Int J Med Sci
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Cancer vasculature is immature, disorganized and hyperpermeable and can serve as a target for anti-cancer therapies. Vascular disrupting agents (VDAs) are tubulin protein binding and depolymerizing agents that induce rapid tumoral vascular shutdown and subsequent cancer necrosis. ⋯ Nearly complete tumor necrosis was achieved by only a single arterial dose of C118P at 5 mg/kg, which was documented in a representative case by in vivo digital subtraction arteriogram (DSA) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and further confirmed by ex vivo microangiogram and histopathology. This convincing and promising preliminary outcome would warrant further comprehensive studies to explore the potentials of VDAs by transarterial administration either in mono-drug or in combination for management of solid cancers.
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Heparanase cleaves the extracellular matrix by degrading heparan sulfate that ultimately leads to cell invasion and metastasis; a condition that causes high mortality among cancer patients. Many of the anticancer drugs available today are natural products of plant origin, such as hinokitiol. In the previous report, it was revealed that hinokitiol plays an essential role in anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidation processes and promote apoptosis or autophagy resulting to the inhibition of tumor growth and differentiation. ⋯ Besides, mice experiment was conducted to observe the impact of hinokitiol in vivo. Our results show that hinokitiol can inhibit the expression of heparanase by reducing the phosphorylation of protein kinase B (Akt) and extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK). Furthermore, in vitro cell migration assay showed that heparanase downregulation by hinokitiol led to a decrease in metastatic activity which is consistent with the findings in the in vivo experiment.
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Background: Pumpkin (Curcubita sp.) is a natural product that is commonly used in folk medicine. However, the inhibitory effect and molecular mechanisms of tendril of Cucurbita Moschata Duch. (TCMD) on osteoclast differentiation have yet to be clearly elucidated. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of water extract of TCMD on osteoclast differentiation. ⋯ Further, F-actin ring formation and bone resorption were reduced by TCMD in RANKL-treated BMDMs. In addition, TCMD decreased the phosphorylation of p38 and ERK as well as the expression of osteoclast-related genes in BMDMs treated with RANKL. Conclusion: These findings suggest that TCMD may have preventive and therapeutic effects for destructive bone diseases.
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Background: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) represent a class of broad and diversified endogenous RNAs that regulate gene expressions in eukaryotes. Hsa_circ_006675 has been proven as an important circRNA molecule in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), however, its function still remains elusive. This study aims to discuss the biofunctions of hsa_circ_0066755 in NPC. ⋯ The xenograft experiment showed that exogenous hsa_circ_0066755 could significantly enhance the in-vivo tumorigenic ability of CNE-1 cells. Rescue assay further confirmed hsa_circ_0066755 as a tumor facilitator by sponging miR-651. Conclusions: Collectively, this study reported for the first time that hsa_circ_0066755 played a role of oncogene in NPC and could be used as an effective diagnostic marker for NPC, and that hsa_circ_0066755 / miR-651 axis also involved in the progression of NPC.
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Purpose: To identify the differential expression of microRNAs (miRs) and the related gene networks and signal pathways in lacrimal glands (LGs) of rabbit autoimmune dacryoadenitis. Methods: Autoimmune dacryoadenitis in rabbits was induced by transferring activated peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs). The LGs of normal and model group rabbits were collected for small RNA sequencing. ⋯ GO and KEGG analysis revealed that most target genes of these dysregulated miRs were implicated in MAPK signaling pathway. Conclusion: Our results showed for the first time the differentially expressed miRs and the related pathways involved in the pathogenesis of rabbit autoimmune dacryoadenitis. These results may contribute to elucidating molecular pathogenesis of Sjögren's syndrome (SS) dry eye.