thiostrepton and Liver-Neoplasms

Fluorescent proteins are investigated extensively as markers for the imaging of cells and tissues that are treated by gene transfection. However, limited transfection efficiency and lack of targeting restrict the clinical application of this method rooted in the challenging development of robust fluorescent proteins for in vivo bioimaging. To address this, a new type of near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent protein assemblies manufactured by genetic engineering is presented. Due to the formation of well-defined nanoparticles and spectral operation within the phototherapeutic window, the NIR protein aggregates allow stable and specific tumor imaging via simple exogenous injection. Importantly, in vivo tumor metastases are tracked and this overcomes the limitations of in vivo imaging that can only be implemented relying on the gene transfection of fluorescent proteins. Concomitantly, the efficient loading of hydrophobic drugs into the protein nanoparticles is demonstrated facilitating the therapy of tumors in a mouse model. It is believed that these theranostic NIR fluorescent protein assemblies, hence, show great potential for the in vivo detection and therapy of cancer.

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Cell Line, Tumor; Drug Carriers; Genetic Engineering; Humans; Liver Neoplasms; Luminescent Proteins; Mice; Nanoparticles; Neoplasms; Peptides; Polyethylene Glycols; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared; Thiostrepton; Transplantation, Heterologous

Many different types of cancer cells have chromosome instability. The hippo pathway leads to phosphorylation of the transcriptional activator yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1, YAP), which regulates proliferation and has been associated with the development of liver cancer. We investigated the effects of hippo signaling via YAP on chromosome stability and hepatocarcinogenesis in humans and mice.. We analyzed transcriptome data from 242 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to search for gene signatures associated with chromosomal instability (CIN); we investigated associations with overall survival time and cancer recurrence using Kaplan-Meier curves. We analyzed changes in expression of these signature genes, at mRNA and protein levels, after small interfering RNA-mediated silencing of YAP in Sk-Hep1, SNU182, HepG2, or pancreatic cancer cells, as well as incubation with thiostrepton (an inhibitor of forkhead box M1 [FOXM1]) or verteporfin (inhibitor of the interaction between YAP and TEA domain transcription factor 4 [TEAD4]). We performed co-immunoprecipitation and chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments. We collected liver tissues from mice that express a constitutively active form of YAP (YAP. Gene expression patterns associated with chromosome instability, called CIN25 and CIN70, were detected in HCCs from patients with shorter survival time or early cancer recurrence. TEAD4 and YAP were required for CIN25 and CIN70 signature expression via induction and binding of FOXM1. Disrupting the interaction between YAP and TEAD4 with verteporfin, or inhibiting FOXM1 with thiostrepton, reduced the chromosome instability gene expression patterns. Hyperplastic livers and tumors from YAP. By analyzing cell lines, genetically modified mice, and HCC tissues, we found that YAP cooperates with FOXM1 to contribute to chromosome instability. Agents that disrupt this pathway might be developed as treatments for liver cancer. Transcriptome data are available in the Gene Expression Omnibus public database (accession numbers: GSE32597 and GSE73396).

Topics: Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Chromosomal Instability; Disease Models, Animal; DNA-Binding Proteins; Forkhead Box Protein M1; Gene Expression Profiling; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Hep G2 Cells; Humans; Kaplan-Meier Estimate; Liver Neoplasms; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Transgenic; Muscle Proteins; Phenotype; Phosphoproteins; Porphyrins; Prognosis; RNA Interference; Signal Transduction; TEA Domain Transcription Factors; Thiostrepton; Time Factors; Tissue Array Analysis; Transcription Factors; Transcriptome; Transfection; Verteporfin; YAP-Signaling Proteins

Nanoparticle-encapsulated thiazole antibiotic, thiostrepton, has been shown to be an effective agent for inhibiting tumor growth in solid tumor models through the inhibition of proteasomal activity by the induction of apoptosis in cancer cells. Here, we show the efficacy of thiostrepton-micelles in inhibiting tumor growth in a DEN/PB-induced liver cancer model. We also demonstrate an enhanced anticancer effect of the combination treatment of thiostrepton with bortezomib, another proteasome inhibitor in this liver cancer model.

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Boronic Acids; Bortezomib; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Diethylnitrosamine; Disease Models, Animal; Liver; Liver Neoplasms; Mice; Phenobarbital; Pyrazines; Thiostrepton