phenanthrenes and Lymphoma--Large-B-Cell--Diffuse

Triptolide, a diterpene triepoxide derived from Trypterygium wilfordii, is documented to have antitumor activity in a broad range of solid tumors and leukemia. The mechanisms that are involved in triptolide-mediated apoptosis or growth inhibition in cancer cells are not fully understood. We identified a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 10 (ADAM10) as a novel molecular target of triptolide using affinity chromatography and mass spectrometry. The identification was confirmed by western blot analysis using an anti-ADAM10 antibody. The expression of ADAM10 is enhanced in several tumors including leukemia and is involved in malignant cell growth and cancer progression. ADAM10 is a type 1 transmembrane glycoprotein that cleaves several plasma membrane proteins. We show that triptolide, at concentrations in the nM range, resulted in a significant decrease in ADAM10 expression followed by the appearance of ADAM10 cleaved product. Furthermore, triptolide reduced the viability of monocytic leukemic U937 cells. Triptolide treatment of MCF-7 breast cancer cells expressing ectopic ADAM10 or dominant negative ADAM10 (DN ADAM10) resulted in a decreased expression of ADAM10 with a concomitant increase in ADAM10 cleaved products. Moreover, siRNA-mediated knockdown of ADAM10 mRNA significantly affected the growth of MCF-7 cells. Interestingly, the combination of siRNA-mediated knockdown of ADAM10 mRNA expression and triptolide treatment lead to a further reduction in cell growth. Taken together, we provide evidence that ADAM10 is a novel target of triptolide, presenting a novel strategy to inhibit ADAM10 activity in tumorigenesis.

Topics: ADAM Proteins; ADAM10 Protein; Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases; Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; Apoptosis; Breast Neoplasms; Cell Growth Processes; Cell Line, Tumor; Chromatography, Affinity; Diterpenes; Epoxy Compounds; Humans; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse; Membrane Proteins; Phenanthrenes; Protease Inhibitors; U937 Cells

Extracts of the Chinese herbal remedy Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TWHF) have been reported to be effective in the treatment of patients with a variety of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, but the mechanism of this therapeutic effect has not been completely delineated. The present study was designed to assess the effects of TWHF on the in vitro synthesis of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and on the expression of the cyclooxygenase isoforms, COX-1 and COX-2, in various human cell types.. Monocytes from human peripheral blood (HM), fibroblasts from rheumatoid arthritis synovial tissue (RASF), human neonatal foreskin fibroblasts (HFF), and the histiocytic cell line U937 were cultured for designated time periods with or without lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and in the presence or absence of varying concentrations of the following inhibitors: the methanol/chloroform (T2) extract of TWHF, the ethyl acetate (EA) extract of TWHF, a purified diterpenoid component of TWHF (triptolide), dexamethasone, and indomethacin. Culture supernatants were harvested for PGE2 content assays. Total RNA was extracted from the cells and analyzed for COX-1 and COX-2 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction or Northern blotting.. Both the T2 and EA extracts inhibited PGE2 synthesis in the LPS-stimulated HM, RASF, and HFF cells, which was reflected by a marked suppression in the levels of mRNA for COX-2. In contrast, neither extract inhibited PGE2 production in U937 cells that did not express COX-2. Triptolide also inhibited LPS-stimulated induction of COX-2 mRNA and synthesis of PGE2, at the same inhibitory concentration as seen with the EA extract. The effects of T2, EA, and triptolide paralleled the inhibitory action of dexamethasone.. The data indicate that both the T2 and EA extracts of TWHF, as well as the triptolide component, inhibit PGE2 production in a variety of human cells by blocking the up-regulation of COX-2.

Topics: Acetates; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Chloroform; Cyclooxygenase 1; Cyclooxygenase 2; Dinoprostone; Diterpenes; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Epoxy Compounds; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Interleukin-2; Isoenzymes; Kinetics; Lipopolysaccharides; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse; Membrane Proteins; Methanol; Monocytes; Peroxidases; Phenanthrenes; Plant Extracts; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases; RNA, Messenger; Tripterygium; Tumor Cells, Cultured