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The possibility of chemical contamination is an important issue to consider when designing a cell therapy strategy. Both bisphenol A (BPA) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) are among the most environmentally relevant endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs, compounds with a high affinity for adipose tissue) recently studied. Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) are mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) obtained from adipose tissue widely used in regenerative medicine to prevent and treat diseases in several tissues and organs. Although the experimental use of tissue-engineered constructs requires careful analysis for approval and implantation, there has been a recent increase in the number of approved clinical trials for this promising strategy. This study aimed to evaluate cell viability, apoptosis, DNA damage, and the adipogenic or osteogenic differentiation potential of rat adipose-derived stem cells (rASCs) exposed to previously established non-cytotoxic doses of BPA and TCDD in vitro. Results demonstrated that 10 μM of BPA and 10 nM of TCDD were able to significantly reduce cell viability, while all exposure levels resulted in DNA damage, although did not increase the apoptosis rate. According to the analysis of adipogenic differentiation, 1 μM of BPA induced the significant formation of oil droplets, suggesting an increased adipocyte differentiation, while both 10 μM of BPA and 10 nM of TCDD decreased adipocyte differentiation. Osteogenic differentiation did not differ among the treatments. As such, BPA and TCDD in the concentrations tested can modify important processes in rASCs such as cell viability, adipogenic differentiation, and DNA damage. Together, these findings prove that EDCs play an important role as contaminants, putatively interfering in cell differentiation and thus impairing the therapeutic use of ASCs.

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-29T08:39:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2022-04-01 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Ovarian cancer (OC) is the most lethal gynecological malignancy with a highly negative prognosis. Melatonin is an indoleamine secreted by the pineal gland during darkness and has shown antitumor activity in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. Herein, we investigated the influence of melatonin on the proteome of human ovarian carcinoma cells (SKOV-3 cell line) using the Ultimate 3000 LC Liquid NanoChromatography equipment coupled to a Q-Exactive mass spectrometry. After 48 h of treatment, melatonin induced a significant cytotoxicity especially with the highest melatonin concentration. The proteomic profile revealed 639 proteins in the control group, and 98, 110, and 128 proteins were altered by melatonin at the doses of 0.8, 1.6, and 2.4 mM, respectively. Proteins associated with the immune system and tricarboxylic acid cycle were increased in the three melatonin-exposed groups of cells. Specifically, the dose of 2.4 mM led to a reduction in molecules associated with protein synthesis, especially those of the ribosomal protein family. We also identified 28 potential genes shared between normal ovarian tissue and OC in all experimental groups, and melatonin was predicted to alter genes encoding ribosomal proteins. Notably, the set of proteins changed by melatonin was linked to a better prognosis for OC patients. We conclude that melatonin significantly alters the proteome of SKOV-3 cells by changing proteins involved with the immune response and mitochondrial metabolism. The concentration of 2.4 mM of melatonin promoted the largest number of protein changes. The evidence suggests that melatonin may be an effective therapeutic strategy against OC. Department of Structural and Functional Biology Institute of Biosciences UNESP - Sao Paulo State University Biotechnology Institute (IBTEC) São Paulo State University (UNESP) Faculty of Medicine of São José do Rio Preto São José do Rio Preto Department of Biology Biological Science Center Universidade Estadual do Norte do Paraná – UENP, Luiz Meneghel Campus Departament of Cell Systems and Anatomy UT Health Graduate Program in Tropical Diseases Botucatu Medical School (FMB) São Paulo State University (UNESP) Department of Structural and Functional Biology Institute of Biosciences UNESP - Sao Paulo State University Biotechnology Institute (IBTEC) São Paulo State University (UNESP) Graduate Program in Tropical Diseases Botucatu Medical School (FMB) São Paulo State University (UNESP) FAPESP: 2019/00906-6 CNPq: 304108/2020-0 CAPES: 88887.482368/2020-00

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-29T08:32:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-09-01 Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Wild-type or engineered bacteriophages have been reported as therapeutic agents in the treatment of several types of diseases, including cancer. They might be used either as naked phages or as carriers of antitumor molecules. Here, we evaluate the role of bacteriophages M13 and T4 in modulating the expression of genes related to cell adhesion, growth, and survival in the androgen-responsive LNCaP prostatic adenocarcinoma-derived epithelial cell line. LNCaP cells were exposed to either bacteriophage M13 or T4 at a concentration of 1 × 105 pfu/mL, 1 × 106 pfu/mL, and 1 × 107 pfu/mL for 24, 48, and 72 h. After exposure, cells were processed for general morphology, cell viability assay, and gene expression analyses. Neither M13 nor T4 exposure altered cellular morphology, but both decreased the MTT reduction capacity of LNCaP cells at different times of treatment. In addition, genes AKT, ITGA5, ITGB1, ITGB3, ITGB5, MAPK3, and PI3K were significantly up-regulated, whilst the genes AR, HSPB1, ITGAV, and PGC1A were down-regulated. Our results show that bacteriophage M13 and T4 interact with LNCaP cells and effectively promote gene expression changes related to anchorage-dependent survival and androgen signaling. In conclusion, phage therapy may increase the response of PCa treatment with PI3K/AKT pathway inhibitors. Laboratory of Extracellular Matrix Biology Department of Structural and Functional Biology Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu Sao Paulo State University (UNESP) Department of Structural and Functional Biology Institute of Biology University of Campinas (UNICAMP) Department of Surgery and Orthopedics Faculty of Medicine Sao Paulo State University (UNESP) Laboratory of Extracellular Matrix Biology Department of Structural and Functional Biology Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu Sao Paulo State University (UNESP) Department of Surgery and Orthopedics Faculty of Medicine Sao Paulo State University (UNESP) CAPES: 001 FAPESP: 2019/19644-1 CNPq: 310805/2018-0

Circadian rhythms control most biological processes in every organism and their disruption or an aberrant function in the expression of clock genes are associated with a number of cancers including some hormone-dependent and independent cancers. The processes involved in carcinogenesis and tumor progression are complex, but understanding the daily profiles of the core clock genes and their clock-controlled genes is essential to evaluate specifically the molecular program of the cancer phenotype; this may be helpful in providing a more realistic strategy for both diagnosis and treatment during the course of the disease. Because melatonin production and secretion oscillates rhythmically through the light:dark cycle and is related to the circadian machinery genes (Clock, Bmal1, Periods, and Cryptochromes), its regulatory role on clock genes in cancer cells may bring additional evidence regarding the mechanism(s) by which melatonin is involved. Mechanistically, melatonin acts via proteasome inhibition and sirtuins to indirectly modulate clock genes in cancer; however, melatonin seems to be capable of directly altering the expression of clock genes to affect cancer development. Depending on cancer cell type, melatonin might up or downregulate specific clock genes to control cell cycle, survival, repair mechanisms, etc. In parallel, melatonin exerts pro-apoptotic, anti-proliferative and pro-oxidative effects, metabolic shifting, reduction in neovasculogenesis and inflammation, and restores chemosensitivity of cancer cells. Finally, melatonin improves the life quality of patients. This review focuses on the main functions of melatonin on clock genes, and reviews, from a clinical and experimental standpoint, how melatonin regulates the expression of clock genes in some prevalent cancer types such as breast, prostate, liver, and colon cancers, leukemia and melanoma. We further emphasized possible signaling mechanisms whereby melatonin interferes with clockwork genes and circadian-controlled genes within cancer cells.

Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-12T01:50:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-12-24 To investigate the potential role of immunotherapies in the cellular and molecular mechanisms associated with ovarian cancer (OC), we applied a comparative proteomic toll using protein identification combined with mass spectrometry. Herein, the effects of the protein aggregate magnesium-ammonium phospholinoleate-palmitoleate anhydride, known as P-MAPA, and the human recombinant interleukin-12 (hrIL-12) were tested alone or in combination in human SKOV-3 cells. The doses and period were defined based on a previous study, which showed that 25 μg/mL P-MAPA and 1 ng/mL IL-12 are sufficient to reduce cell metabolism after 48 h. Indeed, among 2,881 proteins modulated by the treatments, 532 of them were strictly concordant and common. P-MAPA therapy upregulated proteins involved in tight junction, focal adhesion, ribosome constitution, GTP hydrolysis, semaphorin interactions, and expression of SLIT and ROBO, whereas it downregulated ERBB4 signaling, toll-like receptor signaling, regulation of NOTCH 4, and the ubiquitin proteasome pathway. In addition, IL-12 therapy led to upregulation of leukocyte migration, tight junction, and cell signaling, while cell communication, cell metabolism, and Wnt signaling were significantly downregulated in OC cells. A clear majority of proteins that were overexpressed by the combination of P-MAPA with IL-12 are involved in tight junction, focal adhesion, DNA methylation, metabolism of RNA, and ribosomal function; only a small number of downregulated proteins were involved in cell signaling, energy and mitochondrial processes, cell oxidation and senescence, and Wnt signaling. These findings suggest that P-MAPA and IL-12 efficiently regulated important proteins associated with OC progression; these altered proteins may represent potential targets for OC treatment in addition to its immunoadjuvant effects. Department of Anatomy Institute of Biosciences Center for the Study of Venoms and Venomous Animals (CEVAP) UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista Farmabrasilis RandD Division Department of Structural and Functional Biology UNICAMP - University of Campinas Department of Morphology and Pathology Federal University of São Carlos Center for the Study of Venoms and Venomous Animals (CEVAP) UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista

Immunotherapies have emerged as promising complementary treatments for ovarian cancer (OC), but its effective and direct role on OC cells is unclear. This study examined the combinatory effects of the protein aggregate magnesium&ndash, ammonium phospholinoleate&ndash, palmitoleate anhydride, known as P-MAPA, and the human recombinant interleukin-12 (hrIL-12) on cell migration/invasion, apoptosis, toll-like receptor (TLR)-mediated inflammation, and cytokine/chemokine profile in human OC cell line SKOV-3. P-MAPA and IL-12 showed cancer cell toxicity under low doses after 48 h. Although apoptosis/necrosis and the cell cycle were unchanged by the treatments, P-MAPA enhanced the sensitivity to paclitaxel (PTX) and P-MAPA associated with IL-12 significantly reduced the migratory potential and invasion capacity of SKOV-3 cells. P-MAPA therapy reduced TLR2 immunostaining and the myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), but not the TLR4 levels. Moreover, the combination of P-MAPA with IL-12 attenuated the levels of MyD88, interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB p65). The IL-12 levels were increased and P-MAPA stimulated the secretion of cytokines IL-3, IL-9, IL-10, and chemokines MDC/CCL22 and, regulated on activation, normal T cells expressed and secreted (RANTES)/CCL5. Conversely, combination therapy reduced the levels of IL-3, IL-9, IL-10, MDC/CCL22, and RANTES/CCL5. Collectively, P-MAPA and IL-12 reduce cell dynamics and effectively target the TLR-related downstream molecules, eliciting a protective effect against chemoresistance. P-MAPA also stimulates the secretion of anti-inflammatory molecules, possibly having an immune response in the OC microenvironment.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are critical sensors related to inflammation and tumorigenesis. Among all subtypes, the TLR4 is a highly described transmembrane protein involved in the inflammatory process. The TLR4/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) signaling pathway has been implicated in oncogenic events in several tissues and is associated with survival of patients. Through activation, TLR4 recruits adaptor proteins, i.e., MyD88 or TRIF, to triggers canonical and non-canonical signaling pathways that result in distinct immune responses. In most cancer cells, uncontrolled TLR4 signaling modifies the tumor microenvironment to proliferate and evade immune surveillance. By contrast, TLR4 activation can produce antitumor activities, thereby inhibiting tumor growth and enhancing the proper immune response. We review herein recent approaches on the role of the TLR4 signaling pathway and discuss potential candidates for gynecological cancer therapies; among these agents, natural and synthetic compounds have been tested both in vitro and in vivo. Since TLR4 ligands have been investigated as effective immune-adjuvants in the context of these aggressive malignancies, we described how TLR4 signaling controls part of the tumor-related inflammatory process and which are the new targeting molecules implicated in the regulation of tumorigenicity in ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancers.

Parabens are hormonally active chemicals widely used as preservatives in foods and are frequently detected in human fluids and tissues. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effects of maternal butyl paraben (BP) exposure on male sexual development. Pregnant Wistar rats received corn oil (control group), or BP at doses of 10, 100, or 200 mg/kg, subcutaneously, from gestational day 12 until postnatal day 21. Our results demonstrated that developmental BP exposure significantly increased the number of adult Leydig cells and the circulating concentrations of testosterone and attenuated FSH and LH concentrations at 200 mg/kg. BP exposure adversely affected spermatogenesis kinetics at doses of 10 and 200 mg/kg and provoked a decrease in the immunostaining of EsR1 and AR at 200 mg/kg. The sperm motility was impaired at the 10 mg/kg dose, and sperm head abnormalities were increased in all BP dose groups. We suggest that BP impairs testicular structure and function in the rat, affecting sperm quality. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 1273–1289, 2017.

Cancers of the reproductive organs have a strong association with mitochondrial defects, and a deeper understanding of the role of this organelle in preneoplastic-neoplastic changes is important to determine the appropriate therapeutic intervention. Mitochondria are involved in events during cancer development, including metabolic and oxidative status, acquisition of metastatic potential, resistance to chemotherapy, apoptosis, and others. Because of their origin from melatonin-producing bacteria, mitochondria are speculated to produce melatonin and its derivatives at high levels; in addition, exogenously administered melatonin accumulates in the mitochondria against a concentration gradient. Melatonin is transported into tumor cell by GLUT/SLC2A and/or by the PEPT1/2 transporters, and plays beneficial roles in mitochondrial homeostasis, such as influencing oxidative phosphorylation and electron flux, ATP synthesis, bioenergetics, calcium influx, and mitochondrial permeability transition pore. Moreover, melatonin promotes mitochondrial homeostasis by regulating nuclear DNA and mtDNA transcriptional activities. This review focuses on the main functions of melatonin on mitochondrial processes, and reviews from a mechanistic standpoint, how mitochondrial crosstalk evolved in ovarian, endometrial, cervical, breast, and prostate cancers relative to melatonin's known actions. We put emphasis on signaling pathways whereby melatonin interferes within cancer-cell mitochondria after its administration. Depending on subtype and intratumor metabolic heterogeneity, melatonin seems to be helpful in promoting apoptosis, anti-proliferation, pro-oxidation, metabolic shifting, inhibiting neovasculogenesis and controlling inflammation, and restoration of chemosensitivity. This results in attenuation of development, progression, and metastatic potential of reproductive cancers, in addition to lowering the risk of recurrence and improving the life quality of patients.

Made available in DSpace on 2018-12-11T17:21:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2018-06-30 Prostate cancer (PCa) has high mortality rates, with most of the deaths resulting from the development of metastasis. Fibronectin (FN) plays key roles in cell adhesion and affects the migratory behavior of cells. In the tumor microenvironment and also in the blood plasma during metastasis, FN displays increased expression, however its role in prostate cancer remains poorly understood. This study aimed to unveil the specific roles of FN as a soluble component, alone or in combination with a complex basement membrane. To investigate the impact of FN in neoplastic prostate cells, we evaluated the gene expression of LNCaP cells by RT-qPCR after exposure to soluble FN (25 µg/mL) either alone or in combination with a basement membrane. When FN was the predominant matrix element, such as in blood plasma, PCa tumor cells increased their expression of genes related to an invasive behavior and resistance to apoptosis, including CDH2, ITGA5, AKT1, and BCL2. However, the combined presence of FN and a complex basement membrane had the opposite effect on LNCaP cells, in which the expression levels of CDH2, ITGA5, AKT1, and BCL2 were reduced. Hierarchical clustering analysis with LNCaP and RWPE-1 cells showed that LNCaP cells exposed to an enriched extracellular matrix displayed an expression pattern more similar to that shown by RWPE-1 cells, a cell line that illustrates characteristics of the normal prostate epithelium. These findings provide the groundwork for future studies addressing the role of FN in tumor growth, particularly in the context of cancer evolution/progression from a solid primary tumor to a transitory circulating state. Department of Morphology Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu – Univ Estadual Paulista (Unesp) Department of Morphology Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu – Univ Estadual Paulista (Unesp)