Stigmast-4-en-6β-ol-3-one decreases viability and induces apoptosis and ferroptosis in liver cancer cells by reducing E2F1

Zhiyun Zhang,Jian Wang,Weiping Wan,Zhengchao Shen,Aixue Zuo,Rong Chen,Qinyi Wu,Enli Cai,Feng Huang,Rongping Zhang,Xinan Shi 한국통합생물학회 2023 Animal cells and systems Vol.27 No.1

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a frequently occurring malignant gastrointestinal cancer. The 5-year survival rate of HCC is still below 8%, and thus, identifying more effective therapeutic methodsis needed. Here, we evaluated the effects of Stigmast-4-en-6β-ol-3-one (S463) on the viability andcolony formation of liver cancer cells. S463 treatment decreased the viability and inducedapoptosis and ferroptosis in liver cancer cells, and also increased cellular malondialdehyde(MDA) and lipid peroxidation levels. In S463 treated cells, the expression level of Bax wasincreased, and the expression level of GPX4 was reduced, and the cleavage of PARP wasimproved. We also found that S463 treatment downregulated E2F1 and upregulated p53 atboth the mRNA and protein levels. Importantly, rescue experiments revealed thatoverexpression of E2F1 partially restored S463-induced Bax and p53 upregulation and GPX4downregulation and counteracted the S463-induced decrease in cell viability and colonyformation and the S463-induced increase in MDA and lipid peroxidation levels. Our findingssuggest that S463 significantly inhibits viability and colony formation and induces apoptosisand ferroptosis in liver cancer cells via E2F1.

Hsa-miR-181a-5p Expression and Effects on Cell Proliferation in Gastric Cancer

Chen, Gang,Shen, Zhi-Li,Wang, Ling,Lv, Chun-Ye,Huang, Xin-En,Zhou, Rong-Ping Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.6

Purpose: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small endogenous, non-coding, single-stranded RNAs (approximately 22 nt). Accumulating evidence has shown that aberrant miRNA expression is pronounced and correlated with gastric cancer genesis and progression. Materials and Methods: Expression levels of miR-181a-5p in GC tissues and cell lines were assessed by qRT-PCR and tested for correlation with clinical features. In addition, effects of miR-181a-5p on GC cell growth were investigated. Results: Our findings indicate that miR-181a-5p is upregulated in GC, in correlation with lymph node invasion, nerve invasion and vascular invasion (P<0.05). Enforced expression of miR-181a -5p promoted cell proliferation ability. Conclusions: This study suggested that increased miR-181a-5p is related to GC progression. MiR-181a-5p may represent a potential therapeutic target for GC.

Upregulation of STK15 in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinomas in a Mongolian Population

Chen, Guang-Lie,Hou, Gai-Ling,Sun, Fei,Jiang, Hong-Li,Xue, Jin-Feng,Li, Xiu-Shen,Xu, En-Hui,Gao, Wei-Shi,Cao, Jian-Ping Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.15

Background: The STK15 gene located on chromosome 20q13.2 encodes a centrosome-associated kinase critical for regulated chromosome segregation and cytokinesis. Recent studies have demonstrated STK15 to be significantly associated with many tumors, with aberrant expression obseved in many human malignancies. The purpose of this study was to investigate expression of STK15 in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs) in a Mongolian population. Methods: Two non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms in the coding region of STK15, rs2273535 (Phe31Ile) and rs1047972 (Val57Ile) were assessed in 380 ESCC patients and 380 healthy controls. We also detected STK15 mRNA expression in 39 esophageal squamous cell carcinomas and corresponding adjacent tissues by real time PCR. Results: rs2273535 showed a significant association with ESCC in our Mongolian population (rs227353, P allele = 0.0447, OR (95%CI) = 1.259 (1.005~1.578)). Real time PCR analysis of ESCC tissues showed that expression of STK15 mRNA in cancer tissues was higher than in normal tissues (p = 0.013). Conclusions: Our study showed that functional SNPs in the STK15 gene are associated with ESCC in a Mongolian population and up-regulation of STK15 mRNAoccurs in ESCC tumors compared adjacent normal tissues. STK15 may thus have an important role in the prognosis of ESCC and be a potential therapeutic target.

Feasibility study on corrosion monitoring of a concrete column with central rebar using BOTDR

Sun, Yijie,Shi, Bin,Chen, Shen-En,Zhu, Honghu,Zhang, Dan,Lu, Yi Techno-Press 2014 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.13 No.1

Optical fiber Brillouin sensor in a coil winding setup is proposed in this paper to measure the expansion deformation of a concrete column with a central rebar subjected to accelerated corrosion. The optical sensor monitored the whole dynamic corrosion process from initial deformation to final cracking. Experimental results show that Brillouin Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (BOTDR) can accurately measure the strain values and identify the crack locations of the simulated reinforced concrete (RC) column. A theoretical model is used to calculate the RC corrosion expansive pressure and crack length. The results indicate that the measured strain and cracking history revealed the development of the steel bar corrosion inside the simulated RC column.

Feasibility study on corrosion monitoring of a concrete column with central rebar using BOTDR

Yijie Sun,Bin Shi,Shen-en Chen,Honghu Zhu,Dan Zhang,Yi Lu 국제구조공학회 2014 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.13 No.1

Optical fiber Brillouin sensor in a coil winding setup is proposed in this paper to measure the expansion deformation of a concrete column with a central rebar subjected to accelerated corrosion. The optical sensor monitored the whole dynamic corrosion process from initial deformation to final cracking. Experimental results show that Brillouin Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (BOTDR) can accurately measure the strain values and identify the crack locations of the simulated reinforced concrete (RC) column. A theoretical model is used to calculate the RC corrosion expansive pressure and crack length. The results indicate that the measured strain and cracking history revealed the development of the steel bar corrosion inside the simulated RC column.

Prognostic Significance of Desmoglein 2 and Desmoglein 3 in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Fang, Wang-Kai,Gu, Wei,Liao, Lian-Di,Chen, Bo,Wu, Zhi-Yong,Wu, Jian-Yi,Shen, Jian,Xu, Li-Yan,Li, En-Min Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.2

Objective: Desmogleins (DSGs) are major members among the desmosomal cadherins critically involved in cell-cell adhesion and the maintenance of normal tissue architecture in epithelia. Reports exploring links of DSG family member expression with cancers are few and vary. The aim of this study was to investigate the ratio of DSG2 and DSG3 mRNA expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) tissue to normal tissue (T/N ratio) and evaluate correlations with clinical parameters. Methods: The mRNA expression of DSGs, as well as ${\gamma}$-catenin and desmoplakin, was detected by real-time quantitative RT-PCR in 85 cases of ESCC tissue specimens. Results: The expression level of DSG3 mRNA was significantly higher than that of DSG2 in ESCC specimens (p=0.000). DSG3 mRNA expression highly correlated with histological grade (p=0.009), whereas that of DSG2 did not significantly relate to any clinicopathologic parameter. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that only DSG3 expression had an impact on the survival curve, with negative DSG3 expression indicating worse survival (p=0.038). Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated DSG3 to be an independent prognostic factor for survival. Furthermore, correlation analysis demonstrated the mRNA level of DSG3 to highly correlate with those of ${\gamma}$-catenin and desmoplakin in ESCC samples (p=0.000), implying that the expression of desmosomal components might be regulated by the same upstream regulatory molecules. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that DSG3 may be involved in the progression of ESCC and serve as a prognostic marker, while expression of DSG2 cannot be used as a predictor of ESCC patient outcome.

XPD Lys751Gln and Asp312Asn Polymorphisms and Susceptibility to Skin Cancer: A Meta-Analysis of 17 Case-control Studies

Zhu, Hai-Li,Bao, Ji-Ming,Lin, Pei-Xin,Li, Wen-Xia,Zou, Zhen-Ning,Huang, Ye-En,Chen, Qing,Shen, Hong Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.16

Background: Numerous studies have explored the influence of XPD Lys751Gln and/or Asp312Asn polymorphisms on skin cancer susceptibility. However, the results remain inconclusive. To derive a more precise estimation, we conducted a comprehensive search to identify all available published studies and performed a meta-analysis. Materials and Methods: Electronic literature searches of the PubMed, CBM and CNKI databases were performed up to March 2014. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were applied to assess the strength of associations. Results: Seventeen case-control studies were included with a total sample size of 6, 113 cases and 11, 074 controls for the XPD Lys751Gln polymorphism, and 10 studies (3, 840cases and 7, 637 controls) for the XPD Asp312Asn polymorphism were pooled for analysis. Overall, no significant associations were found between the XPD Lys751Gln polymorphism and skin cancer risk in any genetic model. On stratified analysis by tumor type, XPD Lys751Gln polymorphism was not associated with increased risk of non-melanoma skin cancer, but was significantly related with increased risk of cutaneous melanoma (Gln/Gln vs Lys/Lys: OR=1.15, 95%CI=1.02-1.29, p=0.023; dominant model: OR=1.09, 95%CI=1.01-1.18, p=0.036). For the XPD Asp312Asn polymorphism, no significant association with skin cancer risk was observed in overall or subgroup analyses. Conclusions: The present meta-analysis suggests that the XPD Lys751Gln polymorphism may contribute to the risk of cutaneous melanoma from currently available evidence. Further investigations are needed to obtain more insight into possible roles of these two polymorphisms in skin carcinogenesis.