The current standard-of-care for advanced liver cancer is limited. Therefore, there is an urgent need for development of novel molecular targeted therapy. Increase of WEE1 kinase activity through an epigenetic regulation plays an important role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here we demonstrated that WEE1 siRNA silencing caused inhibition of HCC cell growth through blockade of cell cycle progression and induction of apoptosis. The anti-proliferative effects were driven by a subset of molecular alterations including the upregulation of cdk inhibitor p21 and the downregulation of AKT1, CDK2, cyclin B1 (CCNB1), PARP1 and GPAM which are functionally involved in control of cell cycle, apoptosis and lipid metabolism. Systemic delivery of a modified WEE1 siRNA encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles significantly inhibited human HCC growth in murine xenograft models, and increased mice survival. Wee1 silencing in tumor cells also resulted in a strong inhibition of lipogenesis (SREBP1C, FAS) and caused a marked decrease in fat accumulation. Of importance, knockdown of WEE1 dramatically reduced the portion of liver cancer stem cells (CSCs) population through co-downregulation of cancer stemness genes and weakened the capacity of sphere formation and the ability of cancer cell migration. Our findings suggest that the epigenetic modifier WEE1 functionally involve to HCC lipid metabolism and CSC-like phenotype maintenance and that molecular targeting of WEE1 may be an effective systemic therapy for prevention of tumor recurrence via elimination of CSCs in liver tumor microenvironment.
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Cell line, Treatment
View SamplesWe used microarrays to detail gene expression changes in Hs 294T human melanoma cells after treatment with elesclomol alone, or in combination with paclitaxel, to aide in identifing the mechnism of action of elesclomol.
Elesclomol induces cancer cell apoptosis through oxidative stress.
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View SamplesWe used microarrays to detail gene expression changes in Hs 294T human melanoma cells after treatment with elesclomol alone, or in combination with NAC, to aide in identifing the mechnism of action of elesclomol.
Elesclomol induces cancer cell apoptosis through oxidative stress.
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View SamplesThis SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
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View SamplesChlorella has been reported to have various physiological activities, including antiarteriosclerotic, cholesterol-lowering, anti-inflammatory, and immunoregulatory effects. However, there has been no report on the long-term effects of chlorella ingestion on immunity. In the present study, 4- to 10-week-old (young) and 4- to 50-week-old (old) female BALB/c mice were sensitized or not with ovalbumin (OVA), and given basic diet containing chlorella powder at 2% or basic diet alone. The effects of chlorella ingestion on immunity were investigated by measurement of splenic cytokines and immunoglobulin (Ig), analysis of T- and B-cells in the spleen and small intestine by flow cytometry, and analysis of the liver by DNA microarray. Results were compared between the young and old, OVA-sensitized and -nonsensitized, and chlorella and non-chlorella ingestion groups. Production of interferon- (IFN-) was maintained in the nonsensitized old groups, and ratios of T-helper type 1 (Th1) to T-helper type 2 (Th2) cells were similar in the young and old groups. In addition, overproduction of OVA-specific Igs due to OVA sensitization was strongly suppressed, and significant immunotolerance was exhibited irrespective of age. In addition, suppression of T-cell decreases in the spleen due to aging and suppression of changes in T- and B-cells due to OVA sensitization in the small intestinal lymph were demonstrated on flow cytometric analyses. On DNA microarray analysis, immune-related terms including IL11 and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class 1 were detected, and expression of genes was shown, which were related to IL1-linked genes and complex involving macrophages from the pathways of cytokines and inflammatory response. In addition, suppressions of declined lipid metabolism and energy production were also suggested. Although how the ingredients in chlorella were involved in these changes is unclear, our findings suggest that prevention of decrease in acquired immunity by aging and induction of strong immunotolerance occurred following chlorella ingestion.
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Sex, Specimen part
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