Mangiferin induces apoptosis by suppressing Bcl-xL and XIAP expressions and nuclear entry of NF-κB in HL-60 cells.

Mangiferin, 1,3,6,7-tetrahydroxyxanthone-C2-ß-D: -glucoside (C-glucosylxanthone), is a xanthone derivative that is widely distributed in higher plants. Recently, mangiferin was found to exhibit potential antitumor effects. However, the molecular mechanisms of this effect have not been elucidated. In the present study, we attempt to clarify the mechanism of mangiferin-induced apoptosis in the human acute myeloid leukemia cell line HL-60; mangiferin was found to induce apoptosis. We also observed a concurrent increase in caspase-3 activity and DNA fragmentation. Furthermore, on examining the survival signals expressed during apoptotic induction, we observed that mangiferin caused a remarkable decrease in the nuclear entry of NF-κB p65. However, there were no changes in the expression of other survival signals, such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, protein kinase B, and p38 mitogenactivated protein kinase. In addition, mangiferin suppressed the expressions of Bcl-xL and XIAP; however, we did not note any changes in the levels of Bcl-2, Bax, and Bim. These results indicate that mangiferin induces apoptosis by suppressing NF-κB activation and expressions of Bcl-xL and XAIP. These findings suggest that mangiferin may be useful as an anticancer agent and can be used in combination therapy with other anticancer drugs for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia.

Macrophage inflammatory protein-1α induces osteoclast formation by activation of the MEK/ERK/c-Fos pathway and inhibition of the p38MAPK/IRF-3/IFN-ß pathway.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a bone disease that affects many individuals. It was recently reported that macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α is constitutively secreted by MM cells. MIP-1α causes bone destruction through the formation of osteoclasts (OCs). However, the molecular mechanism underlying MIP-1α-induced OC formation is not well understood. In the present study, we attempted to clarify the mechanism whereby MIP-1α induces OC formation in a mouse macrophage-like cell line comprising C7 cells. We found that MIP-1α augmented OC formation in a concentration-dependent manner; moreover, it inhibited IFN-ß and ISGF3γ mRNA expression, and IFN-ß secretion. MIP-1α increased the expressions of phosphorylated ERK1/2 and c-Fos and decreased those of phosphorylated p38MAPK and IRF-3. We found that the MEK1/2 inhibitor U0126 inhibited OC formation by suppressing the MEK/ERK/c-Fos pathway. SB203580 induced OC formation by upregulating c-fos mRNA expression, and SB203580 was found to inhibit IFN-ß and IRF-3 mRNA expressions. The results indicate that MIP-1α induces OC formation by activating and inhibiting the MEK/ERK/c-Fos and p38MAPK/IRF-3 pathways, respectively, and suppressing IFN-ß expression. These findings may be useful in the development of an OC inhibitor that targets intracellular signaling factors.

Reduction of lung metastasis, cell invasion, and adhesion in mouse melanoma by statin-induced blockade of the Rho/Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase pathway.

BACKGROUND: Melanomas are highly malignant and have high metastatic potential; hence, there is a need for new therapeutic strategies to prevent cell metastasis. In the present study, we investigated whether statins inhibit tumor cell migration, invasion, adhesion, and metastasis in the B16BL6 mouse melanoma cell line. METHODS: The cytotoxicity of statins toward the B16BL6 cells were evaluated using a cell viability assay. As an experimental model, B16BL6 cells were intravenously injected into C57BL/6 mice. Cell migration and invasion were assessed using Boyden chamber assays. Cell adhesion analysis was performed using type I collagen-, type IV collagen-, fibronectin-, and laminin-coated plates. The mRNA levels, enzyme activities and protein levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were determined using RT-PCR, activity assay kits, and Western blot analysis, respectively; the mRNA and protein levels of vary late antigens (VLAs) were also determined. The effects of statins on signal transduction molecules were determined by western blot analyses. RESULTS: We found that statins significantly inhibited lung metastasis, cell migration, invasion, and adhesion at concentrations that did not have cytotoxic effects on B16BL6 cells. Statins also inhibited the mRNA expressions and enzymatic activities of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Moreover, they suppressed the mRNA and protein expressions of integrin α2, integrin α4, and integrin α5 and decreased the membrane localization of Rho, and phosphorylated LIM kinase (LIMK) and myosin light chain (MLC). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that statins suppressed the Rho/Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase (ROCK) pathways, thereby inhibiting B16BL6 cell migration, invasion, adhesion, and metastasis. Furthermore, they markedly inhibited clinically evident metastasis. Thus, these findings suggest that statins have potential clinical applications for the treatment of tumor cell metastasis.

Nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate, YM529/ONO-5920, inhibits tumor metastasis in mouse melanoma through suppression of the Rho/ROCK pathway.

The small GTPases of the Ras and Rho families are widely involved in tumorigenesis and metastasis. We recently showed that YM529/ONO-5920, a new developed bisphosphonate, inhibits the mevalonate pathway, is required for the prenylation of the small GTPases. In this study, we investigated whether YM529/ONO-5920 inhibits tumor cell migration, invasion, adhesion, and metastasis in B16BL6 cells, a mouse melanoma cell line. It was found that YM529/ONO-5920 significantly inhibited lung metastasis, cell migration, invasion, and adhesion at concentrations that did not show anti-proliferative effects on B16BL6 cells. YM529/ONO-5920 also inhibited the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and very late antigens (VLAs). Furthermore, YM529/ONO-5920 suppressed Rho activation, but not activation of Ras. The results indicate that YM529/ONO-5920 suppresses the Rho/ROCK pathways, thereby inhibiting B16BL6 cell migration, invasion, adhesion and metastasis. These findings suggest that YM529/ONO-5920 has potential clinical applications for the treatment of tumour cell metastasis.

Dimethylfumarate inhibits tumor cell invasion and metastasis by suppressing the expression and activities of matrix metalloproteinases in melanoma cells.

NF-kappaB acts as a signal transducer during tumor progression, cell invasion, and metastasis. Dimethylfumarate (DMF) is reported to inhibit tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced nuclear entry of NF-kappaB/p65. However, only a few reports suggest that DMF inhibits tumor metastasis; also the molecular mechanisms underlying the inhibition of metastasis are poorly understood. We investigated the inhibition of tumor invasion and metastasis by DMF in a melanoma cell line, B16BL6. DMF inhibited B16BL6 cell invasion and metastasis by suppressing the expression and activities of MMPs. DMF also inhibited the nuclear entry of NF-kappaB/p65, thus inhibiting B16BL6 cell invasion and metastasis. These results suggest that DMF is potentially useful as an anti-metastatic agent for the treatment of malignant melanoma.

The protein kinase C inhibitor, H7, inhibits tumor cell invasion and metastasis in mouse melanoma via suppression of ERK1/2.

Protein kinase C (PKC) has been shown to be a signal transducer during tumorigenesis, tumor cell invasion, and metastasis. Recent studies have reported that the PKC inhibitor, 7-hydroxystaurosporine, inhibits tumor cell invasion. However, the molecular mechanisms of this inhibition of invasion and metastasis are not well understood. In the present study, we attempt to clarify the mechanism by which H7, a PKC inhibitor, inhibits tumor cell invasion and metastasis in the melanoma cell line B16BL6. It was found that H7 inhibits B16BL6 cell invasion and metastasis. We also observed that H7 inhibits the mRNA expression and protein activities of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, -2, -9 and MT1-MMP. Furthermore, H7 suppresses phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). However, other signal transduction factors, such as p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1/2 (JNK1/2), were unaffected. Moreover, U0126, a MEK1/2 inhibitor, also inhibited B16BL6 cell invasion and metastasis, as well as the mRNA expression and protein activities of MMP-1, -2, -9 and MT1-MMP. This indicates that H7 inhibits signal transduction through the PKC/MEK/ERK pathway, thereby inhibiting B16BL6 cell invasion and metastasis. These results suggest that PKC inhibitors have potential clinical applications in the treatment of tumor cell metastasis.

Macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha) enhances a receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand (RANKL) expression in mouse bone marrow stromal cells and osteoblasts through MAPK and PI3K/Akt pathways.

Osteolytic lesions are rapidly progressive during the terminal stages of myeloma, and the bone pain or bone fracture that occurs at these lesions decreases the patients' quality of life to a notable degree. In relation to the etiology of this bone destruction, it has been reported recently that MIP-1alpha, produced in large amounts in myeloma patients, acts indirectly on osteoclastic precursor cells, and activates osteoclasts by way of bone-marrow stromal cells or osteoblasts, although the details of this process remain obscure. In the present study, our group investigated the mechanism by which RANKL expression is induced by MIP-1alpha and the effects of MIP-1alpha on the activation of osteoclasts. RANKL mRNA and RANKL protein expressions increased in both ST2 cells and MC3T3-E1 cells in a MIP-1alpha concentration-dependent manner. RANKL mRNA expression began to increase at 1 h after the addition of MIP-1alpha; the increase became remarkable at 2 h, and continuous expression was observed subsequently. Both ST2 and MC3T3-E1 cells showed similar levels of increased RANKL protein expression at 1, 2, and 3 days after the addition of MIP-1alpha. After the addition of MIP-1alpha, the amount of phosphorylated ERK1/2 and Akt protein expressions showed an increase, as compared to the corresponding amount in the control group. On the other hand, the amount of phosphorylated p38MAPK protein expression showed a decrease from the amount in the control group after the addition of MIP-1alpha. U0126 (a MEK1/2 inhibitor) or LY294002 (a PI3K inhibitor) was added to ST2 and MC3T3-E1 cells, and was found to inhibit RANKL mRNA and RANKL protein expression in these cells. When SB203580, a p38MAPK inhibitor, was added, RANKL mRNA and RANKL protein expression were increased in these cells. MIP-1alpha was found to promote osteoclastic differentiation of C7 cells, an osteoclastic precursor cell line, in a MIP-1alpha concentration-dependent manner. MIP-1alpha promoted differentiation into osteoclasts more extensively in C7 cells incubated together with ST2 and MC3T3-E1 cells than in C7 cells incubated alone. These results suggested that MIP-1alpha directly acts on the osteoclastic precursor cells and induces osteoclastic differentiation. This substance also indirectly induces osteoclastic differentiation through the promotion of RANKL expression in bone-marrow stromal cells and osteoblasts. The findings of this investigation suggested that activation of the MEK/ERK and the PI3K/Akt pathways and inhibition of p38MAPK pathway were involved in RANKL expression induced by MIP-1alpha in bone-marrow stromal cells and osteoblasts. This finding may be useful in the development of an osteoclastic inhibitor that targets intracellular signaling factors.

Mevastatin induces apoptosis in HL60 cells dependently on decrease in phosphorylated ERK.

Mevastatin which is an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol synthesis, suppress cell proliferation and induce apoptosis. However, the molecular mechanism of apoptosis induction is not well understood. So, in the present study, we attempted to clarify the mechanism by which mevastatin induces apoptosis in HL60 cells. It was found that mevastatin induced apoptosis. At that time, we observed an increase in caspase-3 activity and morphological fragmentation of the nuclei. The apoptosis induced by mevastatin was not inhibited by the addition of farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP), squalene, ubiquinone, and isopentenyladenine, but was inhibited by the addition of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP). When we examined the survival signals at the time of apoptotic induction, we also observed that the administration of mevastatin had caused a remarkable decrease in the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). However, other survival signals, such as nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB), protein kinase B (Akt), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38), exhibited no change. In addition, no quantitative change was observed in Bcl-2, which was an anti-apoptosis protein. It was also observed that apoptosis was induced when U0126, an MEK inhibitor, was added to the cells to inhibit ERK. These results suggested that mevastatin induced apoptosis when it inhibited GGPP biosynthesis and consequently decreased the level of phosphorylated ERK, which was a survival signal; moreover, at that time, there was no influence on NF-kappaB, Akt, p38, and Bcl-2. The results of this study also suggested that mevastatin could be used as an anticancer agent.

Nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate, YM529/ONO-5920 (a novel minodronic acid), inhibits RANKL expression in a cultured bone marrow stromal cell line ST2.

Increase in bone resorption by osteoclasts can cause metabolic bone diseases, such as osteoporosis. Recent attention has been paid to the receptor activator of the NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL), an accelerator of osteoclast differentiation. RANKL is expressed on the bone marrow-derived stromal cell membrane and induces the differentiation of osteoclasts by binding to RANK expressed on the osteoclast precursor cell membrane. Since the inhibition of RANKL expression can lead to the inhibition of osteoclastic bone resorption, the clinical application of RANKL inhibition could be expected to have a major effect on metabolic bone disease therapy. In this study, we investigated whether or not YM529/ONO-5920, a nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate (a novel minodronic acid), inhibits RANKL expression in a bone marrow-derived stromal cell line (ST2 cells). Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction revealed that the administration of YM529/ONO-5920 to ST2 cells inhibited RANKL mRNA expression and reduced RANKL proteins as assessed by Western blot analysis. The inhibition of RANKL mRNA expression was reversed when geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP), an intermediate in the mevalonate pathway, was used in combination. Furthermore, YM529/ONO-5920 reduced phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), and similarly, U0126, a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 inhibitor, inhibited RANKL expression. Pretreatment with GGPP reversed the YM529/ONO-5920-induced decrease in phosphorylation of ERK. Furthermore, YM529/ONO-5920 decreased TRAP-positive cells in co-culture of ST2 cells and an osteoclast cell line, C7 cells, and this decrease was inhibited by pretreatment with GGPP. This indicates that YM529/ONO-5920 inhibits GGPP biosynthesis in the mevalonate pathway and then signal transduction in the Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, thereby inhibiting RANKL expression on ST2 cells. These results suggest a newly elucidated action of bisphosphonates in the inhibition of bone resorption.