-
International Journal of Molecular... Jul 2022The rapid emergence of antibiotic resistance demands new antimicrobial strategies that are less likely to develop resistance. Augmenting the synthesis of endogenous host...
The rapid emergence of antibiotic resistance demands new antimicrobial strategies that are less likely to develop resistance. Augmenting the synthesis of endogenous host defense peptides (HDPs) has been proven to be an effective host-directed therapeutic approach. This study aimed to identify small-molecule compounds with a strong ability to induce endogenous HDP synthesis for further development as novel antimicrobial agents. By employing a stable HDP promoter-driven luciferase reporter cell line known as HTC/, we performed high-throughput screening of 5002 natural and synthetic compounds and identified 110 hits with a minimum Z-score of 2.0. Although they were structurally and functionally diverse, half of these hits were inhibitors of class I histone deacetylases, the phosphoinositide 3-kinase pathway, ion channels, and dopamine and serotonin receptors. Further validations revealed mocetinostat, a benzamide histone deacetylase inhibitor, to be highly potent in enhancing the expression of multiple HDP genes in chicken macrophage cell lines and jejunal explants. Importantly, mocetinostat was more efficient than entinostat and tucidinostat, two structural analogs, in promoting HDP gene expression and the antibacterial activity of chicken macrophages. Taken together, mocetinostat, with its ability to enhance HDP synthesis and the antibacterial activity of host cells, could be potentially developed as a novel antimicrobial for disease control and prevention.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; Chickens; Macrophages; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
PubMed: 35955551
DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158400 -
Research Square Apr 2024Histon deacetylase (HDAC) enzyme is one of the enzymes involved in regulating gene expression and epigenetic alternation of cells by removing acetyl groups from lysine...
Histon deacetylase (HDAC) enzyme is one of the enzymes involved in regulating gene expression and epigenetic alternation of cells by removing acetyl groups from lysine residue on a histone, allowing the histones to wrap the DNA more tightly and suppressing a tumor-suppressing gene. HDAC inhibitors play an important role in inhibiting the proliferation of tumor cells by restricting the mechanism of action of HDAC enzyme, leading to the addition of acetyl groups to lysine. Mocetinostat, also known by its chemical name (MGCD0103), is a novel isotype selective HDAC enzyme that explicitly targets HDAC isoforms inhibiting Class1(HDAC 1,2,3,8) and Class IV (HDAC11) enzymes. It was approved for treating the phase II trial of Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2010. Our study revealed that different doses of Mocetinostat inhibit the growth of glioblastoma cells, metastasis, and angiogenesis and induce the apoptosis and differentiation of glioblastoma cells C6 and T98G. Western blot has shown that MGCD0103 has many biological activities to control glioblastoma cancer cells. MGCD0103 can modulate the molecular mechanism for several pathways in cells, such as inhibition of the PI3K/AKT pathway and suppression of HDAC1 enzyme activity in charge of many biological processes in the initiation and progression of cancer. The high doses of Mocetinostat drug significantly induce apoptosis and suppress cancer cell proliferation through increased pro-apoptotic proteins (BAX) and a down level of anti-apoptotic proteins(Bid, Bcl2). Also, the mocetinostat upregulated the expression of the tumor suppressor gene and downregulated the gene expression of the E2f1 transcription factor. Additionally, MGCDO103-induced differentiation was facilitated by activating the differentiation marker GFAP and preventing the undifferentiation marker from expression (Id2, N-Myc). The MGCD0103 is a potent anticancer drug crucial in treating glioblastoma cells.
PubMed: 38645087
DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4170668/v1 -
Leukemia & Lymphoma Mar 2023
Topics: Humans; CREB-Binding Protein; E1A-Associated p300 Protein; Epigenesis, Genetic; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin; Mutation; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
PubMed: 36642966
DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2022.2164194 -
Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences 2022Enhancing the immune microenvironment in cancer by targeting the nucleic acid sensors is becoming a potent therapeutic strategy. Among the nucleic acid sensors,...
Enhancing the immune microenvironment in cancer by targeting the nucleic acid sensors is becoming a potent therapeutic strategy. Among the nucleic acid sensors, activation of the RNA sensor Retinoic Acid-inducible Gene (RIG-I) using small hairpin RNAs has been shown to elicit powerful innate and adaptive immune responses. Given the challenges inherent in pharmacokinetics and delivery of RNA based agonists, we set out to discover small molecule agonists of RIG-I using a cell-based assay. To this end, we established and validated a robust high throughput screening assay based on a commercially available HEK293 reporter cell line with a luciferase reporter downstream of tandem interferon stimulated gene 54 (ISG54) promoter elements. We first confirmed that the luminescence in this cell line is dependent on RIG-I and the interferon receptor using a hairpin RNA RIG-I agonist. We established a 96-well and a 384-well format HTS based on this cell line and performed a proof-of-concept screen using an FDA approved drug library of 1,200 compounds. Surprisingly, we found two HDAC inhibitors Entinostat, Mocetinostat and the PLK1 inhibitor Volasertib significantly enhanced ISG-luciferase activity. This luminescence was substantially diminished in the null reporter cell line indicating the increase in signaling was dependent on RIG-I expression. Combination treatment of tumor cell lines with Entinostat increased RIG-I induced cell death in a mammary carcinoma cell line that is resistant to either Entinostat or RIG-I agonist alone. Taken together, our data indicates an unexpected role for HDAC1,-3 inhibitors in enhancing RIG-I signaling and highlight potential opportunities for therapeutic combinations.
PubMed: 35237663
DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.837610 -
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine 2023Atrial fibrosis represents a major hallmark in disease progression of atrial fibrillation (AF). We have previously shown that circulating microRNA-21 (miR-21) correlates...
BACKGROUND
Atrial fibrosis represents a major hallmark in disease progression of atrial fibrillation (AF). We have previously shown that circulating microRNA-21 (miR-21) correlates with the extent of left atrial fibrosis in patients undergoing catheter ablation for AF and can serve as a biomarker to predict ablation success. In this study, we aimed to validate the role of miR-21-5p as a biomarker in a large cohort of AF patients and to investigate its pathophysiological role in atrial remodeling.
METHODS
For the validation cohort, we included 175 patients undergoing catheter ablation for AF. Bipolar voltage maps were obtained, circulating miR-21-5p was measured, and patients were followed-up for 12 months including ECG holter monitoring. AF was simulated by tachyarrhythmic pacing of cultured cardiomyocytes, the culture medium was transferred to fibroblast, and fibrosis pathways were analysed.
RESULTS
73.3% of patients with no/minor LVAs, 51.4% of patients with moderate LVAs and only 18.2% of patients with extensive LVAs were in stable sinus rhythm (SR) 12 months after ablation ( < 0.01). Circulating miR-21-5p levels significantly correlated with the extent of LVAs and event-free survival. tachyarrhythmic pacing of HL-1 cardiomyocytes resulted in an increased miR-21-5p expression. Transfer of the culture medium to fibroblasts induced fibrosis pathways and collagen production. The HDAC1 inhibitor mocetinostat was found to inhibit atrial fibrosis development.
CONCLUSION
We validated miR-21-5p as a biomarker that reflects the extent of left atrial fibrosis in AF patients. Furthermore, we found that miR-21-5p is released from cardiomyocytes under tachyarrhythmic conditions and stimulates fibroblasts in a paracrine mode to induce collagen production.
PubMed: 36873400
DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1056134 -
European Review For Medical and... May 2021The article "Mocetinostat suppresses epidural fibrosis following laminectomy by inhibiting myofibroblast activation and increasing apoptosis, by W.-J. Wu, J. Wang, J....
The article "Mocetinostat suppresses epidural fibrosis following laminectomy by inhibiting myofibroblast activation and increasing apoptosis, by W.-J. Wu, J. Wang, J. Liang, Q. Zhou, Y. Liang, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2020; 24 (8): 4467-4475-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202004_21029-PMID: 32373984" has been withdrawn from the authors due to some errors in the data. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/21029.
PubMed: 34002805
DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202105_25801 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jan 2022The neural crest transcription factor BRN3A is essential for the proliferation and survival of melanoma cells. It is frequently expressed in melanoma but not in normal...
The neural crest transcription factor BRN3A is essential for the proliferation and survival of melanoma cells. It is frequently expressed in melanoma but not in normal melanocytes or benign nevi. The mechanisms underlying the aberrant expression of BRN3A are unknown. Here, we investigated the epigenetic regulation of in melanocytes and melanoma cell lines treated with DNA methyltransferase (DNMT), histone acetyltransferase (HAT), and histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors. DNMT and HAT inhibition did not significantly alter BRN3A expression levels, whereas panHDAC inhibition by trichostatin A led to increased expression. Treatment with the isoform-specific HDAC inhibitor mocetinostat, but not with PCI-34051, also increased BRN3A expression levels, suggesting that class I HDACs HDAC1, HDAC2, and HDAC3, and class IV HDAC11, were involved in the regulation of BRN3A expression. Transient silencing of HDACs 1, 2, 3, and 11 by siRNAs revealed that, specifically, HDAC2 inhibition was able to increase BRN3A expression. ChIP-Seq analysis uncovered that HDAC2 inhibition specifically increased H3K27ac levels at a distal enhancer region of the gene. Altogether, our data suggest that HDAC2 is a key epigenetic regulator of BRN3A in melanocytes and melanoma cells. These results highlight the importance of epigenetic mechanisms in regulating melanoma oncogenes.
Topics: Cell Line; DNA Methylation; Epigenesis, Genetic; Gene Expression Regulation; Gene Silencing; Histone Deacetylase 2; Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors; Humans; Melanocytes; Melanoma; Transcription Factor Brn-3A
PubMed: 35055045
DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020849 -
Communications Biology 2019Cancer cells exhibit phenotypic plasticity during epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) involving intermediate states. To...
Cancer cells exhibit phenotypic plasticity during epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) involving intermediate states. To study genome-wide epigenetic remodeling associated with EMT plasticity, we integrate the analyses of DNA methylation, ChIP-sequencing of five histone marks (H3K4me1, H3K4me3, H3K27Ac, H3K27me3 and H3K9me3) and transcriptome profiling performed on ovarian cancer cells with different epithelial/mesenchymal states and on a knockdown model of EMT suppressor Grainyhead-like 2 (GRHL2). We have identified differentially methylated CpG sites associated with EMT, found at promoters of epithelial genes and GRHL2 binding sites. GRHL2 knockdown results in CpG methylation gain and nucleosomal remodeling (reduction in permissive marks H3K4me3 and H3K27ac; elevated repressive mark H3K27me3), resembling the changes observed across progressive EMT states. Epigenetic-modifying agents such as 5-azacitidine, GSK126 and mocetinostat further reveal cell state-dependent plasticity upon GRHL2 overexpression. Overall, we demonstrate that epithelial genes are subject to epigenetic control during intermediate phases of EMT/MET involving GRHL2.
Topics: Cell Line, Tumor; CpG Islands; DNA Methylation; DNA-Binding Proteins; Epigenesis, Genetic; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; Female; Gene Knockdown Techniques; Histones; Humans; Ovarian Neoplasms; Transcription Factors
PubMed: 31372511
DOI: 10.1038/s42003-019-0506-3 -
IEEE/ACM Transactions on Computational... 2021COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The case-fatality rate is significantly higher in...
COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The case-fatality rate is significantly higher in older patients and those with diabetes, cancer or cardiovascular disorders. The human proteins, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) and basigin (BSG), are involved in high-confidence host-pathogen interactions with SARS-CoV-2 proteins. We considered these three proteins as seed nodes and applied the random walk with restart method on the human interactome to construct a protein-protein interaction sub-network, which captures the effects of viral invasion. We found that 'Insulin resistance', 'AGE-RAGE signaling in diabetic complications' and 'adipocytokine signaling' were the common pathways associated with diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disorders. The association of these critical pathways with aging and its related diseases explains the molecular basis of COVID-19 fatality. We further identified drugs that have effects on these proteins/pathways based on gene expression studies. We particularly focused on drugs that significantly downregulate ACE2 along with other critical proteins identified by the network-based approach. Among them, COL-3 had earlier shown activity against acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress, while entinostat and mocetinostat have been investigated for non-small-cell lung cancer. We propose that these drugs can be repurposed for COVID-19.
Topics: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2; Antiviral Agents; COVID-19; Cardiovascular Diseases; Comorbidity; Computational Biology; Drug Repositioning; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Gene Expression Profiling; Host Microbial Interactions; Humans; Pandemics; Protein Interaction Maps; Respiratory Tract Diseases; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19 Drug Treatment
PubMed: 33891554
DOI: 10.1109/TCBB.2021.3075299 -
Biomedicines Feb 2022Background: Gemcitabine efficacy in pancreatic cancer is often impaired due to limited intracellular uptake and metabolic activation. Epi-drugs target gene expression...
Background: Gemcitabine efficacy in pancreatic cancer is often impaired due to limited intracellular uptake and metabolic activation. Epi-drugs target gene expression patterns and represent a promising approach to reverse chemoresistance. In this study, we investigate the chemosensitizing effect of different epi-drugs when combined with gemcitabine in pancreatic cancer. Methods: Mouse KPC3 cells were used for all experiments. Five different epi-drugs were selected for combination therapy: 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine, hydralazine, mocetinostat, panobinostat, and valproic acid (VPA). Treatment effects were determined by cell proliferation and colony forming assays. Expression of genes were assessed by real-time quantitative PCR. The most promising epi-drug for combination therapy was studied in immune competent mice. Intratumor changes were defined using NanoString PanCancer panel IO360. Results: All epi-drugs, except hydralazine, potentiated the gemcitabine response in KPC3 cells (range decrease IC50 value 1.7−2-fold; p < 0.001). On colony formation, the cytotoxic effect of 0.5 ng/mL gemcitabine was 1.4 to 6.3 times stronger (p < 0.01). Two out of three drug-transporter genes were strongly upregulated following epi-drug treatment (a range fold increase of 17−124 and 9−60 for Slc28a1 and Slc28a3, respectively; all p < 0.001). VPA combined with gemcitabine significantly reduced tumor size with 74% compared to vehicle-treated mice and upregulated expression of immune-related pathways (range pathway score 0.86−1.3). Conclusions: These results provide a strong rationale for combining gemcitabine with VPA treatment. For the first time, we present intratumor changes and show activation of the immune system. Clinical trials are warranted to assess efficacy and safety of this novel combination in pancreatic cancer patients.
PubMed: 35327319
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10030517