding between CCA-1.1 with the mutant EGFR L861Q was stable. For successful clinical translation, the effects of CCA-1.1 need to be confirmed in laboratory studies and clinical trials.

Comprehensive Computational Analysis of Honokiol Targets for Cell Cycle Inhibition and Immunotherapy in Metastatic Breast Cancer Stem Cells.

Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) play a critical role in chemoresistance, metastasis, and poor prognosis of breast cancer. BCSCs are mostly dormant, and therefore, activating them and modulating the cell cycle are important for successful therapy against BCSCs. The tumor microenvironment (TME) promotes BCSC survival and cancer progression, and targeting the TME can aid in successful immunotherapy. Honokiol (HNK), a bioactive polyphenol isolated from the bark and seed pods of Magnolia spp., is known to exert anticancer effects, such as inducing cell cycle arrest, inhibiting metastasis, and overcoming immunotherapy resistance in breast cancer cells. However, the molecular mechanisms of action of HNK in BCSCs, as well as its effects on the cell cycle, remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the potential targets and molecular mechanisms of HNK on metastatic BCSC (mBCSC)-cell cycle arrest and the impact of the TME. Using bioinformatics analyses, we predicted HNK protein targets from several databases and retrieved the genes differentially expressed in mBCSCs from the GEO database. The intersection between the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and the HNK-targets was determined using a Venn diagram, and the results were analyzed using a protein-protein interaction network, hub gene selection, gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses, genetic alteration analysis, survival rate, and immune cell infiltration levels. Finally, the interaction between HNK and two HNK-targets regulating the cell cycle was analyzed using molecular docking analysis. The identified potential therapeutic targets of HNK (PTTH) included CCND1, SIRT2, AURKB, VEGFA, HDAC1, CASP9, HSP90AA1, and HSP90AB1, which can potentially inhibit the cell cycle of mBCSCs. Moreover, our results showed that PTTH could modulate the PI3K/Akt/mTOR and HIF1/NFkB/pathways. Overall, these findings highlight the potential of HNK as an immunotherapeutic agent for mBCSCs by modulating the tumor immune environment.

The Growth Suppression Activity of Diosmin and PGV-1 Co-Treatment on 4T1 Breast Cancer Targets Mitotic Regulatory Proteins.

OBJECTIVE: We aim to enhance the effectiveness of curcumin analog PGV-1 through co-treatment with diosmin, a citrus flavonoid, on 4T1 cells and evaluate the molecular targets underlying its effect on the cell cycle. METHODS: Cytotoxic effects were performed by MTT assay against 4T1 cells. The May Grünwald-Giemsa staining was used to observe cell cycle arrest. The senescence was assayed with SA-ß-gal staining. Bioinformatic studies were utilized to discover protein targets of PGV-1 and diosmin on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) using SwissTargetPrediction, then exploration of protein targets was performed using the TCGA dataset via the UALCAN website. Kaplan-Meier was performed using GraphPad with data from the TCGA dataset via Oncoln. Using MOE 2010, we conducted the binding affinity between PGV-1 and diosmin to protein targets. RESULTS: PGV-1 and diosmin showed cytotoxic effect with IC50 values of 9 µM and 389 µM, respectively, and the combined cytotoxic assay exhibited a synergistic effect with a combination index (CI) of <1. PGV-arrested 4T1 cells in pro-metaphase and induced mitotic catastrophe, while the combination of diosmin with PGV-1 increased the number of mitotic catastrophes. The SA-ß-gal assay revealed that both compounds were capable of inducing senescence in 4T1 cells. Study bioinformatics and molecular docking showed that PGV-1 and diosmin target cell cycle regulatory proteins in TNBC, namely CDK1, KIF11, and AURKA. Thus, the combination of diosmin and PGV-1 modulating the cell cycle that causes senescence and catastrophic death of 4T1 cancer cells is related to the inhibition of these cell cycle proteins. CONCLUSION: Diosmin enhances the cytotoxic effect of PGV-1 synergistically on 4T1 cancer cells, which correlates to the increasing senescence and mitotic catastrophe. The synergistic effect of the co-treatment is likely to target AURKA, CDK1, and KIF11. The combination of PGV-1 and diosmin performs a potential as a combinatorial anticancer drug for TNBC.

Integrative Bioinformatics Study of Tangeretin Potential Targets for Preventing Metastatic Breast Cancer.

Agents that target metastasis are important to improve treatment efficacy in patients with breast cancer. Tangeretin, a citrus flavonoid, exhibits antimetastatic effects on breast cancer cells, but its molecular mechanism remains unclear. Tangeretin targets were retrieved from PubChem, whereas metastatic breast cancer regulatory genes were downloaded from PubMed. In total, 58 genes were identified as potential therapeutic target genes of tangeretin (PTs). GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses of PTs were performed using WebGestalt (WEB-based Gene SeT AnaLysis Toolkit). The PPI network was analyzed using STRING-DB v11.0 and visualized by Cytoscape software. Hub genes were selected on the basis of the highest degree score as calculated by the CytoHubba plugin. Genetic alterations of the PTs were analyzed using cBioPortal. The prognostic values of the PTs were evaluated with the Kaplan-Meier plot. The expression of PTs across breast cancer samples was confirmed using GEPIA. The reliability of the PTs in metastatic breast cancer cells was validated using ONCOMINE. Molecular docking was performed to foresee the binding sites of tangeretin with PIK3Cα, MMP9, PTGS2, COX-2, and IKK. GO analysis showed that PTs participate in the biological process of stimulus response, are the cellular components of the nucleus and the membrane, and play molecular roles in enzyme regulation. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed that PTs regulate the PI3K/Akt pathway. Genetic alterations for each target gene were MTOR (3%), NOTCH1 (4%), TP53 (42%), MMP9 (4%), NFKB1 (3%), PIK3CA (32%), PTGS2 (15%), and RELA (5%). The Kaplan-Meier plot showed that patients with low mRNA expression levels of MTOR, TP53, MMP9, NFKB1, PTGS2, and RELA and high expression of PIK3CA had a significantly better prognosis than their counterparts. Further validation of gene expression by using GEPIA revealed that the mRNA expression of MMP9 was significantly higher in breast cancer tissues than in normal tissues, whereas the mRNA expression of PTGS2 showed the opposite. Analysis with ONCOMINE demonstrated that the mRNA expression levels of MMP9 and NFKB1 were significantly higher in metastatic breast cancer cells than in normal tissues. The results of molecular docking analyses revealed the advantage of tangeretin as an inhibitor of PIK3CA, MMP9, PTGS2, and IKK. Tangeretin inhibits metastasis in breast cancer cells by targeting TP53, PTGS2, MMP9, and PIK3CA and regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Further investigation is needed to validate the results of this study.

Bioinformatics and In Vitro Studies Reveal the Importance of p53, PPARG and Notch Signaling Pathway in Inhibition of Breast Cancer Stem Cells by Hesperetin.

Purpose: The failure of chemotherapy in breast cancer is caused by breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs), a minor population of cells in bulk mammary tumors. Previously, hesperetin, a citrus flavonoid, showed cytotoxicity in several cancer cells and increased cytotoxicity of doxorubicin and cisplatin. Hesperetin also inhibited osteogenic and adipocyte differentiation, however, a study of the effect of hesperetin on BCSCs has not yet been performed. Methods: In this study, we combined bioinformatics and in vitro works. A bioinformatic approach was performed to identify molecular targets, key proteins, and molecular mechanisms of hesperetin targeted at BCSCs, and genetic alterations among key genes. In addition, an in vitro study was carried out to measure the effects of hesperetin on BCSCs using the spheroids model of MCF-7 breast cancer cells (mammospheres). Results: Using a bioinformatics approach, we identified P53, PPARG, and Notch signaling as potential targets of hesperetin in inhibition of BCSCs. The in vitro study showed that hesperetin exhibits cytotoxicity on mammospheres, inhibits mammosphere and colony formation, and inhibits migration. Hesperetin modulates the cell cycle and induces apoptosis in mammospheres. Moreover, hesperetin treatment modulates the expression of p53, PPARG, and NOTCH1. Conclusion: Taken together, hesperetin has potential for the treatment of BCSC by targeting p53, PPARG and Notch signaling. Further investigation of the molecular mechanisms involved is required for the development of hesperetin as a BCSC-targeted drug.

Identification of potential therapeutic target of naringenin in breast cancer stem cells inhibition by bioinformatics and in vitro studies.

Cancer therapy is a strategic measure in inhibiting breast cancer stem cell (BCSC) pathways. Naringenin, a citrus flavonoid, was found to increase breast cancer cells' sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents. Bioinformatics study and 3D tumorsphere in vitro modeling in breast cancer (mammosphere) were used in this study, which aims to explore the potential therapeutic targets of naringenin (PTTNs) in inhibiting BCSCs. Bioinformatic analyses identified direct target proteins (DTPs), indirect target proteins (ITPs), naringenin-mediated proteins (NMPs), BCSC regulatory genes, and PTTNs. The PTTNs were further analyzed for gene ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment, protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks, and hub protein selection. Mammospheres were cultured in serum-free media. The effects of naringenin were measured by MTT-based cytotoxicity, mammosphere forming potential (MFP), colony formation, scratch wound-healing assay, and flow cytometry-based cell cycle analyses and apoptosis assays. Gene expression analysis was performed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-RT PCR). Bioinformatics analysis revealed p53 and estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) as PTTNs, and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed that TGF-ß and Wnt/ß-catenin pathways are regulated by PTTNs. Naringenin demonstrated cytotoxicity and inhibited mammosphere and colony formation, migration, and epithelial to mesenchymal transition in the mammosphere. The mRNA of tumor suppressors P53 and ERα were downregulated in the mammosphere, but were significantly upregulated upon naringenin treatment. By modulating the P53 and ERα mRNA, naringenin has the potential of inhibiting BCSCs. Further studies on the molecular mechanism and formulation of naringenin in BCSCs would be beneficial for its development as a BCSC-targeting drug.

Identification of key genes of hesperidin in inhibition of breast cancer stem cells by functional network analysis.

Breast cancer therapy with classical chemotherapy is unable to eradicate breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). Loss of p53 function causes growth and differentiation in cancer stem cells (CSCs); therefore, p53-targeted compounds can be developed for BCSCs-targeted drugs. Previously, hesperidin (HES), a citrus flavonoid, showed anticancer activities and increased efficacy of chemotherapy in several types of cancer in vitro and in vivo. This study was aimed to explore the key protein and molecular mechanism of hesperidin in the inhibition of BCSCs using bioinformatics and in vitro study. Bioinformatics analysis revealed about 75 potential therapeutic target proteins of HES in BCSCs (TH), in which TP53 was the only direct target protein (DTP) with a high degree score. Furthermore, the results of GO enrichment analysis showed that TH was taken part in the biological process of regulation of apoptosis and cell cycle. The KEGG pathway enrichment analysis also showed that TH is involved in several pathways, including cell cycle, p53 signaling pathway. In vitro experiment results showed that HES inhibited cell proliferation, mammosphere, and a colony formation, and migration in on MCF-7 3D cells (mammospheres). HES induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in MCF-7 cells 3D. In addition, HES treatment reduced the mRNA level of p21 but increased the mRNA level of cyclin D1 and p53 in the mammosphere. HES inhibits BCSCs in mammospheres. More importantly, this study highlighted p53 as a key protein in inhibition of BCSCs by HES. Future studies on the molecular mechanism are needed to validate the results of this study.

Anti-proliferative and Anti-metastatic Potential of Curcumin Analogue, Pentagamavunon-1 (PGV-1), Toward Highly Metastatic Breast Cancer Cells in Correlation with ROS Generation.

Purpose: Pentagamavunon-1 (PGV-1) is a curcumin analogue that shows cytotoxic activity in various cancer cells. In this study, we evaluated the effect of PGV-1 on a highly metastatic breast cancer cell line, the 4T1 cells, as an anti-metastatic and anti-proliferative agent. Methods: Cell viability was evaluated using MTT assay; while cell cycle profile, apoptosis incidence, and ROS intracellular level were determined by flow cytometry. Cell senescence was observed under senescence-associated-ß-galactosidase (SA-ß-gal) staining assay. The expression of matrixmetalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) was determined using immunoreaction based-ELISA, while other proteins expression were detected using immunoblotting. Results: Curcumin and PGV-1 showed cytotoxic effects on 4T1 cells with IC50 value of 50 and 4 µM, respectively. The cytotoxic activity of PGV-1 was correlated to the induction of G2/M cell cycle arrest and cell senescence. Furthermore, PGV-1 increased the accumulation of intracellular ROS level. We also revealed that PGV-1 bound to several ROS-metabolizing enzymes, including glyoxalase I (GLO1), peroxiredoxin 1 (PRDX1), N-ribosyldihydronicotinamide: quinone reductase 2 (NQO2), aldo-keto reductase family 1 member c1 (AKR1C1). As an antimetastatic agent, PGV-1 showed less inhibitory effect on cell migration compared to curcumin. However, PGV-1 significantly decreased MMP-9 protein expression in a dose-dependent manner suggesting it still potent to inhibit metastatic cells. Conclusion: Overall, our findings suggest that PGV-1 is potential to be developed as an antiproliferative and anti-metastatic agent.

Cell Cycle Modulation of CHO-K1 Cells Under Genistein Treatment Correlates with Cells Senescence, Apoptosis and ROS Level but in a Dose-Dependent Manner.

Purpose: Genistein, a soy isoflavone, exhibits a biphasic effect on cells proliferation with some different effects between ER-alpha and ER-beta. The objective of this present study is to determine the modulatory effect based on cell cycle progression under genistein treatment in combination with 17-ß estradiol (E2) on CHO-K1 cells. Methods: The effect of genistein 0.1-100 µM on cells proliferation was examined by MTT assay. The modulation of genistein and estradiol (E2) on cell cycle and apoptosis were observed by using flowcytometry with PI and PI/AnnexinV staining, respectively. Moreover, the effect of genistein and E2 on senescence cells, and ROS level were determined by senescence-associated ß-galactosidase (SA ß-gal) staining and by using flowcytometry with 2', 7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFDA) staining, respectively. The expression level of the cell cycle and senescence protein markers were observed by immunoblotting. Results: Single treatment of genistein at physiologically achievable (low) concentration (<2 µM) induced proliferation of CHO-K1 cells while at a pharmacological (high) concentration (50 and 100 µM) suppressed cells proliferation. Interestingly, treatment of genistein at the physiological concentration in combination with E2 for 24, 48 and 72 h decreased cells viability on CHO-K1 cells compared to untreated cells. Further analysis of the cells showed that 50 µM genistein induced G2/M phase accumulation and induced apoptosis. Moreover, genistein induced cell senescence and increased ROS level. Immunoblotting analysis showed the decreasing of ERalpha, Bcl2, and ppRb protein level upon treatment of 1 µM Gen and 1 nM E2. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the cell proliferation inhibitory mechanism of genistein at pharmacological concentration involved the induction of cell senescence, and the elevation of ROS level. Moreover, the decreased of cells proliferation upon treatment of physiological concentration of genistein in combination with E2 may be correlated with the alteration of ER expression.

Loss of HtrA1 serine protease induces synthetic modulation of aortic vascular smooth muscle cells.

Homozygous mutations of human HTRA1 cause cerebral autosomal recessive arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CARASIL). HtrA1-/- mice were examined for arterial abnormalities. Although their cerebral arteries were normal, the thoracic aorta was affected in HtrA1-/- mice. The number of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in the aorta was increased in HtrA1-/- mice of 40 weeks or younger, but decreased thereafter. The cross-sectional area of the aorta was increased in HtrA1-/- mice of 40 weeks or older. Aortic VSMCs isolated from HtrA1-/- mice rapidly proliferated and migrated, produced high MMP9 activity, and were prone to oxidative stress-induced cell death. HtrA1-/- VSMCs expressed less smooth muscle α-actin, and more vimentin and osteopontin, and responded to PDGF-BB more strongly than wild type VSMCs, indicating that HtrA1-/- VSMCs were in the synthetic phenotype. The elastic lamina was disrupted, and collagens were decreased in the aortic media. Calponin in the media was decreased, whereas vimentin and osteopontin were increased, suggesting a synthetic shift of VSMCs in vivo. Loss of HtrA1 therefore skews VSMCs toward the synthetic phenotype, induces MMP9 expression, and expedites cell death. We propose that the synthetic modulation is the primary event that leads to the vascular abnormalities caused by HtrA1 deficiency.

Anti-Proliferative Activity and Apoptosis Induction of an Ethanolic Extract of Boesenbergia pandurata (Roxb.) Schlecht. against HeLa and Vero Cell Lines.

Rhizomes of Boesenbergia pandurata (Roxb.) Schlecht have been reported to contain active compounds with anticancer properties. This research was carried out to examine anti-proliferative and apoptotic induction against HeLa and Vero cells-line. Dried powder of B. pandurata rhizomes was extracted by a maceration method using 90% ethanol. Cytotoxic assays to determine IC50 and anti-proliferative effects were carried out by MTT methods. Observation of apoptosis was achieved with double staining using acridine orange and ethidium bromide. The results showed that ethanolic extract of B. pandurata was more cytotoxic against HeLa cells (IC50 of 60 µg/ mL) than Vero cells (IC50 of 125 µg/mL). The extract had higher anti-proliferative activity as well as apoptotic induction in HeLa than Vero cells. Therefore, it was concluded that the ethanolic extract of B. pandurata had anti-proliferative as well as apoptosis induction activity dependent on the cell type.

Immunomodulatory Effects of Ethanolic Extract of Thyphonium flagelliforme (Lodd) Blume in Rats Induced by Cyclophosphamide.

The present study aimed to examine the immunomodulatory effect of ethanolic extract of Typhonium flagelliforme (Lodd) Blume in cyclophosphamide-treated rats. The immunomodulatory effects were determined by lymphocytes proliferation, phagocytic activity of macrophages, plasma cytokines of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1α, interleukin-10 levels, and killer T cells (CD8+ T cells) counts. The results showed that the administration of ethanolic extract of T flagelliforme reduced immunosupessive effect on lymphocyte proliferation, increase the number and phagocytic activity of macrophages in cyclophosphamide-treated rats. Moreover, the ethanolic extract of T flagelliforme also significantly (P < .05) improved the immune system activities especially the proliferation of CD8+T cells and reduced the suppressive effects on cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1α. In conclusion, the ethanolic extract of T flagelliforme has immunomodulatory properties in cyclophosphamide-treated rats. The results suggest that T flagelliforme can reduce immunosuppresive effect caused by a chemotherapeutic agent.

Abnormal development of placenta in HtrA1-deficient mice.

Abnormal levels of High temperature requirement A1 (HtrA1) protein have been repeatedly observed in sera and placentas of preeclampsia patients. To understand the functions of HtrA1 in placentation and in the etiology of preeclampsia, we established HtrA1(-/-) mice. HtrA1(-/-) mice show intrauterine growth retardation, and their placentas are small due to a reduced size of the junctional zone and aberrant vascularization in the labyrinth at the mid-gestation stage. HtrA1 is expressed by Tpbpa-positive trophoblast precursors in the outer ectoplacental cone and junctional zone from embryonic day 7.5 to 10.5. In the HtrA1(-/-) placenta, Tpbpa-positive cell precursors are decreased in the early stage. Spongiotrophoblasts and glycogen trophoblast cells, both of which differentiate from Tpbpa-positive precursors, are consequently decreased in the junctional zone. Fewer spiral artery-associated trophoblast giant cells, another cell type derived from Tpbpa-positive precursors, invade the decidua and associate with maternal arteries in the HtrA1(-/-) placenta than in the wild type placenta. Maternal arteries in the HtrA1(-/-) decidua have narrower lumens, thicker arterial walls, and more vascular smooth muscle cells remaining in the walls than those in the wild type decidua, indicating impaired remodeling of maternal arteries. These results indicate that HtrA1 plays important roles in the differentiation of trophoblasts from Tpbpa-positive precursors in the ectoplacental cone. Insufficient levels of HtrA1 cause poor placental development and intrauterine growth retardation, due to aberrant trophoblast differentiation and consequent defects in maternal artery remodeling, and may contribute to the onset of preeclampsia.