scholarly journals Effects of Environmental pH on the Growth of Gastric Cancer Cells

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Wenjie Li ◽  
Ying Zhou ◽  
Chunyu Shang ◽  
Hui Sang ◽  
Hong Zhu

Background. Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and other acid-suppressing drugs are widely used in the treatment of gastrointestinal ulcer, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, gastritis, and gastric cancer (GC). About 80% of GC patients receive acid suppression treatment. PPI suppresses the production of gastric acid by inhibiting the function of H+/K+-ATPase in gastric parietal cells and raises the pH value to achieve therapeutic purposes. Some studies have found that PPI had a certain antitumor effect in the proliferation and apoptosis of tumor cells. But the effects of environmental pH on the growth of GC cells and its mechanism are unknown. Therefore, we hoped to find the effects of culture medium pH on the biological behavior of GC cells by in vitro experiments and provide guidance for the use of acid-suppressing drugs in GC patients. Aims. We aimed to observe the effects of pH changes in GC cell culture medium on the cell biological behavior of cancer cells and to analyze the potential mechanisms. We hoped to find out the effect of acid suppression on the growth of GC cells. Methods. The GC cell lines (SGC-7901 and MKN45) were used as the research object. We adjusted the pH value in the cell culture medium to observe the changes in cell viability (MTT), apoptosis (flow cytometry), and invasion (Transwell) at pH 6, pH 7, and pH 8. qRT-PCR and western blot (WB) assays were used to determine the expression changes of genes and proteins (mTOR, AKT, Wnt, Glut, and HIF-1α) at pH 6, pH 7, and pH 8. Results. The results of MTT showed that the viability of SGC-7901 and MKN45 in the pH 8.0 group was significantly weaker than that in the pH 6.0 or pH 7.0 group (P<0.001). Flow cytometry results showed that the apoptosis of SGC-7901 and MKN45 in the pH 8.0 group was more obvious than that in the pH 6.0 or pH 7.0 group (P<0.001). The results of Transwell showed that the invasion ability of SGC-7901 and MKN45 in the pH 8.0 group was significantly weaker than that in the pH 6.0 or pH 7.0 group (P<0.001). As shown by PCR and WB results, with the increase of pH, the expression of mTOR, AKT, Wnt, Glut, and HIF-1α in SGC-7901 and MKN45 was downregulated (P<0.05). Conclusions. Compared with the microacid environment, the microalkaline environment inhibited the viability, invasion, and expression of genes and proteins (mTOR, AKT, Wnt, Glut, and HIF-1α) but promoted the apoptosis of GC cells and thus inhibited the growth of GC.

Author(s):  
Qiong Luo ◽  
Suyun Zhang ◽  
Donghuan Zhang ◽  
Rui Feng ◽  
Nan Li ◽  
...  

Background: Gastric cancer(GC) is currently one of the major malignancies that threatens human lives and health. Anlotinib is a novel small-molecule that inhibits angiogenesis to exert anti-tumor effects. However, the function in gastric cancer is incompletely understood. Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-tumor effects and molecular mechanisms of anlotinib combined with dihydroartemisinin (DHA) in SGC7901 gastric cancer cells. Method: Different concentrations of anlotinib and DHA were used to treat SGC7901 gastric cancer cells, after which cell proliferation was measured. Drug interactions of anlotinib and DHA were analyzed by the Chou-Talalay method with CompuSyn software. proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, migration, and angiogenesis were measured using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) assay, flow cytometry, Transwell invasion assays, scratch assays, and chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assays. proliferation-associated protein (Ki67), apoptosis-related protein (Bcl-2), and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) were quantified by Western bloting. Results: The combination of 2.5 μmol/L of anlotinib and 5 of μmol/L DHA was highly synergistic in inhibiting cell growth, significantly increased the apoptosis rate and suppressed obviously the invasion and migration capability and angiogenesis of gastric cancer cells. In addition, the expression levels of Ki67, Bcl-2, and VEGF-A, as well as angiogenesis, were significantly decreased in the Combination of drugs compared with in control and either drug alone. Conclusion: The combination of anlotinib and DHA showed synergistic antitumor activity, suggesting their potential in treating patients with gastric cancer.


2019 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 205873921984553
Author(s):  
Ying Guo ◽  
Li Zhang ◽  
Guangyu Zhou ◽  
Qingjie Ma ◽  
Shi Gao ◽  
...  

This study was designed to investigate the effects of siRNA-mediated silencing of Bmi-1 gene expression on proliferation of AGS gastric cancer cell. siRNA Bmi-1 was transfected into human AGS gastric cancer cells by liposome (as siRNA Bmi-1 group) with negative control (as control group); the expressions of Bmi-1 and apoptosis-related genes like P21, Bax, and Bcl-2 in AGS cells were determined by Western blot method; the apoptosis of AGS cells was detected by flow cytometry double staining and Hoechst staining; and cell cycle was measured by flow cytometry. Compared with the control group, the expression of Bmi-1 in the siRNA Bmi-1 group was significantly decreased ( P < 0.05), the apoptosis rate was increased ( P < 0.05), and cell cycles were arrested at G1 phase (P < 0.05); the expression level of P21 and Bax in cells was significantly up-regulated while that of Bcl-2 down-regulated ( P < 0.05). The down regulation of Bmi-1 can inhibit the proliferation of AGS gastric cancer cell and promote its apoptosis, which takes such effects mainly by up-regulating P21 as well as Bax and down-regulating Bcl-2.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yixun Lu ◽  
Benlong Zhang ◽  
Baohua Wang ◽  
Di Wu ◽  
Chuang Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide. Due to the dismal prognosis, identifying novel therapeutic targets in GC is urgently needed. Evidences have shown that miRNAs played critical roles in the regulation of tumor initiation and progression. GLI family zinc finger 2 (GLI2) has been reported to be up-regulated and facilitate cancer progression in multiple malignancies. In this study, we focused on identifying GLI2-targeted miRNAs and clarifying the underlying mechanism in GC. Methods Paired fresh gastric cancer tissues were collected from gastrectomy patients. GLI2 and miRNAs expression were detected in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines. Bioinformatics analysis was used to predict GLI2-targeted miRNAs and dual-luciferase reporter assay was applied for target verification. CCK-8, clone formation, transwell and flow cytometry were carried out to determine the proliferation, migration, invasion and cell cycle of gastric cancer cells. Tumorsphere formation assay and flow cytometry were performed to detail the stemness of gastric cancer stem cells (GCSCs). Xenograft models in nude mice were established to investigate the role of the miR-144-3p in vivo. Results GLI2 was frequently upregulated in GC and indicated a poor survival. Meanwhile, miR-144-3p was downregulated and negatively correlated with GLI2 in GC. GLI2 was a direct target gene of miR-144-3p. MiR-144-3p overexpression inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells. Enhanced miR-144-3p expression inhibited tumorsphere formation and CD44 expression of GCSCs. Restoration of GLI2 expression partly reversed the suppressive effect of miR-144-3p. Xenograft assay showed that miR-144-3p could inhibit the tumorigenesis of GC in vivo. Conclusions MiR-144-3p was downregulated and served as an essential tumor suppressor in GC. Mechanistically, miR-144-3p inhibited gastric cancer progression and stemness by, at least in part, regulating GLI2 expression.


2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 16-24
Author(s):  
Rahim Ahmadi ◽  
Zahra Karimi Ghezeli ◽  
Foroozan Gravand ◽  
Mahin Naghshineh ◽  
◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. e1008942
Author(s):  
James H. Joly ◽  
Brandon T. L. Chew ◽  
Nicholas A. Graham

The metabolic reprogramming of cancer cells creates metabolic vulnerabilities that can be therapeutically targeted. However, our understanding of metabolic dependencies and the pathway crosstalk that creates these vulnerabilities in cancer cells remains incomplete. Here, by integrating gene expression data with genetic loss-of-function and pharmacological screening data from hundreds of cancer cell lines, we identified metabolic vulnerabilities at the level of pathways rather than individual genes. This approach revealed that metabolic pathway dependencies are highly context-specific such that cancer cells are vulnerable to inhibition of one metabolic pathway only when activity of another metabolic pathway is altered. Notably, we also found that the no single metabolic pathway was universally essential, suggesting that cancer cells are not invariably dependent on any metabolic pathway. In addition, we confirmed that cell culture medium is a major confounding factor for the analysis of metabolic pathway vulnerabilities. Nevertheless, we found robust associations between metabolic pathway activity and sensitivity to clinically approved drugs that were independent of cell culture medium. Lastly, we used parallel integration of pharmacological and genetic dependency data to confidently identify metabolic pathway vulnerabilities. Taken together, this study serves as a comprehensive characterization of the landscape of metabolic pathway vulnerabilities in cancer cell lines.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 973
Author(s):  
Iwona Radziejewska ◽  
Katarzyna Supruniuk ◽  
Robert Czarnomysy ◽  
Kamila Buzun ◽  
Anna Bielawska

Afzelin demonstrates anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Our purpose was to assess its influence on apoptosis, Bax, caspases, MUC1, cancer-related carbohydrate antigens, enzymes participating in their formation, and galectin-3 in AGS gastric cancer cells. A total of 60 and 120 μM afzelin was used in all experiments. Flow cytometry was applied to determine apoptotic response. Western blotting and RT PCR were used to detect the expression of mentioned factors. Flavonoid at higher concentration revealed slight apoptotic respond. Bax, caspase-3, -8, -9 increased upon afzelin action. Stimulatory effect of the flavonoid on MUC1 cytoplasmic tail and extracellular domain in cell lysates and on MUC1 gene was revealed. MUC1 release into the culture medium was inhibited by the flavonoid. The 60 μM afzelin dose stimulated GalNAcTL5 protein expression and inhibited C1GalT1. ST6GalNAcT mRNA was inhibited by both flavonoid doses. ST3GalT was inhibited by 120 μM afzelin on protein and mRNA level. Lewisa/b protein was reduced by both afzelin concentrations. FUT3 and FUT4 mRNA was inhibited by 120 μM dose of afzelin. Galectin-3 protein increased in cell lysates and decreased in culture supernatant by 60 and 120 μM flavonoid. Galectin-3 gene expression was stimulated by two used concentrations of afzelin in comparison to control. We conclude that afzelin can be considered as the potential anti-cancer agent, supporting conventional cancer treatment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (17) ◽  
pp. 2114-2124
Author(s):  
Xinli An ◽  
Zekun Wei ◽  
Botian Ran ◽  
Hao Tian ◽  
Hongyu Gu ◽  
...  

Background: Gastric cancer, a common malignant tumour worldwide, has a relatively poor prognosis and is a serious threat to human health. Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors (HDACi) are anticancer agents that are known to affect the cell growth of different cancer types. Trichostatin A (TSA) selectively inhibits the class I and II mammalian Histone Deacetylase (HDAC) family enzymes and regulates many cell processes. Still, the underlying mechanisms of HDACs are not fully understood in gastric cancer. Objective: This study aims to investigate the antitumor effect and the mechanism of growth modulation of gastric cancer cells by TSA. Methods: The cell proliferation of gastric cancer cells was measured by MTT and BrdU immunofluorescence assays. Soft agar assay was used to detect the colony formation ability of gastric cancer cells. Flow cytometry was used to examine cell cycle and apoptosis. Western blot was employed to detect protein expression of target factors. Results: TSA inhibits the proliferation of MKN-45 and SGC-7901 cells and leads to significant repression of colony number and size. Flow cytometry assays show TSA induces cell cycle arrest at G1 phase and apoptosis, and TSA effects the expression of related factors in the mitochondrial apoptotic signalling and cell cycle-related regulatory pathways. Furthermore, TSA increased histone H3K27 acetylation and downregulated the expression of PI3K and p-AKT. Conclusion: Downregulating PI3K/AKT pathway activation is involved in TSA-mediated proliferation inhibition of gastric cancer.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 1381-1387
Author(s):  
Wanjun Jia ◽  
Yabin Zhang ◽  
Ruian Wang

To investigate the impact of miRNA-206 on the transcriptional expression of EVI1 gene and activation of Akt/JNK signaling pathway in gastric cancer cells, and to provide a new idea for gene-targeted therapy of gastric cancer. The miRNA-206 transfection experiment was firstly used to verify the regulation of EVI1. The experiment was divided into three groups: miRNA-206 mimics (100 nM), miRNA-206 inhibitor (100 nM), miR-NC (100 nM), and transfected into gastric cancer cells sgc7901, Western blot. EVI1 protein expression was detected; then the signal transduction and biological behavior of the cells were verified by miRNA-206 lentiviral vector transfection experiments. The experiment was divided into three groups: pLB-miRNA-206 group, empty vector group and control group (sgc7901 cell group). miRNA-206 and EVI1 mRNA levels were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative (RT-PCR), and p-Akt and p-JNK were detected by Western blot. Protein expression, cell proliferation was quantified by MTT assay, and the alteration of cell cycle were detected by flow cytometry. miRNA-206 may affect the cell proliferation and division cycle by targeting the regulation of EVI1 transcriptional gene expression and activation of Akt/JNK signaling pathway in gastric cancer cells, and it is expected to provide an important selection site for gene-targeted therapy of gastric cancer.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. e0255585
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Gornowicz ◽  
Wojciech Szymanowski ◽  
Robert Czarnomysy ◽  
Krzysztof Bielawski ◽  
Anna Bielawska

Background Gastric cancer (GC) is a multifactorial disease with high mortality. Anti-HER2 therapy is a promising strategy in GC treatment and trastuzumab was approved by FDA (Food and Drug Administration) as the first and the second line of treatment of the disease. Purpose The aim of the study was to examine the effectiveness of a combination of etoposide with trastuzumab or pertuzumab in AGS gastric cancer cells and breast cancer cells such as MCF-7, MDA-MB-231 and HCC1954. Methods and findings The cytotoxic effects of the tested compounds against gastric and breast cancer cells were checked by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. The anti-proliferative potential was analyzed by the incorporation of [3H]-thymidine into DNA. Fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry was used to demonstrate the effect of the compounds on apoptosis. The mitochondrial membrane potential, and the activity of caspase-8 and caspase-9 were assessed. Autophagosomes and autolysosomes formation was checked by flow cytometry. The concentrations of Beclin-1, LC3A and LC3B were performed using ELISA. The expression of LC3A/B was also determined. The results from our study proved that the combination of etoposide with anti-HER2 antibodies was not cytotoxic against breast cancer cells, whereas the combination of etoposide with anti-HER2 antibodies decreased viability and DNA biosynthesis in gastric cancer cells. The interaction of etoposide with pertuzumab or trastuzumab induced programmed cell death via extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways in AGS gastric cancer cells, but did not affect autophagy, where a decrease of Beclin-1, LC3A and LC3B was observed in comparison with the untreated control. Conclusions The study demonstrated that etoposide (12.5 μM) with pertuzumab represent a promising strategy in gastric cancer treatment, but further in vivo examinations are also required.


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