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1
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Conventional calpains and programmed cell death

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2011
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vol. 58
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issue 3
287-296
EN
The evidence on the crucial role of a family of calcium-dependent cysteine proteases called calpains in programmed cell death is rich and still growing. However, understanding of the mechanisms of their functions in apoptosis is not full yet. Calpains have been implicated in both physiological and pathological cell death control, especially in various malignancies, but also in the immune system development and function. There is also growing evidence on calpain involvement in apoptosis execution in certain pathological conditions of the central nervous system, in cardiovascular diseases, etc. Understanding of the clinical significance of calpain activation pathways, after intense studies of the influence of calpain activity on drug-induced apoptosis, seems especially important lately, as calpains have become noticed as potential therapeutic targets. To allow pharmacological targeting of these enzymes, thorough knowledge of their patterns of activation and further interactions with already known apoptotic pathways is necessary. A comprehensive summary of both well established and recently obtained information in the field is an important step that may lead to future advances in the use of calpain-targeted agents in the clinic.
EN
Anti-cancer activities of some pyrano-pyridines have been previously reported. Herein, we investigated anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects of the novel pyrano [3, 2-c] pyridine (P.P, TPM.P, 4-CP.P and 3-NP.P) compounds against MCF-7 breast cancer cells. The MCF-7 cells were cultured in the presence of various concentrations (20-200 μM) of the tested compounds for 3 days and the cell viability was determined by MTT assay. Induction of apoptosis was qualitatively assayed by acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EtBr) staining, DNA fragmentation assay, as well as quantitatively by Annexin V/PI double staining and cell cycle analysis. These compounds inhibited growth and proliferation of the MCF-7 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The IC50 values of P.P, TPM.P, 4-CP.P and 3-NP.P after 24 h of exposure were calculated to be 100±5.0, 180±6.0, 60±4.0 and 140±5.0 μM, respectively. 4-CP.P was determined as the most potent compound and was chosen for further studies. The result of flow cytometric cell cycle analysis indicated an increase in sub-G1 population after 72 h treatment of the cells. Furthermore, this was accompanied by exposure of phosphatidylserine (PS) in the outer cell membrane after time course of treatment with the 4-CP.P. Based on these observations, the pyrano [3, 2-c] pyridines can be regarded as a valuable candidate for further pharmaceutical evaluations.
EN
Programmed cell death (apoptosis) plays a vital role in the regulation of cellular homeostasis. Because of apoptosis fundamental importance, this process is highly regulated. One important set of factors involved in apoptosis regulation is the Bcl-2 family proteins. Bcl-2 family members form a complex regulatory network that controls cell survival and death in response to different physiological and pathological signals. This family includes both pro- and anti-apoptotic members, and Bax protein (Mol wt 21 kDa) is a major pro-apoptotic factor with multifunctional activity. This review summarizes new data about the main representative of Bcl-2 family – Bax, its structure and mechanism(s) by which this protein modulates apoptosis.
EN
Ovocystatin is a chicken egg white protein, generally known for its inhibitory activity against cysteine proteases. However, biological activity of ovocystatin does not seem to be well recognized in respect to other possible cellular effects. Our attention has been focused on ovocystatin cytotoxic effects in relation to its influence on actin cytoskeleton organization and apoptosis induction. In vitro studies with human melanoma A375, human cervix HeLa cancer cells and normal human fibroblasts - NHDF were done. Cytotoxic activity of ovocystatin was seen in respect to apoptosis induction - manifested by cell shape changes, phosphatydylserine translocation and actin cytoskeleton reorganization. Normal human fibroblasts have shown lower sensitivity to ovocystatin as compared with human melanoma A375 and human cervix HeLa cancer cells. In conclusion, ovocystatin affects actin cytoskeleton organization and displays proapoptotic activity towards applied cell lines. This implicates its application as a potential anticancer drug. However, its adverse effects on normal cells should be taken into consideration.
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2000
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vol. 47
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issue 1
165-171
EN
(E)-2'-deoxy-2'-(fluoromethylene)-cytidine (FMdC), a deoxycytidine analog displaying a very high toxicity toward a variety of solid tumor cell lines and xenografts, is activated intracellularly by deoxycytidine kinase (dCK). We have compared cytotoxicity of FMdC towards a human promyeolocytic leukemia line HL-60 and a human colorectal carcinoma line COLO-205. Despite dCK activity being by far the highest in cells of lymphoid origin, the effects of FMdC were detectable at the lowest drug concentration only in a solid tumor cell line, and at higher concentrations they were qualitatively similar in the two tumor lines (increased cell protein content, cell cycle block and apoptosis). Apparently, low dCK activity in solid tumor cells sufficiently activates FMdC to yield cytotoxic effects, while high dCK activity in leukemia cells does not increase its cytotoxicity.
EN
Mitochondria are extremely important organelles in the life of a cell. Recent studies indicate that mitochondria also play a fundamental role in the cellular innate immune mechanisms against viral infections. Moreover, mitochondria are able to alter their shape continuously through fusion and fission. These tightly regulated processes are activated or inhibited under physiological or pathological (e.g. viral infection) conditions to help restore homeostasis. However, many types of viruses, such as orthopoxviruses, have developed various strategies to evade the mitochondrial-mediated antiviral innate immune responses. Moreover, orthopoxviruses exploit the mitochondria for their survival. Such viral activity has been reported during vaccinia virus (VACV) infection. Our study shows that the Moscow strain of ectromelia virus (ECTV-MOS), an orthopoxvirus, alters the mitochondrial network in permissive L929 cells. Upon infection, the branching structure of the mitochondrial network collapses and becomes disorganized followed by destruction of mitochondrial tubules during the late stage of infection. Small, discrete mitochondria co-localize with progeny virions, close to the cell membrane. Furthermore, clustering of mitochondria is observed around viral factories, particularly between the nucleus and viroplasm. Our findings suggest that ECTV-MOS modulates mitochondrial cellular distribution during later stages of the replication cycle, probably enabling viral replication and/or assembly as well as transport of progeny virions inside the cell. However, this requires further investigation.
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Direct tumor damage mechanisms of photodynamic therapy.

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EN
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a clinically approved and rapidly developing cancer treatment regimen. It is a minimally invasive two-stage procedure that requires administration of a photosensitizing agent followed by illumination of the tumor with visible light usually generated by laser sources. A third component of PDT is molecular oxygen which is required for the most effective antitumor effects. In the presence of the latter, light of an appropriate wavelength excites the photosensitizer thereby producing cytotoxic intermediates that damage cellular structures. PDT has been approved in many countries for the treatment of lung, esophageal, bladder, skin and head and neck cancers. The antitumor effects of this treatment result from the combination of direct tumor cell photodamage, destruction of tumor vasculature and activation of an immune response. The mechanisms of the direct photodamage of tumor cells, the signaling pathways that lead to apoptosis or survival of sublethaly damaged cells, and potential novel strategies of improving the antitumor efficacy of PDT are discussed.
EN
We have demonstrated for the first time that the steroid metabolite, 2-methoxyestradiol (2-ME) is a powerful growth inhibitor of human osteosarcoma 143 B cell line by pleiotropic mechanisms involving cell cycle arrest at two different points and apoptosis. The ability of 2-ME to inhibit cell cycle at the respective points has been found concentration dependent. 1 μM 2-ME inhibited cell cycle at G1 phase while 10 μM 2-ME caused G2/M cell cycle arrest. As a natural estrogen metabolite 2-ME is expected to perturb the stability of microtubules (MT) in vivo analogously to Taxol - the MT binding anticancer agent. Contrary to 2-ME, Taxol induced accumulation of osteosarcoma cells in G2/M phase of cell cycle only. The presented data strongly suggest two different mechanisms of cytotoxic action of 2-ME at the level of a single cell.
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EN
UVC-induced apoptotic symptoms such as morphological changes, DNA fragmentation, Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression were examined in primary splenocyte cultures from young (3 months) and old (24 months) rats. The activities of AP-1 and CRE transcription factors in UVC-irradiated splenocytes were also assessed. At 24 h after UVC irradiation 40% of cells derived from young rats were found to be apoptotic, which was twice as much as in splenocytes from old rats. Apoptosis in cells from old rats did not give typical symptoms like a "DNA ladder" and Bcl-2 protein downregulation, in contrast to splenocytes from young rats. No AP-1 transcription factor activity was found in UVC-irradiated splenocytes from old animals and only a trace activity in splenocytes from young animals. This indicates that, UVC-induced apoptosis in rat splenocytes is practically AP-1 independent and that cells from old rats are less sensitive to UVC irradiation than splenocytes from young rats.
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2011
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vol. 58
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issue 4
513-520
EN
The current study was undertaken to elucidate a possible neuroprotective role of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) against the development of Alzheimer's disease in experimental rat model. Alzheimer's disease was produced in young female ovariectomized rats by intraperitoneal administration of AlCl3 (4.2 mg/kg body weight) daily for 12 weeks. Half of these animals also received orally DHEA (250 mg/kg body weight, three times weekly) for 18 weeks. Control groups of animals received either DHAE alone, or no DHEA, or were not ovariectomized. After such treatment the animals were analyzed for oxidative stress biomarkers such as hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide and malondialdehyde, total antioxidant capacity, reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, antiapoptotic marker Bcl-2 and brain derived neurotrophic factor. Also brain cholinergic markers (acetylcholinesterase and acetylcholine) were determined. The results revealed significant increase in oxidative stress parameters associated with significant decrease in the antioxidant enzyme activities in Al-intoxicated ovariectomized rats. Significant depletion in brain Bcl-2 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels were also detected. Moreover, significant elevations in brain acetylcholinesterase activity accompanied with significant reduction in acetylcholine level were recorded. Significant amelioration in all investigated parameters was detected as a result of treatment of Al-intoxicated ovariectomized rats with DHEA. These results were confirmed by histological examination of brain sections. These results clearly indicate a neuroprotective effect of DHEA against Alzheimer's disease.
EN
This study examined the antiproliferative effects of β-escin (E) in cancer cells. The study showed that E inhibited cancer cells growth in a dose-dependent manner. The flow cytometric analysis revealed an escin-induced increase in the sub-G1 DNA content, which is considered to be a marker of apoptosis. Apoptosis was also confirmed by annexin V staining and DNA fragmentation assay. These effects were associated with increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), caspase-3 activation and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Moreover, escin decreased mitochondrial protein content and mitochondrial fluorescence intensity as well as caused depletion of glutathione (GSH). However, activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) was not significantly changed in escin-treated cells. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that E has apoptotic effects in human cancer cells through the mechanisms involving mitochondrial perturbation. Although the exact mechanism needs to be investigated further, it can be concluded that E may be a useful candidate agent for cancer treatment.
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2015
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vol. 62
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issue 1
83-88
EN
Leukemia is a particular type of cancer characterized by the failure of cell death or disability in differentiation of hematopoietic cells. Chronic myelogenus leukemia (CML) is the most studied kind of this cancer. In this study, anti-cancer effect of dihydro-pyranochromenes derivatives were investigated in the human leukemia K562 cells. These compounds were found to be active cell proliferation inhibitors using MTT assay. Among these compounds, 3-NpC was determined as stronger compound with IC50 value of 100±3.1 µM and was chosen for further studies. Induction of apoptosis was analyzed by AO/EtBr staining, DNA fragmentation assay, Annexin V/PI double staining and cell cycle analysis. Furthermore, Western Blot analysis showed that treatment of the cells with 3-NpC led to up-regulation and activation of caspase-3. The results of this investigation clearly indicated that dihydro-pyranochromenes derivatives induce apoptosis in the K562 cell line. This information signalizes also that these compounds may prepare a new therapeutic approach for the treatment of leukemia.
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EN
Bax protein, the proapoptotic member of Bcl-2 protein family, plays the key role in apoptosis pathway.The aim of the study was to assess the expression of Bax protein in breast cancer cells.Material and methods. Sixty-two breast cancer patients were included in the study. The control group encompassed 11 fibroadenoma patients. Single cells were isolated from defrosted samples and prepared for flow cytometry measurement.Results. Median expression of Bax protein in study group was 7.9% (range: 0-49.4%) and was significantly lower than in control (median expression 15.8%; range 4.9-30.9%; p=0.034). Expression of Bax correlated with expression of p53 and caspase-3 proteins (p<0,01, rank Spearman test). In patients under 70 years old and with positive estrogen receptors status the expression of Bax protein was significantly higher (p=0.03 and p=0.01 respectively).Conclusions. Lower expression of Bax protein in breast cancer cells may suggest the potential way of apoptosis avoidance of tumor cells. Correlations among Bax protein, p53 and caspase-3 are likely associated with active apoptotic mechanism in breast cancer cells expressing Bax protein. Further investigation with long time follow-up should be performed to establish the prognostic role of Bax protein expression in breast cancer patients.
EN
The aim of the study. Estimatation of p53 protein and soluble FasL ligand level concentration in serum of patients with benign and malignant primary follicular thyroid tumors as indicators of apoptosis and evaluation of their usefulness for early diagnosis of thyroid tumors.Material and methods. 42 patients were qualified for the study. 28 patients were diagnosed with follicular neoplasm (NF) in preoperative fine-needle biopsy. The final verification was postoperative histopathology. Control group consisted of 14 patients with euthyroid goiter, with no cancerous cells detected in cytologic examination. All patients underwent surgical procedures. Levels of p53 and sFasL were marked on the day of admission, before surgery. Destinationes were made in the serum using the ELISA immunoenzymatic method. Obtained data underwent computer statistical analysis.Results. The analysis revealed significantly higher sFasL and p53 concentration in blood of patients with follicular thyroid cancer in comparison with the control group. Similarly, p53 serum level was significantly higher in case of patients with benign thyroid adenoma than in the control group. Comparison between p53 and sFasL serum level in cases of patients with follicular cancer and follicular adenoma showed statistically higher sFasL blood concentration in cases of patients with follicular cancer; there was no statistically significant connection in case of p53 concentration.Conclusions. 1. sFasL and p53 serum concentration are significantly higher in patients with follicular thyroid cancer than in the control group. 2.The p53 serum concentration is significantly higher in cases of all patients with benign thyroid adenoma than in the control group. There was no such correlation for sFasL concentration. 3. sFasL serum concentration is significantly higher in cases of patients with follicular thyroid cancer than in patients with benign thyroid adenoma. There was no such correlation with serum levels of p53.
EN
The effects of specific inhibitors of respiratory chain, FoF1ATP synthase and uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation on survival of carcinoma HeLa cells and on the structure of mitochondria in the cells were studied. The inhibitors of respiration (piericidingg, antimycin, myxothiazol), the F1-component of ATP synthase (aurovertin) and uncouplers (DNP, FCCP) did not affect viability of HeLa cells, apoptosis induced by TNF or staurosporin and the anti-apoptotic action of Bcl-2. Apoptosis was induced by combined action of respiratory inhibitors and uncouplers indicating possible pro-apoptotic action of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by mitochondria. Short-term incubation of HeLa cells with the mitochondrial inhibitors and 2-deoxyglucose followed by 24-48 h recovery resulted in massive apoptosis. Apoptosis correlated to transient (3-4 h) and limited (60-70%) depletion of ATP. More prolonged or more complete transient ATP depletion induced pronounced necrosis. The inhibitors of respiration and uncouplers caused fragmentation of tubular mitochondria and formation of small round bodies followed by swelling. These transitions were not accompanied with release of cytochrome c into the cytosol and were fully reversible. The combined effect of respiratory inhibitors and uncouplers developed more rapidly indicating possible involvement of ROS generated by mitochondria. More prolonged (48-72 h) incubation with this combination of inhibitors caused clustering and degradation of mitochondria.
EN
Structural motifs found in naturally occurring compounds are frequently used by researchers to develop novel synthetic drug candidates. Some of these new agents are hybrid molecules which are designed through a concept of combining more than one functional element. In this report, anticancer activity of new synthetic molecular hybrids, substituted 3-diethoxyphosphorylnaphtho[2,3-b]furan-4,9-diones and 3-diethoxyphosphorylbenzo[f]indole-4,9-diones, which integrate natural 1,4-naphtalenedione scaffold, present in several anticancer agents, with pharmacophoric phosphonate moiety, were tested against hepatocellular cell line HepG2. Cytotoxicity was examined using MTT assay. Two most potent compounds, furandione 8a and benzoindoldione 12a, which reduced the number of viable HepG2 cells with the IC50 values of 4.13 µM and 5.9 µM, respectively, were selected for further research. These compounds decreased the mRNA expression levels of several genes: Bcl-2, angiogenic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), c-Fos, caspase-8 and increased the expression of Bax, caspase-3 and -9, c-Jun, p21, p53, as determined by quantitative real-time PCR. The ability of these compounds to induce apoptosis and DNA damage was studied by flow cytometry. The obtained data showed that the new compounds inhibited cell viability by increasing apoptosis and decreasing angiogenesis. Compound 8a was a much stronger apoptosis inducer as compared with 12a and strongly activated the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis, associated with the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and changes in Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. These findings show that the synthetic hybrids combining 1,4-naphthalenedione system and phosphonic acid moiety display potential to be further explored in the development of new anticancer agents.
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The DFF40/CAD endonuclease and its role in apoptosis.

100%
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2000
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vol. 47
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issue 4
1037-1044
EN
The sequential generation of large-scale DNA fragments followed by internucleosomal chromatin fragmentation is a biochemical hallmark of apoptosis. One of the nucleases primarily responsible for genomic DNA fragmentation during apoptosis is called DNA Fragmentation Factor 40 (DFF40) or Caspase-activated DNase (CAD). DFF40/CAD is a magnesium-dependent endonuclease specific for double stranded DNA that generates double strand breaks with 3'-hydroxyl ends. DFF40/CAD is activated by caspase-3 that cuts the nuclease's inhibitor DFF45/ICAD. The nuclease preferentially attacks chromatin in the internucleosomal linker DNA. However, the nuclease hypersensitive sites can be detected and DFF40/CAD is potentially involved in large-scale DNA fragmentation as well. DFF40/CAD-mediated DNA fragmentation triggers chromatin condensation that is another hallmark of apoptosis.
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2011
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vol. 58
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issue 3
297-302
EN
Objective: To study the effects of velvet antler polypeptides (VAPs) on osteoarthritic chondrocytes (OCs) in rabbits. Methods: An osteoarthritic rabbit model was established according to Hulth's method. OCs were isolated and cultured for observation of the cell cycle. Cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay and the cell cycle was monitored by flow cytometry. The phenotype was determined by toluidine blue staining as well as immunohistochemical staining for collagen type II. The expression of MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-13, TIMP-1, and collagen I and X mRNA by chondrocytes was assayed by RT-PCR. Results: The VAPs had no obvious proliferative effect on OCs and did not affect the cell cycle. However, they significantly reduced the proportion of early apoptotic cells in a dose-dependent manner. Further, VAPs inhibited the expression of collagen I and X mRNA and induced abnormal expression of MMP-1 and MMP-13 mRNA. VAPs had no significant effect on MMP-3 and TIMP-1 mRNA levels. The toluidine blue and collagen type II immunohistochemical staining intensities of VAP-treated chondrocytes were positively correlated with the concentration of VAPs used. Conclusion: VAPs had no significant effect on OC proliferation and the cell cycle, but did increase the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and collagen type II expression levels in the extracellular matrix, and down-regulated collagen I and X mRNA expression. Treatment of cartilage cells with VAPs maintained their normal phenotype, inhibited matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) secretion, kept the balance of cartilage matrix metabolism, and sustained an external environment where the cartilage cells could survive. Moreover, VAPs reduced the proportion of early apoptotic cells, suggesting that they may block the apoptotic pathway in OCs.
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2015
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vol. 4(4)
1-10
EN
Alongside surgery, radiation therapy remains the mainstay of treatment for head and neck cancers.  Because the head and neck contain a number of critically important structures, it is crucial to try to curtail the adverse effects of radiation therapy by increasing its precision. Such precise radiation techniques include the three-dimensional conformal as well as highly conformal radiotherapy. The latter includes, for instance, intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), stereotactic radiation, and proton-beam therapy. All of the above-mentioned techniques are available in Poland and give the opportunity of a more aggressive treatment that lead to improved outcomes, curtailment of adverse effects, and by that, a better quality of life.
EN
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a inflammatory disease of large bowel. The amount of people suffering from UC increases from year to year. Pathogenesis of this affection is still not entirely clear. Mechanisms of proliferation and apoptosis in colonocytes in the course of the disease are defectedThe aim of the study was to assess the rate of proliferation and intensity of apoptosis in colonocytes in patients with diagnose UC.Material and methods. Colon pathological samples taken from patients with diagnosed ulceraive colitis were examined. Patients were in both clinical and endoscopic remission and were treated with mesalazin. They were patient of Department of General and Colorectal Surgery. To estimate proliferation index dye with monoclonal antibody against Ki67. To determine apoptosis level immunohistochemistry with antybody against Bax was used.Results. Average Ki-67 in the test group was 42,13%, the largest value amounted to 57% and the lowest of 33%. Average value of Bax was 1.47 and ranged between 0-3. High index of bax appear not only in the bottom of the crypt, but also at their outlet.Conclusions. In ulecerative colitis genetic and immunological disturbances occur despite treatment. Mesalazine acting only on certain routes associated with the UC holds the remission, without, however "the molecular remission". Thus, it appears that the results of our research are another proof of the necessary caution in weaning support treatment.
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